Sunday in Prague we went to an English speaking mass at The Church of Our Lady Victorious.
It is the church that houses the Infant Jesus of Prague. For a full panoramic tour of the church, click here: http://www.pragjesu.info/en/panorama/child-jesus-church.htm.
It was a lovely mass, filled to capacity with people from all over the world. During mass, tourists were coming in here and there and then an entire tour group came through. At first, I was not impressed with people wandering in, looking around and taking pictures during that time. However, I tried to think more charitably about it and considered that maybe those tourists would get something they needed out of being in the church during mass. Maybe they would be inspired or comforted or something from having been there. Of course, my new found charity was challenged as soon as we got back to our seats after receiving Communion only to find tourists sitting there. I love how just when you think you are growing in virtue, God likes to offer you a little challenge to grow further!
After church and lunch, we went on a 2 hour boat ride down the Vltava River. It was beautiful and serene (minus the sound of children complaining they were bored, of course). Krista said it was her favourite part of our visit to Prague (which means she has gotten really good at tuning the kids out!).
This was not our boat, but another tour on the river at the same time. You get the idea.
We sat on the top deck, and arrived too late to get a seat with an umbrella. It was smokin' hot!
These are a few of the sights from our boat ride (which I was hoping would come with commentary so that we would know what we were looking at, but did not):
When we got off the boat, we headed to the Old Town Square for supper. We had super delicious Czech food. Gord and Krista ordered the goulash, and I had roast duck with dumplings, saurkraut and cooked cabbage. Oh, how I love good food! I think food has been my favourite part of this whole trip. Owen would like me to tell you that he killed his first wasp that evening during dinner. Maybe when we get home that can be one of his official chores!
The Old Town Square is home to this astronomical clock. It is one of only three in the world, and apparently the only one that is functional (this picture is sideways, fyi).
PS It turns out that we booked our holiday on the same weekend as Prague Pride 2011. At first, we noticed an unusual number of really well groomed men travelling in pairs. Then we started to notice the rainbow flags. However, it was the 6'5'' man dressed as a woman who was dressed as a butterfly that really tipped us off. When we passed closer by the butterfly and heard him talk, Owen said "Dad, I think that woman is a man!" Needless to say, this aspect of our weekend inspired all sorts of questions and comments from our sheltered homeschool children!
You know what, your comment about how you lost your seat after receiving communion reminds me about a couple weeks back when we went out to celebrate mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch and people brought their dogs... I mean really! I get that we were outside and all but I was so distracted and wondering what they would do during communion - well, they took them up (holding them) while they received Jesus.... Sheesh! That is just WRONG!
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