Every 5 years here in Prague, election years, they bring out the crown jewels for the public! So, today, on our way back from class, Jess and I found ourselves in l
ine with another friend Zach...in line for almost 4 hours! I honestly haven't waited in line that long since Disney World. Most of the people in line were Czech, locals. It was really important for them to come see the crown jewels, there is a lot of symbolism and tradition, it was great for us to be in line with them and to get to take part in this. 4 hours is a long time, of course we made friends. We had come from a 3 hours class, and we are American, so we were a little louder than usual. A little girl loved us, she kept trying to get closer and closer to us. Once we all noticed we decided to use our Czech. Our conversation was mostly just..."Dobry den!" "Good day!" I am not kidding, she said it, then we said it, then she ran away...came back and said it again, and we would respond...it was great entertainment. By the end of the line we were sitting with her and counting in Czech...I can't get past 8.
ine with another friend Zach...in line for almost 4 hours! I honestly haven't waited in line that long since Disney World. Most of the people in line were Czech, locals. It was really important for them to come see the crown jewels, there is a lot of symbolism and tradition, it was great for us to be in line with them and to get to take part in this. 4 hours is a long time, of course we made friends. We had come from a 3 hours class, and we are American, so we were a little louder than usual. A little girl loved us, she kept trying to get closer and closer to us. Once we all noticed we decided to use our Czech. Our conversation was mostly just..."Dobry den!" "Good day!" I am not kidding, she said it, then we said it, then she ran away...came back and said it again, and we would respond...it was great entertainment. By the end of the line we were sitting with her and counting in Czech...I can't get past 8.
And behind us was a man who left work early to come see these jewels, he was really nice and explained some things to us and helped out us inside. There were guards all over, official and non official. I always love to see the guards, they are in full attire for show, but don't smile and have strict rules, it's great fun. Where the jewels were, the hall in the castle, was amazing...and we had just learned about in class that day. People of all ages were there to see the crown and what not. They are on display for only 11 days, I am so glad we went. Yea, I thought it was all beautiful and wonderful(everything inside was older than anything in America!), but what I loved was that the Czech people were all there to see this. That every 5 years is a big deal, to see people bring their children and hear them tell stories about it all, like if anyone but the king wears the crown...they die in exactly a year, and it has been true each time! okay, the one time. I love the pride the people have. Our friend behind us had never been, but made a joke about going every time, but then said seriously that it was a big deal to see the crown jewels, it was really important to come in these 11 days.Most lines here in Prague are just global tourists, but this line had more importance, it was different. This tradition and these jewels had meaning to the people, importance that I can't understand. I am really glad I had this experience today, I am going to miss these days so much.
Love from Praha,
Roxanne
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