PRAGUE - Schnapps, Trams and the Royal Palace

Don't forget to punch your ticket when you get on!

First time in Prague and had never used the trams before.  We decided to have a go and try to head for the Royal Palace.  Initially we got on what we hoped was the correct tram, it was, but only going in the wrong direction.  Exit next stop and got on the next one going in the right direction.

The tram started to climb the hill and we could see the Royal Palace, dark and grey in the sleet, through the rain stained windows.

We stopped and a few passengers exited so we duly followed.  An old man in work clothes crossed the road and opened a smaller side gate to the gardens,  again we followed.  He disappeared into a greenhouse and we started the enjoyment of exploring, taking photos, commenting on how cold it was and how quiet it was.  "Wasn't it good to have the place to ourselves" we kept saying.

We ascended a garden foot path towards the parade ground and noticed in the distance very high metal railings and crowds starting to gather on the other side!  The realization of our location becoming very apparent.

To the side I watched a very smart lady walk towards a sentry who immediately opened a door through a wall to the outside.  We followed and I politely asked "could we go out please" also.  The guard on duty did not respond by opening the door, but instead after looking at me and initially hesitating shouted back "stay there" !  And proceeded to hurry down to a block of military huts.  Immediately he returned following his superior officer.  I don't know if you can march in an angry style, but he did.  His face looked as if he had just been told that I had pranged his car.  This did not look good.  As my wife's designated point man on all our tours - it was time to go to work..

I stood up perfectly straight, presented full eye contact, thrust out my right hand and before he could say anything I announced "good afternoon"  in the best public school accent I could muster.  To my relief he actually hesitated at this and shook my hand!

"How did you get here?"  he demanded
"We came by tram"  I replied
"No, how did you get HERE" he shouted
"we came in the gate by the greenhouses" I replied
"What.......the gate is open" he snarled, and turned on the guard and glared, his face red the sentry's white.  He shouted again and immediately started to march with a purpose, back down the hill towards the greenhouses.      It had to be now!   I turned back to the guard, stepped forward and said "can we go please?".
In the confusion, he dutifully opened the door and we excited with haste.

We lost ourselves in the crowds of tourists trying to take photos of the changing of the guard.

We crossed back over the road, over the tram lines and waited to be rescued by the next tram.

"Schnapps?" I said to the wife.
"Good Idea" she replied !