What a fun time I’ve had visiting with you in these guest posts! I want to thank you for your wonderful comments, and I want to thank my wife for inviting me to share my time in Prague with you.
Whenever I had any free time from the film shoot, I would walk around and see as much as I could. I couldn’t use my iPhone to call back home, so it became a full time camera. I put it to work, because every time I turned around I would see something I wanted to capture! So many great images. Not all of them “touristy”, just some hidden away places and vistas that caught my wandering fancy.
This first one, however, IS a big tourist stop. It’s in the Center Square of “Old Town” (kind of Prague’s equivalent of New York’s Time Square). It’s the famous “Astronomical Clock,” first installed in 1410, the third oldest in the world and the oldest still working!
You can learn a good deal more about it by clicking here.
I could reach the Square in Old Town by crossing the Charles Bridge. Here’s one of the beautiful views it afforded me:
Here’s another shot of the Old Town Square. Interestingly, the row of small red shops (unlike those in most “farmer’s markets”) are permanent structures and privately owned. One of them is where I found the beautiful painted eggs I bought for Claudia.
I just love this little canal I found tucked away on one of my walks. Talk about a beautiful “alleyway!”
Finally, a story I can’t believe happened. While I was out and about one very cold afternoon when I was at liberty from the film shoot, I came across a young lady walking with her young son and carrying a guitar on her back. She was dressed very colorfully and I summoned the courage to talk to her, hoping she spoke a little English. I asked her if she was a performer and she told me that she and her son were a musical duo and were playing that night at a popular club. Her son was the guitar player and she played the violin. I told them that while I was in Prague principally as an actor, I was also a performing songwriter.
Turns out she was “hosting” the show of singers that night, sort of running the evening, and to my great surprise she invited me to come to the club and play a song! So…
Just a few hours later (and borrowing her son’s guitar) I performed before a packed and enthusiastic crowd! Yes, I’ve gone “international”!
(Thanks to the kind Czech stranger who took my iPhone and was willing to take this shot!)
So, I hit the jackpot: here I was, an actor filming in a beautiful European city who was also lucky enough to play his music at a cool coffeehouse. You know, I could get used to that!
Well, I’ve really enjoyed reliving all this by sharing it with you. I hope you enjoyed it. I also want to thank you for supporting Claudia and her wonderful blog. Believe me, she gives it a lot of love and thought, and is so grateful that you give it back.
Na shiedanou! (Goodbye!)
Don
Very cool! I’m always amazed at century old structures like that clock. To think it was built without modern tools, cranes, etc. Thanks for sharing your experience!!
Don, thanks so much for sharing your trip with us! I will be watching for the PBS episode and please keep us posted as to the date. And a big thanks to Claudia and this heartfelt blog. It’s the first one I check each morning.
Thanks for sharing your trip Don – it’s been very interesting. Now you are an international star we hope you will still remember we lowly fans………………ha! ha! Look forward to watching the documentary on PBS later – you really looked so much like Dr. Norris. I’m happy your time in Prague was such an adventure beside being hard work!
We love your Claudia and understand how hard she works to bring us back time and time again to read her wonderful blog.
Happy week – glad to see the north is finally enjoying Spring weather.
Mary
WOW! WOW! WOW! THANK-YOU! – Please let us know when your ‘American Experience’, is going to be broadcast. Again Thank-You, and for sharing your beautifully talented wife with us! She is truly friend to us. -Judy A-
What a wonderful experience. Hope to get there one day, but meanwhile enjoying your pictures. Love, love, love Claudia and Scout.
Dori
What a gorgeous city. That clock is amazing. We love Claudia very much.
Laura
Thank you for sharing with us. My husband has been to Prague several times for business and he also tells me what s beautiful city it is. And singing in the coffeehouse too!! My what a beautiful memory to hold.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you so much for sharing Don. I have so enjoyed the journey!
What wonderful pictures! I love that little canal. And to have a chance to sing in a coffee house! What fun. Claudia is one of my very favorite bloggers – she is a wonderful person and a great writer! And of course, we all love Scout!
Ohmy! I have goose bumps. That is just SOOOOO exciting!!! What a fabulous opportunity for you. And a wonderful experience for the lucky folks that got to hear a REAL American singer.
I hate that your trip has ended. I am very greedy and would like much more…………
Don – Thanks for sharing all these great shots of Prague with us!! I have really enjoyed this!! What a stroke of luck for you to meet that lady from the coffee-house!! Congratulations on your international debut!!
Sending wishes for Claudia for a safe trip to Hartford in the days ahead…!! Have a good rest of the day!! Francine
Bravo! Come back again very soon, Don!
What a wonderful adventure you had Don…You are a very talented man and have gotten yourself quite a nice little fan club here..lol..The clock is just amazing..I did not know that Prague had streets of water like Venice..equally amazing..And then you meet someone and end up preforming your music on stage..But the most amazing part of it all..to me..is that you got to audition for a part where you look like the living reincarnation of the man you were portraying..And thank you so much for sharing your dear sweet Claudia (and Scout) with us..she is like a breath of fresh air in this troubled weary world..Please come back anytime to share your future adventures with us..Hugs to you, Claudia & little Scout..P.S. I will be glued to the TV where this show airs!
How exciting and wonderful.
I’m keeping an eye out for the showing of An American Experience…Well, my husband is, he is the big A.E and PBS watcher.
You’ve shown some lovely pictures of your stay in Prague. The music night must have been one of your favorite things.
It’s been nice to read your stories, thank you so much for sharing them here…and Thanks Claudia! for letting him, too!
Pat
Don, thank you so much for sharing your Czechoslovakian experience with us…it was great! Love those pics…did not know there was a canal there, guess I’ll have to do some research. My grandmother came over to the U.S. from Czechoslovakia when she was 16, and always referred to her homeland as the ‘old country’. So, one of these days I’ve got to check it out for myself! ;)
Don, thanks so much for posting about your trip. Glad you had a great time. How neat to get to share your music too! Hope we know when your movie airs on PBS.
I read Claudia’s blog every day. I really enjoy it. We have so many things in common.
Hi Don.. from Oregon! I enjoyed reading about your trip. I loved the serendipity of getting to play in that club.. what a wonderful story and memory for you! Thanks so much for sharing. Teresa :-)
Good Afternoon Don, What a wonderful city Prague is and what a marvellous opportunity, to be able to act and also to be invited to sing in a coffee house, your two passions…..what an experience. Best Wishes Daphne
I know I will never get to Prague, but your pictures have given me a hint of how beautiful it is. Images I never would have gotten to enjoy otherwise! Thank you!
Don – THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US!! I have so enjoyed hearing of your adventures abroad. Your photos are amazing and look like something on a picture postcard. What a beautiful city. And to hear you have now gone international – WOW! What a treat for you! Know you are glad to be home and will miss our sweet Claudia while she is gone. But, it’s good that you’ll be there with Scout!
Thanks again for taking us along on your journey!
Judy
He really is a good writer! Yes, I loved all his stories about visiting that country. That’s what we get to hear each time a missionary returns from a country. One man in our ward served a mission in Russia and it’s fascinating to hear him talk about the people, customs and country. He loved serving the people over there. A senior missionary couple we know is on a mission in Russia right now. One just got back from Zimbabwe. There on us all the time to go on a mission but I’d want to think long and hard at my age. We could go to southern Calif., but I just don’t think I’m ready yet. I hate leaving my home!!!
xoxo,
Connie
Thanks Don (and Claudia) for the third post on Prague. Loved reading and seeing. Hope you guest again Don. A lovely adventure.
Joy
Prague really looks like an interesting city to visit! I really never knew anything about it or had seen any photos of it. Thanks for letting us visit it through you! I think that is so cool that you got to perform at that coffee house! ~Hugs, Patti
Claudia, it worked and I can see you! Don… what a fantastic experience, and I so enjoyed the tour of Old Town Prague. What a great thing, to be able to see all the old scenery, and the cool thing is… people are still living there and it’s still so vital! And on top of all… to get to perform!
Love, love, love going along on your adventure Don. So many gorgeous pics. and they sure make me want to go somewhere and explore a new place. So glad things went well for you and you enjoyed it so much. I really love Claudias blog and it’s still the only one I check out every single day. She always has something interesting to share.
This has been such a treat, Don. Thank you for sharing your time in Prague. I had no idea they had canals. They make the city all the more charming. The story you told of the mother and son and the invitation to play is truly special. So few travelers get to have an experience such as that, perhaps because they may not look for such opportunities. I think it is the one thing that you experienced, besides the spectacular film site and acting environment, that I have enjoyed hearing about the most. Yay for going International. Ann
Thanks for sharing your Prague adventures with us, Don! I greatly enjoyed reading about your experience and seeing the beautiful photos. I loved your story about approaching the woman with the guitar on her back, and then getting to perform!
Wow, what a trip of a lifetime. I appreciate you for taking the time to post this. I grew up in a little Okla. town named Prague~after this town. My grandparents were Chezch and helped found this small town. I would love to visit after seeing your pictures.
Don I never really thought much about Prague but you have now peaked my interest. It looks like a lovely and fascinating city. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I love that you got to sing and play guitar while there also. Keep the home fires burning while Claudie is away! She will miss home but I know she also loves her work like you do.
hugs,
Linda
I totally loved and enjoyed your guest series don. I hope you get the opportunity to do this again.
Hello
Thank you for sharing your view of Prague ……and your new look – keep that hair short – takes 10 years off you!!
Linda
What a great story! Thanks for sharing your pics and experiences.
Thank you for sharing your trip and these lovely photos! :)
Thank you so much for these lovely posts. My daughter plans to be an actress. I loved seeing you on location and imagining her getting to travel to beautiful places someday like she dreams. I am so happy for you that you also got to perform your music. What a beautiful memory. Congratulations! I will be watching for this show on PBS. Please tell Claudia that I love her beautiful blog. Sincerely, Patti H. Livonia, Michigan
I have been reading for a very long time but I don’t think I have ever read Claudia’s full bio. I just did and am happy to report my daughter (age 14) was accepted into The Shakespeare School for a camp this summer in Stratford. I thought that was a sweet little connection with Claudia and her experience and work. I hope she has a wonderful time on her work trip. Sincerely, Patti H. Livonia, Michigan
Thank you Don for the wonderful trip to Prague! I loved the story of you singing and playing at a coffeehouse. I love this blog and it is one of the first ones I pop on to read every morning. Claudia’s postings are always done so well. I love her tone. She is so sweet, fun, down to earth, and interesting.
Beautiful pictures Don..Love the architecture..Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing your trip. I enjoyed reading all about it. It looks like a beautiful place to visit.