Don't Step on my New Red Shoes!

Yes, I went shopping in Prague.

Promod is actually a French store.  It's one of my very favorite shops.  I had to find a pair of comfortable flats because I've been doing so much walking while here in Prague and I did not bring sensible shoes.  In fact, I spent my first two days in bandaids. Lucky me,  I found a pair of very cute shoes right away.
Amy from Minnesota would be proud!  She's an expert on cute shoes.  (Bonjour, Amy!)

I've fallen in love with my new red shoes!  Patent leather.  Perky black bows.  Flats.  Great for walking.  How could I not love them!?  Here they are in the hotel room, taking a petit rest.

Here they are on the Prague metro elevator.  The metro elevators are crazy fast very and very steep!  I have to hold on tight.  It took me several times to get used to them.

Now they're on their way to the Goldschmidt Conference to listen to scientists from all over the world talk about climate change.  These are very socially conscience red shoes!

Go green!

All the sidewalks here are made from very unique stonework.  Each stone is handmade and placed in an intricate pattern.  Nothing is machine made.  It's all very artistic and unique to Prague.  And so pretty.

And Prague has some very special manhole covers too.

And indoors, there's lovely tile work.

After all this walking, I think it's time for me to put my feet up and read a good book--
at The Globe Bookstore--because that's where all the cool expats hang out!

Au revoir for now!

Bonjour, Art Nouveau!

Today I went on an Art Nouveau tour with a group of seven lovely scientist-wives from all over the world.  Our husbands are all scientists and geo-chemists attending the annual Goldschmidt Conference.  We met at the conference steps, took a metro and then walked with our Czech tour guide through New Town over to Old Town, staring up at the gorgeous decorative buildings all along the way.  It's hard not to go anywhere in Prague without staring upward in awe!
Some here's a little amusee bouche of Art Nouveau from the beginning
of the 20th century:

You are not seeing things.  In this last photo, the soldier is actually riding on an upside down horse.  Our guide explained the meaning to this, but I actually didn't understand.  Perhaps when I go on the Franz Kafka tour tomorrow, I'll get a better idea.  In the meantime, here are some lovely examples of Art Nouveau from the Old Town:

The Art Nouveau movement was famous for beautiful stain glass windows and ornamental flair.  The artists were less floral and a little more subdued than the Rococo style of the mid-19th century, but more effusive than Art Deco which came in the 1920's.  J'adore Art Deco!

Of course, we are staying in an Art Nouveau hotel.  Hotel Paris!  (Where else would a French-loving-gal want to stay?)  By the way, it was the French wife of a Czech president Tomas Garik Masarik that brought Art Nouveau to Prague at the turn of the 20th century.  And then soon after, the famous Art Nouveau Czech artist Alphonse Muca who was born in the Czech Republic and studied art in Paris at the Academy, brought his beautiful style back to his beloved homeland.  He became famous after drawing the theatre portraits for the French actress Sarah Bernhardt.  Ooh la la!

Everywhere I go, I see the French influence!
C'est magnifique!  Oui?!

Bonjour, Prague!

Merci beaucoup to The Globe Bookstore for hosting a "Bonjour, Happiness!" book signing yesterday!

The Globe is a very popular meeting place for ex-pats in Prague.  I met several gorgeous femmes from Italy, Romania, Prague (bien sur), Japan, Belgium, Germany and even The Lone Star State of Texas!  I will show you photos tomorrow.  But in the meantime, I must tell you about this fabulous bookstore.  They have a huge variety of books from all over the world, lots of great events and a gorgeous cafe.

And here I am with some wonderful ladies who really believe in joie de vivre!

More adventures tomorrow!  A bientot!   xo Jamie