Sphinxes in Prague by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I arrived in Prague. Alone. I’d made my departure from Dallas, Texas, where the night before my journey, I ate Persian food at a place called Ali Baba. I’d intended to return to Chicago before my departure, but time among friends in Texas inspired me to stay there longer. And so, I flew from Dallas to Atlanta, from Atlanta to Paris, and after a short, hectic stay in Paris, I flew to Prague.
Paris seemed like such a foreign city, unlike anything on the North American side of the Atlantic Ocean. I expected the same of Prague, but when I arrived, was nodded (rather casually) through customs, and stopped (once) by friendly, but bored police officers who were interested only in knowing what part of America I was from.
I told them.
They smiled.
“Ah, Chicago. It is nice city,” the English-speaking officer said, before asking if I knew where my friends were meeting me, or where I might catch a cab. I had no one meeting me.
And so, one day early, I was in Prague, dealing with one chatty policeman, his sullen female partner (good cop/bad cop?) and on my way to a taxi. The good cop informed me, in some variation of Slav-accented English, that the cab drivers all spoke English.
My ride from the airport to downtown Prague was uneventful. Amy Winehouse was big that day. Czech local radio stations were obsessed with the song “Rehab,” as if announcing their desire for Miss Winehouse to check herself in. My cab driver, spoke little English, despite what Mister Good Cop said, but he knew the quickest, least scenic route to Vodičkova Street. He drove me through cobbled streets, between rows of buildings encrusted with graffiti like some strange, arterial plaque. Prague, I discovered that day, was one massive surface upon which countless graffiti artists applied their tags, their declarations, and some of the world’s most obscure existentialist ruminations. Only in Prague will you find brooding existentialists who express themselves with spray paint and stencils on walls older than the USA.
I arrived on Vodičkova Street, at the Golden Sickle hostel. I was to stay there for one night only. My apartment (across town, on Biskupcova Street) would be ready the following day. I’d arrived at the Golden Sickle during room-cleaning time, and so I couldn’t check in immediately. The girl at the desk, Hanka, gave me a map and directions to the nearest bar (U Sudu, which was right next door) and a number of restaurants, just in case I wanted something other than beer and sausage, harder liquor and sausage, or cherry juice and sausage. I was in the mood to explore, and so I went to the nearby park and learned that the traffic lights in Prague are loud. They click and rattle like mechanical cicadas telling you when and when not to cross the street.
The park itself was small and rendered strangely enigmatic by the two sphinxes in front of a fountain that looked as if it hadn’t worked in decades. It was still winter and so there was little greenery. Couples strolled by, holding hands, kissing and occasionally…groping one another with relaxed sybaritic abandon. Straight people were even doing it! Prague, I learned is a lover’s city, and all manners of affection are accepted.
I remember that day, clearly. For many reasons. And I am happy that I discovered this picture, attached to an email I'd sent to Victor.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading and commenting, and I hope you enjoy this image as much as I enjoyed the day on which I'd made it.
Comments (25)
wonderful picture and interesting story!!!!
I've suddenly realised that in some ways your writing, when it's not science fiction, reminds me of Clive James at his best. I hope you take that a compliment, as it's intended as one! You are both engaging, witty, intelligent and multi-layered writers, and you take great pictures as well!
Thank you for sharing your experience Prague.Outstanding capture my friend.
Wonderful writing to accompany the image! Great work, Clive
What a lovely little storylet, and the shot to illustrate. I wish I could visit Prague!
Wonderful Work!!!!
Great writing and pic!
Memories never fade...they are made forever, especially if accompanied with a photo, I am happy for you ! I concur with Andrea re: Clive James, she hit the nail on the head. Personally I find the sphinxes a bit out of place, particularly amongst a 'Denkmal' of Umelecka Beseda (?), his bust above is obviously and probably chopped off by you with intent (?), somehow it all seems a bit of a hotchpotch when it comes to art, put together by the City planners and or politicians, who knows ? but it seems to work for you, in this charming old city, where love is free of hang-ups... Never-the-less an intriguing plot starts to develop, with this good story. BB
Fantastic shot my friend!!! Hugs:)
Chip, the sphinx is the catch. It is what got me here to find much, much more. I assume this was from times ago in Prague? Your writing here is wonderful in carrying me with the flow of your journey and first realizations of Prague as something perhaps more than Paris for what you seek. Well done, friend. The photo is quite nice. As I said, it got me here.
Hey, those are girl sphinxes... Great picture and thanks for the writing, too.
I love that picture, and I truly enjoyed your ruminations on your first day in that city. You make it sound like a magical place, and I get the feeling you somewhat miss the place, too. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poetic description of your first day in Prague.
The sphinx is amazing, has such detail and presence. I love your little trip down memory lane, I almost feel as though I was there walking with you for that first look at your new city. Wonderful!!
There is nothing quite like arriving in a new city with your pre-conceived ideas and expectations and then finding a myriad of things that either confirm or abolish, entertain or sadden! Fascinating writing dear friend and a great image to illustrate one of your very first experiences of lovely Prague!
It's amazing to be sometimes that in spite of the many wars and other troubles that have swept through Prague in this century alone that the city is still as ancient and as vibrant as it now is.
What a strange monument to have in such a place. But it is beautiful. Hope you also captured some of the grafitti walls :-) Use to look fantastic. I like you story behind this shot too. You are such a good writer.
Your narrative is beautifully written, providing vibrant context for the enigmatic sphinxes.
A very engaging narrative ... I see and understand how Prague has stolen your heart. CC
Ijust love it and have a happy thanking and blessed day. ladyraven.
I loved reading about your first day in Prague. It's an engaging story, and park-dwelling sphinxes fit right in with my mental image of what it's like there. Thanks for the trip back in time! I'm glad you found this photograph again.
Awesome picture and interesting story :)
Great memory, thank you so much for sharing. I was watching the Amazing Race last week, and they happened to be in Prague. Of course, I thought of you! The buildings and the architecture were amazing. I think you are a lucky and adventurous man.
I would not expect tofind a Sphinx in Prague, let alone a pair. Awesome narritive Chip and great share. Dana
I get the feeling that if something exists anywhere on this earth, it's likely to be in Prague. It seems like such an interesting and bizarre city. Based on what you've told me about Marushka's tea and that guy Pavel, it's most definitely a bizarre city. No wonder you want to go back over there! This picture is amazing. Those statues look really old and mysterious and so...butch! This is a great shot.
Excellent image! I am curious as to the reason for the vase (urn?) between the forearms of the Sphinx. Beautiful detail. Excellent narrative! Like Marilyn, your writing brings me close to the feeling of being there, experiencing your first day. There were such wonderful descriptions! Existentialist graffiti artists, noisy traffic lights, sausage, sausage and sausage! I had a very enjoyable time here, as usual! About my butterflies, I don't know which kind they were. I was going to go there today, (I could have asked) but they close at the unreasonable hour of 5pm. In the summer it only gets bearable, temperature wise, at around 6pm. I think their hours are totally illogical. (Grumble, bellyache and whine) If I find out what kind, I'll let you know.