Mastersingers USA in Central Europe – 2007

Friday, July 6, 2007
Free Day in Prague

After our free morning in Český Krumlov and a 3-hour bus ride to Prague, we arrived at the Olympik Hotel on the outskirts of the city early in the afternoon.  Some of us spent the afternoon resting; others took the short metro ride into Prague to begin to explore the city.

Central Prague as seen from the 16th Floor of the Olympik Hotel	Old Town Square in Prague

Everyone returned to our hotel by 7 p.m. for the bus ride to our group dinner at the Restaurant U Marčanů in a suburb of Prague.  This was an adventure in Bohemian food, music, and orchestrated fun.  We were served "family style" in long tables that accommodated both our group of 100, plus two or three other groups (mostly Italians) who numbered about 60.  You can see pictures of our precise meal at the restaurant's website above.

They call themselves a "wine restaurant" and with good reason, because the wine flowed all evening.  So did the entertainment, provided by a 4-piece combo (2 violins, double bass, and hammered dulcimer) with a talented lady who sang and acted as mistress of ceremonies.  They played folk songs, a young couple demonstrated dances, there were demonstrations of traditional musical instruments — and then there was audience involvement:  singing along, clapping, dancing, etc.  And if people weren't inclined to participate, the "mistress" of ceremonies would run up and down the aisles, whacking (gently) any recalcitrant patrons with a wooden spoon.  It all led to laughter and high spirits until they practically forced us to leave at 10:30.

Restaurant U Marčanů before our arrival (source: their website)	Usually the wine was served from a much greater height
Our musicians (source: their website)	Our "mistress" of ceremonies (note the wild eyes)