Last week on my way to Riga, Latvia (this is where I am taking you next week) I’ve had 3 hours to kill before my connecting flight in Prague, Czech Republic. Unable to stand the airport food and wishing to explore this beautiful city I rushed through the security and to the taxi stand.

The taxi driver promised to deliver me safely to town squire in less than 30 minutes and for the price that would rival London cab fare! Luckily there’s a taxi marshal stand in the terminal building which offers fixed price fare with a 20% discount!

25 minutes later I was in the city center, standing in the beautiful town squire and ready to explore. Started with little streets and shops selling all sort of souvenirs and with the famous Mole (Krtek), a cartoon character, in the windows, I continued to the one of the most spectacular attractions in the city – the Charles Bridge.

This magnificent construction is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on huge arches protected by ice guards. The building was begun in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV and finished in the beginning or 15th century. Always busy during the day with tourist crossing the river Vltava sampling local paintings and souvenirs stalls, but not missing our the most spectacular parts of the bridge -the baroque guard towers and 30 statues and statuaries that decorate it.

The statues are famous for their beauty and style St. Luthgard, St. Crucifix or St. John of Nepomuk are among them. It’s feels surreal, like you’ve stepped back in time. Curious fact is though, that all of the statues have been systematically replaced by replicas and the originals have been exhibited in the lapidarium of the National Museum.

But we’ve got to eat! And to all surprise it’s not going to be traditional Czech food or a boring fast food joint. We are going to eat in a place recommended by our good friend, a place where Prague’s bohemia gathers to sip crimson wine and talk – Art Café U Irmy (Karoliny Světlé 35).

It’s Georgian kitchen, unfairly unrecognized in the world, but great and delicious. The service is friendly and not pretentious. The place is captivating – dark wooden tables, walls are decorated with client signatures and writings from all over the world. We begin with khachapuri – Georgian bread that melts in your mouth leaving you with sensation and astonishment on how good it is.

It’s time to go and we are a little sad to leave this place. On our way back we’ve decided to have a last walk by the river banks. The sun was sharing its last warmth and the evening was approaching fast. In the distance a bright projector was increasingly taking over and we’ve wanted to know what’s going on. We’ve approached Manes bridges and here she was. Young girl, a model, surrounded by assistants and equipment – posing for a photo shoot. She looked very familiar.. We’ve asked who is she and what company is she shooting for, but unfortunately nobody was able or willing to answer.

Perhaps you will be able to help us out to uncover this mystery?