Plzen

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Today we went to Plzen, a smaller city in Prague about an hour and a half away. It is where Pilson beer comes from!! The professor who was guiding us actually works there at the Pilson brewery. When we got there, she got off the bus and put her name tag on and said "I am Eva and I will be your tour guide today." We were all just like whhhhaat? We learned a lot about Czech beer and basically that they drink more thank any other country! They only export 10% of their beer and consume the rest.. crazy. She tried to tell us that beer keeps the Czechs healthy because it cleans out their arteries.. but I dont know about that! She took us down to the cellars which were cold wet and creepy. The beer was stored in this foggy tunnel in giant kegs.. this was the best part because we all got free samples of unfiltered unpasterized Pilsen beer. AND Eva gave us a free 1/3liter pilsen beer class.. 😊 We also walked around the town square. We climed the tower of the famous church.. the stairs were SO narrow. I doubt it would be legal in the US! She told us a few stories about the church. Executers back in the day were kind of outcasts because they were so creepy. They were not allowed to live in the city limits and could not be in the city during the day. But at night he was allowed to go out and drink with the city. But anyway, he wasnt allowed to go to church, so on his own wedding day, he stood outside the church and watch his wife get married to some random guy.. and he kneeled down and put his left hand on the gate. So its good luck to put your left hand on the gate and of course we all did that (all 35 of us). We ate lunch in the square, and it was a LOT cheaper than in Prague! Everyone was exhausted on the way back and we all fell asleep on the bus. When we got back, we took naps and went to the pub behind our dorm. At the end, the bartender said "welcome to Czech" and lined up 7 shots of Jack Daniels.. pretty cool!

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Photos

Plzen
One of the Jewish Synogauges.

Busride to Plzen
long ride.. on the way back we were all sleeping!

Plzen
Pizza place in Plzen.. SO much cheaper then Prague!

Plzen
The silver figure is from the story about the executer. You are supposed to hold it with your left hand and make a wish.

Plzen
The Plzen square..

Pilsner!
Pilsner brewery.. its been in the same location for hundreds of years since it was established. Theyve used the same recipe since they opened! Pilsner is the Budweiser of Czech, meaning it is the country's most popular beer (but the quality is much better, obviously).

Plzen
beeer.

Pilsner!
The gate to the Pilsner brewery!

Plzen
Pilsner vending machine.. so cool.

Plzen
The Plzen church.. the same one from the executer story in my blog. And we totally climbed that tower.. It was scary- the climbing part (because the stairs were a disaster waiting to happen).

Plzen church
Jesus

Plzen
The view from the top of the church tower!! beautiful!

Plzen
Synogague. Czech used to have a lot of Jews, but they took a heavy toll during WWII, and the ones that were left married non-jews and were forbidden to raise their children as Jews under the Soviet rule, thus there are very few left in Czech, not enough to hold regular services at this synogauge

Plzen
Synogauge.. every stone has a name of a Jewish member of the comminity.

Free shots!
The bartender wanted to welcome us to the pub Czech style, with FREE shots :)

Pig Knee
Jason is eating a pig knee.. looks rather unappetizing. Now he doesn't want to go back.

Lotsa Meat
Paul is pointed to an order of ribs for three people, yet it fed eight!

Ribs
pork ribs.. everything is pork in the Czech!

Comments

[Mom]

great entry
but where are the pictures??? love, Mom

[Howard Brown]

Time in Czech
Tori, I just love reading your blog and it kind of makes me wish I was there too. Love the pictures and can't wait to see more....Enjoy your time over there and be safe. Howard

[Bill Kennedy]

Tori; Your information is wonderful about the events, the history of the Chezk Republic and folk lore. I will be calling your Mom and Cynthia about the lady that looks like your Grandmother; the only differenc is that Gramy parted her hair on right side. Regarding your birthday: Belated Happy Birthday. Now start taking years off. Love and miss you. Bill

[Mom]

LOVE these photos! Fascinating about the synogague! The church photos are incredible! Love the bus ride photo too (smile). Love - Mom