Precerpt from In with the East Wind: A Mary Poppins Kind of Life - Czechoslovakia: Second Trip
The second trip to Prague came well after the turn of the century. The elapse of 20 years had allowed much modernization and westernization. Gone were many of the visible reminders of life behind the Iron Curtain. The city was brighter, cleaner, and far more prosperous. International stores, modern hotels, and bustling cafés now occupied spaces that had once felt distinctly local and understated. English was heard far more frequently, and the flood of tourists from around the world had transformed the atmosphere in the historic center. Yet for all the changes, Prague had retained its essential character. The Gothic spires, Baroque facades, winding cobblestone streets, and the timeless beauty of the Vltava River remained as captivating as they had been in 1990. The city felt less mysterious than before, but no less enchanting. And, of course, Karlův Most (Charles Bridge), still lined with artists, musicians, and visitors from every corner of the globe, remained as captivati...