September, Shorts and Sweatshirts
Photo: Jaroslav Rona Exhibit
Many people have asked me for advice on when to come to Prague and I don't hesitate by saying September. You've still got some heat but not oppressive. You've got cool mornings but not too cool. It's getting darker earlier so evening cruises have at least 90 minutes after sunset. Galleries start introducing their exhibitions.
What's Been Happening on the Site
Woohoo! August set a NEW MONTHLY UNIQUE VISITOR record of 55,142. The DAILY UNIQUE VISITOR record was broken several times during the month with the record now being Monday August 13th at 2,387 visitors.
No new content added largely due to the fact that I practically worked everyday of the month with walking tours.
Check the BLOG to see the latest 150 posts on the site.
Walking Tours - https://www.livingpraguetours.com
I'm holding at number 16 out of a total 583 walking tour options in the Trip Advisor rankings (all time high was 15). Of the top 10 private tours in Prague ranked by Trip Advisor, I'm currently 4th (highest ever). More and more people are finding me just with a simple search for Prague Walking Tours.
If you've done a walking tour then you are welcome to leave a quick review on the LivingPragueTours Facebook page.
The tour calendars on Livingpraguetours.com will only run until December 21st. From early January 2019 I will then be cutting over to a new website/hosting and the new calendars will be published for 2019 Spring/Summer at that time. All available tours can also be booked via livingprague.com for dates in 2019.
Ticket Insurance - Until December 21st 2018
During a tour booking via livingpraguetours.com when you get to Review and Checkout you'll find the Ticket Guardian cancellation insurance option. If you don't want it then make sure that you untick that box.
Quick Links:
In Prague
Prevent Smog - Drink Beer
Maybe this should have been an April 1st story but no, there is a city funded project that ENCOURAGES people to drink something called "Prague Pedestrian" beer under the Lobkovice brand. The intention seems to be that if you drink you can't drive and will hence improve air quality. I'm thinking you can do this with any alcohol in that case.
Burčák season formally begins
As the weather has been super hot, grass is brown, flowers are wilting etc there is a brighter side. Grapes have ripened at least a month earlier than usual so Burčák (early wine) will be on sale. Stalls will be doing a 0.2L for around CZK50. Just remember that it's not finished fermenting yet so if you buy a plastic bottle don't screw the top closed or it WILL explode.
Ladronkafest
Not the greatest name in the world but on September 9th there's good fun with a mix of food, drink, music and sports all just a tram ride away. www.facebook.com/Ladronkafest
Burgerfest
September 9th and 10th you'll find Burgerfest in full swing at the Exhibition grounds. Pay to enter. www.burgerfest.cz.
Old Town Hall Renovation
It's getting close now. The Astronomical Clock face is being rebuilt as this newsletter gets sent out. They missed the original end date of the reconstruction (was to be opened on September 1st) but looks like only another week or so. Otherwise, if you want to see what you missed then check the Prague Astronomical Clock Striking 9am video. Remember that the tower viewing gallery is open.
Cross Club
Cross club begins it's summer bi-weekly food festival and outdoor cinema. It's just along from the Holesovice Metro. Take a look at the Prague in September post for link details.
Trivia
Eating the Profits
The Czech Forestry commission blamed, in part, damage to trees by the "Bark Beetle" contributing to a 38% drop in profits (that and a drop in the price of wood in the EU).
Show me the Holes
A small argument broke out in the week before the 50th anniversary of the crushing of the Prague Spring. The National Museum, scene of fighting at the top of Wenceslas Square, had for years many noticeable bullet holes in the facade but the recent renovation has cleaned the surface of the building so the holes don't stand out as much. Officials from the building company were at pains to describe the whole process of how they've kept the colour contrast in the damaged areas.
Going Up!
Minimum wage in Czech is expected to go up. The only question is by how much. The current level is CZK12,000 (480 Euros), the Unions want to add CZK1500, The Primeminister wants to add CZK1000 and employers want to add CZK800.
Children in residential care has risen to over 20,000 which is one of the highest in the EU per Capita.
Czechs produced the most amount of Ice Cream since 2004.
Going Down!
Water levels in Czech canals and large parts of the Danube are either at or close to record low levels.
Hop yield will be reduced by the hot/dry weather with predictions of 30% less than usual prompting fears not of higher prices, but less choice. Yields of Wheat and Poppy seeds will also go down.
The number of adoptions is trending down with officials citing restrictions on rights of unmarried couples and civil partnerships.
Going Up and Down!
Figures showed the number of babies born weighing less than 1 Kilogram (2.2 Pounds) rose from 437 in 2007 to 505 in 2017. No survival figures were published.
Bye Bye
A man called Michal Moudr who was known to many as DJ Loutka took his own life this month. Anybody who remembers Bunkr and spent any time going to the Roxy club would have seen him perform. A loss to the Prague dance scene. Condolences to his family. He was 51.
Jiri Josek, known for his translations of Shakespeare's plays from English to Czech has died aged 68. He also brought Jack Kerouac to the attention of Czechs with his translation of "On the Road".
|
