Tis Peppermint Mocha Season

And just like that, twinkling lights adorned the buildings and Christmas decorations were everywhere in Prague!

On one of our walks we came across this lit-up penguin display on the Vltava River -  so fun.  

Megumi & Nat on the Charles Bridge

We gathered early to watch the annual lighting of the big Christmas tree in Old Town Square on November 27th.  The Square got uncomfortably packed with people, but the excitement of the crowd was so festive.  The lighting display itself was nothing crazy, but it was a fun kick-off to the Christmas markets here and the holiday season (time to put those holiday albums on repeat!)

St. Wenceslas Square

St. Nicholas Church in Mala Strana

 It wasn't long after that before a blanket of snow covered all of Prague.  

The winding medieval streets of Prague took on a whole new character with the snow

such charm!

We climbed up to the Castle District to show our friends & check out the snowy landscape.

At the Castle

The Castle was adorned with joyful wreaths & bows

Inside St. Vitus Cathedral (probably for the last time in awhile)

It was slippery outside the Cathedral, but so beautiful

It was a great surprise to see this huge nativity scene made out of hay outside the Cathedral

Dillon & James

The Flying Buttresses on the Cathedral are still awe-inspiring

Holiday cheer!

The view from the Castle:

The previously red roof tops are now covered in white

Crossing the Vltava River

Trdelnik!

Climbing the Old Town Clock Tower has an entirely different experience with the snow.  

This time was especially neat because we happened to be at the top just as the clock stroke the hour.   We were pleasantly surprised when the trumpeter showed up literally right next to us to broadcast his tune from the tower.  

Looking out over enchanting Old Town:

...and that "blanket" of snow soon turned into a blizzard that dominated the weather forecast for days.  It took some getting used to at first, but that's what good boots & mittens are for (along with 6 other layers of clothing).  Hard to believe that the semester is wrapping up... and with only one week left, we find ourselves buried in papers and studying for final exams (yes, schoolwork).  More on our end-of-semester adventures coming soon!