Wending our way through the narrow streets at Prague Castle.
Consulting a travel book can sometimes be tricky. You see, we had this book on Prague. A very good book, as it turns out. It had a whole section on Prague Castle and Hradcany. (Fascinating place, by the way.) And it said that when we went there, we should look for Golden Lane. “The picturesque artisans’ cottages along the inside of the castle wall were built in the late 16th century for the Castle’s guards and gunners.” And right beside the write-up was this sweet picture of colorful cottages along a tiny lane.
But when we funneled our way down a first lane to get to Golden Lane, we realized what we were up against: summer tourists. By the droves.
Crowds of tourists at Golden Lane, Prague
So that when we entered Golden Lane, we could hardly view the sweet cottages for all the people taking pictures and coming and going in and out to escape the pop-up shower that soaked us all.
But we were looking for No. 22. After all, said the tour guide book, the writer Franz Kafka stayed at No. 22 with his sister for a few months in 1916-1917. And we wanted to know what writing. And where? And when?
House No. 22 at Golden Lane, Prague where Kafka lived from 1916-1917.
So, we entered No. 22 and there was the confirmation:
And here’s the proof: Kafka wrote A Country Doctor right here in No. 22.
Of course, we had to buy a copy. And then, oh yes, we’ll take that, too: a little journal with this graphic that we noticed was on t-shirts and pencils and buttons to wear.
A little journal sporting a Kafka-esque graphic cover! Don’t you love it?
Writing by Kafka is popular in Prague!
For more entries in Ailsa’s Travel theme: Writing, click here.
And our book that led us all through Prague? Prague 2016 by Eyewitness Travel. www.dk.com