Prague Part 1: Should I Go?

Ciao Stranger,

I still can’t quite believe that I’m in Prague right now. Yes, instead of catching up on my other blogs, I thought it would be better just to write down what’s happening to me currently (and post it later) so I won’t always have to write what I did a week later. After coming back from London, Sean invited me to go along with him and his friend to Prague on the first day back to school. On Tuesday, I booked the tickets and was ready to leave early Thursday morning. I received a lot of frowns from my Erasmus friends. It’s a difficult decision. I want to see my friends in Rome, eat and hang with them all day long. But at the same time, I know I need to take advantage of my time here in Europe and travel to my heart’s content.

Thursday

Just one of those days where nothing goes according to plan. On the way to the train station, Sean got pick pocketed. Those rumours you hear from your friends warning you about pickpocketing in Europe? Yeah, they’re real. These crooks can come in packs and work together to fool you. One will block you, one will distract you and while you’re being misguided another one will come and steal your goods. Sean was a trooper and didn't mope around and our trip continued. Once we got to the airport and was checking in, I was told that my ticket was cancelled and refunded. WHAT?! This kind of thing happens?! By the time we found the ticket booth to buy another ticket, it was too late for me to get on that flight. Since Sean already checked in, he left on that flight while I was stranded at the airport, with no flights and absolutely no idea where to go next. I contemplated taking the train to Florence, fly somewhere cheap or just head home. While I was bumming it out on the airport floor, looking up flights on my phone, I decided to just book the late afternoon flight. I was set on going to Prague already, this obstacle can’t stop me. 

Tip: NEVER go to the currency exchange places at the airport. They will rip you off to no end. Trust me, don’t make the same mistake as me.

10 hour later in the airport later, I have finally arrived in Prague!!! I took the bus and met up with Sean at the metro station. Was I ever joyous to see that familiar face. First thing I noticed about Prague. People are incredibly quiet on the bus/metro. NO ONE talks at all. Not even a peep. Quite the change from Rome, where people doesn't quite seem to grasp the idea of silence. The outskirts of Prague reminds me of Vancouver, with its malls, auto shops, big gas stations and lots of fields. The area we’re living in is very sub-urban and you rarely see people outside after 9 pm. Unlike London, I would definitely walk around by myself at night no problem. After dropping off my stuff at the apartment, we went into the city centre to explore a bit. The view you see once you get out of the metro station...SWEGHKGSK!!!

 

I love how clean, unique, romantic, and uncrowded this city is. Walking along the riverbanks, you can easily see the Prague Castle standing on top of the hill. On your stroll, you can observe locals sitting on the benches drinking beer, eating dinner or jogging around. It seems like the perfect way to enjoy an evening. Unknowingly, we stumbled upon the Old City Square, the “heart” of the city. With all the buildings lighted up, the city really glows at night. 

 

It was so hypnotic that we didn't even realize we had walked around for hours and eventually caved for some dinner at a local restaurant. Local Czech food: pork knuckle and roast pork with dumplings. I was so excited when I saw the word dumpling and was waiting for something that resembled a ravioli, 饺子 or a perogy. But what did I find instead? Bread? Huh? That’s what dumplings are here? Uh………okay…..

Friday
Every city that offers a free Sandeman walking tour, I'm signed up. Sean and I got up bright and early and went down to the centre. We passed a marketplace on the way and you know I just had to take a picture of it. It was way too touristy, and everything was overpriced. a small bowl of fruits for 5 euros. Psh, nice try.

While we were waiting for the tour to start, some police came striding along on their horses. It's honestly just for show, they're not catching anyone on those things. I'm pretty sure you could go and take a selfie with them and it would be fine.

I will not go into too much detail about the tour itself since I'm too lazy to post all the pictures and I don't want to tell you everything there is to know about the city. You must come and check the place out yourself, it's well worth it. For lunch we got some traditional Czech food. I ordered the goulash (marinated beef in sauce with "dumplings") and Sean got some garlic soup he highly disliked.

How unreal does this picture look? That architecture. That name brand car. That Colour. Could very well be my dream car/house combo. So far in Europe, Prague is definitely the city I've seen the most amount of nice cars in. Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW is not a rarity here.

Sean and I enjoyed our 3 hour walking tour so much that we decided to sign up for another 3 hour castle walking tour in the afternoon. I think this is one of the best view points in the city. You can see the Prague Castle along with the rest of the city from here. All the hundreds of spires poking out into the sky with its orange tiled ceilings really makes this a sight you can't forget. And the castle you see on the left side? Yeah, that's the largest ancient castle in the world. Someone get my prince; I've found our home!

The gothic styled Cathedral inside the Prague Castle. By this point in the tour, I was completely exhausted from walking all day and could no longer retain anything the guide was saying. I was losing energy and focus fast and couldn't quite appreciate the beauty of everything I saw. It's okay, I guess I'll just have to go back and see everything again.

Two pictures back to back of me posing? Rare. But come on, look at that beauuuuuuuutiful giiiii....giant ceiling in the background. Absolutely gorgeous. Am I right or am I right? There was a couple taking wedding pictures right in front of me. I have to admit, this city is the perfect location to get married at. I'm pretty sure I saw 4 weddings that day. Ironically, Prague apparently also has one of the highest divorce rates in Europe. 

Two turned into four in a split second! We found Kenneth and Sean's friend Behong later on in the day and the four of us decided to go to a local brewery restaurant recommended by our tour guide. Some meat and some beer/wine and the four of us went back to the apartment, exhausted and ready to give our feet some rest.