Prague (Praha)

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and over the last few years its popularity in Europe has grown exponentially. Many travelers I have met along the way raved about Prague ever since I was in Dublin. It is geographically in the center of the Europe now, since recently a few more countries joined the European Union. The currency of the Czech Republic is the Koruna and it is approximately 1/15th of the U.S. dollar. I read and heard that Prague was very inexpensive so I didn't try to calculate how much I was spending, I just paid without any worry. Although, it was a bit strange getting 4000 or so out of the ATM and spending half of it very quickly.

Prague is well-known for its architecture spanning medieval times and baroque. There are many baroque churches that hold classical concerts in them daily. Since I passed on paying for a concert in Vienna and Prague is known for inexpensive concerts, I treated myself to two. :)

I stayed in a hostel right near the old town square. The old town square was very lively and there were so many people from all over. Prague is filled with cobblestone roads leading all over the city, many bridges, and many historical buildings. This makes the city a very pleasant host to people from all over the world.

The Tyn Church is right by the hostel I stayed in. Someone I met on the train recommended the hostel and gave me their card that had a small drawing of the Tyn Church on it. When I got off the train, I walked outside and looked at the skyline of Prague. I was on the west side of the Vltava river and saw to my right, across the river, a church with two towers that resembled the drawing on the card. After walking to this church and finding no hostel in sight, I decided to look at my map. After much walking and looking at signs found out I was way off of the map. It was this long walk when I decided I would make a bad tour-guide. Now you have the whole story. :)

Vltava River and not Tyn Church in the background:


Tyn Church, not visible, but behind there on the left... I think. :P Although, I had no idea at the time.


Not Tyn Church


Tyn Church!


St. Nicolas Cathedral - Where I went to church that Sunday


Ominous clouds with statue


Tyn Church again with big screen televisions at the bottom for the futball game that night.

Tour guide

This morning I arrived in Prague by a night train I took from Krakow. I accidentally took the train one station (or two) too far. As I was walking across the far parts of the city I was thinking about the scenario of me as a tour guide and it seemed funny enough to me that I thought I would share it.

If I started my own tour company it would be a little like Kramer's Peterman Reality Bus Tour. In case you aren't familiar with the television sitcom Seinfeld (probably the only show I enjoy watching), or the episode about which I am talking about I will summarize it a little. Parts of Kramer's life story are used for someone else's biography. He starts up a tour showing and partaking in mundane events of his everyday life. I was thinking I would probably be a similar tour guide and was imagining some of the complaints people might have. By the way, I often have imaginary conversations in my head. I once told my brother (this was not imagined) that I have more conversations with people I know in my head than I do in real life. Anyway, I have prefaced enough... (I may delete this post if I think later it is too strange)

Tourists: "Shouldn't we take the bus to get downtown like all the other backpackers are doing?"

Me: "No! Inner-city public transportation is a scam!"

Tourists: "Are we gonna eat anything besides kebabs and ice cream?"

Me: "No! Well... maybe some fruit."

Tourists: "Shouldn't we get a map?"

Me: "No! Lol."

More explanation: recently, I have been giving into every food craving instead of eating actual meals. I do not think it has affected the way I spend money at all, so I am happy to eat on the go and at whatever pace I choose. I really like kebabs, they are something I could see my dad making. I will try to remember to take a picture of one sometime soon. Also, ice cream is one of my biggest weaknesses, even in the states. Over here they have ice cream stands all over. I have been eating a lot of ice cream lately. When my conscious gets to me about my eating habits, I eat some fruit. And the last explanation, I enjoy getting lost.