Vítejte v Prazev

Welcome to Prague!



Dobry den! Matt and I just arrived in Budapest concluding our four day stay in Prague...and what a wonderful time we had. From the moment we arrived we knew we weren't in Kansas anymore...but rather felt like we had stepped into a 12th century medieval fairyland. The architecture varies greatly building to building and neighborhood to neighborhood ranging from gothic to art nouveau in the Old Town and Castle District to a very modern, cosmopolitan city beyond. Turning the corner can make one feel as if they are passing through time.



Prague was certainly a different city than Amsterdam...the architecture, the food, and the overall pace of life. In Prague all of the main attractions were very close and could be walked, or reached by subway if you needed to give your feet a rest. The people were very friendly. At first, we were unsure if any of them spoke English, but all you had to do was ask. They also appreciated us using the few Czech words we were able to pick up. One other big difference between Prague and Amsterdam... I don't think we saw one bike here the whole time!



We definitely relaxed a bit more here in Prague. On the first day we took the subway into town, strolled around a bit unsure of where we were, only to find ourselves right in the middle of Old Town. We walked down some side streets and eventually made our way to Cafe Louvre, a restaurant recommended by Lindsey's friend Elizabeth who studied abroad in Prague (also formerly frequented by Franz Kafka and visited by Albert Einstein) which leads me into the food in Prague.

For me (maybe not Lindsey) it was a dream come true...meat, meat, potatoes and meat... The specialties in Czech were beef goulash served with potato dumplings and beer! They take pride in their beer and often wash down breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a cold one. Plus, the food and drink were extremely cheap. Dinner, consisting of an appetizer, 2 entree's, and 8 beers was a total of $25 dollars. (I, Lindsey...couldn't wait to get away from the Czech food...only until I discovered meat is also the concentration of most Hungarian dishes...oh well I guess I will just have to continue to eat bread and cheese!)

On our second day Lindsey was inspired to venture out of town to visit Terezin, a concentration camp which was about an hour's bus ride out of town. It was one of if not the most sobering experience of my life. Terezin was Hitler's, "model," concentration camp. (Matt barely fit into the doors of the solitary cells)

Terezin kept certain areas well maintained to hide the truth from the Red Cross about these horrible places. Inmates out out their own newspaper, had a barbershop, and children put on cute plays for the Red Cross...however following the inspection, slave labor and death prevailed.

Many of the Czech Jews that were brought to Terezin were eventually transferred on to other concentration camps, such as Auschwitz. In my opinion, if given the opportunity, everyone should visit a concentration camp...it truly makes you appreciate your life, freedom, food.. and even makes sleeping in a crowded hostel dorm seem like a palace.

(The mass cells were crammed with 400-600 inmates)

Following our visit we returned to Prague and as terrible as it sounds we were starving. We stumbled upon a small pizza place, Marcello Pizza, and it may have been the BEST pizza we have ever consumed...again 4 beers, two starter soups and a large pizza only put an $11 dent in our wallet! I can deal with that...

Thanks to Matt's Aunt Susan, who works for the Marriott, Matt and I were able to stay at the Courtyard Marriott for an amazing deal. What an upgrade from the hostel in Amsterdam. Hopefully this hasn't completely spoiled us for the rest of the trip. The room was large, clean, comfortable and the perfect place for us to lounge around...which was a good thing and a bad thing...it sure didn't help inspire us to "go out on the town." Being informed one of the main attractions of Prague being the night life, and seeing it was in fact a Friday night, Matt and I decided to stroll down the street to a great cavernous pub called U Sadu. It had a wonderful atmosphere, unusual decorations, and a lively bunch of Czechs and foreigners...all who love their Pilsner Urquell!



The following morning, we went to see many of Prague's most famous attractions...The Royal Palace, Charles Bridge, and St. Vitus Cathedral. All I can say is wow...the pictures speak for themselves...






































Our final day in Prague was spent visiting the Jewish Quarter, Josevof...sipping a beer at U Orloje, a small cafe directly in front of the Old Town Hall clock. This was the cheapest way for us to people watch for nearly two hours!



We took it slow in Prague...hopefully eventually on our trip we will be adjusted to the hustle and bustle of the day followed by exploring the various places by night. On to Budapest..Hungarian Baths..more castles...and the mighty Danube River!


Stay thirsty my friends,

Lindsey and Matt