Prague

Comments by Lucy in italics.
Day 1 – 30 December
We bussed to Prague in sub-zero temperatures in a mangey old bus that didn’t have any heating. At least it was cheap, and we kept ourselves entertained the whole way trying to keep ourselves warm. Prague wasn’t much warmer. In fact the whole time we were there the warmest temperature I saw on their displays was zero degrees. Most of the time it was around -4, but the worst was -9.

Caught a tram from the bus station, but got off at the wrong stop at some dodgy train station where nobody spoke any “anglitsky?”. Starting to get a bit worried as we were getting picked up for a tour from our hostel in an hour, and we still didn’t know where it was. Lucy had the brainstorm of calling them (I forgot we had cellphones), and one tram stop later, there we were. Nice, clean hostel. Only four in our room this time, us and a nice pair of Aussies.

Twenty minutes later we’re on our way to a medieval experience tour, which turns out to be a night at a pub an hour out of town. Not just any pub though, a themed pub with gypsy dancers, pirates, snake charmers, a fire eater and medieval dressed musicians. Was a very fun night with fire-roasted chicken, pork and beef as the fare, washed down with a few tankards of the local beer. The entertainment was excellent with a lot of laughs and dancing.

Day 2 – 31 December
Overjoyed to discover breakfast is served till midday we had a leisurely rising then piled on the clothes to head out for the day. Straight to Charles Bridge which was overflowing with tourists and street vendors selling arts and crafts. Battled our way over and up to Prague Castle, where we meandered for a while. Didn’t make it inside the castle because the queue was ridiculously long. Ended up at a toy museum being enthralled by the number of Barbies that have been created in the last few decades. Turns out Barbie started her career as a risque cartoon that was only supposed to last one day in a German newspaper, but people loved her. Eventually the cartoon became a doll, and then eventually the rights to that doll were sold to Mattel, and that doll became Barbie.

Wandered around town a bit, made our way to a bar and had a few drinks there before moving on (being kicked out) for dinner. Dinner was at a cosy place. Our table was on the inside balcony. Service was a bit slack as they were very busy. All that meant was the evening was drawn out, which was perfect. Fairly expensive for Prague, but a nice dinner. We left about 11:15pm and headed off to the Old Town Square, along with a few thousand other people, for the New Year celebrations there with many fireworks. Most fired from people’s hands. Soon after midnight we were swept away in the crowd of people leaving the square and we headed home.


Welcoming '06 in Wenceslas Square, where the Velvet Revolution happened in '89

Day 3 – 1 January
Very very chilled day. We just read and played cards all day in the hostel, introducing two Oregon-ians and a Brit to 500.

Day 4 – 2 January
Big walking day. We saw the Old Town Square in daylight, shopped at the market, went up the astronomical clock, climbed a hill to see a giant metronome (was supposed to be part of the world’s biggest statue of Stalin), walked along the hill, getting great views of Prague. Did a bit of ‘skiing’ down the hills in the park in our slippery shoes – much fun. Walked back through Prague castle and had a late lunch, then popped by the Child of Prague (Infant Jesus) church, which was a very nice church.

Day 5 – 3 January
Packed up and left our stuff at the hostel. Wandered around town some more – there’s not a heap to do in Prague except walk, shop, drink and eat – bought a few souvenirs, climbed a tower then headed off to the airport. Back in London and tucked up in bed about 2am.


Charles Bridge in the background