Prague
Trip Start
Jan 03, 2010
1
53
84
Trip End
Ongoing
Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic
Monday, July 4, 2011
Momka's sister and friends stayed several days in Wismar which was really nice for me...gave me extra company and things to do during the day. Cooking, baking ( I made awesome lemon bars...Laine you'd be impressed), movies, dinners, cards and lounging...a great time to spend with the Germans! Always fun attempting speaking German which I can not do well for sure...and making fun of each others pronounciation of words...I think they owe me for my English corrections I freely provided on an hourly basis.
I made my connection train in Berlin, surprisingly, with just enough time to grab a sandwich, say 'danka' and step onto my train. The 5-some hour train ride began. I was in and out of sleep the duration of my journey...in between listening to, you guessed it, a group of 8 Americans in their early 20's talking true 'rubbish.' The word fits there. I either needed my ear plugs (didn't have), Ipod (no headphones) or the gall to kindly tell them to close their lips...none of which I was able to do.
I wasn't quick enough to realize we had arrived at my stop until it was pulling away...I was in a sleepy mental state; so I continued to the next train stop and got off (thinking it would be no trouble of course). Oh Lord. That turned into an hour and a half of wandering the station, looking at metro/train maps, timetables, exchanging money (I thought they took the Euro...) paying 17% comission...eventually ending up on the metro to my destination which I later found out I didn't need to take...it was 10 minutes to walk. Nice.
I found within a short time my hostel which was a beautiful, beautiful place (next to a strip club but it was no problem...no noise). It was full of greenery, trees with white dangling lights, beautiful photographs and decor...I loved it. I didn't want to leave but had no excuse. I sat in trains all day.
I explored the area with my map...my map and me...me and my map... Was a nice evening alone. I found a few beautiful monuments, a great park of course and a man protesting something in German writing...hmmmm? I was approached several times by people speaking another language wanting something...nothing of which I could understand. I enjoyed the first night in a beautiful new city...and slept well in my comfortable bed.
In the morning I met and spoke with some of my new 'roomates,' one of whom was looking for a travel buddy for the day...or at least it turned into the day. I had planned on going to a walking tour which someone I was in contact with recommended. So we headed that way...
George, a Greek man who lives in England...and I, stopped for what I thought was going to be a 'grab a bagel and go,' or something like that breakfast, and instead we ate at a great cafe in the Old Square having a wonderful breakfast!! It was delicious...I posted a picture. We made it to the tour, 15 minutes late ( I couldn't stop eating...not really) and was pleased to meet our tour guide who had perfect English. A great tour it was.
We saw the gorgeous city of Prague with a small, intimate group of 5...I was in awe of the city. So incredible. The cobble-stoned streets, breathtaking architecture, cathedrals, bridges...especially St. Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter...so amazing. It was like a picture book.
George and I decided to take a paddle boat out for an hour as it was a really hot day. Very relaxing. Many couples were out that day...I couldn't help but make just a few comments at the many 'Notebook' scenes I was observing...you know, a man rowing with a beautiful girl sitting at the head of the boat doing no rowing, just looking, lookiing pretty. Or perhaps navigating? It was cute anyhow.
I made what was to be a quick stop that evening to the train station so I could book my outbound ticket for the following day. Another event taking much longer than anticipated. Lets just say within one hour, I had suggested to the woman behind the ticket counter going to Hungry, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia or back home (ahhh, last one not true)...I just wanted to go somewhere and not have to take a 15 hour train ride with 5 changeovers. So I decided to book a ticket to Vienna with the help of George...he helped me to be realistic with my 'I can do it mentality.'
The young gal at our hostel suggested a local place to grab some dinner...a place which turned out to have me ordering a 'man meal.' Yes, a man meal.. It was beef something or other served in a lot of gravy with small slices of bread...so okay, I really enjoyed it but felt like a big, hefty girl the whole time; especially when I ordered a 'man beer' in a huge mug. So that was my night. Oh, and of course talking with George who is a bit philosophical/scientific in his speaking and thinking...not a bad thing...lets just say lots of questions on my part...
Comments
yum, could actually go for a lemon bar right now. You better have kept the recipe, if they were as good as you claim.
ok, so what is up with the sausage?
As always the photos continue to amaze me along with your adventure.
I love that you have taken control of life and that you are living it!