Touring Prague
It’s now our second full day here in Prague after a fairly uneventful drive from Nuremburg on Friday. Getting here was easy but trying to get a washroom key from a gas attendant who didn’t speak English in a small town we stopped in, not so much. After a bit of trial and error and confusion, I was able to make her understand that I didn’t want cigarettes!
Driving into Prague was definitely a bit stressful! Our hotel is just south of the old town on a busy thoroughfare and as I drove past it a couple of times, it necessitated some block circling until we noticed there was parking right outside of the hotel. And circling the block is not quite straightforward as there are plenty of one way and dead end streets. I wouldn’t consider the car we’re driving as large but there were a few times in which it felt it was while trying to negotiate up some of these streets and around parked cars.
Once we got checked in, the receptionist hopped into the car with me to guide me to the parking garage. Unlike Nuremburg’s large and easy to drive around parking, this was literally a hole in the wall. She had me just park right in the street while she unlocked the doors so that I could drive in. Now this was a tight space and it took about a 19 point turn to get backed in with literally an inch to spare by the mirrors to get into the garage. That said, I was glad to not be driving in this city for now.
Our room is in another typically Eastern European pension in that it was probably a Communist apartment 20 years ago. But it does have A/C and includes breakfast. And the A/C has been nice since it’s been about 30 since we got here.
The central part of the city can be walked for the most part so we have not yet ridden the metro or the tram although the heat makes it a bit of a bitch during the middle of the day.
One of the first places to check out in Prague is the Charles Bridge that joins the new town and old town. Talk about a busy place! Even being September, there are thousands and thousands of people wandering around. There are some amazing buildings here but we started by visiting the Prague Castle which sits on a hill overlooking the city. Typical I guess since there was a time in which these castles did have to defend the countryside.
I hate to sound blase but the castles I’ve seen in Europe are starting to blend together a bit. Particularly regarding cathedrals; they’re massive buildings that showcase some amazing architecture and art but in a way, they have started to look the same to me. Uh oh, I’m getting jaded… I guess after four trips it’s time to broaden my visiting horizons.
But there are certain sites that one must see while visiting foreign cities and castles usually top that list.
Eating here is a slow and deliberate process. I don’t think we’ve managed to sit and eat a meal and leave in under an hour or so. Not sure if it’s usual or just a sign of slow service, haha. Probably a bit of both as we have had some surly servers. On the other hand, we had a dinner at a nice river side restaurant Friday night in which three waiters hovered over us ready to meet our every need. Which made sense when we got the bill!
Our evening was pretty well a write off as we had some beer after we got back to our room and pretty well passed out for almost 12 hours. I’m guessing the heat really took it out of us yesterday.
Today we’re going to do a walking tour which I have always found to be one of the best ways to see things and learn a bit of the history after in which we will tour around the Jewish Quarter and check out some of the sites there. It promises to be another 30 degree day so it could be a hot, hot walk but I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
