Ashley Takes on Europe 2012: PRAGUE

Dec. 06. 2012

STOP #3: PRAGUE

So if you just finished up reading about Berlin you learned I left around 4 and arrived in Prague pretty late.

You also learned that feelings of strep were creeping upon me and I was getting sick. I have never slept so hard (well, on a train) in my life. Also haven’t been on a ton of trains until Europe.

So, anyway I rode on a train, but instead of this train being big and open there were 6 seats in each little room with a few rooms to each train cart. I feel bad for the person who had to sit across from me and witness me sleeping..most likely with my mouth open, light snore, possible drool.  People came and go as the train stopped. I would open my eyes to smile at the strangers around me but then my eyes immediately got heavy and I’d fall back to sleep, still hurting when I swallowed.

Travel Tip: The meds are NOT as good as ours. Definitely bring your OTC relievers!

Prague’s transportation system compared to Germany was a D-. While the train pulled in and I followed the hostel’s directions, the signage was very pour. Very little English spoken, but after much roaming I found the yellow train. I was advised several times to never take money out in Prague so I faked putting token into the not so restricted turn-stall and got on the subway. I found the hostel, passing it twice and cursing a little-only due to my lack of paying attention and looking up a little higher.

Alas, more rest. I think I paid 20 euros for two nights in an all girl hostel room, it was huge. I really, really wanted to go explore and walk around Prague, despite it being 11pm. But I showered and went to sleep like a good girl.

Another pic collage from a fancy app I used on my iPhone, clock, castle, prague views and interior of Prague Castle.

PS A Handy travel tip: packing where you put everything in a certain place or bag is key when  you have to do things in a dark room so as to not disturb others.

I felt a little refreshed, but told myself I wasn’t going to push it my full day in Prague (trip shortened due to good time in Berlin, and plus I had Oktoberfest to rest up for!)

I went to town square, naturally saw the Astronimical clock, then off to Prague Castle, it was crazy big and beautiful.

Astronomical Clock, Prague (praha) Dating back to 1410, 3rd oldest in World, Oldest still working!

Some things I liked about Prage:

  • Not commericalized. For example I cannot recall seeing a McDonald’s (sure they were there, but really cannot recall seeing the streets cluttered with National brands and fast food joints)

  • Small and easy to get around-despite all the roads turning you can really walk the whole city in a day

  • Weather was nice. We were in late September and honestly it felt like a nice day in Texas, pretty sure I was hot in my scarf and jeans (what else is new?)

I really just did a lot of exploring to myself in Prague. No walking tours or bike tours. Just snapped photos, looked around, followed a map. Splurged on a nice meal in the Jewish Quarter, tried to get healthier while still seeing as much as possible. Tried a little ice cream (naturally) and just enjoyed myself. I had to go back to the room to rest up for a while DEFINITELY recommend my hostel. Downtown Hostel. They had events every night. I met an Aussie who was moving to Europe, but traveling for months backpacking, we had dinner in the common area (free, cooked by one of the hostel guides/social chair type person, so that was awesome!)

In the very beginning of Mission Impossible (Tom Cruise movie-the first one-) they are in Prague. I searched everywhere for the vague recollection of what I have from that movie and where they came out of that fantastic party-I don’t think it was the castle though-or was it? I need to IMDB it.

Prague Castle at night from a distance…

Infamous St. Charles Bridge

Here are some more photos, but Prague was a short visit. The nice part was that it was so tiny you could walk around and get everywhere (so long as I was feeling up to it). I did have to take a break to rest, then snapped some night photos as well.

Went to bed about midnight all packed and ready to go. Texted Meg for meds, but my Doctor didn’t get back to me in time, dangit. Didn’t care. I was going to Munich for THE Oktoberfest 2012 and my friend Megan was going to meet me there.

7am bus ride from Prague to Munich. I felt like I was on Planes Trains and Automobiles.

Here we go.