Life Across The Pond: Czech it out...

After we successfully made it through Berlin, Germany, we found the bus station and made our way to Prague, Czech Republic. It was a 5 hour bus ride that passed by fairly quickly despite the constant bumps on the highway. After a while, all you could do was laugh about it because it was so loud and everyone was bouncing up and down! It was quite hilarious...

We arrived in Prague around 8pm and were greeted by my friend Barča. Originally from Czech Republic, she worked with me at Canton McDonald's last summer while she was visiting her cousin in the states. Since being back and me being in London, we kept trying to meet up somehow so finally it happened! It was so nice to be able to see her, especially in Prague! She knew exactly where to go for our first stop - McDonald's :-)

After that we went to meet up with her friend, Kristýna, and then made our way to our hostel which was even more fantastic than the one in Berlin! We really lucked out with hostels this trip. It was very close to everything too, and no matter where you were, you could find a tram or train to take you to where you needed to go.

The first night, we went to a cute pub with dirty comics on the wall which was kind of funny...although we couldn't read any of them and their humor is a bit different than ours, haha. I did have a tasty Czech beer though, Kozel, and I really hope they have that in the states...for cheap. We got there just before close so we had to finish up fast and head out again. But it was a beautiful night out so we were happy to stroll around the cute Prague streets. It really reminded me of Epcot in Disney World with the cobblestone and architecture with your typical European city. Ugh it was beautiful...and I can't wait to go back.

The next morning, we got up bright and early for our tour of Prague. We were all woken up by a warning going off in our hostel announcing that there were technical difficulties and that everyone needed to evacuate. Luckily it was nothing serious, just kind of obnoxious....but a couple hours later Barča and Kristýna met us in front of our hotel to take us around. It was absolutely wonderful having them help us. We didn't have to worry about the language barrier, the directions, or even figuring out what we wanted to see! Before going there, I had no idea what they had to offer or what the main sites were. It cut out on a lot of time so we were able to see so much more than anywhere else.

We started off going up Petřín Hill where there was a tower that looked like a mini Eiffel tower that you could go up to get the most beautiful view of the whole city. There were other buildings up there too including a mirror maze called Zrcadlové Bludiště which was silly. It reminded me of a fun house haha. But then we went up the tower. I think it was 299 steps up a spiral staircase but it was well worth it! The white buildings with the red roofs were everywhere. I absolutely loved it! I wish the sky was blue, but it was gorgeous anyways.

When we walked back down, we went through more narrow cobblestone streets toward Prague Castle. This castle is the largest in the world, but probably the windiest too! Once you go inside, theres a bunch of other buildings and it must create a wind tunnel or something because it was so cold too! Anyways, inside there was a beautiful cathedral, St. Vitus, that reminded me of Notre Dame. We went inside, and it was even more cold in there! We could even see our breath. Kristýna told us that the walls were 2 meters thick so no wonder! Besides the cathedral, we also went into Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St. George, and other places that I don't remember the names to. We then got to see the changing of the guards which was nice, since I still haven't seen it in London!!!

We were starving by this point, so we went to a traditional pub and got traditional Czech food. I got goulash which was delicious! It was pork with gravy, bread dumplings and onions. Yum! My friend Becca got something similar, called svíčková, which was beef with gravy, bread dumplings, whipped cream and cranberries on top! Quite unique, I'd say...

THEN we went to see these sculptures that were huge babies without faces. It was so odd. I have never seen anything like it! This one boy wanted to take a picture with them so he was screaming and trying to get on top of one while spanking it! It was hilarious!!! Nearby was the Lennon wall which was a huge wall of graffiti dedicated to John Lennon with lyrics and drawings. It was beautiful and so colorful. Perfect for us Beatles fans :-)

This took us to Charles bridge, which is the oldest, most famous bridge in Prague with artists and kiosks with jewelry and paintings. The views were great on either side of the bridge but it was so crowded! We went there the first night to see the lights and be at peace without everyone else around though which was nice. At the end of the bridge there was a big area for shopping, etc.

We went to the Astronomical Clock, too, which was a big site to see of Prague. On every hour it dings and the windows open at the top where little statues go around inside and then a man is all dressed up at the top with a trumpet playing a tune. Everyone was so into it and it seemed like a big part of their culture. It was so cute seeing everyone walking around this square. The city was so quaint and picturesque with a mini fair in the center too! They had food, sweets, and souvenirs for people to buy which, again, reminded me of Disney.

It looked like such a perfect little city and I really can't put it into words. I would really love to go back there. It was my favorite place to go to thus far and I would love to see my friend Barča (and Kristýna) again!