Budwar, the other Budweiser…
After Berlin, we crossed the former Iron Curtain and traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague is quite a city. In our eyes, it is unmatched in the beauty of its buildings. With its cobble stone streets, Baroque plaster facades over medieval houses, and the numerous palaces, cathedrals and towers, it is no wonder why this place is called the “City of 1000 Spires.”
We had booked a room in a small cozy little hostel, with a nice courtyard, free WiFi and breakfast, and not too far from the city center. Although it was gloomy and rainy, we still made the best of our time. We stopped by a second hand bookstore, which reputably had the “largest selection of English books in the Czeck Republic." Apparently that title is not too hard to accomplish. But after purchasing a few decent used paperbacks and a “Greece” lonely planet, we toured a few of the architectural wonders of Prague, and had a huge dinner of traditional Czech cuisine to celebrate our one month anniversary. Our meal was great and included vegetables covered in cheese and hollandaise sauce, and potatoes covered in cheese and bacon. We even had the opportunity to sample an original Budweiser beer, from a small Czech town called “Budwar.”
The next day, despite the occasional drizzles brought in by the spring rains, we made it up to Prague Castle, which sits upon a hill. The sun even made it out so we could get some good views of the city. We also saw St. Nicholas’s Cathedral, a amazing Baroque church from the 1600’s where Mozart once played the organ, and the Czech Senate, where we ran into a few peacocks and some great horned owls.
We walked on the famous “Charles bridge,” over the Vltava River. This was built in the 1500’s (there is still some damage on it from the Thirty Years War). We ran into a large shopping/tourist Mecca, with narrow, crooked alleyways, and hawkers abound. Laura picked up a small Czech Garnet ring (they mine garnets in Czech and they are Laura's birthstone), and a colorful purse/sidebag as souvenirs.
Walking around near dusk was also amazing, as all the spires, cathedrals, and towers were all lit up, creating quite a romantic spectacle, especially from a good vantage point.
The one thing we noticed while in Czech was that Prague seems a bit burnt-out on tourists. The locals weren't too friendly to tourists, and some business owners were not too welcoming. We are thinking that they are either still hung-over from the communist days, or are just tired of seeing budget backpackers roaming their city. They may also just be down about the weather, or the credit crunch.
After traveling through some of the most expensive cities in the world, we are happy to be in central Europe, where things are a bit cheaper. The lower prices were very much welcomed. We are now officially back on track to being under budget (we are hoping this will last, but Italy is renowned for its high prices and we are set to arrive there in a week or so).
Being in a country where almost no one speaks English, and the language is totally different from English can be quite confusing. Especially when you are trying to navigate the city on a budget. Always before, lots of people spoke English, or Eric could speak a bit of German. For the first time, we have found ourselves in a place where only a slim minority of people speak a lick of English. We tend to walk a lot, since the trams and city bus information is only written in Czech… Next, we are on to Budapest in Hungary. We take a night train through Slovakia. Below are some pictures of our travels. Enjoy!!!
Laura and a dress from the 1500's in Prague Castle
Eric with a crossbow in Prague Castle.
Eric checking out ancient warrior helmets near the torture pit of Prague Castle.
We had booked a room in a small cozy little hostel, with a nice courtyard, free WiFi and breakfast, and not too far from the city center. Although it was gloomy and rainy, we still made the best of our time. We stopped by a second hand bookstore, which reputably had the “largest selection of English books in the Czeck Republic." Apparently that title is not too hard to accomplish. But after purchasing a few decent used paperbacks and a “Greece” lonely planet, we toured a few of the architectural wonders of Prague, and had a huge dinner of traditional Czech cuisine to celebrate our one month anniversary. Our meal was great and included vegetables covered in cheese and hollandaise sauce, and potatoes covered in cheese and bacon. We even had the opportunity to sample an original Budweiser beer, from a small Czech town called “Budwar.”
The next day, despite the occasional drizzles brought in by the spring rains, we made it up to Prague Castle, which sits upon a hill. The sun even made it out so we could get some good views of the city. We also saw St. Nicholas’s Cathedral, a amazing Baroque church from the 1600’s where Mozart once played the organ, and the Czech Senate, where we ran into a few peacocks and some great horned owls.
We walked on the famous “Charles bridge,” over the Vltava River. This was built in the 1500’s (there is still some damage on it from the Thirty Years War). We ran into a large shopping/tourist Mecca, with narrow, crooked alleyways, and hawkers abound. Laura picked up a small Czech Garnet ring (they mine garnets in Czech and they are Laura's birthstone), and a colorful purse/sidebag as souvenirs.
Walking around near dusk was also amazing, as all the spires, cathedrals, and towers were all lit up, creating quite a romantic spectacle, especially from a good vantage point.
The one thing we noticed while in Czech was that Prague seems a bit burnt-out on tourists. The locals weren't too friendly to tourists, and some business owners were not too welcoming. We are thinking that they are either still hung-over from the communist days, or are just tired of seeing budget backpackers roaming their city. They may also just be down about the weather, or the credit crunch.
After traveling through some of the most expensive cities in the world, we are happy to be in central Europe, where things are a bit cheaper. The lower prices were very much welcomed. We are now officially back on track to being under budget (we are hoping this will last, but Italy is renowned for its high prices and we are set to arrive there in a week or so).
Being in a country where almost no one speaks English, and the language is totally different from English can be quite confusing. Especially when you are trying to navigate the city on a budget. Always before, lots of people spoke English, or Eric could speak a bit of German. For the first time, we have found ourselves in a place where only a slim minority of people speak a lick of English. We tend to walk a lot, since the trams and city bus information is only written in Czech… Next, we are on to Budapest in Hungary. We take a night train through Slovakia. Below are some pictures of our travels. Enjoy!!!
Enjoying a Budwar after arriving in Prague, at our one month anniversary dinner.
Enjoying the view, while climbing the stairs up to Prague Castle hill.
Laura in the Prague Castle gardens.
Eric looking out upon the rooftops of Prague.
Eric in front of the Saint Vitus Cathedral
Laura and a dress from the 1500's in Prague Castle 
Eric with a crossbow in Prague Castle.
Eric checking out ancient warrior helmets near the torture pit of Prague Castle.
Apperantly grooving while you cross the street is not only optional, it is manditory.
Garden of the Czech Senate, apparently they are all peacocks
Laura at the Church of Saint Nicholas, yes this is Santa Claus' Summer home!
Laura crossing the Charles Bridge (named after King Charles IV)
Eric looking out over the river Vltava.
Garden of the Czech Senate, apparently they are all peacocks
Laura at the Church of Saint Nicholas, yes this is Santa Claus' Summer home! Laura crossing the Charles Bridge (named after King Charles IV)
Eric looking out over the river Vltava.
Thats all from us for now, stay tuned as we are moving onto Budapest next!
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