Before I start, I just want to say that I have yet to find a cord for my camera and, therefore, have been unable to update the photos. I will do my best to find one, but electronic stores seem pretty scarce over here, at least in the areas we have been exploring. Hang tight!
Prague is absolutely gorgeous! Very little of it was destroyed during WWII and, thus, the Old Town is still much like it used to be many years ago. The old architecture, the churches and synagogues, and, of course, the Prague Castle which stands magnificently atop a hill across the river makes this city picturesque from almost any angle. Just walking along the river or browsing the narrow streets of the Old Town is enough to make you want to stay here for a long time.
Yesterday we ventured along the river and crossed Charles Bridge and made our way up to Prague Castle, where many vendors, small shops and cafes line the cobblestone streets. We ended up eating on a patio atop the hill, overlooking the city, and while the service was slow, we didn’t mind; the weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and the view was breathtaking! Eventually we found our way into St. Vitus Cathedral, located within the walls of Prague Castle. This magnificent cathedral had beautiful stained glass windows, enormous arched ceilings and beautiful sculptures along the wall. And it was free to go in, so that was a bonus!
There isn’t that much to do here, though personally I could stroll the streets all day. What makes it truly amazing is its postcard-perfect beauty. Whether its from the top of St. Vitus Cathedral or along the river or even from our hostel window, this city is breathtaking and seems to be stuck in the past. However, we have three nights here (tonight being our last, before we head to Vienna tomorrow) and that seems to be plenty of time to see the city.
Last night the four of us went to a five-storey nightclub called Karlovy Lazne, right at the foot of Charles Bridge. It was incredibly fun and offered different music on each level of the club. If you’re into clubbing or just busting-a-move now and then, this is the place to go in Prague!
One last thing about Prague, and likely the Czech Republic in general, is how cheap almost everything is here! Their currency is the Crown, or in Czech, the koruna. One Canadian dollar is approximately 17 koruna. Whether its beer or food or souvenirs, the exchange rate allows for a surprisingly cheap meal at a restaurant or a very inexpensive bottle of wine. In fact, all of Eastern Europe is known to be relatively cheap compared to the rest of Europe, so backpacking through places like Czech Republic or Hungary or Croatia is a good bet if you’re looking to save a lot of money!
Again, I apologize about the photo situation, I’ll try and resolve that as soon as I can. As I mentioned earlier, we’re off to Vienna tomorrow, so I’ll look again for an electronics store there. Wish me luck!
Happy travels!
Dan..
