Sunday, January 07, 2007

Prague, Take One

We just can’t seem to have a vacation that doesn’t reek of Chevy Chase in the “Lampoon’s Family Christmas.” After riding in a half full bus, stopping every 2 hours and for the borders, we arrive in Prague. We are excited and ready to taste, smell and see all that this fine Czech city has to offer. The bus drops us off at the bus station in Prague and we immediately try to obtain a taxi to our hostel. I am full of courage, and step up to the first taxi driver, who is vigorously cleaning his money mobile. “Hostel …,” I say, providing the address. The man does not acknowledge my presence or the fact that I spoke. Prague isn’t looking so good yet. We find another taxi driver who tells us that he won’t accept dollars, only Czech crowns. Ok, we can simply exchange money at the bus station. Oh, no…we really can’t. We arrived the day before Christmas, which means that all businesses close early, even the “exchange-your-foreign-money” place. How do we get to our hostel having never been in this city, we don’t know where it is, and we certainly don’t have a map? Racking our brains, we decide to go to the nearest ATM and take out money in crowns. Finally, we arrive at our average hostel room, which we will be sharing with 5 other people in bunks. Not bad.

Christmas day we find ourselves walking around the touristy Old Town of Prague, and after a night of dancing at a vacant club we aren’t in tip top shape. We spend Christmas dinner at a traditional Czech restaurant in the center and Steph and I aren’t feeling as disco-y as Ryan is. She pleads for us to go out dancing, seeing how it is Christmas. We concede and begin walking to the famous 4-story disco, supposedly the biggest in Europe. However big and great it is, we don’t make it there. Instead, we stop at a disco/bar along the way when we here great Hip-hop music spilling out if it into the street. It can’t be that bad, right? No cover, even better. We get up to the top floor and notice that no one is dancing…yet. We initiate the night of dancing, meeting interesting characters along the way. There were enormous dutch guys dancing around thrusting their pelvises like characters out of movies, and underage boys dancing with their mothers, or so it seemed. Even some guys from America and Canada were there with their overly intoxicated friends who I pawned off on my friends in order to dance with a yummy Italian. The hours passed like clicks of the clock and before we knew it, we were the only ones left dancing on the dance floor. It was 3.30am. We started the club and we ended the club. One heck of a way to celebrate Christmas Day.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like Prague very much. When I visited it I met a lot of nice people and they showed me the city. A good trip depends on company with whom you travel and places where you stay and visit.

Friday, August 17, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I see you had some difficulties when you arrived in Prague. But it can happen in any foreign country if you don't know specific matters. I hope that you had good memory after Prague also.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007  
Blogger Erick said...

Prague is a truly charming city. It is full of beautiful squares, beautiful architecture, and beautiful art. It is impossible for me to define my favorite sight in Prague, as there are so many and they are all worth seeing. The Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, the Castle, and Malastrana are the major attractions, but you'll find historic sites and amazing architecture around every corner in this wonderful city. And you’ll find there one of the best beer in the world!!!

Friday, February 15, 2008  
Blogger Kelly said...

Yes, during Christmas in Prague it's difficult to exchange money, buy food etc, but anyway for me Christmas is a magical time and December is undoubtedly one of the nicest months of the year in this beautiful city. Christmas markets are up, shop windows are bright and beautiful, Prague restaurants offer traditional Czech dish for Christmas - carp, Christmas trees adorn the town squares and the early dusk is filled with warm light. People are nicer to each other, the mood is festive. And if all is covered in fresh, white snow, what more can you ask for?

Friday, April 25, 2008  

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