Prague – a quick 2 day stop
Another last minute addition to our trip. We flew from Split, Croatia to Prague because: 1) we found an unbelievably cheap fare of about $25 each on SkyEurope Airlines, 2) it got us closer to our next stop Germany for the World Cup, and 3) does anyone really need an excuse to spend a couple days in one of the world’s most heralded cities?
I had been to Prague 3 years ago and was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the marvelous architecture that engulfs you everywhere you walk, as well as the hearty food and incredible beer at some of the lowest prices you will ever find in a major city. And as much as I enjoyed my time there, everyone told me that it was even so much better to visit a few years before when it still had the intrigue and mystique (and prices) of having recently still been on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Well the architecture hasn’t changed, that’s for sure, but it seems like Prague’s magic and charm has slipped away further as it has become a MAJOR tourist destination with the huge crowds, higher prices, and more sterile westernized environment that sadly comes with this kind of change. We were only in Prague for 2 days before catching an overnight bus to Frankfurt for the start of the World Cup, and we did enjoy ourselves in Prague, but it just didn’t quite have the “wow” factor Shan expected for her first visit there or my return visit.
We started our time there with a stroll through the Old Town Square packed with tourists and a traditional Czech dinner that was probably the highlight of our time in prague. We were seated right next to two gregarious German businessmen who told hilarious stories of the cultural differences when working with colleagues from offices in Japan, and at the end of our dinner they invited us to stay at their homes when in Germany for the World Cup (sadly we never got a chance to take them up on their offers). The next day we walked around tourist packed Wenceslas Square (famous site of the biggest protests and demonstrations), the old Jewish quarter and Old Jewish Cemetery, and the historic Charles Bridge where we swayed for a while to a cool dixieland jazz group while once again being packed in with tourists. Much of the following day was spent touring the enormous Prague Castle with a breadth of well-organized information for tourists. Then it was time to leave, and though it’s sad to say this, we left just in time as we didn’t have any more energy to try to make more out of our disappointing Prague experience.
We hate to be such downers about Prague, maybe we are just jaded after so many other interesting and incredible traveling experiences. And for those who have never been we still recommend you go because it is unique in it’s style and beauty. But don’t expect to go to find and explore a city that still feels really different like it was just recently part of a communist country because Prague has lost that allure. Travel planning moral of this story – if there is somewhere in the world you are really interested in exploring because it offers something different than you are used to (particularly in a less westernized/developed way) you better go their quickly because as more and more people travel the growth of westernized tourism is eroding some of the exoctic charm that you might hope to find.
For more Prague photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanlovesphotos/sets/72157594158905025/
– Anthony
Tags: Czech Republic, Europe, Prague, Travel
Shan