Sunday, July 2, 2006
Up early to travel today. Not quite as early as the last time, but we've got a longer train trip. 2 vans to take 10 of us to the station and off we go.
The trip was, for the most part uneventful. We were at the station early (Surprise!), and there were shops like an airport but not quite as upscale, so some of us decided we needed to scout out some snacks before a 5 1/2 hour trip. Looking for something different to go with the "Coca Cola Light" (no sign of caffeine free here), I saw something a little different -- Paprika Pringles. Thought that might be kind of fun, experience something with a little twist on the norm for us.
Sorry to report, "Paprika" means "BBQ" in American.
We arrived in Prague at an absolutely DESOLATE looking train station about 20 minutes after we were scheduled to be there. The guide books said that the stations had been redone by the soviets, and they certainly look it -- grim, dirty, and grey.
And we had no driver.
No sign of a driver. And the phone number we had wasn't answered by anyone who spoke english.
A slight diversion here -- anyone thinking of travelling abroad, who goes to Sam's to get an international phone card -- don't waste your money. The damned things haven't worked anywhere we tried, and we haven't even been able to get an AT&T operator on the line most of the time.
No money either, since we were advised to wait until we got to Prague to change any money. Fortunately, we found a "bankomat" and got some currency. It's a little unnerving to plug your ATM card into a machine when you don't speak the instruction and are relying on key words, like PIN.
With all those chiefs in our group and few indians, people were going off every direction. Everything said DON'T TAKE A TAXI AT THE TRAIN STATION, and the apes driving them didn't look especially eager to take on our luggage, anyhow. Fortunately, about the time we were all ready to start off walking (which would have been a BAD idea based upon how longg the journey was), the driver showed up, a mere 40 minutes late.
We arrived at the Hotel Mercure, which used to be an insurance building. It's beautiful. Only about 3 years old, and Franz Kafka used to work here. Got his bust up in the lobby, pictures on the wall and everything. We all think he looks like Mr. Spock's wife on the original Star Trek, but since he died in 1924, he probably predates that.
The bathroom is as Americans usually inspect, but the shower is a dream. 4 heads wash you everywhere at once, whether you like it or not.
And, best of all, there's AC with a thermostat RIGHT IN THE ROOM. It even seems to make the termperature go up and down when you adjust it.
After a quick regroup, we once again met up with our travel agent, Paul, who took us on a quick orientation tour. We learned that Prague wasn't bombed during WWII because Hitler was so taken with how pretty it was that he didn't let the Luftwaffe bomb it out. There were still some casualties (more on that later), but overall most of the buildings survived.
We, of course, are on the only working street in the middle of a 3 block area that LOOKS like a war zone. They're rebuilding several structures near us, and apparently the City decided this was a good time to replace water and sewer lines also (among whatever else goes underground). The big trucks stop working at 10:00 at night, though, so that's good.
The architecture of the city is incredible. You have to remember to look UP as well as ahead to see things, though. Lots of fru-fru on the buildings.
We walked down to the Municipal Building, which is a big deal here. There's a clock that is supposed to be the 2nd most photographed clock, after Big Ben in London. On the hour, two little doors open and the 12 apostles come by and look out, while below a skeleton rings a bell and nods his head to remind each of us of our mortality. It was reconstructed in 1490,which tells you how old it really is. 13something, I lost that tidbit. The apostles are also replacements, the originals having been casualties of the war.
It's also apparently a popular pigeon make-out spot, as they seemed to enjoy the audience while going at it on the clock. It's funny, lots of important statutes and structures here have netting over them to keep the pigeons off.
After that, travel time was catching up with us and there was a Beer garden within spittin' distance, so we decided to partake. Czech beer has quite a kick and comes in a BIG glass. And when you stop, the waitress says, "What? Only 1??" Rest is more important to us than it was years ago, though, so we opted for a quick nap before dinner.
Dinner was at a place Paul had found, that specializes in traditional food -- lots of "beasts". Eddie had a rack of lamb, and I had a "Beast Feast" (roughly translated). As best I could tell, it had wild boar, duck, venison, and some other unidentifiable things on it. The amazing thing was that our meals were 560 Crowns, which translates to roughly $28.00 (total, not each).
After that we wandered across the square to watch people and get some desert and coffee. We've learned now that Czech coffee is really COFFEE!!!!! It's big, it's black, it's strong and it don't take no **** off nobody.
Usually it only takes 2 cups in the morning.
Monday is our "official" walking tour, when we find out what we really need to see, plus where to buy "the good stuff.
(Sorry this is a day late; couldn't find an internet cafe yesterday, and besides, couldn't type after the beer anyhow!).
The trip was, for the most part uneventful. We were at the station early (Surprise!), and there were shops like an airport but not quite as upscale, so some of us decided we needed to scout out some snacks before a 5 1/2 hour trip. Looking for something different to go with the "Coca Cola Light" (no sign of caffeine free here), I saw something a little different -- Paprika Pringles. Thought that might be kind of fun, experience something with a little twist on the norm for us.
Sorry to report, "Paprika" means "BBQ" in American.
We arrived in Prague at an absolutely DESOLATE looking train station about 20 minutes after we were scheduled to be there. The guide books said that the stations had been redone by the soviets, and they certainly look it -- grim, dirty, and grey.
And we had no driver.
No sign of a driver. And the phone number we had wasn't answered by anyone who spoke english.
A slight diversion here -- anyone thinking of travelling abroad, who goes to Sam's to get an international phone card -- don't waste your money. The damned things haven't worked anywhere we tried, and we haven't even been able to get an AT&T operator on the line most of the time.
No money either, since we were advised to wait until we got to Prague to change any money. Fortunately, we found a "bankomat" and got some currency. It's a little unnerving to plug your ATM card into a machine when you don't speak the instruction and are relying on key words, like PIN.
With all those chiefs in our group and few indians, people were going off every direction. Everything said DON'T TAKE A TAXI AT THE TRAIN STATION, and the apes driving them didn't look especially eager to take on our luggage, anyhow. Fortunately, about the time we were all ready to start off walking (which would have been a BAD idea based upon how longg the journey was), the driver showed up, a mere 40 minutes late.
We arrived at the Hotel Mercure, which used to be an insurance building. It's beautiful. Only about 3 years old, and Franz Kafka used to work here. Got his bust up in the lobby, pictures on the wall and everything. We all think he looks like Mr. Spock's wife on the original Star Trek, but since he died in 1924, he probably predates that.
The bathroom is as Americans usually inspect, but the shower is a dream. 4 heads wash you everywhere at once, whether you like it or not.
And, best of all, there's AC with a thermostat RIGHT IN THE ROOM. It even seems to make the termperature go up and down when you adjust it.
After a quick regroup, we once again met up with our travel agent, Paul, who took us on a quick orientation tour. We learned that Prague wasn't bombed during WWII because Hitler was so taken with how pretty it was that he didn't let the Luftwaffe bomb it out. There were still some casualties (more on that later), but overall most of the buildings survived.
We, of course, are on the only working street in the middle of a 3 block area that LOOKS like a war zone. They're rebuilding several structures near us, and apparently the City decided this was a good time to replace water and sewer lines also (among whatever else goes underground). The big trucks stop working at 10:00 at night, though, so that's good.
The architecture of the city is incredible. You have to remember to look UP as well as ahead to see things, though. Lots of fru-fru on the buildings.
We walked down to the Municipal Building, which is a big deal here. There's a clock that is supposed to be the 2nd most photographed clock, after Big Ben in London. On the hour, two little doors open and the 12 apostles come by and look out, while below a skeleton rings a bell and nods his head to remind each of us of our mortality. It was reconstructed in 1490,which tells you how old it really is. 13something, I lost that tidbit. The apostles are also replacements, the originals having been casualties of the war.
It's also apparently a popular pigeon make-out spot, as they seemed to enjoy the audience while going at it on the clock. It's funny, lots of important statutes and structures here have netting over them to keep the pigeons off.
After that, travel time was catching up with us and there was a Beer garden within spittin' distance, so we decided to partake. Czech beer has quite a kick and comes in a BIG glass. And when you stop, the waitress says, "What? Only 1??" Rest is more important to us than it was years ago, though, so we opted for a quick nap before dinner.
Dinner was at a place Paul had found, that specializes in traditional food -- lots of "beasts". Eddie had a rack of lamb, and I had a "Beast Feast" (roughly translated). As best I could tell, it had wild boar, duck, venison, and some other unidentifiable things on it. The amazing thing was that our meals were 560 Crowns, which translates to roughly $28.00 (total, not each).
After that we wandered across the square to watch people and get some desert and coffee. We've learned now that Czech coffee is really COFFEE!!!!! It's big, it's black, it's strong and it don't take no **** off nobody.
Usually it only takes 2 cups in the morning.
Monday is our "official" walking tour, when we find out what we really need to see, plus where to buy "the good stuff.
(Sorry this is a day late; couldn't find an internet cafe yesterday, and besides, couldn't type after the beer anyhow!).
posted by me | 8:12 AM
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