Prague is divided into 8 (I think) districts. It's a pretty big town so we took the metro everyday to the center. Czech currency is the crown. $1.00 is about 17 crowns (or Korunas). It was really different because when we went to the ATM's we would pull out about $75.00 dollars worth and receive a 1,000 and 500 bill. That was something we finally got used to the last day of the trip. Anyways, a two way metro ticket cost like $2.00, so travel was very inexpensive. We took the metro into the main square area everyday. This is near the Charles Bridge, John Lenon Wall, Astronomical Clock, Natural History Museum and the Communism Museum. A tourist can see all of this in one day. Most people that go, go to experience the culture which is extremely different. I felt more comfortable there because the people were nicer and friendlier than some Italian people I had encountered. It's funny because my friend Myles' mother's boyfriend, Billy lives in Ennis, Texas where alot (and I mean alot) of his family live. They're basically a huge friendly Czech family that prides themselves in celebrating big when they celebrate. They dont know a stranger basically. The morning of arrival in Czech I woke up on the bus looking out at green rolling meadows with blue skies and white fluffy clouds. It reminded me instantly of Ennis, Texas. Later as I had actually arrived in the town and had encountered the people, the town even more reminded me of Ennis.
Prague had little open air food kiosks where people were proudly cooking and baking their famous food. There were sausage dogs, pretzels, roasted almonds, roasted pig, sausage links, fried cheese sandwiches and of course very cheap beer anywhere you looked. They also had these sweet dessert buns layered in sugar. I didn't catch the name but they were made with dough, covered in cinnamon and sugar then wraped around iron poles to bake. Once the ladies took them off the rods there was an option to slather the insides with nutella. They were absolutely delicious. It's probably a good thing I don't live there.
That day we explored some of the historical key points, Charles Bridge, John Lennon wall and the Astronomical clock (which happened to be broken the weekend we were there). That day after grabbed some lunch we headed back to the hotel for a nap because of our lack of sleep on the bus. For dinner we went to a little cosy restaurant in a basement and had some spicy beef goulash and Pilsner beer. Very hearty food for very hungry girls.
The next day we went to the Communism Museum, Prague Castle, John Lenon wall again and attempted to go see the Jewish quarters (which were closed on the Sabbath). The Communism Museum was very interesting, basically it was a musem with alot of stuff and a timeline full of essay's about that period in Prague history. It was very interesting to see it from their perspective. Prague Castle was beautiful of course. It was huge and was part of a Cathedral. This cathedral had the most beautiful stained glass windows that I have seen so far, and I have seen a whole lot of stained glass windows haha. That night we went to a restaurant with beer taps at the table. Unfortunately it turned into a bar/club at night and stopped serving food. Since we were unaware of that we stopped and had a drink and then left around 11 pm to find food. I have to be in honest in reporting the girls wanted to stop at KFC, since it was close and we knew where it was. But if it counts I had my friend cheese sandwich after wards to say I had Czech food that night.
The next day we headed out. The drive was beyond beautiful. I know I say this alot, but I am a sucker for rolling hills and mountains. We drove back through Germany, Austria, Switzerland then Italy. Austria and Germany were my favorite. The Alps were gorgeous. Huge mountains, with rolling green meadows at the bottom. Everynow and then we would spot an enormous waterfall gushing out of the mountains flowing into the curving rivers that surrounded the villages. Austria is now on my list to see in the future. I can't believe I couldn't make a trip there this semester. Hope y'all enjoy the pictures. Look forward to Croatia pictures next time!
First beer in Prague! I drank this with my sausage dog in a bun.
Charles Bridge
Cool pink C.R. car!
John Lennon wall!
Lunch on Friday. We are big spenders ;)
Astronomical Clock, the world's largest. I think a puppet pops out at every hour. Too bad it wasn't working when we were there.
Appartently there is an art to drinking Absinthe. You set this here spoon on a glass with a sugar cube and pour the absinthe on top. Pretty interesting.
Instead of the typical Texan chips and salsa at the table, Czech had pretzels!
Breakfast everyday: Hotdog, bread, eggs(!), turkey, ham, cheese, coffee, cereal and yogurt. I'm always looking forward to breakfast.
Me and Sam's room. It was huge!
Roasted Sugary Almonds.
Jewish cemetary in the Jewish quarters. This was taken through an itty bitty hole in the wall. Graves were piled ontop of graves.
One of the stained glass windows.
Prague Cathedral. Pretty Intimidating huh?
Roommates in front of Prague Castle/Cathedral.
Yummmm, the yummy sweet bread they would put Nutella in.
Sam and I at John Lennon wall.
My photography talent. I'm pretty brave to lay on the ground in white pants to get a certain shot. haha
Icy cold Pilsner.
Spicy Beef goulash and potato cakes.
Hot Raspberries and Icecream. Yumm.
The National History Museum all lite up at night.
Beer tap at our table the last night. It charges by how much the customer takes out.
Beautiful isn't it?
Sam, me and Morgan- our picture to say we were in Austria.
Austria
Yep. Those were our delicious sausage dogs with slaw and mustard. (This is Sam my lovely roommate once again.)
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