Prague is a magnificent city from it’s bright days of Summer to its low clouds and days of fog. Regardless, the city allure and beauty lasts year round in all climates. From the hills to the arch bridges over the Vltava River. For me, my stay didn’t get off to the most positive start. Traveling around Central Europe during mid-November, you shouldn’t be surprised by not seeing any sun, which I didn’t. But after arriving at Prague’s main train station from Kutna Hora, I was greeted by sad, depressing weather with low clouds and hours of light rain. In addition, my $5 gas station umbrella started to give out at the wind blows walking through the city.
Prague City CenterCharles Bridge
Now I am not one to complain, especially while traveling, but I felt so miserable. I mean, it is the very two combined weather climates that I hate the most. In addition, Prague is not the easiest city to navigate for first timers. While Budapest has a river dividing the city creating a landmark for direction, Prague’s river creates the shape of a crescent, making point A to point B much longer than anticipated. Forget sense of direction! The city center is obviously OLD with a medieval city grid, but attempting to assume the river is east after walking two blocks doesn’t work so well like in Budapest. Not only did I have an issue finding my AirBnb apartment, but I also spent numerous nights walking in the wrong direction. Walking from the city square, for example to the Charles Bridge through side streets actually made me walk a mile or two south.
Žižkov Hill. My favorite walk in Prague.
Sweet GoPro shot of the Prague City center
While I couldn’t help the frustration in the beginning, I later realized that this is part of my own travel experience in Prague. I didn’t want to follow the crowd. Getting lost in Prague was a slightly frustrating but very memorable. Taking a turn into one of the city’s less traveled alleys and streets is a beautiful treat within itself. Nothing beats walking down a cobble stoned alley in Prague, alone, with amber colored lamps shining against the sidewalks and buildings. Even the graffiti amazed me.
St. Vitus Cathedral
The downside to Prague at any given time throughout the year is it’s crowd. It’s Prague, its supposedly the 5th popular tourist city of Europe, who wouldn’t want to come here. Well everyone does, which is why you see hoards and hoards of people swarming the castle, city center, Charles Bridge, and main alleys. Despite the crowds, not only are these places still enjoyable but there are plenty of off the beaten path spots around the city to enjoy as well as taking in great city views. My personal favorite, the view of Prague from Hanavský pavilion where you can see the infamous cascade of bridges below and beyond. Or my favorite restaurant, Pivovar U Tří Růží, also a brewery. And my favorite walk through Žižkov hill with no tourists or tourist traps.
Dancing HousePivovar U Tří Růží brewery and restaurantDrum and Bass at Roxy NightclubKarstejn Castle
I loved Prague! So much history going back to the Medieval years, to World War 2, to the very long years of socialism. Outside of the city, the Sedlec Ossuary bone church in Kutna Hora and Karlstejn Castle are easy to reach. Prague is no Eastern Europe budget friendly city but it is not western European either. It’s affordable with many cost efficient places around the city, if you know where to look. I czeched out only a few night clubs but even these experiences were enough to satisfy my party side. The Czech cuisine is fantastic, from its duck dishes to the delishious Trdelnik , something I ate about 5 times in one day. Lastly and most importantly, Czech beer is always a must try and is absolutely good. So whether you stroll the alleys solo or stroll the Charles Bridge with a loved one, I can certainly now see why Prague is so popular for all kinds of people. But if you go, plan on getting lost, you won’t regret it. 🙂
Someone recently told me that I get the most out of my travels. It’s true and agree 100%! I want to say “I don’t know what it is”, but I do. As I expand my travels out further and further, as like every other traveler, something happens within. You grow, you change for the better, your perspective on life improves, and honestly, you are practically immune to negativity. It would be ethnically frowned upon, at least in my eyes, to try single myself out from the crowd. I am not trying to, but I really do get the most out of my trips. I know, meet, have met, and seen people via web who are travelers alike with the same wanderlust. But I feel deep within, my passion is on a completely different level than your average wanderlust.
View of Budapest from Gallert Hill
Infamous Budapest Chain Bridge
Couchsurfing is a great way to be a part of your destination with a local.
Couchsurfing in Budapest
Couchsurfing in Vienna
It has been only three days since my return from my two week journey into Central Europe, and I can’t begin to explain briefly how this trip has changed me. I usually wake up from dreams about places I want to go and see. But this morning I had a very vivid dream about where I just came from. I’ve been to a handful of places that I can say I fell in love with and while I did love all of these places visited on this journey, I can’t say “falling in love” happened. It wasn’t solely about the places I’ve seen. It was a different kind of admiration. On this voyage, I was tested beyond just getting to my destinations. For example, in the past I keenly used my sense of sight. This time I manage to use alI of them like a working machine. My appreciation for people in general has improved so much. I realized that although there are inconsiderate and heartless assholes out there, for the most part, people around the world are general friendly and are willing to help you. Without phone service and solely relying on wifi and sense of direction left me with the only possible means of communication: pointing, showing names, pronunciation attempts, hand and face gestures, and most importantly, smiles. No matter how wide the language barrier is, human interaction is always possible. Considering the few mishaps I had, I still continued on and understood these mishaps as part of my voyage, intelligently.
Hanging out in beautiful ViennaBelvedere Palace in Vienna, AustriaSunset over Bratislava, SlovakiaHrad Devin/Devin CastleLost somewhere in SlovakiaSubclub: Soviet bomb shelter turned nightclub
I chose what many consider Eastern Europe because of the former Iron Curtain that separated a free Western Europe from a Socialist Eastern Europe. With much of Europe united, much of it now without physical border checkpoints, I traveled in Central Europe. This particular region, “just because it is not your usual first time Europe travel destination: Rome, London, Paris, Etc.” And what made me beyond happy, is that I made locals so proud that I chose their beloved country. I wanted something different, something new, and although not low density travel destinations, for a first time, it was more off the beaten path, the experience I wanted for myself. I tell myself two weeks is not enough time to travel, I mean really travel. But I guess it beats an extended weekend or a week. Personally, I would love to see Americans travel for a month to a month and a half, but two weeks does suffice, I guess.
Off the beaten path in Mikulov, South Moravia, Czech RepublicOff the beaten path in Valtice, South Moravia, Czech RepublicRainy day in Brno, Czech Republic, the second largest city in the country.
But in two weeks, I really did make the most out of my travels. After all, I lost my weekend job, got questioned with my primary job, and even got some frowns from family and loved ones. But that was actually only a fraction of why I made the most out of this. I never look to the past, BUT looking back is always a motivator to move forward strongly. I’ve suffered many years since birth with fighting parents, custody battles, struggling with depression in the later years, finally struggling to get on my feet in and out of unemployment, and the everyday financial obstacles that could deter ones desire to travel period. Who could blame me for having such a strong and powerful spirit in doing the one thing I love, traveling. So in the end, I’ve taken planes, trains, buses, and trams. I’ve hitchhiked, surfed couches, stayed in hostels, hotels, and apartments. Seen 5 countries, 6 cities, 4 towns, with 5 different languages. I’ve found myself exploring amazing places and even found myself completely lost. I’ve succeeded in my travels but also learned from mistakes. Sacrificed familiarities, time, and patience to get off the beaten path. Ate local food and drank local brews, and had amazing nightlife experiences, trying absinthe along the way. Set foot on history that served a purpose hundreds of years ago. Met many new faces and said my goodbyes with hopes for a new day to meet again maybe in a new place.
View of Brno from the Špilberk CastleThe creepy Sedlec Ossuary, a church with human bones as it’s interior décor.Spontaneous day trip to Dresden, Germany…Just because…Dresden, GermanyGerman Bier and grub.
It wasn’t just traveling to these places that impressed me for future travel, I tested my abilities on my own, traveling on a budget while still enjoying myself, diving into the various cultures I’ve experienced, and best of all, returning a better person than when I arrived. Even though I had to get used to bringing in a book bag for groceries, smaller and healthier food portions and spent about $10 US on public bathrooms, I also realized that even Europe has it’s own cultural differences. Traveling does good for everyone, after all travel is the one thing you buy that makes you richer. It is a learning experience that changes you for the better, helps you grow, and helps contribute to unite a divided world. Anyone can see photos and watch videos, but the state of being and leaping into other cultures and norms is what makes it a beautiful privilege beyond imagination. These past two weeks wasn’t just for me, but my sharing of pictures, and videos of my experiences I hope are enough to prove that there is more out there in the world to do, see and experience with hopes for you to work hard and do it as well.
Strolling along the Charles Bridge in Prague.Prague Old Town CenterBest view of Prague and her bridges.Karlštejn Castle, outside of Prague.
Of course I wanted to continue on from Prague. Maybe make my way to Berlin and continue onto Scandinavia. Or down to Munich and end up in southern Italy. Or make my way down to a place that I really want to go, and possibly my next trip, down to Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and the former Yugoslavia. But instead, and unlike other voyages, I was ready to return. I wasn’t depressed to return to “dreaded work”. Because I understand that this is what is funding my voyages in the first place. I wasn’t unhappy to return to the familiar, because I remind myself of those loved ones who support me to do what I love. I was ready to return, because after I share my stories with my loved ones and the minute I punch that clock at work, I have already begun the process on my next learning experience. As for one key quote I will never forget that my host in Budapest preached to me before I left his place, “You will leave something behind here from your three day stay”. I thought he was being literal but I was wrong. “You will leave three days of your life here”. So cheers to leaving two great weeks of my life in Central Europe. 🙂
