EXPLORE EUROPE~ 5 COUNTRIES IN 11 DAYS ~ PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (P-4)
I know there will come a time I will forget bits of pieces of my experiences, but my travel to Prague is one to remember for life, that is I am sure.
When I plan my travel, it is part of my preparation to read blogs, forums and sites about the place I will be visiting. Not for anything but to know the place I will be going. Below is just a couple from the list of sites I visited to gain knowledge and information about Prague:
The plane ride from Rome to Prague was 2 hours. I arrived in Prague as scheduled. Contrary to what I read from different blogs and forums regarding domestic flights in Europe, I had a good and smooth check-in procedure and flight, no delays.
I took the taxi from the airport to Hotel Lunik. The hotel where I stayed was just a 3-star hotel, but I could definitely say my accommodation was more than what I paid for. Clean, big and spacious room, front desk was friendly, breakfast was great and internet was free.
After check-in, I freshened up then walk around the nearby areas. Came evening, I went out for dinner and end up with this Pub/Restaurant called Mknaj near my hotel. It was almost full when I walked inside the establishment. I like the Pub’s cozy atmosphere. It seemed like everyone was drinking beer and having a good time, and I learned the following day from the tour guide while exploring the city that Prague is the top on the list of countries in the world which is high on beer consumption. They drink beer like water, meaning they consume more beer than they consume water. Anyhow, going back to my dinner :), I was seated to a table near to a group of young Professionals they were friendly and seemed so relaxed. The food was very good. I tried the BBQ Pork Ribs and Chicken. After dinner went back to the hotel to have an early sleep as I planned to start the next day early.
2nd Day in Prague was whole day city tour. I walked from my Hotel up to Wenceslas Square. After an hour or two, I looked on my map for the big bus hop-on-hop-off route and checked for the nearest stop. Instead of going to the next city tour bus scheduled stop, I decided to go to the Old Town Square and wait for the next scheduled bus stop there.
I took the metro from Wenceslas to Old Town. There it was when the not so good experience happened. I bought my ticket then looked for the ticket validation machine. I have looked everywhere, but found none. I never noticed that there was a validation machine when you enter the entrance to the train waiting area/platform. I was reluctant that maybe you will just have to tap or feed the ticket to the machine when you exit the metro. When I got to my destination, before exiting the metro, there were local authorities/securities checking the tickets, they were targeting people like me, not locals or Europeans. Before reaching the exit, I was blocked by a tall guy and demanded for my ticket, I presented him my ticket. Next thing he asked me to come with him at the upper level of the metro. I followed, but I was beginning to feel scared. Then I looked around to check if just in case worst comes to worst, would there be someone I could ask for help, I saw a few Asians, unfortunately they were on the same situation. Nonetheless, that gave me a relieved feeling that it’s not going to be as terrible as I imagined, at least I’m not alone in the situation. We reached the 2nd upper level of the metro, he showed to me a bulletin posted on the wall, it’s a list of rules and regulations. I have violated one of the rules. I was being accused of using expired ticket. Actually tickets could be used within 1hour with either metro or city bus. The train from Wenceslas to Old Town was more or less 10 minutes only. But then how would I be able to justify that I have used the ticket for 10-15 minutes only. This is why it is important to have your ticket validated. But what could I do, it was already done. I could not do anything but hope that the local authority would be lenient and kind. He asked me to pay the penalty, could not remember anymore how much was it, all I could remember I did not have enough cash to pay. I asked if they would accept credit card payment, he said he will take me to the machine to withdraw. But I was quick to reason out that cash withdrawal is not allowed with my card. I don’t have any choice but to give only what I have on my pocket. He demanded for my passport, though I had it on my bag, good thing he did not check my bag, I just told him the hotel has it for security reason, and he believed it. I guess he just gave up and believed that I had no enough money. He asked how much I have got. I had US$30 in my pocket. He took all of it. I don’t care if I have been robbed by that much as long as I am OK and back to my normal life. I was just grateful that nothing scarier or more traumatic than that happened.
Didn’t notice I have written a long paragraph for that particular Prague metro train experience.
Anyhow, I have to forget what happened, so not to spoil my journey. I went to explore The Old Town Square. Took photographs, entered one of the oldest churches, as if nothing bad happened earlier. I have witnessed a few wedding celebrations.
Next stop was the Prague Castle. Passengers of the tour bus I was in were lucky to have a very good tour guide, he’s best with what he does, he tells us story of whatever we see along the way to Prague Castle, he was even commended by the couple from UK for his very good English, diction and all. He said that one of the Bourne Movie Series was partly shot in Prague. And as I have said earlier, he shared that Czech Republic is the top on the list of countries around the world with high beer consumption. They consume it like water.
After Prague Castle, I explored the city by walk, visited a few churches. Sadly, I was not able to visit one of the famous churches in Prague, The Church of Our Lady Victorious and Saint Anthony of Padua, also known as the Church of the Infant Jesus of Prague. It is said that the Infant Jesus of Prague has miraculous curing powers and that it was the protector of the city against plague and the destruction in the Thirty years' war, and as per our travel guide it is said that the Infant Jesus has a miraculous power to grant your wish and when that wish happen you have to come back and offer a self made clothes for the infant Jesus. It was from the tour guide I have come to know this story that one of the worldwide recognized writer, before his fame, he came to visit the said church and made a wish, it was his wish to become a famous writer, not long, his wish came true, as his The Alchemist book became a worldwide bestseller. He came back to revisit the church, with him he brought clothes for the Infant Statue of Jesus which he personally made.
I walked in the park, also visited a few museums. Cross the bridge parallel the famous Charles Bridge and had passed by the dancing building going back to my hotel.
3rd Day I went to buy souvenirs and again visited another church. One last time I went to the same establishment where I had my dinner on my first night in the City, to have brunch. Then after that walked around again savoring every moment left of my stay in Prague.
Photos to be posted later......
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