Prague Video

April 15/08 - Arrived via train from Vienna late evening at Holesovice station. The express train was delayed more than 1 hour. Take note that the train station in Vienna does not collect fare for the complete journey - paid the fare for the Czech journey on the train, the Austrian conductor was dropped off at the border and replaced by a Czech conductor. Our conductor was a charming lady who spoke English and accepted credit card.

Not having a single Czech crown, had to change money at the station - just enough to journey into Prague and last the night. We had a bad first impression - the station was dark and cold, not a single soul spoke English, Czech people were unfriendly and looked menacing. We felt like we had arrived at some Russian communist countries like those depicted in old movies. Luckily the train ticket booth had day passes pasted on the glass and we were able to buy just by pointing and hand signing.

Took the metro and exited at Staromestska station, climbed the staircase out of the station and dragged our bags to Liliova street near the Charles Bridge. Our bad impression of Prague disappeared when we saw the bridge, the towers and the castle hill - it was joy seeing something familiar. It was a beautiful sight.

After checking into our apartment at Liliova - yes, Lily's apartment. We explored the old town on foot that night. The Tyn Church and old town square was magically lit up. Prague looked like a scene out of fairy-tales.

Then reality struck us when we had dinner. We went to a Chinese restaurant near the Charles Bridge. The price of the food was clearly displayed - it was cheap and we ordered our food. When asked to order drinks - we ordered mineral water because we were thirsty - the water turned out to be Euro 5/pax i.e. Euro 5/glass. That must have been the most expensive water we had in our life.
So be careful when ordering food, always ask the price of anything they offer to you - nothing is free or cheap.



UNESCO description - "Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe in terms of its setting on both banks of the Vltava River, its townscape of burger houses and palaces punctuated by towers, and its individual buildings. Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, the Old Town, the Lesser Town and the New Town speak of the great architectural and cultural influence enjoyed by this city since the Middle Ages. The many magnificent monuments, such as Hradcany Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and numerous churches and palaces, built mostly in the 14th century under the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV."