Day 67: Prague
Friday - July 23, 2010:
Our group this summer is going in the history books. No, it's not for being the group with the highest G.P.A. or the group with the highest consumption of Nutella... We're setting a record for the largest attendance of a non-program-sponsored weekend trip. Yes, all 19 of us girls are traveling to Prague this weekend together. Be impressed Joseph S. Bruno!
As we all know by now, these European airline companies like to make it difficult for their travelers. So a 8:10 a.m. flight means a 3:45 a.m. wake up call. Why? Because we have to walk to the Milan Central bus station and take a bus to the airport, which is an hour away. Then we arrive at the airport (it's still dark) and we have to stand in line and defend our spot in line until the check-in counter ladies come.
We're flying Wizz Air this time, which pumps me up because their colors are pink and purple. What is more trustworthy than a bright pink and purple plane? So after passing through the usual tests European security puts us through (we found it funny that Noelle got her shaving cream taken up but I got through with my razor... It's odd, really odd), we all made it onto the plane without much trouble. Shocking for a group our size!
I slept on the plane and was so groggy when we got into Prague, but we had to snap into work mode trying to get a taxi cab. Some of us tackled the taxi, some of us tried to tackle the exchange rate and the rest tackled Coffee Heaven. Speaking of exchange rate, we quickly found out that like 1,000 checks is roughly equivalent to 50 USD -- we fill like millionares over here with these high-roller bills!
The taxi girls did their thing and before we knew it we had two vans waiting on us and taking us to our hotel. Where were staying is a little out of the central part of the city, but it has a tram right outside it for easy transportation. We can't check in until 2:00, so we store our luggage, regroup, get our bearings on a map and then head out.
We took the tram into the central part and got off to walk from there. Along this one road are two of the major sights to see -- Weschlan Square and Old Town Square. We briefly wander around these two squares before ending up at our lunch destination -- Hard Rock Cafe. We had to do it, nothing else was going to satisfy our appetites. So we get three big booths, two nice waiters and a fabulous meal! We were thankful to get sit down and relax. That's what we've decided to do on this trip -- relax, go with the flow and don't pressure ourselves to have a strict intinerary :)
Once we are all officially full, we start our wandering tour of Prague. First on our list of "must sees" is the hourly chiming of the Anatomical Clock in Old Town Square. Conveniently we get there at 2:45, so after some pictures in the square, the clock chimes. Now let me tell you that there was a big crowd, lots of cameras and tour groups.. so this thing got built up in our heads. Because when it started, all it was was these small doors opening up on the clocktower and little figures rotating around inside the tower. What?! We were all so confused as to how this was a main tourist attraction. Don't get me wrong, we laughed about it and had a good time with it, but it's not your typical koo-koo-clock production that we were expecting!
Next we wandered down the streets (which had nice, designer shopping) and towards the river. Another sight, probably the main sight, is St. Charles Bridge. So we made it to the water and saw it. This structure lived up to it's expectations. It was massive and gorgeous! Not to mention the city on the other side of the bridge, also where the huge Prague Castle is, was beautiful. It made for the prettiest pictures! So we took some snapshots and then walked along the bridge. While I'm on the subject of describing the town, let me give you my first impression--It's adorable! Like a movie set with all of it's quaint buildings... Definitely not what I was expecting--its better! We nailed the description on the head when we said we felt like we were at Disney World! I really like Prague and can see why it's quickly become a main tourist destination in Europe.
Back to our day -- after the Bridge we were all pretty delirious, so we made an executive decision to head back to the hotel for a quick nap and to check in before dinner.
I don't remember my head hitting the pillow I was so tired! We only napped for like an hour, then we started moving around and talking about night plans. Well, it was pouring rain (which is ok because we've been so incredibly lucky with our weather thus far this summer) so that killed our mojo a bit. But we mustered up the courage, got our rain gear and went to wait on the Tram.
Ok, the reception lady at our hotel clearly said "take Tram 9, go 9 stops and you'll be at the National Museum." Verbatim. That's what we did earlier in the day, both ways, and it worked. So why wouldn't we take number 9 again to go to the exact same place tonight? That was our thoughts. So we hop on Tram 9, but instead of taking an immediate left into the city, it takes a right going away from the city. Oops. What's the difference?It's the same Tram! So we all try and not freak out, go with the flow... Until we get into the sketchy part of Prague (if we're even still in Prague). Oh, also, we don't have tickets. We don't know how to get Tram tickets and no one ever checks them, everyone just hops on, so we're hoping we don't get caught. You know us honest American girls. So, were riding for about 15 minutes, figuring it must loop around and go back to the hotel, until it comes to a complete stop in the middle of no where. Eek! And the conductor starts walking back, I break into a cold sweat, and we all immediately pull the "help us, we're lost" card! It works, he doesn't check for tickets, and directs us across the tracks to the Tram stop. We have no idea where this new Tram will take us, but we get on Tram 19 like he said and cross our fingers that it takes us back towards the hotel. After many stops, we finally recognize our hotel and we hop off as quick as we can. Hallelujiah! Dang you public transportation -- I can't wait to have my car back!
So now the dilemma--do we forge onward and go into the squares, or do we stay close to home? We're all wet, cold and tired so we decide to go to this pub near our hotel. It was impulse, but it was a really good call on our part! I had the best lentil soup (going out on a limb with this order) and Greek salad! And to top it off, an Irish coffee... Because "When in Prague!" Sone of the other girls came too, so it ended up being a really good, relaxing meal.
I am very impresses by this city so far and am looking forward to tomorrow! Once again, my motto of "set low expectations and be pleasantly surprised" shines through and leads us to a fun, final travel weekend!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Our group this summer is going in the history books. No, it's not for being the group with the highest G.P.A. or the group with the highest consumption of Nutella... We're setting a record for the largest attendance of a non-program-sponsored weekend trip. Yes, all 19 of us girls are traveling to Prague this weekend together. Be impressed Joseph S. Bruno!
As we all know by now, these European airline companies like to make it difficult for their travelers. So a 8:10 a.m. flight means a 3:45 a.m. wake up call. Why? Because we have to walk to the Milan Central bus station and take a bus to the airport, which is an hour away. Then we arrive at the airport (it's still dark) and we have to stand in line and defend our spot in line until the check-in counter ladies come.
We're flying Wizz Air this time, which pumps me up because their colors are pink and purple. What is more trustworthy than a bright pink and purple plane? So after passing through the usual tests European security puts us through (we found it funny that Noelle got her shaving cream taken up but I got through with my razor... It's odd, really odd), we all made it onto the plane without much trouble. Shocking for a group our size!
I slept on the plane and was so groggy when we got into Prague, but we had to snap into work mode trying to get a taxi cab. Some of us tackled the taxi, some of us tried to tackle the exchange rate and the rest tackled Coffee Heaven. Speaking of exchange rate, we quickly found out that like 1,000 checks is roughly equivalent to 50 USD -- we fill like millionares over here with these high-roller bills!
The taxi girls did their thing and before we knew it we had two vans waiting on us and taking us to our hotel. Where were staying is a little out of the central part of the city, but it has a tram right outside it for easy transportation. We can't check in until 2:00, so we store our luggage, regroup, get our bearings on a map and then head out.
We took the tram into the central part and got off to walk from there. Along this one road are two of the major sights to see -- Weschlan Square and Old Town Square. We briefly wander around these two squares before ending up at our lunch destination -- Hard Rock Cafe. We had to do it, nothing else was going to satisfy our appetites. So we get three big booths, two nice waiters and a fabulous meal! We were thankful to get sit down and relax. That's what we've decided to do on this trip -- relax, go with the flow and don't pressure ourselves to have a strict intinerary :)
Once we are all officially full, we start our wandering tour of Prague. First on our list of "must sees" is the hourly chiming of the Anatomical Clock in Old Town Square. Conveniently we get there at 2:45, so after some pictures in the square, the clock chimes. Now let me tell you that there was a big crowd, lots of cameras and tour groups.. so this thing got built up in our heads. Because when it started, all it was was these small doors opening up on the clocktower and little figures rotating around inside the tower. What?! We were all so confused as to how this was a main tourist attraction. Don't get me wrong, we laughed about it and had a good time with it, but it's not your typical koo-koo-clock production that we were expecting!
Next we wandered down the streets (which had nice, designer shopping) and towards the river. Another sight, probably the main sight, is St. Charles Bridge. So we made it to the water and saw it. This structure lived up to it's expectations. It was massive and gorgeous! Not to mention the city on the other side of the bridge, also where the huge Prague Castle is, was beautiful. It made for the prettiest pictures! So we took some snapshots and then walked along the bridge. While I'm on the subject of describing the town, let me give you my first impression--It's adorable! Like a movie set with all of it's quaint buildings... Definitely not what I was expecting--its better! We nailed the description on the head when we said we felt like we were at Disney World! I really like Prague and can see why it's quickly become a main tourist destination in Europe.
Back to our day -- after the Bridge we were all pretty delirious, so we made an executive decision to head back to the hotel for a quick nap and to check in before dinner.
I don't remember my head hitting the pillow I was so tired! We only napped for like an hour, then we started moving around and talking about night plans. Well, it was pouring rain (which is ok because we've been so incredibly lucky with our weather thus far this summer) so that killed our mojo a bit. But we mustered up the courage, got our rain gear and went to wait on the Tram.
Ok, the reception lady at our hotel clearly said "take Tram 9, go 9 stops and you'll be at the National Museum." Verbatim. That's what we did earlier in the day, both ways, and it worked. So why wouldn't we take number 9 again to go to the exact same place tonight? That was our thoughts. So we hop on Tram 9, but instead of taking an immediate left into the city, it takes a right going away from the city. Oops. What's the difference?It's the same Tram! So we all try and not freak out, go with the flow... Until we get into the sketchy part of Prague (if we're even still in Prague). Oh, also, we don't have tickets. We don't know how to get Tram tickets and no one ever checks them, everyone just hops on, so we're hoping we don't get caught. You know us honest American girls. So, were riding for about 15 minutes, figuring it must loop around and go back to the hotel, until it comes to a complete stop in the middle of no where. Eek! And the conductor starts walking back, I break into a cold sweat, and we all immediately pull the "help us, we're lost" card! It works, he doesn't check for tickets, and directs us across the tracks to the Tram stop. We have no idea where this new Tram will take us, but we get on Tram 19 like he said and cross our fingers that it takes us back towards the hotel. After many stops, we finally recognize our hotel and we hop off as quick as we can. Hallelujiah! Dang you public transportation -- I can't wait to have my car back!
So now the dilemma--do we forge onward and go into the squares, or do we stay close to home? We're all wet, cold and tired so we decide to go to this pub near our hotel. It was impulse, but it was a really good call on our part! I had the best lentil soup (going out on a limb with this order) and Greek salad! And to top it off, an Irish coffee... Because "When in Prague!" Sone of the other girls came too, so it ended up being a really good, relaxing meal.
I am very impresses by this city so far and am looking forward to tomorrow! Once again, my motto of "set low expectations and be pleasantly surprised" shines through and leads us to a fun, final travel weekend!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Labels: My Summer Abroad
posted by Sara Kate at
3:04 AM
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