Note - I posted the below blog post out of order. The two
posts below were actually created after this post, but happened prior. I was running behind and wanted to journal my first
day in Prague. So I'm catching up journaling the last few days in
Germany.
http://travelinchris.blogspot.cz/2013/04/autobahns-and-grafenwoehr.html
http://travelinchris.blogspot.co.at/2013/04/ussr-or-bust.html
Waking Up
I woke up late since I was out late the night before, around 11am. I inquired about staying a day longer in my flat, but there was an existing reservation in place for that night. I took that as a sign that I needed to move on. I was sad to be leaving Praha - Prague is what people who have never been here call it. The city filled my very high expectations and did not disappoint in any regard. The history, architecture, and people really made it something special. After a quick shower I figured I'd start the day slow at a coffee shop and get something small to eat.
Breakfast Mistake
I had scoped out what appeared to be a nice street cafe the night earlier. I figured it would be a nice place to start the day off since it offered free WiFi. The place wasn't very busy, yet the server completely ignored me. Not a big deal I figured, maybe he didn't see me. I went to the host and he called the server over. He spoke English well, but didn't understand my simple iced coffee order. He left before I could get the internet WiFi code so I went back to the counter and they printed me out a slip with a code. The problem was the internet didn't work, plus the coffee wasn't that great. At $13 I think it was the most expensive coffee I've ever had in my life. I was fine with the cost, but I wasn't fine with the internet not working. I checked my iphone and ipad just to make sure it wasn't my macbook - all could connect to the wireless network but not the internet. I politely asked at the counter and was rudely told my device was the problem. He insisted his little credit card machine used the WiFi network and that suggested all was fine. The credit card machine used bluetooth, that was obvious by the light and the bluetooth logo on the device. I could handle a lot of what was said, but I couldn't handle the obnoxious jerks attitude. At that point I asked if he could put my coffee in a to go mug so I could go elsewhere. We refused. At that point I told him I calmly let him know the lovely review I planned to leave about his place on TripAdvisor - he laughed. I understand why he scoffed - 88 other people beat me to flaming the place on TripAdvisor. The place literally has the lowest possible review one can have. Shortly thereafter I found a nice little coffee shop down the street with friendly locals and setup camp. I updated the blog and created an agenda for the day. The place had the best truffle chocolate cake ever.
Walking Around
Since this was my last full day in Prague I wanted to spend some time just walking around the city and taking it all in.
Museum of Communism
The first real stop was to the Museum of Communism. The museum was in the same building as a Casino - left to go to the Casino, right to the historic museum. The museum attempts to outline the rise and fall of communism through posters, statues, video and relics throughout the era. The museum was more of an information display than a museum. Several exhibits made very positive references to the US.
Prague Castle
The Castle grounds are open until around midnight, so after grabbing dinner I ventured over to the Castle. The castle is the largest in Europe and enormous. Within the grounds is a St. Vitus Cathedral. The detail used throughout the cathedral is nothing short of amazing. The cathedral was build in the 1300s and is one of the largest in the country. Just walking around the castle grounds is impressive - within the walls is a city of itself.
Tomorrow
My meter was up at 9:15 the next morning, so the plan was to be up and ready by that time. Tomorrow I would head to Vienna, Austria!
http://travelinchris.blogspot.cz/2013/04/autobahns-and-grafenwoehr.html
http://travelinchris.blogspot.co.at/2013/04/ussr-or-bust.html
Waking Up
I woke up late since I was out late the night before, around 11am. I inquired about staying a day longer in my flat, but there was an existing reservation in place for that night. I took that as a sign that I needed to move on. I was sad to be leaving Praha - Prague is what people who have never been here call it. The city filled my very high expectations and did not disappoint in any regard. The history, architecture, and people really made it something special. After a quick shower I figured I'd start the day slow at a coffee shop and get something small to eat.
Breakfast Mistake
I had scoped out what appeared to be a nice street cafe the night earlier. I figured it would be a nice place to start the day off since it offered free WiFi. The place wasn't very busy, yet the server completely ignored me. Not a big deal I figured, maybe he didn't see me. I went to the host and he called the server over. He spoke English well, but didn't understand my simple iced coffee order. He left before I could get the internet WiFi code so I went back to the counter and they printed me out a slip with a code. The problem was the internet didn't work, plus the coffee wasn't that great. At $13 I think it was the most expensive coffee I've ever had in my life. I was fine with the cost, but I wasn't fine with the internet not working. I checked my iphone and ipad just to make sure it wasn't my macbook - all could connect to the wireless network but not the internet. I politely asked at the counter and was rudely told my device was the problem. He insisted his little credit card machine used the WiFi network and that suggested all was fine. The credit card machine used bluetooth, that was obvious by the light and the bluetooth logo on the device. I could handle a lot of what was said, but I couldn't handle the obnoxious jerks attitude. At that point I asked if he could put my coffee in a to go mug so I could go elsewhere. We refused. At that point I told him I calmly let him know the lovely review I planned to leave about his place on TripAdvisor - he laughed. I understand why he scoffed - 88 other people beat me to flaming the place on TripAdvisor. The place literally has the lowest possible review one can have. Shortly thereafter I found a nice little coffee shop down the street with friendly locals and setup camp. I updated the blog and created an agenda for the day. The place had the best truffle chocolate cake ever.
Trinity Cafe - worst cafe ever
Walking Around
Since this was my last full day in Prague I wanted to spend some time just walking around the city and taking it all in.
Market outside my flat
Historic Prague Parliament
The Medieval architecture never gets old
I love the bridges
Dancing House - incredible
The first real stop was to the Museum of Communism. The museum was in the same building as a Casino - left to go to the Casino, right to the historic museum. The museum attempts to outline the rise and fall of communism through posters, statues, video and relics throughout the era. The museum was more of an information display than a museum. Several exhibits made very positive references to the US.
Museum of Casino....hmmm?
Marx
Stalin - destroyed more lives than even Hitler
Workshop
Communist propaganda depicting Westerners as slackers
Mock of Berlin Wall
The Castle grounds are open until around midnight, so after grabbing dinner I ventured over to the Castle. The castle is the largest in Europe and enormous. Within the grounds is a St. Vitus Cathedral. The detail used throughout the cathedral is nothing short of amazing. The cathedral was build in the 1300s and is one of the largest in the country. Just walking around the castle grounds is impressive - within the walls is a city of itself.
Prague Castle
St Vitus Cathedral
Back of Cathedral
My meter was up at 9:15 the next morning, so the plan was to be up and ready by that time. Tomorrow I would head to Vienna, Austria!
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