Prague in the Rain

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After taking the comfortable 7 hour train journey from Budapest to Prague, Ibi and I found ourselves staying in the loft of a charming little pension not far from Wenceslas Square. We headed out into the cold, damp night to try some local fare and enjoyed comparing Czech style beef goulash and dumplings to Hungarian.

After such warm and lovely weather in Hungary the long boots, scarves and coats came out in Prague. And the umbrella. And the rain jackets. And the gloves. It stayed that way for the whole time we were in Prague. Cold, wet and mostly rainy.

Fully prepared though we hit the cobbled pavements to explore and experience. I visited Prague 11 years ago so was keen to see how much it had changed. Not really much at all - still a bizillion tourists, still cheap (though not as cheap) and still pretty. And, once again, it still didn't quite take my breath away as much as I thought it would. The first time was probably due to travelling on my own...hmmm so young, free and independent back then...This time was probably due to the weather and the fact that I had just been in Budapest which completely captivated me and instantly inserted itself at the top of my "Favourite European City List" (actually, equal favourite with Rome....I think).

We trudged through the cold and wet for 2.5 days enjoying the grand, old buildings (which could do with a little bit of a spruce up), the bridge (with "welcome to Europe" scaffolding, of course), the markets, the people and the food (delicious).

We explored the famous and huge "Prazsky Hrad" (Prague Castle) inside and out. I promised Mum a look at the entertaining "Changing of the Guard" which we found a little disappointing until we realised, at the end of the day, that I had taken her to the rear gate instead of the front entrance. Such a brilliant tour guide!

When the rain or cold got a little too much, where else to go but to the shops!!! And to the stylish and charming old fashioned cafes frequented by famous people in the past and loved by us in the present for the steaming hot chocolate and mouth watering cakes!!!

We got stuck into the kranskys for an uber cheap dinner two nights in a row (about $1.50 each) and would fall into long, deep sleeps each night with tired but happy, sighing bones. x

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