Cheap and Cheerful in Prague

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How about some good, cheap entertainment? As our friend Debbie says, "cheap and cheerful" is sometimes more fun.



The famous Lennon Wall-

If you have friends who’ve been to Prague, you may recognize this wall from their profile pictures, but this wall is more than just a good photo op. The wall’s origins go back to when Prague was still under a Communist regime. In 1988, a group of young Czechs started writing grievances with the regime in protest, including John Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics from Beatles’ songs, which led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on Charles Bridge. Today, layers and layers of new marks and messages cover the original Lennon portrait, and the wall represents global ideals of love and peace. If you stop by multiple times throughout your trip, it will probably look completely different since visitors add new marks constantly.



Free farmer's markets-
Holešovice Market and Náplavka Farmers Market are both great options for picking up produce, flowers, a cup of coffee or snack. Even if you don’t purchase anything, these spots are great places to people watch and interact with locals. If it’s raining, opt for Holešovice Market since it's partly located inside a former meat factory. Look for the word “pěstitlel” on the signs here, which means the produce comes directly from a farmer. You might find that fewer people speak English fluently at farmers' markets. When I visited, I still managed to communicate how many peonies I wanted though a few Czech words and hand gestures. For situations like these, here are a few good-to-know Czech words to help initiate a conversation or accompany your finger point toward that bushel of arugula you have your eye one. How about a cold one?Fun fact: The Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita than any other country, so they know a thing or two about beer. Letná Beer Garden boasts one of the best views in the city. The beer selection isn’t as expansive as some of the other beer gardens, but they’ll definitely have a staple pilsner, which you should order since you’re in Prague and all. There’s no entry fee, and a pint of beer costs less than $2, which is totally worth the view alone. Explore the rest of Letná Park while you're there. Wear comfortable shoes because you have to take a few flights of stairs to get to the top of the park, but it’s worth it because… that view! And the Franz Kafka Museum ($8)-For about $8.50, you can view the works of Prague native Franz Kafka (1883-1924), one of the most important figures in world literature of the 20th century, at the museum. The museum displays most of the first editions of Kafka’s works. Personal note: I had to read some of his works in German! Need a break or a quick pick me up?If you’re like me and require extra coffee when traveling, hit up a local coffee shop for some caffeine and people watching. Some good spots to try include onesip coffee, EMA Espresso Bar and Muj salek kavy, the flagship cafe of the doubleshot coffee roasters. From a local tour guide: No matter the season, a “must” in Prague is Choco Café, a family-run chocolate factory and cafe serving 50 flavors of European-style (aka: thick) chocolate – my personal favorite is the chili chocolate. The traditional hořické trubičky are also to die for! – Mirka Charlotte Kostelkova, tour guide
How about something offbeat? An old Soviet bunker might be interesting. Many call it their highlight of eastern Europe. This ex-Soviet bunker, made during the Cold War, is located 5 stories under the ground. It is crammed with paraphernalia including gas masks, medical kits, and uniforms. The ambience is evocative of the paranoia and violence of the Cold War years and it is bound to send a chill down your spine.
I could go for the best cup of hot chocolate ever. It can be found at Café Kaficko, where it is so think, it must be eaten with a spoon! And better yet, it is near the Kafka Museum. On the other hand, or should I say foot, what is the best way to forget about Stalin? The world's largest Stalin statue was erected in 1955, then destroyed in 1962. In a real counter culture move, the skateboarders who frequent the area built their own
We had to take the hop on, hop off bus this morning due to the rain. So, we have seen the major landmarks and touristic sites. Best of all, we went to a beer tasting at a brewery, had a light lunch, and soon headed for nap or email time. Interesting and beautiful city!!!!

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