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Published: November 18th 2006
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Hope you're sitting, this is a bit long. Left Ayerland and headed east. Eastern Europe that is. Straight to the home of Budweiser Budvar, in the Czech Republic. Prague to be exact. Technically this is my third time over here to Europe. And I must say that I have been quite dissapointed with myself for not making it over to Prague earlier. It never crossed my mind to visit this city till (like many other of the places I have ended up in), it was suggested to me by a friend. Damon brought it up when we were in Firenze some summers ago, but we ran out of time and money to get there. Needless to say, everyone I meet that has been there, tells me its amazing. So I have been wanting to go for some time now. I've heard that if you want something bad enough, you will eventually find the motivation to accomplish it. Well, I guess I finally wanted it bad enough.
So I no speaky Czesky, but luckily lots of peoples here speak Englasky. Just walking around this old city you can feel history. I mean I have been in lots of old cities all
over in Europe. Let's be honest, all of Europe is old cities, but this one is a bit different. All over town, one can see the obvious influence of Russian spires on the rooftops. Also, the people here really like their meats. There are sausages and pork everywhere. In the street vendors carts all the way to resturant menus. Lots of the main dishes are pork knuckle. Whatever that is. There are charicatures of the meal, much like any American resturant. It pretty much looks like a bone with a chunk of meat in the middle of it. Mmmmmm, sounds good. There is also no shortage of goulashe here. Perhaps this is where it comes from? Tried some of it and I was expecting some pasta with a meat sauce. Nothing doin. It was more like a meat stew with potatos and veggies, including lots of onions. Heavy stuff. I tried it anyway, and considered it the better of the choices when compared to the pork knuckle. Pork Knuckle; it just sounds wrong. Like some sort of chronic arthritic condition.
Stayed in a hotel at first, and it was a very nice one, for the price they were asking.
Hot Dog?
This, we already know about Katie. From what I hear, Prague used to be very cheap. But every since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the opening up of Eastern Europe, tourists have been pooring into the city to enjoy its cheep fare and 'all hours' night life. So, as a consequence, the prices for things are going up steadily. But its still pretty cheap. I mean $1 U.S. is worth about 22 Czech Koruna (Crown). But that doesn't tell you much unless you know the cost of things. So we will use the yardstick of economy: Beer. The beers here can cost as much as 60Crown in the touristy spots. But usually a pint of frosty gold is about 12 or 15 Crown. That's about 80 cents a pint. Now that's what Im talk'n about!
Had a couple of huge nights out. One was where we ended up with a group of Irish people out celebrating. Figures; I go to Ireland and don't meet any Irish. Go to Czech Republic and make a dozen Irish friends. But this wasn't just a group out for a drink. No, no... these people were having a joint bachelor/bachelorette bonanza. And both groom and bride were determined
This might look like a spooky castle.
But actually it's a cathedral... IN a spooky castle. on having a good time. As were we.
Hung out with them for a while in a club till we followed them down the street to a strip bar. That was were we partied the rest of the night away with dancing, drinking and, oh ya, some half naked Czech women. Really fun stuff with lots going on. I have to appologize though. Didn't think that night would be so huge, and did not bring my camera. Everyone else had theirs though. Flashes were going off like crazy. Strippers posed for some and didn't seem to mind. Although I do have one on my phone of Katie putting 200 Crown in a G-string. But I guess I can show that to you when I see you. *Does anyone know how to get a picture off a cell phone?
I stayed in a hostel for my last night there. Met loads of really cool people. Very interesting folk in that place. It was a bit outside the city and gave you a free beer when you arrived. How could I pass that up? I was hanging out in the common room chatting with everyone, kinda looking for people to
Goulashe
Hey where's my salad? hang with. It was my last night, and I did plan on going out. Only a couple were headed out, so I just relaxed, had a few beers, and waited to see what would happen. Turns out we all started drinking with the guy who was working at the desk and he gave a few of us some Absynth. A bit mediciny but nice. So we all warmed up to eachother and before I knew it, there was a group of about 10 of us jumping on the midnight bus into town. We went to what was explained to me as the largest club in central europe. And it looked it. About $8 and you get in with coat check included. You need a coat in this weather.
Turned out to be a great club and after we all got seperated at the enterance, everyone met up on the 3rd of the 4 floors partying like crazy. We were out till about 5:30am. Just like the night before. Made some good friends and had a lot of laughs. Just like the night before. I'm starting to see a pattern in my travels. And I love it. Well we stayed
How Pretty.
Ya, it's a nice window, but it's not good for looking out of. out all night, I slept in a bit. Got up eventually and got going about noon to the airport. Caught my flight back to London and was lucky enough to meet up with some friends and have a really nice dinner. Darren and Katie were kind enough to let me stay with them, and also showed me a good time out in Richmond. And of course we ended up in an irish pub. They were one of the bars that was still open.
Well that's how I got sent off from Europe. The next day I caught an 11 hour flight home. And a good thing too, because I had to be back at work 4 hours after I landed. A huge thanks to the guys at work, who allowed me to do all of this, and still have a job. Katie: It was an unforgettable summer. Special thanks to Ike, Kevin, Mikey, and Ralphy for the Ipod gift. Got me out of plenty an awkward conversation by being able to ignore others. Mikey too for watching the house. I owe you bro. And of course everyone I met and got to hang out with. I always was glad
Hey!
Do you know the fine for that? and felt lucky to have all of you traveling with me via me blog. Sharing it with all of you really made the trip all the better. What good is a story, with no one to tell it to?
Felt good on the way home, since no one had purchased the seat next to me. A little room to stretch can make a big difference on a trans-Atlantic flight. Decent flight all the way back, right up until we banked a hard right and I could see the blackness of the sea off in the distance. As I sat in my window seat, peering below to see the strings of lights making up the highways and streets that stretched into the distance carving out neighborhoods, I realized I would be home soon. No longer having to worry about finding a place to sleep or how to get around.
And so it was; that my travels ended with a loud thud from the planes tires touching down on the runway. I can't begin to tell you why home feels so comfortable. All I know is that it does. At least for now. Im sure I will travel more in
No horsing around...
This is a real castle. the future, but I intend to enjoy home for all it's worth. Who knows, I might get itchy feet again. But I will leave it up to time to tell me when that happens. No plans, no agendas, no worries. There are two things in life that you can't change: The past and the future. So for me, I will just enjoy today; and hope. Hope to see my friends far off again. Hope to enjoy my friends and family here. Hope for the best.
I suggest you do the same. Cheers.
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Cindy
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What!?!
What! No more of your stories to read? Your adventures always put a smile on my face. It was nice to be a part of it. Glad your home. Its about time you hang out with your Mexican friends again.