Prague is big, blowsy, raucous and full of tourists; how dare they visit when I'm here? There are many Czechs, every second one of whom seems to be blowing cigarette smoke in your eyes. It has its beggars, its sharks and innumerable eateries and shops all baying for a share of the tourist koruna. In short, Prague is easy to criticise.
And yet Prague is immensely attractive - the quality and diversity of its architecture and culture rise above the petty complaints of a carping visitor. Go for a walk, turn a corner and be amazed by another panoramic view, baroque alter, or medieval castle. The sheer scale of the city and its treasures overcome the tawdry elements of modern life that overlay it.
The view from our pension was of a bustling metropolis - the mixture of old and modern trams reminiscent of a Melbourne trademark.
Three important jobs on day one in Prague - when you travel by bike, flexibility is important and achieved by not booking too far ahead.
1. Find bike boxes for the pending flight to Florence - having identified five bike shops in central Prague from the Internet, I set out on foot - one kilometre later I arrived at the first one to find it being refitted for ladies fashion - not an auspicious start. I set out for the second shop, a little dispirited. After another kilometre, I spied a bike shop not on the list - after being directed to the English speaking manager, I was gifted two boxes that matched the dimensions required. It now took two trips to get them home - Rosemary was busy shopping!
Lugging bike boxes around the streets of Prague - not a cool look, but who cares?
2. Confirm ticket arrangements for Florence flight - having booked Prague/Florence flights online with eDreams.com we were keen to see if we had got it right. A visit to the Czech Aiirlines office confirmed luggage allowances and acceptance of bikes as part of it - tickets for for the same flight would cost $100 more if brought in Prague.
3. An hour's Internet research on Airbnb and we had identified a Florentine apartment that suited - this was soon confirmed and the owner Luca arranged a meeting place and time consistent with our flight.
In completing theses tasks we had wonderful assistance from our pension manager, pictured below with Rosemary
As well being a great host she had a name to conjure with: Ivana Fidlerova - neither a violinist,, nor a lap dancer, Ivana was a gem.
Housekeeping complete, we could relax and explore Prague.
What to do in Prague? See a church.........
Listen to someone play the wine glasses!
See a palace or five.........
See another church.....
Go to a jazz club........
Go to a chamber music recital.......
Stare at the ceiling.......
Go watch the Grand Final in a Prague sportsbar at 6.30 am - breakfast included for $13.50 - great way to start the day.
Prague in three and a half days - hardly scratched the surface!
No comments:
Post a Comment