MK's 2011 European Adventure: Astonishing Prague

Wow! I spent 2 days in Prague, Czech Republic, and it definitely was a Wow experience. First, the craziest thing has happened. I have transitioned to living in Italy and didn’t even realize it! I was suddenly missing speaking Italian, the flavor of the region I live in, my friends, and calculating with the euro. I visited the only Starbucks I have seen in 2 months and found I have lost my taste for it, including the American addiction associated with it. My language skills are pretty laughable, but I am processing and thinking in Italian! La Dolce Vita!

My 2^nd Wow is the adventure in Prague itself. What an amazing city! From my first step off the tram onto the cobblestone street, I was mesmerized by the city that seems to have completely melded Old World charm with modern conveniences. English is often spoken, the people are pleasant, the food is great and the airport and public transportation are models of efficiency and cleanliness.

I stayed in a wonderful quaint hotel, Dum u velke boty. Check-in was done from a comfy couch and Marta spent 15 minutes with me offering recommendations. The first morning, I woke to the smell of bacon and eggs (true bliss for this student). When I came down for breakfast (usually included in European establishments), I had bacon and eggs cheerfully made for me. Wow! My first real bacon in Europe!

My visit to St. Vitale Cathedral in Prague Castle literally gave me a 5 minute dose of goosebumps; it was so peaceful and breathtaking. I also enjoyed hearing Pachobel and Hayden pieces performed by a string ensemble in St. George’s Basilica. Almost every night you can find a concert being performed in a historic church or cathedral. Day or night, St. Charles Bridge, was always an interesting flurry of activity. The evening glow from the streetlamps and the sound of the river flowing over the rocks actually put me back in time as I strolled across the bridge. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to see all the wonderful sights.

The smell of the traditional pastry, Trdelnik, being baked over an open rotisserie-type oven fills the air around the bridge with the most indescribable wonderful aroma and made me warm all over! I tasted my first shot of grappa and found in Moldavia they believe a shot per day (this is like 180 proof!) kills any internal diseases you may have (no kidding!) and helps you to live to be 100! From my taxi driver, I got a great lesson on EU economics, the Czech currency (kurona), comparisons around Europe, and quality of life info. Marta had told me how she has traveled all over the world, but always is glad to come home to Prague: it’s a culturally rich city that is always full of positive energy.

Boy, is she right. I wish I could have stayed longer.