Praha, the threshold

Apparently, back in medieval times, a Princess named Prague, Praha. In Czech, Praha means threshold. She named it this because Prague lies between the two halves of Europe. Technically, the Czechs believe they are part of central Europe, but it sure feels like Eastern Europe with the language and the people and the reminders of communism. Anyways, I thought this was in interesting story since I am at the threshold of my trip. I am 28 days in, with 30 to go. I have seen four countries and I will see five more. I have only 7 or 9 cities left depending on how things go. One month down, one to go. Don't worry parents, I will need the structure of a semester of school when I return. I pick classes Halloween night!

My first day in Prague I bight groceries for 89 kC. I should mention the exchange rate is about 1 USD = 20 kC, which stand a for the Czech Koruna (pronounced like dubloon). You can get a decent amount for your money here. I bought a loaf of bread, a jar of jam, six eggs, a half gallon of orange juice for only 4.50. It's a little bit different from Switzerland. Let me tell you, it was quite nice to have a fried egg on toast for breakfast, something a little normal.

Later I set off with Emma, her boyfriend Mario and his friend Nick. First we did a quick walk through Old Town to see the famous astronomical clock, which was sweet but doesn't actually tell time. We decided to go to the metronome because they had never seen it. It is located on the other side of the river that cuts through Prague. So we crossed a bridge from Old Town to New Town, how clever. Then we proceeded up the 150 steps or so, because what is an attraction in Europe without a ridiculous amount of steps. The metronome, which is giant, was built there in 1991. Yes, the same year they knocked down the giant statue of Stalin that used to be there. You can literally see the whole city from there, no wonder there was a looming statue of their communist leader. It's a big skate park and regular park up there with tags everywhere. All very beautiful and such. We caught a tram back over the bridge and I got off by myself at the St. Charles Bridge.


Clock!


view from the Metronome

The St. Charles is filled with vendors and gives a great view overlooking the river between the two parts of Prague. I crossed over in an attempt to find goulash and the castle. I was successful with the goulash, which is basically a beef stew in a bread bowl, but it was exactly what I needed. It is cold and rainy in Prague so I needed to be warmed up! Anyways, these guys oriabboy thought I was crazy and starved because I ate all the soup and almost the entire bread bowl. I swear I could have eaten another one it was so good and only 100 kC.

Then I wandered up the street to find the castle but I had no luck so I headed for the trams. Somehow I made it back to Emmas apartment and stayed in for the night because I planned an early wake up for Tuesday.

More to post tomorrow...