Two Friends, A Miracle, Five Countries, and More Dreams -- Prague

After being on the bus for more than twelve hours, we arrived at our next destination: Prague. A lot of people asked me, where is Prague. Well, Prague is the capital and the largest city of the Czech Republic, its in the Eastern Europe. It may not be as famous as Paris or Barcelona as a tourism destination, but it has been noted that Prague itself has become one of the most visited cities, in Europe and in the world.

We arrived at Prague at about four o'clock in the morning, one hour earlier than the scheduled time. We were kind of startled when we arrived at the bus station, because we were still sleeping, and it was still really early. Half asleep, half awake, and felt really cold, we walked into the station. Because it was still really early, everything was still closed, including the money changer. We had to wait for about one hour until we could exchange our euros to korunas, Czech's currency. After we got our korunas, the hostel's direction said that we had to get on the metro to head on to the hostel we were to stay at. Unluckily, it didnt say anything about the hostel's address, or where should we go after we get off the metro. Good news in the morning for us! Not.

Being lost in the Prague, with people and the street directions speaking in Czech language, and barely anyone speaking in English, feeling sleepy, cold, hungry, tired, with our heavy luggage is exactly how we were like that morning if you guys want some picturing. After walking and asking around, the thing that finally saved us was my iPod, NOT that I'm advertising it right now. Thanks to the free WiFi in the nearby KFC (not advertising either!!), I finally managed to get the directions to our hostel. And thanks God, we could do early check in even though the check-in time was at 12 noon. Feeling really tired but grateful, we passed out right away after we got our beds. haha..

Prague Castle

After spoiling ourselves a bit for one day just lazying around, we got out to sight see Prague late in the afternoon. Our first destination in mind was the Prague castle. Things just didnt go as smoothly as we thought it would be, cause we almost barged in to the building of the Czech's Ministry of Defense that we originally thought to be the castle we were going to go to. And without knowing that it was the Ministry of Defense building, I even said hi to the surveillance camera!! They could have arrested me for some scary charges!! It was kind of scary and funny in the same time! hahaha..

Finally, we managed to find the Prague castle. It was gorgeous!! After this eurotrip, I googled this Prague Castle and amazed to find out that according to Wikipedia: "Prague Castle is the biggest castle in the world (according to Guinness Book of Records the biggest ancient castle) at about 570 metres in length and an average of about 130 metres wide." Woww... 

Old Town Square
According to the Prague's tourism website: "The Old Town Square is the oldest and most important square of the historical Prague. It is surrounded with historical buildings such as the Old Town City Hall with the famous Astronomical Clock, the imposing St. Nicholas Church and Church of Our Lady before Tyn, and many houses and palaces of various architectural styles and colourful history. It has been a centre of Prague Old Town since the middle ages, when it was a market place at the crossing of European merchants´ roads."

in front of the Astronomical Clock

Strawberry crepes in the middle of Prague's Old Town Square's Christmas market? Awesome!!  :D

Ziskov Tower
The Žižkov Television Tower is a unique transmitter tower built in Prague between 1985 and 1992. Designed by architect Václav Aulický and structural engineer Jiří Kozák, it stands high above the city's traditional skyline from its position on top of a hill in the district of Žižkov, from which it takes its name. The tower is an example of high-tech architecture. (Wikipedia)

a nearby church, it was gorgeous!

Zizkov Tower

What really caught my attention was the strange crawling baby figures. Apparently, they were called Miminka Babies, which after doing a little bit of research, were the creation of David Cerny, a local artist. The meaning of those babies? Still a mystery to me!

Wenceslas Square
" ... is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named afterSaint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic centre of Prague, a World Heritage Site." (Wikipedia)


We were coming at the "right" moment though, because Vaclav Havel, the ex-president of the Czech Rep. just passed away, and in this square there were people mourning over his death. Which was really touching, for someone to be loved this much by the people. I wish there would be a president in Indonesia that are truly a good president, that deserves to be loved as much as Czech people loved him. 

Getting around Prague!!

in front of the Prague's congress building

in one of Prague's metro station. 

Charles Bridge

Sorry to seem to be quoting a lot from Wikipedia, I just dont want to seem to know it all but ended up misinforming. Hope you understand! :)

"The Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. As the only means of crossing the river Vltava (Moldau) until 1841, the Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castleand the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This "solid-land" connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or the Prague Bridge (Pražský most) but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.

The bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two of them on the Lesser Quarter side and the third one on the Old Town side. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700 but now all replaced by replicas." (wikipedia)

From my personal opinion, the view of the Charles Bridge couldn't be described by nothing else but gorgeous, and breathtaking.
PS: If you by any chance had watched the Japanese Drama, Nodame Cantabille, it also took setting in this very Charles Bridge. :P

See? Wasn't it beautiful? If people asked me, which one is more beautiful, Prague or Paris, um, I dont think I would be able to find a right answer to say. Each European cities that I've visited has their own beauty. Prague itself was ancient, but really beautiful in its ancientness. If i would have to say, Prague is like an "old lady" : beautiful and elegant! :)


But, wait til my next post, about our last destination in this first Eurotrip of ours: Budapest! Brace up for more cool stories from Budapest! See you soon! :D