I can honestly say I had no preconceptions about Prague. Being quite a niave and ignorant person I wasn't even sure what a "czech" looked like.....I wasn't even too sure where abouts on the map it was either.
Me and my friend decided to go to Prague for a weekend break, it was cheap and it was a break.....and to be honest it was as simple as that. We went at the end of September and I had taken 2 coats because without even thinking to check the weather forecast I relied on my instinct and was convinced it would be cold. As usual my instinct was wrong.
We arrived in Prague early Friday evening although we did start our journey at 5am that morning. We couldn't get a direct flight as we had booked too late, and had to get a connecting flight from Frankfurt....which is not recommended. Book in advance and get a direct flight so you don't have to spend 5 hours in Frankfurt airport drinking heffemeister - its strong stuff.
Anyway, our arrival in Prague was a beautiful one, glorious sunshine. We got a friendly taxi driver who didn't try to rip us off, all was going well.
We stayed in Hotel Anna, and recieved a warm welcome, the hotel was clean if a little away from the centre - but we could handle that. They did however, have the smallest lift I have ever seen in my life....smaller than a telephone booth...there was no way Clark Kent could have got changed in there. We were
staying on the top floor so the stairs weren't an option...not with our cases anyway. My friend went up in the lift first and as I watched her shoot away.....the receptionist worried me as he cackled "haha you will never see your friend again now" I realise now it was a joke.....but instead of responding with a laugh....I think the look on my face displayed sheer terror. I thought it was just us Brits that had a sense of humour (sorry no offence intended.......like I said earlier, I'm a little ignorant). Anyway, I managed to squeeze myself into the lift when it came back down and went up to our room on the fifth floor.
I have to say I was very impressed with the hotel room. Being on the top floor, we had what was like a little penthouse apartment. We had a seperate living room with a 3 piece suite and a TV, and an amazing view of the city. Very cosmopolitan.
We headed out early evening, and being unsure really where to go we chatted with the receptionist who gave us ideas and some general information in a very friendly manner. It was a 24 hour reception....and the receptionists were always happy to help...a nice touch were the glacier mints on the reception desk - although I think you were only supposed to take one.
The first night we headed to The Old Town Square. It was pretty dark when we got there so I didn't get the chance to admire its full beauty until daylight later in the weekend. The square was lined with horses and carriages, and there were bars and resturants scattered about the square. We found an Irish bar....like you always do when you go abroad, and enjoyed a few drinks....it wasn't long before we came across a stag do..and as the saying goes "if you can't beat em join em" - so we did. Everyone was in high spirits and having fun, hen nights and stag do's.....but there was none of the tackiness that goes on in Blackpool, it was all done with a bit of class. I would love to include the names of the bars we visited - but the drinks were too cheap - and alcohol blurs your memory a little. However, in one crowded bar I remember watching in awe 2 men playing chess. This was their own chess board they had brought along, the bar was packed - we were drinking sambucca shots and watching an intense game of chess. Bizarre - I know. In true stag night style we were supposed to end up at Darlings - one of the big lap dancing/strip club bars but by the time we got round to it - it had turned 5am and we were near a chicken and rice resturaunt that was calling my name - so I answered to it.
Surprisingly we were up for the hotel breakfast the next morning, and what an odd selection that was. Tasty all the same. We were presented with a buffet that consisted of a very wide selection of cheeses and meats, a variety of breads, plums, kiwis and coffee and cakes. After a good feed we decided to jump in a taxi and see some sights.
We headed for Charles Bridge......although I had only gone with my friend, Charles Bridge had a very romantic feel to it. We walked along the bridge, and it was filled with music and life. Bands playing, people singing, quirky little gift stalls and street artists. The sun was shining and it was such a wonderful atmosphere to be part of. There were beautiful buildings in the area, a photographers dream. We wondered through the crystal shops admiring the chandeliers we knew we could never afford until that lottery win came along, and instead settled for buying teeny crystal figurines and some tacky souveneirs. We later stopped for lunch on one of the street cafes, and just watched the day roll by whilst basking in the sun.
That evening after refreshing ourselves at the Hotel Anna, and watching a bit of czech big brother in our penthouse apartment, we headed back to Charles Bridge. We dolled ourselves up to hit the biggest nightclub in Central Europe "Karlovy Lanze". The club has 4 floors, and being party girls we had to do it. The club is open until 5am, so we headed to a few bars first and queued to get into the club around 1am. Everybody was frisked and throughly searched before entering, and I had to giggle at the sign at the entrance forbidding anyone to go in with a bomb - is this really what the world is coming to! We drank some more, danced and generally wondered around being silly. Was a good nightclub...but admittedly I was a little disappointed with it - think I was expecting a bit more. Anyway another late night and fun was had by all.
We woke up quite late on the last day, after a much needed lie in....it was the day we were flying home, the hotel let us keep the room a little longer for a small fee, so luckily we didn't have to be out at a ridiculous hour.
When we woke up we packed and had some time to kill, so we took a taxi to the Old Town Square for a spot of lunch in the sun. We got a taxi from the hotel which cost 200 korunas, we got dropped off in the Square paid up and went off to enjoy lunch.
After a few strong beers and lunch, we suddenly realised it was time to get back to the hotel, grab our suitcases and head off to the airport. In a bit of a rush and fluster we walked by a guy stood next to a taxi - who offered to give us a taxi ride. (I've not mentioned this yet but there is one golden rule you need to be aware of in Prague - Never get in a taxi without agreeing the fare before hand - you are about to find out what happens if you don't)Being in a rush we were very grateful, hopped in and forgot about the golden rule. Arriving back at the hotel (well..around the corner of it) the taxi driver pulled up and told us it would be 800 korunas (4 times as much as we had paid for the same ride about 2 hours previously) Due to leave the country shortly, we had spent up and had left what we thought would more than cover our taxi ride - 300 korunas.
Czech taxi drivers are not the most sympathetic people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. Upon trying to explain our situation, he insisted on calling the police which he proceeded to do. He then advised us the police would be there within the next 10 minutes. Panicking at the thought of spending 10 years in a foreign prison (ok my imagination is a bit wild sometimes) I pleaded with the taxi driver to let me go to my hotel to see if I had more cash there and told him I'd be back in 10 minutes (knowing very well I didn't have any more cash and didn't have any intention on going back if I could help it). Quick thinking I went to reception ordered a taxi to take us to the airport (knowing it would come round the otherside of the hotel), my friend grabbed our cases from upstairs - the airport taxi came we jumped in it and ducked....as it turned round the side of the hotel where the other taxi was waiting. Don't know what happened we daren't look - but I managed to save myself from an encounter with the czech police and after that I just wanted to get back to England ASAP.
We laughed about once back on British soil - but believe me be aware of the taxi drivers!
Apart from that little hiccup, Prague was excellent and I would definitely go back again. People were friendly, cheap as chips (you can pay a ridiculous 30p for a beer) and its a beautiful city - with wonderful character - you should all have a go!
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Advantages: Trams and the underground are regular, reliable and CHEAP! Taxis have improved as well. Disadvantages: You've just got to watch out for pickpockets and cowboy taxi drivers...
Oct 13th, 2005
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