Crossing the border to the Czech Republic was the most definite transition so far. Travelling between the other countries I didn’t have any idea of when I crossed over, entering petrol stations and not knowing what language it would be that I don’t understand this time. But here the boarder was lined with street stalls selling piles and piles of handmade crafts next to general crap like hubcaps. Also I see hills for the first time in a while. Nestled between the beautiful rolling hillsides rise up industrial looking, grey, stark tower blocks. Prague itself has a rich mix of more celebrated architectural styles, a lot of art deco, baroque, roman, gothic and even cubist buildings. It pretty but if you look a little closer it’s a little rough around the edges; particularly my hostel. But it this roughness that actually gives it some character, it is the Eastern Europe I was expecting.
The influence or the British tourist is more evident in Prague than any other place I have visited. Every restaurant in the old square offer and English menu there is even a good old British pub. The attractive buildings of the old town house souvenir shops with the usual array of merchandise, bars where beer is cheaper than water and you can even get a nice refreshing absinthe slush. Tourists defiantly occupy this city and they have been catered for, but that for me is what ruins a place. I don’t feel I have even a hint of the Czech culture, in Prague anyway, it has been masked. Perhaps this is what living for so long under communist rule does to a culture. Perhaps Czech Republic is still yet to define itself after being ruled by others. Perhaps I was just in a bad mood whilst I visiting the city.
Prague is a nice place to visit. I understand why thousands flock here each year. It is a tourist destination. By the way they aren’t in the euro zone yet, so it’s cheap if you happen to have brought any Korova with you. ...
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