We started off with an easy train ride from Berlin to Prague. Upon arrival to the city, we struggled with finding coins for subway tickets, but once we got out of the station we were able to find the hostel easily. St Charles Economic hostel has BY FAR the most friendly, helpful, accommodating staff that I've ever experienced travelling anywhere. We got one of their nicest rooms which had its own kitchenette, bathroom, living/dining area and could have comfortably slept 3, and it was perfect. They lent us a guidebook for our stay, arranged a free walking tour, had amazing recommendations for food and transportation tips. Anything we could have possibly had a question about they answered happily, and usually they answered our questions before we could even think of them! Great people, great place, RIGHT in the middle of everything in Malostranska neighborhood- a stones throw from the iconic St Charles Bridge which it is named after but still quiet at night. I recommend this place to everyone. A bar/restaurant Lokal was our introduction to Czech food and drink and it was delicious. The Pilsner Urquell which everyone drinks is creamy, light pilsner. We had duck with roasted red cabbage and apple, mashed potatoes and onions, homemade sausage and fresh horseradish, homemade mustard. This place goes out of its way to source food locally and organic, and it came through in their dishes. What a great way to start the trip.
But then, it started raining. And basically drizzled all day. I think I would have like the city more if it weren't cold and rainy, which I know is unfair. It has a great old town area, with lots of interesting stories and legends. Apparently Prague was the center for Alchymists back in their hey-day. Symbols are all over the city, from the eye that is also depicted on the dollar bill to the Tarot card pairing of eagle and lion, they show up in all kinds of places, on cornices, balconies, wall relief sculptures, anywhere they can fit it, tastefully of course.
Lots of interesting sculptures. In the main city park there was a moving statue of a deteriorating man- there were identical figures spaced up a stair case slowly withering away showing how communism dehumanized the people when it was forced upon them. One architect/artist by the name of Cerny, makes controversial statues- the famous "creepy babies" which have no faces, just barcodes. The park is also home to a eiffel tower miniature, called the Petrin tower. Czech's like to brag that it is higher in elevation than the actual eiffel tower because it is on top of the biggest hill in Prague.
We stumbled upon the newer part of town, with lots of shopping, the national museum at the end of a long pedestrian mall, that was fun to walk down at night.
Best part about this trip for me was the mirror hall next to Petrin tower. So much fun, ugh I'm a little kid- easily amused.
