Overnight in Prague

By John Fisher

My flight from Paris to Skopje on Czech Airlines had me overnight in Prague. I chose this itinerary because I have never been in the Czech Republic.

I got tourist information and picked up Czech money in the airport. I got 1000 Korunas from an ATM. One Koruna was about 5 cents. I knew my hostel stay in downtown Prague would be about 450 Korunas which is about 22 dollars.

The transit from the airport to downtown was 26 Korunas one way. The trip from the airport to downtown was easy. I caught the 119 bus at the airport that took me to the end of the metro line.

It was about 7 p.m. when I checked into the hostel. Since I was out of summer traveling season, I got a dorm room to myself. The Advantage Hostel is old, but the rooms and bathrooms are clean.

Because I wanted to sight see before dark, I postponed dinner. I had had a ham sandwich and water on the airplane - one of the Czech Airline perks.

Four day transit passes are pretty economical, but since I was here one night, I decided to walk. I walked north from my hostel to the museum and Wenceslas Square. It seems a lot like the Champs Elysee of Prague, which chique shops and young people. When I entered the old town, the people were older and more touristy. The old town has all the charm of old Europe - narrow streets and old buildings. Very clean. The beggars lay prone on their faces with their hats out.

I took photos of the old clock tower and then wound my way to the Karluv Most - Charles Bridge - the most famous sight in Prague. It was under repairs. I walked half way across and then back to the old town. I walked south along the Vltava River and then east to my hostel.

I looked for places to eat traditional Cyech food along the way, but ended up following the hostel worker´s advice and eating in the restaurant below the hostel. Prices seemed to be comparable to the less expensive restaurants in Prague - about 145 Korunas for a main dish. When my bill finally came it was 201 Korunas which included two soft drinks, gratuity, and tax - about 10 dollars.

The restaurant, Restaurace Kulovz Blesk at Sokolska 13 had its charm. It wasn´t well publicized from the street, but was very busy at 9 p.m. At the end of a dark passagewaz is an outdoor sitting area - not well lighted. Then through a door and downstairs is the restaurant. The room I sat in had 8 to 10 men in it all talking loudly at once - no music. I liked the noise, although I couldn´t understand.

When I finally ordered, I asked for traditional Czech meals. The only one left was chicken with a wine sauce and dumplings. I really was hoping to get pork and kraut - next time. The meal was hot - chicken and wine sauce delicious. The dumplings made with bacon and brocolli were heavy and bland - not what I would have liked. Combined with chicken and and the wine sauce, the dumplings were okay - just okay. I had two cold tonic drinks - Kinley grapefruit and ginger tonic. I liked the drinks.

It was a close trip up to my room in the hostel. I was exhausted although I had dozed much of the day while waiting in Charles de Gaulle airport and on the plane. It was 11 p.m. - 5 p.m. at home. I hadn´t slept much in 48 hours. I chose an upper bunk, then changed to a lower bunk in the middle of the night. The bed had a lower sheet and a blanket in a white sheet on top. Very cozy. However, Im glad I brought my down pillow from home.

I woke at 3:30 a.m. with a Charley horse that I had to work ouot of my leg. I went downstairs to write on the computer in the dark. The hostel deskman is snoring on a couch behind me. I will eat a complimentary breakfast before I walk to the metro for my trip back to the airport.