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Prague has possibly been one of the most hypertouristed places I have seen so far. Oodles and oodles of fanny-pack toting people taking pictures of themselves by metro stations was not exactly what I wanted to see in Prague, but I guess that's the price you pay to see some of the major sights. Got to the hostel, set my pack down, and was immediately asked to a party with some Austrian guys in my room. Sadly, I had been on a blistering hot Czech train all afternoon and finally had wifi to reach the states again. Those guys got back in around six am with the sun already high in the sky. Next morning was time to take care of laundry business because I think my grocery bag of dirty underwear and socks was starting to grow some fungal phenomenon. My little travel swimmers towel has also been a problem of late because it needs to stay semi moist in order for it not to be a crusty cardboard texture. Turns out moisture plus heat plus containment makes a rather nasty smell that transfers to your body pretty easily. Decided I would wait for the austrians to get up and my laundry to be done before attempting to brave the sights and swaths of tourists in such heat. Been sweltering, around mid to high thirties celcius the whole time. They woke up, threw up, and we were all off to the world final championships of ultimate frisbee. Pretty shady location, but the place was filled with college aged Americans...who it turns out are the best in the world at frisbee. Nice pilsner beer called urquell took the edge off the heat. Czech people actually invented the brew, and Prague is in Bohemia so the local beer is cheap(dollar for a half liter), and really tastey. Light enough for a summer day yet had just enough almost spicy flavor to keep you satisfied. When the austrians met up with the team members they were supporting German became the language of choice which meant it was getting to be time to leave for me. Took a stroll through the old city and saw the astronomical clock tower, the famous Charles bridge, and a nice cathedral. I think the residential and commercial buildings were the main attraction for me, very ornate and totally in tact since the Czech people accepted soviet and communist rule with an unclenched fist. Saturday night was what I was waiting for. Met some Belgian guys wanting to give the city a night run as well and we went to the nearest pub. Pilsner urquell is ubiquitous and we had a half liter mug every stop we made. Night took a turn when one of the Belgians met a thirty something divorced Czech guy out trying to get his club on. Really interesting fella, had his own IT firm which manufactures and does quality control for technical uhh stuff for Audi. So he joined us, actually led us, for the remainder of the night. Felt pretty sweet club hopping around downtown Prague with a local in his expensive Audi. Ended up at the biggest club in central Europe. Five floors with different music on each. The dance floors were just dripping in sweat and humidity, but every floor also offered a quiet haven with couches. We climbed to the top but ended up on the first floor with some medium techno beats and a
Huge screen for a floor. I had A blast and the Belgians had to drag me out even though the sun was already rising. Next day I saw some more sights with the highlight being a nap in a vinyard below Prague castle and with an amazing view over all of Prague. The bridges over the curving Danube were the best part. Today I saw the Jewish ghetto and the Lennon wall. Met a neat Australian guy who told me all about his plans to stifle typical life and live an alternate route of instructing sky dives and suffers all over the world. Not the first person I've met with this kind of attitude. Many of them are extremely smart and could make it better than the average person in the mainstream, but simply choose not to. Can't tell if it is straight rebellion, but I'm thinking most of the type have a valid point. Many people talk of resisting the typical college, wife,kids, mortgage, death cycle but these people are the only ones I've met who are actually living it and flourishing with it. I know it sounds rather hippie, but I guarantee they are some of the happiest people i know and have by far the most enticing experiences. Anyhow that was Prague and now I'm off to Munich. Weird path if you're familiar with the area, but
I'm scheduling around some friends exam and vacation schedules now. Loads that I want to do in Munich and
My hostel should be quite the story. Large tent in a park with over two hundred beds...only ten euro a night!!!
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