Prague in the Czech Republic is probably one of the most beautiful cities Ive been to next to Strassbourg, France.

(I have to admit that as I write my accounts of Prague I should say that Im in a coffee/ internet /hashish bar in Amsterdam. I rolled into town earlier this morning. I will tell you about Amsterdam in the next blog. Now back to Prague...)

I flew into Prague this morning after a early morning flight from Barcelona. Now I like Barcelona but I ended up staying about 1 extra day there. It ate up my time I would have like to spend either in Prague or Amsterdam. I was a bit peeved at myself for about 5 minutes when I missed the flight but I knew only something good will come out of it. I believe that nothing in life happens by accident or coincidence. There is always a reason. And sure enough it did. I have met "interesting and beautiful" people along the way and had some amazing converstations, interactions and connections. I got their emails to keep in contact with them.

Now the photo above is not of Prague. I have yet to upload photos. There are so much and the computers that Im on are either are too old or too slow or access to the back is prohibited. So I will upload all the photos when I return to California.

So Prague is an old city very old but it is one of the most successful cities in Europe with a high GDP, one of the lowest unemployment rate, and a good steady growth. I took a tour of Prague and what I learned was amazing. As an example it has a good number of churches, monuments and religious carving but it is an aethist city. You can thank the communists for that. You can research more on Prague on your own if you want i dont want to bore you here with some interesting facts...

In my hostel I share the flat with three young college guys from the state and one young Aussi who have been traveling for the last 4 years. Later the night we went bar hopping to some very interesting bars. One bar was like a labyrinth in the basement it kept going down and down several layers deep with each layer dedicated to something. It was a medival cellar at one time. It was scary and cool with old brick walls that good have seen some well maybe bad things .... anyway.... we went walking around till the wee hours going from one bar or s----joint to the other... It was funny. earlier they asked me what if I was on break and what classes I was taking.. I just laughed..

So Prague when I arrived and earlier in the morning was pretty cold. I even saw my breath it was that cold but in the afternoon the sun came out and it got pretty warm. Amazing only one day was bad and that was in the Alps all the rest has been nice. Im lucky. It may start a bit cold but then it always cleared up.

There is this old stone bridge that connects the main city to what they call the "lesser" city. Lesser meaning smaller that is. THis section of the city is older with smaller buildings. It also contained Parliament, the Palace, and the presidential/state office. It is also one of the highest point if the city. From here you can have a good view of the city and it was really beautiful. The photos that I took could not even tell you how nice it is. Wow there are sections that can take your breath away.

After the tour I went to a medival torture museum and was just appalled at the horrors and pain man have inflicted on another in the past. Afterwards I got into the one activity I've dreaded all these weeks....souvenier shopping. Damn I hated this part. I dont know what to get people...You guys are stressing me out....and its expensive. anyway...

I have one dinner of roasted duck, red cabbage and dumplings before I take the overnight train to Amsterdam.

So all and all Im having a wonderful time, seeing the sites and meeting lots of people.

Ciao!