Czech Republic 2002 (Prague, Kutna Hora, & Terezin

Wow- we learned so much on this trip. It's amazing the significance one little spot on the Earth can have. We took a communism walking tour- picked up at the Astronomical Clock- that was absolutely amazing. The Pinkas Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter was a depressing, but an important & significant place to see. Terezin left us with the same feeling, including the urge to vomit. The Czech Republic has some of the most beautiful sites in the world, but also many sad ones. It's full of culture and history and whether you're seeing the enormous, gorgeous St. Vitus Cathedral or the tiny, dirty quarters prisioners of Terezin concentration camp lived in, you will leave the Czech Republic with a new feeling towards life today and yesterday.

Quick Tips:

One of my biggest problems while in Prague was finding which way to go on the trams. The transportion in Prague is extremely efficient and abundant, but you'd better know where you're going. Most maps have the stop names, but not the sites. A little souvenier shop right across from the Astronomical Clock has a map with both the sites, street names, and metro/ tram stops on it- this is the only place I saw one quite as complete (of course I found it the day before we left). So get your hands on one if your sense of direction isn't the greatest, it could have saved me hours (literally) going the wrong way on trams. Also, watch out for pick pockets- especially on the metro or by the Astronomical Clock when everyone is gathering to see it go off every hour. I found a bag that straps around the side of your neck and under one arm that stays on your front to the side. It was great because my arm covered the zippers at all times, so you'd know if anyone was reaching towards it.

Best Way To Get Around:

TRAMS!!! You can get several different types of tickets for the Metro system. We got a seven day pass and a couple 24 hour ones, but there are more options. This ticket covers you for the buses, trams, and metros in Prague (not outside Prague). You hop on one tram and take it to another or to a bus, whatever- no worrying about buying different tickets or them only lasting for that particular ride. Punch it once and throw it away when it expires- just make sure you carry it on you cause there are cops that hop on the trams and spot check once in awhile and it'll cost you on the spot if you don't have it.

To the right of the entrance doors, outside, is where you walk in when you arrive to get your room. There are a few tables set up where, if you want breakfast included, you go between 8-10 am- this means coffee or tea and breads/rolls with jelly/butter/etc. The actual building is 3 floors, each with 2 apartments. In our apartment is a foyer, a toilet room, a shower/sink room, and two bedrooms. The single bedroom has the full kitchen and a table and the double has the tv. The rooms are very spacious, even the shower room, and there is plenty of storage, drawers, and a closet in each room for hanging. There's a pretty view of a little garden and neighboring buildings from the 2 large double windows, with a ledge perfect for your rear, in each room. My only complaint is the hot water doesn't last as long as I'd have liked, but it is sufficient. The couple that run the place are out of their way nice and were like foster parents to us when we were there. There's no curfew, but they ask that you are quiet past 10 pm. Each room has a safe in the wall. Upon arriving there are 3 keychains and a safe key. The entrance has two doors, both lock automatically, plus your room door (a seperate key). I felt really secure while I was there. Maids come everyday with fresh towels, too. Trams 11 and 22 stop right outside the door, Wensceslas Square is only two stops away and the metro is 3 stops. Restaurants, a grocery store, traficas, and various little shops right outside, a cafe a few doors down. I will definitely stay here next time around- great place for a very reasonable price. The rooms are very clean too.