Czeching out Prague

When I initially started figuring out all of the cities and countries I wanted to visit this semester, Prague was at the top of my list. I wasn't exactly sure why I wanted to go to Prague, I just knew that everyone had said this city was their favorite.

It's now one of mine.

View from the clock tower in Old Town Square

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to. Most of the buildings are different shades of light pinks, greens and yellows with unique patterns and red roof tops. Honestly, none of my pictures can do this city justice. Walking down the cobble stone streets, you definitely get a different feeling than any of the other cities we have been before. It's not the really warm, welcoming feeling you get in Ireland or Italy. You get the sense that this place is different.

We arrived at midnight on Thursday. We literally czech-ed into (yes, those puns were used every two seconds) our hostel called Czech Inn. Granted I've only stayed in one other hostel, it was the nicest hostel I've ever been to. Seriously put the gross hostel reputation to shame.

After throwing our stuff in our room and putting some make up on, we went out to meet about 10 other USC students who were also in Prague that weekend! Not going to lie, being around so many USC people couldn't have made me happier. Oh wait I forgot...there was something that made me a little bit happier...the drink prices! $5 for a mojito and beer is cheaper than water!! I knew this would be a beautiful beginning to a great weekend.

The next morning the rest of our friends arrived and we set out for Old Town Square. After getting lost in the windy streets, we found the square. It was filled with tourists snapping pictures at the beautiful buildings (and yes, we were some of those tourists). On the side of the bell tower of Old Town Hall, you find the medieval astronomical clock. It has three components: the astronomical dial which represents the sun and the moon, "The Walk of the Apostles," which has figures that move hourly, and a calendar with medallions representing the months.  We were lucky enough to stumble upon the astronomical clock at 1 in the afternoon and got to see the show! I couldn't believe that it was from medieval times! And then after the show, a man in costume plays the trumpet along all four sides of the clock tower. Old Town Square is also home to St. Nicolas Church and various shops and restaurants.

We had a late start the next day. We took the tram to Prague Castle, which is situated on a hill overlooking the city. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, it is the largest castle grounds in the world with an area of 7000 meters squared. Now, this castle doesn't look like Buckingham or Windsor. It has so many different architectural styles because it has been built and rebuilt so many times. There's a beautiful gothic church in the middle of the grounds, but it was actually the coldest church I've ever been in! We could barely stay inside for 5 minutes before getting so cold we had to leave. Unfortunately we didn't go into the castle but the trip was all worth it when we saw the breath taking view.

On our way back to the castle we came across the Lennon Wall. Since the 1980s, the Lennon Wall has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and Beatles lyrics. In the communist regime, it was a source of grievances for students. That wall must contain so many personal stories and secrets throughout its various layers of paint. We spent quite a long time reading the messages and taking it all in. I couldn't imagine what the people who originally started writing on the wall went through under communist oppression. We slowly made our way across the Charles Bridge soaking in the view of the castle and the river. Again, pictures really couldn't do the view justice. We just had to see it again the next day!


We had heard that the boat tours were amazing and one company made us an offer we couldn't refuse. Free beer or mulled wine and a snack. How could we pass it up?? Our captain of the small boat told us the history of the buildings and bridges. Since we weren't entirely sure of everything we were looking at anyways, it was nice to hear a little bit of background information.

Even through all of it's beauty, Prague is still a city marred by communism. Compared to the other cities we've been to, Prague didn't have a very welcoming feeling. Not to say that it was extremely nice, it was just the people weren't as nice and welcoming to us as we had been used to. We didn't find the nicest service in the restaurants. We would ask if they had something on the menu and the restaurant would say no. I mean, it's on the menu.

All in all it was a great trip. I'm in love with Prague and would definitely go back in the summer when the beer gardens are blooming. If you visit Prague, you definitely should check out Bohemia Bagel! It was one of my favorite places to eat!

Next stop: Dublin for St. Patty's Day!