Czech-ing out Prague...

So after a too-short time in Germany, it was onto the Czech Republic. My first stop was Prague, which was only a 2 hour train ride over the border from Konigstein. I had much been anticipating this city after hearing only rave reviews about it from everyone I have met along my trip. It definitely lived up to all of my expectations. I had to keep reminding myself to raise my natural sight up above the annoying abundance of souvenier shops and designer clothing shops in order to take in the beautiful buildings above - I think this city just might rival Barcelona in it´s incredible architecture. (Alhtough I know it is not fair to compare!). Although the crowds of tourists and tour groups were FAR worse then any other city I have been to so far (you really couldn´t get away from them), it is truly a beautiful city, justifying the reason for so many tourists wanting to see it I guess. I spent a morning at Prague castle, which according to the Guiness Book of World Records is the largest castle complex in the world - it was huge, more like a village than a castle! I also ventured into the Strahov Library which was incredible - built in 1679 it had shelves and shelves of such old books, housed in bookcases underneath beautiful frescoed ceilings. There was one collection on trees and tree growing, and each book in the collection was bound in the bark of the tree that it described - so groovy!

On my last morning in Prague I got up at 6am with an Australian girl that was in my room, and we went to the Charles Bridge to watch the sunrise. I had been told that the early morning torture of dragging yourself out of bed was well worth it as both the views and the lack of crazy tourist crowds are great - this couldn´t have been more true, and it was definitley a highlight of my time in Prague, to be able to experience the city without the madness of the swarms of tourists.

I decided to spend 2 nights in Cesky Krumlov, based on the reccomendation by a Canadian guy that was in my hostel in Portugal. After deciding to go here, I only heard subsequent fabulous reviews about it from everyone who had been there, so I thought it was a spot that could not be missed - they could not have been more right - I had found a new haven. This town in southern Czech is very small and is divided mulitple times by the path of a windy river. I couldn't help but feeling the whole time like I was on a movie set - small little shops and cafes that you navigate your way to through windy cobblestone streets and across quaint wooden bridges, with a huge castle (yes, another castle - I have never seen so many castles in my life as I have on this trip!) casting a protective eye on the town. My hostel was fantastic- felt like home! Very small and run by two great Czech women, which was great as I had many a long conversation with them, learning a lot about the country, culture, and people. They had a deck that was literally right over the river; I could have sat out there for days in the sun, reading and writing in my journal. However, time marches on with no regard for this type of preference...

As the town is so small that you can walk from one side to the other in 10 minutes, it did not take long to see it all and get my bearings. The castle was very beautiful, with the most interesting part about it being the moat that surrounded it - not any ordinary moat with water, this moat was home to 2 bears! Yes, bears. They have been living there for 400 years (obviously not the same bears for 400 years....). An interesting spin on medieval castle protection techniques. I ended up meeting a ton of Canadians in Cesky, which was good as it was fun going out for drinks at the eccletic collection of pubs and bars in the town with them (one named "Horror Bar" decorated with skeletons hung from the ceiling as if in flight, dressed in goulish dresses and scraps of fabric, a glass cabinet with bones on display and candles casting eeire shadows on the wall. Interesting place.), however I have to say was felt a little odd to be sitting in Czech Republic at a table with 10 other Candians - not exactly my idea of meeting locals, however.....
I went horseback riding one day which was simply fantastic. Although we walked the entire time it was so great to be back on a horse again (it has been 3 years, before which I was riding 6 days a week) and the views in the countryside were beautiful. I think it was more of a tease than anything else, I miss horses and riding! This place really grew on me, so much that I felt I really couldn't leave after 2 nights ..... so I didn't. At the last minute I decided to stay for one extra relaxing day before heading to Poland. 'Twas a great decision indeed.

My time in the Czech Republic was short, but good to both my wallet and my stomach! Everything was so much cheaper that I could afford to eat out in restaurants - such a luxury! I think it is worth mentioning that I have absolutely no problem now eating alone in a restaurant - maybe a sign that I am getting too used to travelling on my own?

˝I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.˝ - Oscar Wilde