Location Notations

6.17.19

The Velvet Revolution in Prague happened forty years ago, but its memory can still be seen when walking about in the city, especially in older areas such as the historic town center. There are humbling memorials to the victims who were killed, imprisoned, and whose minds were shattered even if their bodies were not broken. There is wall art, plastered on the side of a building in the dead of night, that remembers the martyrs who set themselves aflame to express their discontent, or who were tortured by the communist secret police for no reason. Go down any street in this old city and there is a history there, well known to locals and important to be remembered, to acknowledge the past. However, not all of this history, and the memorials dedicated to them are sad. The Lennon Wall, located below the towering spires of the Prague Castle, is a concrete tribute to the singer, the Beatles, and the peace they tried to spread. What began as a single piece of art that was intended to honor the slain musician became something so much more. The wall has been the witness to an entire communist regime, seen it crash, and then watch as the Czech Republic rebuilt itself, this wall has worn art that is meant to inspire and lift people and been the gathering point for locals and political expression for years, and now, it serves as a major attraction for tourists, who can add to the masterpiece or simply take it all in.

Small Wonder

6.16.2019

Much like many other major cities around the world, Prague is a city full of creatives. These creatives, including artists and musicians, and all sorts of other hopeful originators flock here from all over and set up shop on the cobblestone streets of Prague. Their little booths in tourist centers are displays of their elegant work, local class beats and paintings of Prague’s historic landmarks, and sometimes they are more an experience to observe, weavers and caricature artists draw in customers as well as onlookers, and musicians are likely to be found with a crowd gathered around, swaying to their cellos, guitars, and accordions.

Simply just walking down the street here, you are likely to pass several of these vendors. They are most commonly on the sidewalks of Wenceslas Square, in the shadows of the cathedral in Old Town Square, and lined up along the sides of Charles Bridge. These are trades-persons are incredibly skilled, and also incredibly dedicated, having to get up in the early hours of the morning to go out and secure a prime spot in these crowded and hectic locations, and then sit out for hours to work in the heat of the summer sun, before heading home and doing it all over again. These people have found a way to take advantage of the boom in the tourism rate, while still doing something they love, and showing remarkable pride for their home in the process.

Not From These Parts

6.15.19

An evening in Prague, particularly during the summer when tourist season is at its peak, is never without free entertainment. Rather you choose to head to the closest beer garden and watch out-of-towners make fools of themselves off of beer that costs USD $1.70 a pint, explore some of the discounted museums, or watch local concerts and car races. Weekends in June are particularly eventful in the northwestern corner of the city, where events are frequently more family friendly and enjoyable for all ages.

Then, you come across the bars and beer gardens. Raucous noises echo through the air in these establishments, with men chanting and singing songs, pitting foolish dares at each other over beers, some sort of horrid and messed up drinking game, but it is certainly a spectacle for onlookers to witness. These dares include obscene activities in which discarding pants and undergarments is common, as is filling up Air Jordan sneakers with beer and chugging from the makeshift sweat soaked cup. For locals, these venues are fun times and good for socializing here in Prague, usually a well known meeting place for friends to find and gather around, and also good for people watching. Folks also flock to Prague, coming from all over the world, to participate in Stag Parties and last hoorahs before a ring encircles their finger. It is an incredible city to reside in permanently and to escape to, and it is full of an abundance of activities to participate in, for a fee or for free, the vibrant city never pales.

Noticed

6.14.19

Here in the small, water wrapped town of Cesky Krumlov, as in much of the Czech Republic including Prague, roads are extremely narrow and wind sharply through buildings and terrazas, paved by aged cobblestone streets. Because of this, sometimes cars, as well as other large automobiles, are occasionally and often a hindrance. Many people in these cozy and intimate towns, filled with such narrow streets and often a large number of tourists overflowing from sidewalks turn to motorcycles and scooters to help alleviate this problem.

Motorcycles have been helping solve this problem of congestion for decades, from the turn of the 20th century when the Czech brand Laurin & Klement began producing and gained popularity, other brands of motorcycles (many that still exist today) such as JAWA and CZ served a historical importance similar to the Harley Davidson brand in the war. Easy to navigate and favored by many Czechs and other Europeans. This is not only because of their distinctive flair and usefulness on narrow streets, but also because of their long history on this continent. They are ways to get around, and motorcycles, scooters, and other two wheeled modes of transportation are more manageable to maneuver and easier to afford, especially with the high cost of living in Prague. It is not uncommon to see many parked outside of bars and other venues, locals perched on their seats, finishing a smoke and ready to hit the road, much faster than any car could on these narrow roads and cobblestone streets.

Location Notations

6.13.19

As mentioned before, smoking is largely abundant in Czech Culture, and this is much the same in Prague as it is in Cesky Krumlov. Also very existent here is the tourist culture, and the fanaticism for honeymooning and wedding pictures. Much like on Charles Bridge, the scenic hills and red clay roofs of Cesky Krumlov, and the surrounding castle complex are a hot spot for pictures in white dresses and suits, with bouquets and the occasional cigarette break. This scenic city is also home to a notorious regional photographer family, whose former estate is located in the city surrounded by water. The home of Josef Seidel and his son, one of the first in the region to specialize in photography back in the late 1800’s all the way through to the early 21st century. All through these decades the family produced quality photography as well as post cards for the masses, and the owners of the property still continue the tradition today. The legend and love for photography, capturing the beauty of the Czech Republics countryside, lives on here in this small town, which had held tightly onto it’s reputation as a secluded romantic getaway and its special charm.

Not From These Parts

6.12.2019

Within the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, in the city of Cesky Krumlov, tourists make up a majority of the people you see on the street. They flock here in large numbers  to see the infamous castle of the same name, which housed many of the Cech elite back in the day, after the Prague Castle in the capital. Asian countries are currently the most common visitors of this small but historic town, as the fastest growing population of tourists, they make up many of the numbers of tourists you see in Europe. They come to the Czech Republic, specifically today to Cesky Krumlov, to take elaborate photos in elegant clothes and explore a completely different culture. Easy to spot by their affinity for selfie sticks and their less than casual style of dress, usually consisting of long feminine flowing dresses and sun hats and umbrellas.

The Czech Republic is well known, as has been mentioned before, as an affordable tourist destination, with food and drink costing little, and lodging still costing significantly less than in many American cities. The country also holds appeal because of its absolutely romantic atmosphere, which differs greatly from the history and architecture of China, whose people make up a majority of the tourist. Here, they can venture outside of a land still deeply in the grasp of communism, and experience what could be.

Weekend Miser

6.11.2019

For having garnered a reputation as being one of the most unhealthy countries in the world, especially when combining all the relevant factors, including alcohol intake, heavy food with little fruits and vegetables, and the abundance of cigarette smoking, this “unhealthiness” is hard to find just walking down the street. More often than not one will always encounter joggers, young adults playing football at one of the many parks, and folks of all ages taking leisurely strolls through the colorful city. As a matter of fact, walking, in combination with Prague public transit, such as the metro, trams, and buses, are the main manner of getting around in the city, and all require at least a little bit of walking in addition to a ridiculous amount of stairs.

Nevertheless, despite the guilty indulgences of the Czech people, they are certainly not lazy, or physically unfit. Sports for recreation are an everyday sight, with soccer and basketball courts aplenty, and even more unique to Europe, and specifically Prague, is the number of calisthenic gyms in the city. This is understandable considering the lack of apartment complex gyms in Prague, as well as the additional costs of a gym membership. Where in the states they’re relatively rare, unless you’re fortunate to live in a major city such as Venice, California. Yet here in Prague, they are typically in every park, with plenty of room for athletes to perfect their push-ups, dips, and L-sits.

Noticed

6.10.2019

For such a mystical city, Prague is filled with plenty of things to do. It is a city that with a little bit of creative imagination, can become a massive playground. There are parks located throughout the city, filled with sculptures, water fountains, flower gardens, and beer gardens. These little sanctuaries of green are often packed with the most imaginative of us all, children. Though their birth rates are drastically low, especially in comparison to their death rates, the people I have encountered in Prague appear to be very family oriented. There are no only just parks everywhere, but beer gardens are child friendly, and there are many more activities available, including the zoo, museums, and playground. There is a noticeable difference in comparison to what exists in Austin, which is a city that prioritizes nightlife and the music scene. Here, in Prague, children are everywhere, brought with their parents almost everywhere, on the tram, to grab a beer, and more. Though the city currently has a reputation of being a city of dog lovers, with one in four Czechs owning a dog, there still exists here a strong emphasis on the family. From what I have witnessed in Prague, the people here do not seem to let life in their big city get in the way of their family life.

Weekend Miser

6.09.2019

For less than ten dollars, students visiting Prague can escape the bustle of the city and surround themselves in nature and all it’s four legged inhabitants. The Prague zoo is just a short journey from the town center, the trip merely a tram and bus ride away. The Prague zoo is remarkable in how it is laid out, with most exhibits lacking the tall fences and barricades of western zoos, with dogs allowed on the premises and in true Czech fashion, plenty of beer. It is a wonderful weekend excursion, with all the big cats, amphibians, and graceful grazers children dream of, and even an air lift (comparable to a ski lift) for daring adventurers. 

Most of all, this bi-level Haven is considered to be one of the best zoos in the world, renowned for it’s rehabilitation program and sanctuaries. When compared to the many dilapidated zoos around the world, just walking through the massive complex shows the care that the Czechs dedicate to these animals. Zookeeper’s are constantly about, cleaning habitats and placing food in enclosures. In my experience, this is the most well maintained zoo I have ever visited, and it is easy to see how much of a priority the Czechs place on the animals well-being. It is worthy of it’s reputation, and a true gem of Czech culture.

Location Notations

6.08.2019

Visitors to Prague come from all over. The city has gained a reputation as being a cheap and affordable, as well as beautiful, place to visit for a short little weekend getaway or an extended trip. The most popular places for these tourists to visit, the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and Old Town Square, among others, are in the summer months almost impossible to walk through. The crowd of visitors is a stifling mob, all eagerly trying to document their visit, cameras held high in the air above the crowd and the occasional selfie stick posed perfectly to capture the subject as well as the beautiful scenery in the background.

As much of a hassle as it might be for the locals to have to deal with everyday, these visitors are certainly helping to add to the economy of the city, contributing what must be a massive sum of money towards the souvenir shops, admissions fees for visiting major sights and historical churches, as well as food and much of the higher priced goods in the center of the city. Prague has come a long way from its past, and bloomed remarkably from such a time of instability, and the tourism has greatly helped that, in addition to being a great way to help the costs of maintaining such an old and grand city, with so many historical buildings and pieces of history lying about. These visitors, though they cause inconvenient crowding, are providing important support to the city.

(Going to redo this post)