Prague- the threshold of bohemian

 Praha, as the city is known in czeck language, means 'threshold'. In an earlier time, this region was known as Bohemia, from whose unconventional artistic lifestyle the world Bohemian is derived. Fifty years of communism hasn't suppressed the Bohemian spirit of Prague. Even if you arrive with high expectations here, you are unlikely to be disappointed.

 My hosts, Waldemar and Christina, had stayed with us for the new year, and they were clearly making efforts to return the favor. A sumptuous meal was ready when i arrived and Waldemar took me to a city orientation tour right afterwards. The Prague castle, supposedly the largest in the world, the Charles bridge on the vtalva river, the old town square, the first German university and metrological department in the world, and a few titbits on the communist history and i was already feeling quite familiar with city.

  I was going to stay for 3 days, so this was the place to check out the concerts, ballets and the cabarets. Unfortunately, after buying the concerts ticket at the national museum for the last performance there before a five year renovation project starts, i realized that there was only one ballet show while i was there and exactly at the same time as the concert. Fortunately, ballets are quite a bit longer than the concerts, so i had not much choice left than to join in at the intermission. Both the performances were terrific and quite a bit cheaper than Vienna!

 Even one generation hasn't passed since the communists days and lots of little ghosts of communism still lingers on. Over 70 percent people are non religious, and they drink 70 percent alcoholic drinks which can be probably used to drive motorcycles. Everybody seems to be a smoker and a drinker, at least i didn't meet anybody who wasn't.  They tell me they smoke and drink because of depression, but i didn't sense it that way. it was just a part of being social in Prague.


 i spent most of the time walking through the main attractions, and catching a passing by tourist group with English speaking tour guides. The city has good connections and moving around was quite easy, and it was not very difficult to encounter English speaking people if i was really lost. It was Waldemar's birthday next day and i joined my second birthday party of the trip, and it was interesting to meet their friends from all walks of life in Prague. The party went on late in night, and it was just beginning to rain when i left for sunny Barcelona the next morning.