Along with ten of my friends, I visited ten Prague or Prague in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) in the winter at the end of 2008. With a limited budget, we try to be backpacker travelers in countries that have not been trodden before, even in the information only get from friends and internet chat (the magic of e-media). From the city of Arnhem in the Netherlands, we started the trip with Eurolines bus service is fairly inexpensive. The journey began at 10:30 that night and the city of Arnhem is the last stopover before the bus left the Netherlands. It’s not a luxury bus, too.
From the Netherlands to the Czech Republic, we passed the German advance. Although a bit dark, I can still see the snow falling gently accompany our journey. In the morning, we were still in Germany and the snow come down with swift. Arriving at the Czech border, all our passports and visas checked by border guards in the face of a very cool. Maybe was affected by pouring snow at night. Czech it feels colder than the Netherlands, It’s look like temperature was below 0 degrees Celsius.
Arriving in Prague, we exchanged the euro currency in Czech crowns, as well as purchase tickets to Vienna in the next few days. Czech Republic does have a standard of living lower than in other European countries. This makes some relative prices far cheaper, especially food and drink.
From the bus station, armed with maps that are owned, we walked into the 
Apple Hostel before we messages (again) through the Internet. A youth hostel is small but clean. Shaped hostel room dormitory where in one room consists of more than 4 beds. It’s a common form of lodging in Europe. One thing that shocked me was the open bathroom. Oriental nature (which thankfully is still there) finally made me choose a shower in the morning once.
Wenceslas square after lunch at a fast food restaurant is famous throughout the world; we begin exploration in Prague at the New Town. By using the tram and the ticket one day, we go to Wenceslas Square and National Museum. Wenceslas square is the area of Prague’s famous shopping area. Admiration clicking sound out of his mouth is to see a row of shops with beautiful architecture, classic, and combined with a series of icons of modernism and consumerism.
This beautiful building row ends with a National Museum which was so magnificent and architecturally fascinating buildings. This museum contains a collection of pre artifacts from history period, rocks minerals and petrology, paleontology, zoology and anthropology. This museum has a collection of rock that is complete with an interesting shape and I’ve never met before. The rocks from the bowels of the earth have style, color and different textures. Some even like the treasures that exist in a fairy tale.
Weather Clock cold astronomical makes lunch so short. We decided to go back to the hotel and rest until evening. While looking for dinner, we headed to old town square, the other glory of Prague. This is the heart of this city the past. Buildings consists of many famous historical, such as The Orloj (Astronomical Clock), Old Town Hall, The Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Baroque Church of St.. Nicholas, The Rococo Kinsky Palace and The Fourteenth-century Bell Stone House. Astronomical clock show itself at certain hours. The sound of bells and small statues that came out of it makes me determined to wait until the needle points to the length of 12 digits.
At that time also coincided with the Christmas market which makes the atmosphere more festive. Many stalls show typical food and drink Prague, also Christmas ornament and other ornaments. Wine feel warm Prague can be a choice in that atmosphere. Night air temperature reaches -14 degrees Celsius. Not surprisingly, I felt was in the refrigerator freezer.
The journey begins with the second day Charles visit the famous bridge, a 
bridge that became a symbol of the city of Prague. With the twin towers at both ends, this bridge connects the two parts of the city of Prague is divided by the river Vltava. Only the admiration that came out to see the results of human civilization at that time. Along the bridge there are also many traders’ paintings and photographs that try to offer or sell their expertise. But be careful fooled, some of them were sold paintings seemingly printout similar to the painting / picture of the hand.
After guard castle over a bridge with the sun bright enough but bone-biting cold, we entered the Prague Castle which was more surprising anymore. It’s great world cultural heritage. There are two guards on either side of the gate, with a very cold face and look straight ahead. Even when we took a picture beside, they would not budge. At that date December 24, the day before Christmas, unfortunately a lot of museums in Prague Castle closed to the public. I finally more enjoy the exterior of these buildings. A photographic tour is very satisfying.
Prague is amazing. On the way out or back to the hostel was, I still found many relics of the past buildings with European architecture everywhere. A symbol of the grandeur of the past are still there that makes me like the past thrown in Europe. Beyond the fact that the city is a bit dirty, especially in the outskirts of town, so unfortunately if you do not menyambanginya. Especially if you have chance to visit Eastern Europe.
But unfortunately, terrorism and other events make us a bit difficult to obtain entry visas. Many requirements must be met to be able to visit this country.
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