Prague

I have always wanted to see Eastern Europe. Prague is recommended by many of our friends who rave about its exceptional beauty. Mike's best friend Dave used to stay here for a month over a study-abroad program. He spent measly money on rent and food and loved the place. Mike does not mind visiting Munich since it is neat and clean according to our German friend, Ralf. I cautiously approach Mike and try to use Munich as a springboard: "Can we then make it to Prague also? Pleeeease... It's only an easy five-hour train ride away!"

The six-hour train ride from Haupbannhof starts at 6:40. We have our own compartment. It's nice that the seats are hollow so we can store the big suitcase under it. There is a policewoman sitting across from us. She greets us with a smile as we settle in. The Dramamine must have worked, I do not feel queasy at all. Close to the border, our fellow passenger reaches her destination and the border inspector on the train comes by to check our passports, but stamps only mine since Mike can go to Prague w/o any visa. Every time someone gets hold of my passport he or she always scrutinizes it from page to page. I've just switched to my new passport since the old one has run out of all the visa pages. I think having more visas would make it less suspicious since they show that I am not visiting outside US the first time.

There is no clear border line when crossing by train from one country to another but in our case it becomes so obvious because the next passing stations all have names that contain very little vowels. I find it puzzling to try to pronounce the Slavic language. From the Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station) we locate the Red Line C to go to our hotel. Prague has three underground lines, red, green and yellow. Their subway system is very convenient and can get us to most sightseeing places. Or we can always take tram #22 or 23 which travel above the ground, especially if we want to go to the Castle Town across the Vltava River.

I soon collect my first impressions of Prague:

• Colorful pastel houses on cobblestones. They don't give the ancient looks like the buildings in Rome. They have more colors than the similar looking houses in Paris. The entire city is designed for a pleasant stroll on a sunny day. Streets are littered with cafe shops when you need a break. My mind would often wander off to imagine how it used to be when there were no cars but just carriages slowly passing the same busy cobblestone streets and people dressed in 16th century attires would come out from the nearby cafe or corner pastry shop and cross my path.
• Beautiful women who mostly have dark hair and dark eyes. I have expected to see a little difference in the dress styles from Eastern and Western Europe but there isn't any. Modern, westernized girls are everywhere.
• KFCs and McDonald's prevail. Our hotel for one is situated right outside the metro stop I.P. Pavlova at the corner of KFC and opposite the street of McDonald's. Pizzerias also seem to be very popular too.
• Tourist mob scene. Even at 9 o'clock at night in the metro, there are herds of tourists. Some in such rush, they are pushing through the crowd to run up or down the escalator to get to their next spot. The Old Town square is full of people like me, holding a camera of some sort, with facial expression of either being lost or in awe. Although as part of the mob, I cannot help but feel a little sad how westernized and touristy Prague has become. I have a secret wish that I were here before communism ended. Maybe the Prague then is a little more true to its nature.
• Cat souvenirs. Never in another city have I seen so many cat themed souvenirs. There are cats carved out of wood of various sizes and colors, cats made from special Bohemian glass and nicely framed, crystal cats, whole set of kitchen gear with smiley cats, cat T-shirts... Every time I see them, I stop to look until Mike drags me away. I happily welcome home a red metal canister that has cat smiley face and pensive face on the front and back, along with two carved wooden cats, one blue and one brown, to add to my cat collection·
• Charles Bridge at sunset is not to be missed. The bridge is full of people unless you come at dawn but it is more lively during the day when packed with handicraft stands, portrait artists, saxophonist, chitchatting tourists, occasional lovebirds kissing by one of the statues. For good luck, don't forget to touch the carving under the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk and make a wish. More importantly, only touch St. John, not the dog on the other side, which supposedly brings bad luck.