Beautiful Prague - Day 4 - Patent for Machine for Extracting Money From Tourists
It was the last day in Prague and we were beginning to get the hang of this tourism lark. First a hearty breakfast at the hostel then out (at least we didn't need to report to reception so that they could find us a new room). One of the first stops as part of the sightseeing trail was the Spanish Synagogue. Alas the covetous Jews extracted their pound of flesh from us (well, 70 Koruna anyway) in the form of an entrance fee. No photography allowed, of course. The synagogue has had a chequered past (once being used a repository for articles confiscated from various synagogues around Prague). Now it serves as a Jewseum (Jewish museum). Sorry, but watching South Park (and being in Poland) has turned me into such an anti-Semite.The main area of the synagogue is pretty much as it was before the Nazis came along and spoiled all the fun. Round the edges are various display cabinets filled with historical items. Upstairs in the corner further from the entrance lie items relating the Holocaust. The inmates of death camps tried to carry on life as normally as they possibly could. Children were educated (sometimes in secret). One cabinet displayed homemade flashcards bearing phrases such as "This is a cat", "This is a dog". All this education was in vain for some, alas, as they were ultimately to die in death camps such as Auschwitz in Poland.
After the Jewseum we found our way back to the main square. Time for food, or a snack anyway. We found a nice little cake shop with some fancy-looking cakes displayed in their cabinets. I chose a fancy-looking cake bearing the name Mont Blanc. I took a few photos before realising it had a more "attractive" side to it. I turned the cake round, but a chocolate "landslide" wiped the smile off my face. Luckily I didn't burst into tears like a spoiled child who has dropped their ice cream.
With some more food inside us we set off again. Charles' Bridge was crossed. The massive hill beyond it was scaled. Panoramic views were taken in (and photographed, of course).
After walking back down the hill some of us were getting hungry. On the walk up the hill we had spotted a restaurant offering various set price menus (soup, main course and dessert for 150 Crowns), so that was where we went. Upon asking about the price we found out that it was 150, but plus service and plus tax (so more like 200). We decided to stay. The meal was ok and gave us strength to carry on walking.
On the way back to the hostel we stopped off at the station to find out about train times and get tickets for the next day's travel. Back at the hotel it was time for some more drinks. The communal kitchen was occupied though, so our room served as the venue for some music and slideshows of all the photos that we'd taken.
Day 5 - Farewell Prague
It was the usual buffet breakfast at the hotel, apart from one of our party who chose to sit outside puffing on a cancer stick rather than fill up on "free" food. We handed in our keys at reception and made our way to the train station. By this time my backpack was seriously heavy (with a coke for the journey and beer left over from the previous night's "party"). The train was on time (and comfortable) and after four and a half hours of WiFi-less travel we were in Czech Cieszyn. Before departing Czech territory we spent our remaining Czech coins and changed our paper money into Polish Zloty. Our walk to the bus station was well-timed. The bus left just after we boarded.
It was good to be back in Poland. We had mobile internet. Soon we would be home.
RSS FeedDecember 2017
June 2016
July 2015
January 2015
November 2014
October 2014
July 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013