Prague

I'll admit that my first impression of Prague wasn't the greatest. Lines of XXX stores, mini-casinos and tabak stores (super-mini convenient marts) filled the streets. But I'm staying on the outskirts, and that's to be expected. It actually has its own unique charm to it once you get settled.

After adventuring down into the heart of Prague, it's one of the most beautiful cities I have been to. The architecture is incredible - and old. There really are not many cities in Europe that have survived multiple wars unscathed. The towers in Prague are ancient. Also, Prague has more tourists than any other city I have ever been to except Paris. It's wild how many people come here. One can see why though, Prague is overwhelmingly pretty.

I had some trouble the first day adjusting to the time difference. I took multiple naps throughout the day, and it earned me the name "sleep-face" from some guys from London. I didn't really do much except get my pack organized and relax. There's a really cool bar in the hostel, so I spent the beginning of my night meeting and hanging out with over travelers. After a while some of us decided to go check out Prague's nightlife and had a pretty good night even though it was a Monday. I was mostly with English guys and they were doing a great job of being English - drunk and obnoxious. Not to slam the English, but they're terrible drunks.

When I travel, there's a certain acclimation procedure I go through in every city. When I first arrive, finding the hostel is a nightmare. I hate having my backpack on - it's an instant attention grabber and you look like a huge tourist. I don't like to stand out when I travel. It's always best to blend in. Once I get to the hostel I'll half unpack and check the city out. I won't search out any major sights - I just do it to get an overall feel for how the city works. The next day is the major travel day. I usually go alone for this. I get everything organized and cleaned up, and then leave the hostel with nothing but my camera, cash and a map. The feeling of walking out of the hostel with both arms free is incredible liberating. Your senses are heightened, and you subconsciously start to blend in with the people. My biggest goal is not to look like a tourist but take in as much as I can. As I start to enter the heart of the city (and therefore the tourism district), this feeling starts to decline. The culture begins to fade. I start feeling too comfortable and my senses are lowered. It's like you enter a safety nets of sorts that allows for mistakes. Once I enter tourist areas, I often bump into things, become disorientated, etc. It's funny - that rarely happens outside the center of a city.

Today is the third day, and it's more of a sight-seeing day with people I have met. I've got a handle on the city and now I feel free to go to specific places with comfort.

Yesterday was a big day. Prague is divided by a river, and I spent my time on the east side seeing a bunch of sights such as the astronomical clock and some old towers. I don't remember the official names of everything so bear with me.

I went as far as Charles Bridge, which offers an amazing view of the other side of town and the Prague Castle. Yesterday and today are both beautiful days. I also checked out the Jewish Quarter, which at one time was an extremely overpopulated ghetto. The cemetery there holds over 10,000 graves, and even though the ghetto was destroyed in the 19th century, the graves are a reminder of the vast overcrowding. You weren't allowed to take pictures (you risk a 40 czk fine), but I paid 200 czk ($14) to see it, so I took as many as I felt like taking. Take that, Prague.

I also had a traditional Czech meal for lunch - pork shoulder, dumplings and stewed sour kraut. To be honest, it wasn't that great and it made me really, really thirsty. When you order a soda in Europe, you get one glass with no ice and no refills. It's tough nursing a coke when you're used to drinking about three when you go to a restaurant in the US.

After returning from a day weaving in and out of tourists, I spent the rest of the evening hanging out in the hostel bar, chilling with other travelers. I met a really cool couple named Graham and Annie from the University of Chicago, and we talked late into the night. Today we're going to check out the rest of the city together and will probably stay in the city until sundown. Prague at night supposed to be spectacular.

I'll get pictures up soon. Time to be off.