Prague: Europe JAM Trip Days 2-3

19 July 2023

A quick flight from Dublin to the Czech Republic and I landed in Prague. I got my second passport stamp (ooo, that feels good) and headed out of the airport. This is where it started to feel "real". Signage was in Czech, and I didn't want to assume processed in the US would translate to Europe (like how to take a bus). And I'm so thankfully for Google Translate, either typing in the words but especially taking a picture and having it all translated for me within seconds. Buying an International Internet Pass through my mobile company was so worth it (just $10/day to use Google Maps, translated services, looking things up on the Internet).

I also prepared in advance by buying and reading through Rick Steves Prague (Amazon Link). I felt like I had a good understanding of the neighborhoods, a bit of the culture, and a lists of my main must-see destinations. Also, I thankfully got directions from my Airbnb host for the 45 minutes bus and train journey into the city. One step of the instructions was "get off the bus and follow the crowd" and thank goodness that really worked. Today, I am on my own as Amber and Mark are joining me tomorrow. So first thing in the city, I immediately stopped for food and beer! I had heard that Czech, Italian, and Indian cuisine is particularly good in Prague.

So my first stop was vegetarian Indian buffet and a huge pint of beer for lunch. I find the currency conversion here interesting, a lunch special plus a beer can be 750 Czech crowns, which is ~$33 USD right now. It takes some mental math and getting used to the conversion. Here at the restaurant is where I got to finally start to use the little Czech I've learned in preparation, I know the essentials: hello, please, thanks, yes, no, bye. I love the Czech culture around tourists and language. Locals are very appreciative and excited when a foreigner speaks some Czech.

After lunch, I walked over to the Charles Bridge into Malá Strana AKA Lesser Town. The bridge had artists, buskers, and vendors. One of the most prolific street options is ice cream. I ate a caramel drizzle ice cream in a thick sugary dough cone, I think this was better than our US waffle cones, in my opinion. My bliss was quickly turned around when I was accosted by opportunistic, local bees who obviously know they can find a sugar high from the naïve tourists here. This was the start of a motif during my travels, oh the bees. Bees are one of my only phobias, so I had to use my practice techniques often on this trip.

After a deep breathing exercise, I visited the gorgeous St. Nicholas Church (pics above). At this point, I got a notice that I could check into my Airbnb early. To note, I have been hauling around my 20 lb backpack and Timbuktu bag the entire whole morning and afternoon ever since landing, so I was very happy I could stash it ASAP. I pivoted back into the city, stopping for some obligatory pics at the Old Town Square / Astronomical Clock.

Moments later I got to my nearby Airbnb, doffed my backpack, and took a very welcomed shower. Since I had a cumulative 9 hours of sleep the 3 days prior, I called it an early night and slept like a baby for 13 hours. Děkuji, Praha!

19 July 2023

I woke up early, took a bus, and took a walk around Holešovice and Letna Park during a beautiful sunrise. I got to experience a quiet, warm summer morning where folks go on runs or take their dogs on a morning walk. It was lovely to see the city from up the mountain. Got to soak in the gorgeous views of the river Vltava.

Next, I headed into the Jewish Quarter, snapping a picture of me in front of the Czech Philharmonic.

Then I had a scrumptious breakfast of fresh brioche avocado "toast" with my first flat white for a caffeine hit, this is when I fell in love with flat whites. Plus they had a gorgeous living wall for my breakfast view.

Then I spent about 5 hours in the Jewish Quarter visiting the Jewish Synagogues and the Jewish Cemetery. It was a lot to take in and I'm thankful for the documentation and my privilege to reflect on our past.

For lunch, I had yummy Italian lamb and red wine. For those who know me well, I eat ~90% plant-based at home, but "when in Prague". For this trip I'm eating anything, especially local cuisine and no shame - this is what I counsel to my patients as well. Moderation and the joy of food.

I went back to my Airbnb to refresh, via the cool elevator. Then I met up with my travel buddies Amber and Mark who just landed that day. I had my first Czech cuisine with pork knuckle (with zippy mustard, sauerkraut, and horseradish) and a beer.

Then we had some great drinks at a cool bar, with awesome red lighting vibes (y'all know maroon is my favorite color). We stopped for a tiny nibble sweet treat of macarons. We called it a night and I crossed that gorgeous Charles Bridge again and took another pic of me with the Prague Castle / St. Vitus Cathedral in the background, anticipation building as we are going to visit it the next day.