Na zdravi

I keep waiting for something to happen so that I have something to write about in my blog. Since I wrote last I went to a series of “spa towns” as part of CESP, the program I am enrolled in at the University. We visited three different towns, two of which were know for their natural mineral springs. The first set of springs was mostly warm to incredibly hot water that tasted like a handful of pennies. We spent the rest of the day eating a traditional Czech meal involving potato dumplings and some sort of meat then exploring a castle in the town of Locket. Our rooms for the evening were nicer than our dorm rooms (and they were free!) as they included a balcony and a TV with a cable box (not that we had much time to watch TV). That evening we went to visit a spa (although by “spa” they actually just meant giant swimming pool). It has taken me a little while to adjust to the fact that the Czech people eat their largest meal of the day for lunch and just have something small for dinner. In spite of the large, traditional Czech lunch we had had everyone starving after the spa. Most restaurants seem to close around 8 or 9, which coming from the States is absolutely ludicrous. Several of us forced ourselves on a small pizza joint, although we had to sit outside on their patio because there was no room inside. At least it wasn’t raining, although it was quite chilly.

The next day we visited the second spa town which definitely had a more delectable mineral water supply. In both towns there were a great deal of old people (probably there to cure their ailing limbs and such). On our way back to Prague we stopped in Plzen, known mostly for its brewery: Pilsner Urquell. The Pilsner Brewery is the largest brewery in Prague and it is responsible for sending out more than 40,000 beers every day. Compared to the Budweiser Brewery just north of Fort Collins Pilsner is still rather small. We all received a free sample of their cloudy beer and it was fantastic. Most excitingly at the start of our tour there was a beer vending machine. After everyone had bought a beer from the machine (where you had to scan your passport or an ID for proof of age) the tour guide informed us that we were not allowed to take beer on the tour (scandalous!) so everyone proceeded to chug down. A bus took us to the bottling plant which was interesting but mostly incredibly loud. The rest of the tour was comparable to all one that I have been on before.

So while my report on these towns has not been nearly as interesting and thorough as I would like (I had more trouble paying attention) it was the least stressful trip I have ever been on. The CESP office took care of everything!!! Cheers to them.

In continuation of not-so-eventful things that I have done: I have visited the John Lennon Peace Wall three times since I have been in this country. Not only is this because I love being the tour guide, but it really is an incredible piece of artwork.

The Lennon Wall originally started as a form peaceful protest during Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia. After banning the Beatles in Czechoslovakia and the death of dear John people began writing on the wall as a symbol for freedom and peace. The Secret Police worked hard to prevent continued graffiti on the wall as well as white washing the wall regularly. Every morning though more drawings would appear and people began looking on the wall as a means of protesting the USSR. After occupation the wall was white washed for the last time but the tradition continued and the wall has once again been filled with peaceful Beatles lyrics. The city discussed white washing the wall again but the French ambassador who could see the wall from his window across the street loved and appreciated the wall so much that he prevented any further cleaning of the wall. Now people come from around the world to add their own little stamp on the wall of peace.

A small pedestrian footbridge is situated along the path to the wall. The bridge overlooks a large water wheel that is no longer functioning although it continues to spin. On the fence lining the bridge people have attached thousands of locks with the names of their lovers. The lock on the bridge is supposed to symbolize a long-lasting love with your loved one (I may have drawn a picture of a lock on the bridge…as I did not have a lock at the time).
The entire area surrounding the wall is incredibly inspiring and beautiful and is a strongly recommended trek in Prague.

Wenceslas Square

Modernization has overwhelmed the 1500 year old city of Prague in the most beautiful of ways, most markedly in Wenceslas Square. The old gothic and baroque style buildings lining the Square are outfitted with brightly glowing neon lights that declare that there is indeed a Starbucks in central Europe, or that the world’s biggest Irish pub is located nearby. Coca-cola sausage carts decorate the plaza, luring tourists to try their “traditional Czech food” with the mouth-watering smell of greasy sausages of varying size and color. The streets and sidewalks are adorned in 500 year old cobblestones, waiting to trip the unwary trekker. The faces of saints and angels loom down at the masses from their high rooftop pedestals. At one end a beautiful 19th Century architectural marvel watches over the Square. Completed in 1890 as a symbol of national pride, the National Museum is by far one of the most exquisite buildings in Prague.

A great deal of Wenceslas Square in Prague has been reconstructed as a result of first the German then the Russian occupations. It has been the home to political rallies, celebrations and demonstrations since 1348 when King Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague — most notably during the Velvet Revolution in 1989 when millions of protestors gathered in the Square to protest Russian occupation.

In spite of Wenceslas Square’s rich and tumultuous history, or perhaps more because of it, tourists flock to the area. It is not unheard of to find smatterings of people from each European nation represented in the Square. And naturally those Asians try their darndest to be just as well represented in the heart of Europe at Wenceslas Square. It is equally common to find a group of tourists from each US state, including those that choose to be a shining beacon of Americanism by sporting their favorite orange and blue football jersey with the name “Plummer” adorning the back (me and my roommate Yisha, who is also a Broncos fan followed him around the Square for a little while trying to get a picture). Oh yes, Broncos fans are everywhere :).

The touristy nature of Wenceslas Square also means that most of the pubs and clubs can be found in that area. Beer in most bars costs around 40 czk, which is a little over $2 American. At Juve, the pub in the dorms, it is a little cheaper and costs 21 czk. The beer in Prague is almost always pilsner, and always very plentiful. This is a little unfortunate because even with such a light beer the calories can quickly overwhelm you. The food in Prague is almost always nothing short of amazing. There have been a few unusual meals but in general I have not been disappointed. Goulash seems to be quite popular as a traditional Czech meal, although most foreigners do not seem to appreciate it. The sausage carts, while alluring, have not tempted me enough to have a taste, although I have no doubt that they are as good as they smell.

Prague is a beautiful city and I am determined not to waste a moment of it.