czech republic Keyword
Prague
Being sick while traveling is never fun. It gets in the way of everything, and when you’re on a relatively tight schedule it can stuff with a lot of plans. I got sick in Prague which was unfortunate as I really wanted explore the city. I could have stayed in bed, nursing a throbbing headache, aching muscles and running nose, or I could fight it. Through a constant haze of the flu, I did force myself out into the streets to see the capital of the Czech Republic.
Prague is an unusual place. It oozes beauty. Every building is stunning. The winding, cobbled streets scream to be explored. You can practically taste the history of the place, but it doesn’t smack you over the head with it like some other cities. Prague is subtle, gentle and gorgeous.
Wandering the streets of the city are the Czech people. A race stuck in the eighties. I am not sure if it is by choice or if they just got forgotten when the universe was handing out the “please remove the mullet and stone wash jeans” memorandum. Eighties music pumps in every venue and pastels, pinks and fluoro are worn without humor or irony. Decor, signage, advertising are all throw backs to a time when perms were fabulous and greed was good.
At night the city transforms. Glittering lamp lights chase the creeping dark into corners and down streets. A warm blanket of tungsten covers the city. All sense of time disappears as the city heaves with people strolling the cobblestones and enjoying the evening at terraces and bars.
I heart Prague. The small taste I got has left me hungry for more.
Terezín
Located in the Czech Republic, Terezín is a small garrison town and fortress with history dating back to the 18th century.
Originally created as garrison point for potentially 11,000 soldiers the fortress covers around 3.8 square kilometers. During WWII Germany took control of the town and its fortress and used it as a Jewish Ghetto. Here around 150,000 Jews were interned with around 90,000 people being processed through the concentration camp there, housed in the “Small Fortress”.
I did a tour of the prison which acted as a forced labour camp while we did a quick stop in the area. The guide was very informative and had an hilarious accent. It was mildly disturbing to wander around such a beautiful site knowing it was a place of much torment and sadness. I wonder if the inmates ever saw as beautiful weather was we did that day.
Off the Grid
Anyone who is concerned/bored/mystified by the lack of updates lately can blame it on my fucking mac laptop. For some inexplicable reason it has decided to stop doing certain things on certain websites, such as facebook and this one.
This has basically meant I can’t upload anything to my site, nor can I update posts or even do internet banking without having to resort to the syphillitic, virus filled communal computers. Even then I can’t upload my photos as they are on my laptop, which as I said before, is being a little bitch.
I am in Praque at the moment with a headcold, having spent 3 nights in the very awesome Berlin, and I am heading to Vienna tomorrow. I am travelling by busabout, which has proven to be very enjoyable. Hopefully soon I will be able to post some entertaining articles about the locales I have hit so far. Also, I apologise for reusing one of my old header pictures, I have no ability to upload as MY FUCKING LAPTOP IS BEING A C**T. Bloody macs.