Prague #6of7

In 1991, we arrived in Prague from Poland. A man at a gas station gave directions to a campsite south of Prague, and we were soon set for the night. In 1995 we drove from Dresden, Germany, to Prague, wandered around downtown awhile, then this ‘ol homing pigeon driver drove directly to the campsite in Branik, on the Vltava River, a few miles south of downtown.

I don’t know how I do that. I have driven in how many cities since we were here last? We came to this large ancient city, with a tangled jumble of streets, from a different direction than in either of the previous two years, but still, right to the campsite. It seems a map would be a hindrance.

We saw just a couple of RVs in Prague in 1985, by 1991 a few more, by 1995 still most were trailers, but many were RVs.

We ate lunch in the Prague “cafeteria,” the best place to eat, except in our RV. That meant a hot dog in a heated hole in a bun, a Coke to drink as we walk, an order of French Fries in Staromestske Square, with an ice-cream cone for desert. Then we watched as they made crepes at a street-stand, for a continuous queue of hungry diners.

We did enjoy the dozen musical groups, and the many street vendors that lined Prague’s tourist-filled Charles Bridge. The Bridge is usually packed with tourists and Czechs alike, especially during the spring and summer months. Expect an endless variety of artists and street musicians. But be aware of who brushes against you, they might try to pick your pocket.

As we strolled through the street market we asked a lady for streetcar directions to Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. She not only spoke a little English, but was happy to walk with us to the streetcar (line # 22), rode with us for a while, then give perfect instructions for the rest of our journey. This castle is still the home of the Czech Republic Government. We understand that President Vaclav Havel ordered attractive uniforms for the Palace Guard, as a change from the military uniforms they had worn for the past many years.

Prague was occupied by the Germans before WW II started, so was little damaged during that war — what we see is original, not a reconstruction as in so many places in Europe. The encyclopedia says Prague was bombarded by someone in 1848, but we saw no sign of that stupidity.