Travel and Personal

Greetings from the Czech Republic

By Dweep Chanana ⋅ April 20, 2006 ⋅  Email this post ⋅ Post a comment

Greetings. I write this from Trutnov, a small town in the Czech Republic, about 10 minutes by car from Poland.

I was in Prague earlier this week, but the greyness of Geneva followed me there. That, combined with the hordes of tourists, made for a disappointing visit. Somehow the magic of this ‘magical’ city eluded me.

The Czech Republic I see is not the touristy one. Hosted by a friend who likes to avoid the mainstream places, I did walk old town. But I spend time also in the ‘rock town’ of Adrspach, 1hr by train from Trutnov. This is an amazing place - a park of towering stone massifs and gorges where one can easily spend a day wondering at natures creative ability. Or just biking around Trutnov, in the hills and valleys that mark the North.

I am also brimming with observations of the Czech Republic. The people - so heterogenous - this must have once been a melting pot. The famed ‘Czech beauty’ I haven’t found but people look different. Up here, few speak English and I’m enjoying the struggle to communicate. And yet, people are so apologetic sometimes for not speaking English, while it should really be me that apologizes. At least I’ve learnt to greet and thank in Czech. Oh, and beer - such sweet nectar. These people love their beer, and drink it in pints all the time. No mention of this country can be complete without mention of their great beers. Kronenbourg will now be insipid.

Later today I take the bus back to Prague and spend another 1-2 days there. Perhaps the weather will be favorable, and I’ll indulge my touristy side a bit more.