Welcome back to Fodor's, gawr! Yes, I have been following your thread since you first posted. I have enjoyed your report, and hope to read more! :)

Great trip report. I just stumbled across this today and am amazed that this has been going on since June 2006. The stop and start adds a certain charm and flavor to the trip report which is cool.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us in such honesty, especially Auschwitz. I have not been but was moved by what you wrote you saw and felt. Keep it coming. Looking forward to more.

Enjoying your report gawr0008 thanks!!! I'm looking forward to the rest, especially since my son is moving to Prague in a couple of months. He just graduated this past May and can't wait to tour through Europe too!!

I plan to have him read your report also, sounds like you two have a couple of similar interests! ((B))

I woke up early and headed out to the Charles Bridge and the castle across the river. I heard a lot about the bridge and was really excited to see it. I really liked the statues that were on the bridge. Especially the statute of Jesus on the cross with Hebrew writing. I don’t think you will see that anywhere else. After taking a few pics, I walked across the bridge and prepared myself for the long walk up the stairs. The Castle is on top of a huge foothill that has hundreds of steep steps. Once walking up the steps and seeing the castle and the church, it was all worth it. I liked the front gate where there were two statues of people getting beaten and stabbed. By the time I got to the castle, there were hundreds of people waiting to get into the church. I didn’t even try to get in line, because of the wait. I just walked around the church and took a few pictures. I then got some food and spend some time in the courtyard by the fountain.

Next I tried to find the steps and to make my way down to the bridge. Before I did this I wanted to get my picture taken on top of the stairs. I asked about five different people and everyone declined. I ended up asking a few more people and finally someone offered to help. The picture ended up being pretty good. It can be frustrating when tourist don’t take the time and help each others, especially solo traveler. When I made my way down to the Charles Bridge, I wanted to find the water wheel that everyone talks about. It took me a while to find it, and it wasn’t wroth the headache. The sun was really bright, so I found a bench under the Bridge and spent some time reading in the shade. I returned back to the hostel for some sleep and food.

That night I believe the Brazil team was playing the Australian team. The Australian fans were a lot more fun to hang out with so I wanted them to win. Before the game I spent some time at my HQ pub slamming cheap beer before the game. When I was there I noticed some people speaking English. So I introduced myself and we talked, they told me I was a true Czech, because off all the tally marks on my slip of paper. The Czech way of keeping track of the number of beers you drink is crazy. They give you a tally mark for each beer you drink. My advice is that you don’t lose that slip of paper.

I said goodbye and I left the bar for the main square to watch the game. There was already a huge crowd screaming at each other, about whose team was better. I got two beers and made my way towards the Australian crowd. I don’t remember who won, but the game was exciting and I had met a few Australian fans. They invited me to go with them to the bar. That night I lost my map and got lost going back to my hostel. I remember yelling, “I just want to go home!!” I finally found the main square and was able to get to the hostel. I must have been lost for at least an hour.

Today I woke up really early, because a few people came into the room and made a lot of noise. I got some breakfast and headed out. There wasn’t anyone walking around and the sun was coming up. So I went to the Charles Bridge to get some pictures of the bridge without any people on it. They turned out really well. Today I was going to spend my time looking for the Jewish monuments, Synagogues and a little shopping. There are some of the oldest Synagogues in Europe, and I also wanted to see the cemetery. I walked around the city trying to find all the Synagogues, but they weren’t open yet. So I found a place to sit on a bench and read. I was going to Cesky Krumlov the next day and I wanted to learn about the history of the town before I went. After a few hours of reading and napping on the bench I went back to the old Synagogue, but it still wasn’t open. So I went back to my hostel to tell them that I was leaving for two days and that I would be back for one more day. I was going to Cesky Kromlov, because everyone on this site always talked about it. After I got that taken care of I went on a walk to find a local restaurant. I found a small local spot and had a great lunch. By this time the old Synagogue and the Cemetery had to be open. I walked back to find there was a long line. While I was in line for the old Synagogue I noticed that there was armed guards around the premises. I thought that was pretty funny. The Cemetery was really interesting. I can’t believe that there were so many people buried in such a small place.

Tonight the Polish team was playing and I was excited to watch the game. I knew that there had to be a large Polish fan base in Prague. I got some sleep and then headed to my HQ pub for a few pints. When I was there I saw the two guys I meet a couple of days ago. I sat with them and talked. They invited me to go to their favorite pub. I ended up in a basement pub that had a large dance floor. I danced and sang songs until the Polish game. I said goodbye and headed to the main square. There were a lot of Polish fans and I partied and watched the game with the large crowd. I don’t remember a lot of the game, but when I got home to the states and developed my pictures. I found a few during the game. One was a picture of me holding three beers and posing with for Polish women.

The next day I was taking the bus going to Cesky Krumlov.

Three beers and four women! You had your hands full.

We're reading, so keep writing.

Still following your adventures with interest! Looking forward to Cesky Krumlov installment.

Great trip report. I really enjoy reading it. PLease keep going.

I am even inspired to post about my January trip to Andorra!

This is a great trip report - thanks!

Keep writing...people are reading!

I had a ticket for the bus to Cesky Krumlov that left around 8:00A.M. SO I got some breakfast and headed for the bus station. I was going to Cesky Krumloz, because of what I heard on this site. The bus ride was long, hot, and uncomfortable. I didn’t have a hostel room reserved. When the bus dropped us off at the station in Cesky Krumlov, I didn’t really know where to go. Everyone on the bus looked around at each other with a confused facial expression. I didn’t want to follow everyone, so I started to walk down a different path. I looked behind me and saw a few people following me. I walked a few blocks and saw a bowling ally and a map. I kept on going and found a few signs for hostels. I started walking in the direction the signs told me, but I never found the hostel. So I had to walk back to the main road. Walking down to the main square there was a beautiful place to take pictures. I sat on a bench and took a few minutes to look at the scenery. I made it to the main square and there was a huge stage. I guess there was a big play going on. This worried me because it might he hard to find a place to sleep. When I was walking across one of the many bridges I heard two guys my age saying they also needed a place to stay. I knew they were my competition. I needed to find a place to sleep before them. I saw another sign for a hostel and I followed it around a corner. It was right on the water and I was hoping it had vacancy. I opened the door and walked over to the desk. I asked the women if they had a room available. She didn’t speak English and my hopes of getting a place to sleep fell. Another lady came and she told me that they had a room for one day. I told them I would take it. The room was nice, but the shared bathroom/shower didn’t have a door.

I changed and headed out with my camera. I knew I was set for today, but I still needed a place to sleep tomorrow. So I would walk around looking for hostel signs, stopping at pubs, and where I could rent a canoe. I first went to the castle. I saw the black bear and all the beautiful architecture. I really like the way they create designs in the stone. I then walked up a large hill to a garden.

The one thing I didn’t like about Cesky Krumlov was the roads. The stones are all different heights. I was wearing my flip-flops and I kept stubbing my foot on the high stones. That is why I will never wear flip-flops again in Europe.

I took a nap under a large tree in the garden for an hour. I started to get hungry so I headed out to find a small local spot. After walking around for about an hour, I couldn’t find any local spot. I ended up eating at a hotdog stand at the main square. That is another reason why I didn’t like Cesky. It’s too commercial. The city seemed designed for wealthy older tourist. Not cheap college students. I was looking for a pub with young people, so I could watch the football game, When doing this I saw a hostel sign. I knocked on the door, no answer. I knocked harder still no answer. I door was unlocked so I walked in the hostel. I heard voices, but I couldn’t find anyone. The place felt like it wasn’t a hostel, but somebody’s house. I really felt like I was a stranger walking into someone’s house. I heard footsteps coming towards me so I turned around and ran out to the place and hid behind a wall. It Seems funny now, but at the time I was really scared and confused.

I found my way back to the main square and headed for the river. I look across the river and notice that there was a pub. I set out to find it. It ended up being down some steps and through a long twisted hallway. When I got there it ended up being an ice cream parlor. So I got some ice cream and a beer. I relaxed there and watched people flout by on the river.

At night I found a pub that had loud rock music and a pool sign. I watched a football match and played pool with a few locals. After a few games they left and I headed out to find another pub. I found one that was a little upscale, but it would due. I talked with a few older couples and than a large group of teens came in from Australia. I drank with them all night.

The next day I had a choice of either trying to find a place to sleep in Cesky Krumlov or to go back to Prague and try to find a place to sleep there. As of right now I don’t have a place to sleep tomorrow. Find out what happens in my next installment.

Thanks for taking us along on your great adventure! Keep on writing please!!

Thanks for another awesome installment, and have fun tonight at the Halloween parties I'm sure you'll be going to!

Thanks for the update. Still enjoying your report.

"I kept stubbing my foot on the high stones. That is why I will never wear flip-flops again in Europe"

a while back there was a big debate about wearing flip-flops in Europe

Keep writing, we're reading.

I'm so glad to see you're posting the rest of your trip, gawr! I was so enjoying reading this report and I'm so glad to see it's back! Keep on writing!

For the first time on this trip I found myself in a predicament. I wasn’t sure what to do. I had a choice of staying in Cesky or going back to Prague and finding a place to sleep. At the time I believed that I had a better chance of finding a place in Prague.
I left my hostel and headed towards the main square to think things over. I decided to walk around the town one last time for a hostel that had vacancy. I found a few but still nothing. So I had no choice, I was going back to Prague. I went to the bus stop to wait. Nobody seemed to know when the next bus was coming. I could go back to town and look for hostels or I could wait for the bus. But if I went looking I could miss the next bus. I decided to go back and look one last time even if I missed the bus. Still nothing so I headed for the bus stop.
The bus back was extremely crowded and hot. After a few hours the bus stopped at a large complex. A few people got off and the majority of us stayed on the bus not knowing what was going on. We noticed that everyone on the bus were tourist and only spoke English. The people who got off were locals. After about 5 to 10 minutes of us looking around staring at each other. One person got off and checked what was going on. It turned out that this was the last stop of the bus. I thought it was funny because anyone who was looking could tell that we were all tourist, because we were still on the bus looking confused. We all got off and found our bags. Again everyone was looking confused, but this time we were off the bus. I had had enough and I started to walk towards the big building. A few of us noticed that we could take the train to the city. We were about twenty minutes from the main station.

When I got back to Prague I found a map that had a bunch of hostels on it. I went to everyone on the list, but still had no vacancy. I started to get a little worried. The day before when I was walking towards the bus stop going to Cesky, I noticed a really run down hostel. I Remember saying there is not way I’m staying there. Well I was running out of opinions. So I headed towards that hostel. It was in between the bus station and the smaller train station.

Windows were broken and the sign had missing letters. It was late and I was really desperate. I stood there telling myself that there had to be another place, but inside I knew that there wasn’t. I walked in and a lady was behind thick glass. I asked for a room for one day. She spoke little English. We mostly communicated with hand gestures and writing. I agreed and she asked for my passport, which was standard. But what she did next wasn’t. She took my passport and walked away. I stood there for a second and was like, I need that and I ran after her. She was going to show me the room before I accepted it. I didn’t have much choice So I said yes.

The room and building was the most discusting place I had every slept in. It was infested with insects, the locks on the doors didn’t work, and I even saw rats in the basement. The beds were small cots and there weren’t any lights in the room. I told myself that I could handle it for one night. I took everything I needed out of my big bag and put it in my day bag. My money, passport, and everything I couldn’t afford to lose. As I left the hostel the lady stopped me and motioned for me to give her my key to my room. I gave her my key and I went on my way.

So I left my key to my room with her. After I gave it to her I thought about what I had just done. I gave her my key. How was I supposed to give back in? Was she going to go into my room and steal my stuff? I was glade I took everything that I needed. I had one more day reserved at my original hostel the next day. My plan was to get really drunk sleep a few hours and then wake up and go to the other hostel. I wanted to spend the least amount of time in that hostel as possible. By the time I headed out of the hostel it was already around 5 P.M. I went to my HQ bar to relax and for some good beer. I saw two guys sitting next to me who were speaking English. So I sat next to them and talked for a little bit. It’s nice to talk to people who speak English when usually you’re the only one. About an hour after a large group of people came in with a tour guide.

They were doing some type of pub-crawl, going from pub to pub trying different beers. I asked the tour guide if I could sit in and talk with the people in the large group. I sat and talked with them, until they left. When they left a few guys came up to me and started talking to me. I didn’t know who they were. After about a minute in the conversation I realized that they were the guys I knew from earlier. The guys that took me to their favorite bar a few days ago, the pub in the basement where we sang and danced.

I told them about my troubles and where I was staying. I remember them laughing at me, because I was staying there. They told me it was the worst place in all of Prague. I ended up drinking all night and going to my hostel about 3 A.M. I woke up around 5 A.M. I was relived to find all of my things were still there and that my roommate hadn’t return yet. When I woke up I got my things together and left as fast as possible. I went to my original hostel dropped my stuff off and ended up sleeping on the grass near the Charles Bridge for a few hours. When I returned to my hostel I noticed that I had forgotten my pair of shoes at the run down hostel. I told myself I was never going back there, so they would become expendable.

This is such a great trip report...I am loving it...please finish it!!