Prague was lost in the process!

Hello all!
I was completely under the immpression that I wrote a blog about Prague but for some reason it isn't here. Maybe I'm delusional, I don't know but I have to catch up on Berlin and Amsterdam so I'm just going to write it relatively quickly and then move on to Berlin.

Chels and I arrived in Prague on Thursday night. We stayed in a hostel that was a lot like the one from Munich. It seems that during the summer, the schoolhouses in Prague are converted to hostels. They had put bunkbeds for 80 people in one room, mildly separated by thin red sheets of fabric. They decorated the walls with huge posters that could easily be removed and converted the office into a breakfast\common room. It was pretty awesome but not as good as The Tent in Munich, the beds weren't as comfy. However, it was only 6.50 euro a night. Unbelievable. As soon as we got there we knew we wanted to stay longer so we extended our stay from 3 nights to 5.\

Our first night there, we treated ourselves to a pub crawl. At 15 euro a person, it was way over our budget but we decided to go for it. One pub crawl in 2 months isn't too bad. We got dinner and an unlimited supply of beer/wine for 2 hours. Needless, to say, we took advantage. As we were sitting there, gulping wine, I saw someone I recognize come it. I triple checked to make sure and realized that it was definitely a friend from home. Christina, a high school friend, just happened to be in Prague and on the same pub crawl at the same time as I was. Unbelievable. I haven't seen here in a couple of years so we did some serious catching up. I'm still flabergasted.
That night was a good one and I managed to keep my dignity. I woke up with barely any hang over and some memory of the night before! Success.

I was talking to my parents in Vienna about my worry about Scandinavia. The plan was to venture up there for the last 10 days of the trip. See the fjords and all that. However, we soon realized that there was no way we would have enough money. And even if we did, we would be sitting down for a meal, resenting the fact that we were paying at least 1 dollar for every bite we took. Its just he mentality of a broke traveler. So we changed the plan and spent more time in Prague, Berlin, and decided to include Amsterdam for a couple nights. thats the great thing about Eurail and backpacking, you can switch things up without a second thought. Its pretty convenient and cool. Fly by the seat of your pants kind of living.

Because we had so long in Prague, we decided to take it as a little relaxation time. We took our first Sandeman free tour there and were opened up to the joy of free learning. They are tours that they have in 13 cities all over Europe and they are run based purely on tips. They are about 3 hour walking tours and really informative and interesting. Loved it.

I was sick with flu-like symptoms for most of our time there so for a couple nights, I stayed in while Chelsea went out with friends from the hostel. It was much needed rest for me and a good break from each other for both of us. We have been getting along really well and can read each others moods well. We both understand that its immpossible to be together all the time and still get along. So we make sure to have some time apart.

Prague trip consisted of a lot of walking around the city. I managed to get up to a hill above the city, climbed an observation tower, and faced my fear of heights. It was a gorgeous hike up (yes, I actually did some hiking) and a stunning view from the top. We also got a paddle on the river and floated around for an hour, basking in the sun and serenity.

We had heard from several people that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. We thought, after seeing Switzerland and Vienna, that there was no way. However, it proved us wrong. Its not just the government and arts buildings that are designed there but every housing building, bridge, sidewalk, EVERYTHING. Its the totality of it that makes it so gorgeous. The history also made it beautiful to me. It seems that the Czech people have a history of peaceful protest and have been successful for the most part. They are such a calm, kind group of people. Prague has inspired me and I now want to travel Czech Republic much more in depth. I hear the rest of it is gorgeous too.

Alright, there are some people waiting for the computer so I better go write my other blog and get off it. Hope you're all healthy and happy.

Love,
Ash