Gettin down with Czech history
Trip Start
Apr 12, 2006
1
77
115
Trip End
Ongoing
Prague,
Czech Republic
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Realising that my cash levels are nowhere near where they once were, dwindling rather speedily and not growing any time soon, i opted for a cheapo breakfast from the local 'TESCO', the gaudy Czech equivalent to 'Bi-Lo'. Bums lingered around the supermarket and the main station just as they had done every other morning and night that i'd been in the area. Prague is on the move, rapidly growing since the Czech admission into the much heralded European union, but the byproduct of such rapid Capitalism in such a short time inevitably triggers economic disparity, and two distinct sides of the coin. The prices are rising as Western goods become more and more readily available, but the overall income of the Czech people is not following suit. A lot of citizens, after being so in favour of the EU membership now feel they've been duped as to how they might really benefit from it all. A lot of people remain left behind, in dire poverty, and the desperation of the homeless and desitutute is at a level i'd not encountered anywhere else in Europe.
Strolled through the calm morning sunshine along the winding labrinthine streets of inner Prague, and eventually set up shop in a cosy cafe near the Old Town Square. I sat there, smelt the roses, had a coffee and took the place in.
After a long stint under the guise of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, Czecheslovakia beome somewhat liberated at the start of the 20th century, but eventually came under Nazi occupation when Hitler marched on and took over the joint. When the War ended, the region of Czech was positioned within the walls of the Communist Bloc, and after attempting to loosen the totalitarian stranglehold in 1968 - the Prague Spring - soviet tanks rolled on in and enforced their rule in streams of violence and oppression. For another twenty years, Czecheslovakia underwent this regime of apathetic oppression, until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 led to the Velvet Revolution - some 300,000 citizens marched on Wenceslas Square in Prague and demanded that the Soviets get the hell out, and never come back. In 1993, the Velvet Divorce led to the splitting of Czech and Slovakia, determined to start afresh as seperate countries.
I found it to be a fascinating block of history.
Anyway, i more or less chilled out today, pretty low key stuff. Just strolled around and took in the many different nooks and crannies of Prague city. Checked out the interior of Prague Castle perched afoot the hill, and was awestruck by its majestic architecture.
After a lengthly jog in the evening rain, i dipped around the corner to a bonafide Czech pub and had a full three course meal and a huge pint of Kozel Pilsener for just on 8 bucks. Not too shabby in my book.
Am thoroughly enjoying just chilling out for once. I've been on the move so much, rapidly travelling from place to place, always on the go. The last time i stayed anywhere for longer than 3 nights was back in Madrid. Crazy.
Anyway, i plan to be here a little while longer yet, possibly till thursday.
Prague all the way.
