Yesterday I arrived in Prague.( 6/6/08, Friay.)
I got to the train station an hour before the train was due to leave at the South station( and you know why)in Vienna.
I found the RIGHT train and the right platform. Yeah!!!
When the "fat controller " came, (yes he looked just like the Thomas the Tank engine fat controller) and he checked my ticket, he said that my europass wasn't valid for the Czech republic, and I had to pay an aditional or separate ticket.( of 45 Euro's.)
Well, I was stunned as the man at Munich in the headoffice, who had reserved my seat for that train trip, NEVER SAID A WORD, ABOUT PAYING ADDITIONAL!!!!!!
So I was quite shocked to say the least.
But I had to pay it so I did, luckily I had that cash still with me.
Anyway, long story short, I got here at Ritchie's hostel, but not without hassle.
I didn't know that this hostel was far away from the train station, so I arrived without local money and I was shown the metro station and given some directions and a map.
I changed 10 euro's into crowns( again thousands, seems like it) and then bought a ticket and goodness knows how I did that. 250 crown is 10 Euro, which is about $20-NZ.
Of course then I hopped on the right train but in the WRONG direction, then a man, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, with a beautiful suit on, and had a golden badge of somesort, spoke good English and asked me where I was heading. I said the Muzeum, which is the stop I needed to change metro..
He said go back and take the train in the other direction, it's 5 stops , then get off, then take the A line and 2 stops and you are at Starr---something( the names are impossible top pronounce or remember) and anyway, I got there.
Then I needed to walk in the direction of Charles bridge with my rolling suitcase of 20 kilo's over the huge cobble stones, backpack and a handbag. The cobblestones are huge and my suitcase, catter clatter bang bang, thousands of tourists everywhere.
I finally found Karlov street, and even then it took me ages before I found the hostel( which was in the second part of the street)
I then had to carry the suitcase up on one flight on curved concrete staircase, and there was the reception.
Then I was so utterly exhausted I had a good cry before I could do anything. The people were nice and gave me a glass of water to help me calm down.
The man at the desk took my suitcase up an other 3 flight of concrete curved stairs and I was at the attick , good quiet room and my own bathroom/toilet.
Well, after a shower and a rest I walked around the mainstreet and walked over Charles bridge. All I can say is: Wow, amazing buildings, statues, monuments etc.
Now I am going to upload this stories as they have no internet here, but a cafe down the street has free wireless.
So I am here at Saturdaay morning, after a good sleep, and a good breakfast at the hostel( buffet style for $7- NZ or 80 crowns.)
Read the other story below about Budapest.
SoI am off exploring by myself. I have a map of the metro system and a map of the city( centre) .
I am not wondering off to far. This afternoon I am going to the museum of communism. That should be interesting for Brian!!!
I got to the train station an hour before the train was due to leave at the South station( and you know why)in Vienna.
I found the RIGHT train and the right platform. Yeah!!!
When the "fat controller " came, (yes he looked just like the Thomas the Tank engine fat controller) and he checked my ticket, he said that my europass wasn't valid for the Czech republic, and I had to pay an aditional or separate ticket.( of 45 Euro's.)
Well, I was stunned as the man at Munich in the headoffice, who had reserved my seat for that train trip, NEVER SAID A WORD, ABOUT PAYING ADDITIONAL!!!!!!
So I was quite shocked to say the least.
But I had to pay it so I did, luckily I had that cash still with me.
Anyway, long story short, I got here at Ritchie's hostel, but not without hassle.
I didn't know that this hostel was far away from the train station, so I arrived without local money and I was shown the metro station and given some directions and a map.
I changed 10 euro's into crowns( again thousands, seems like it) and then bought a ticket and goodness knows how I did that. 250 crown is 10 Euro, which is about $20-NZ.
Of course then I hopped on the right train but in the WRONG direction, then a man, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, with a beautiful suit on, and had a golden badge of somesort, spoke good English and asked me where I was heading. I said the Muzeum, which is the stop I needed to change metro..
He said go back and take the train in the other direction, it's 5 stops , then get off, then take the A line and 2 stops and you are at Starr---something( the names are impossible top pronounce or remember) and anyway, I got there.
Then I needed to walk in the direction of Charles bridge with my rolling suitcase of 20 kilo's over the huge cobble stones, backpack and a handbag. The cobblestones are huge and my suitcase, catter clatter bang bang, thousands of tourists everywhere.
I finally found Karlov street, and even then it took me ages before I found the hostel( which was in the second part of the street)
I then had to carry the suitcase up on one flight on curved concrete staircase, and there was the reception.
Then I was so utterly exhausted I had a good cry before I could do anything. The people were nice and gave me a glass of water to help me calm down.
The man at the desk took my suitcase up an other 3 flight of concrete curved stairs and I was at the attick , good quiet room and my own bathroom/toilet.
Well, after a shower and a rest I walked around the mainstreet and walked over Charles bridge. All I can say is: Wow, amazing buildings, statues, monuments etc.
Now I am going to upload this stories as they have no internet here, but a cafe down the street has free wireless.
So I am here at Saturdaay morning, after a good sleep, and a good breakfast at the hostel( buffet style for $7- NZ or 80 crowns.)
Read the other story below about Budapest.
SoI am off exploring by myself. I have a map of the metro system and a map of the city( centre) .
I am not wondering off to far. This afternoon I am going to the museum of communism. That should be interesting for Brian!!!
2 comments:
yabancı bir ülke
wow,I've hears something similar from friends who did the same journey!
It is so strange to read something that happen in the same moment but in anther part of the world!Nice post.
Enjoy your journey and come to see Italy!
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