Some Notes on Prague....

This trip to Prague has been on the planning board for some time. Our first trip to Prague in 1978 where we launched our back-packing honeymoon tour of Europe started off from the Communist Czechoslovakia capital which was then dull and depressing and somewhat scary. Our return trip 10 years ago on the standard packaged bus tour of Eastern Europe was too short for such a beautiful city. So the World Congress of Psychiatry in the fall of the following year gave pakdokter an excuse to go back there but due to the packed programme over the 5 days or so, pakdokter and partner both felt that we had to go back there for a longer time to take in all that Prague had to offer especially after the opening up of its economy and the transformation that took place during the 2 terms of the Vaclav Havel Presidency.

Czech Republic's economy probably benefited from its cheap labour supply - many of the European industries moved there before they found China some years later. When we were there 10 years ago - French designer labels were sold at a fraction of what it cost in Paris. They were probably factory rejects or excess which found their way in the stores on the sidelanes of Wenceslas Square. Tourism was booming and we enjoyed the carnival atmosphere on the Charles Bridge during the warm and pleasant autumn days. We managed to see a black theatre and a 'marionette' play ( puppet show) - presenting classic story of Don Giovanni ( Don Juan) etc...We did not have the chance to go to any opera or concert performances due to time constraints.

So this time , with the benefit of the internet, we knew what we wanted to see before we left home and with the help of the concierge at the hotel got our tickets soon after after check-in to the hotel. Ticket prices were comparable to what we paid for shows at our own Istana Budaya or the Petronas Philharmonic. The tickets we bought, most of them top seats cost around RM150 to RM200.

Getting around in Prague was easy - all the tourist sites were within walking distances. The cold weather helped. Otherwise their tram services were comprehensive and taxis were readily available. Food was not a problem - restaurants of all types were readily found everywhere and the prices were comparable to what we pay in Bukit Bintang or Bangsar. In fact, drinks were a little cheaper.

Language not a problem. Almost everybody can speak good English. In fact it is probably easier to get around here with the English language than in many Spanish cities. ( Pakdokter understands that there are Malaysian Medical students at the Charles University here and the course is conducted in English).

For culture vulture - this is one city pakdokter highly recommend. Operas, classical music, ballets, black theatre, marionette puppet theatre, jazz - you name it - they have it every day, everywhere - in opera houses and theatres, in cafes, in municipal halls, in churches and synagogues, on Charles Bridge and on boats and river cruises - and this was in winter. Pakdokter can imagine what the programmes will be like in summer!

The economic downturn seemed to have an effect here too. The positive thing was that the low tourist crowd ( and low season) had brought down prices and the fact that our Malaysian ringgit is now appreciating also helped. With economic downturn more people become poorer - so as pakdokter had earlier noted, there were beggars in the Old Town Square and illegal money changers kept hustling you for their so-called better rate. The internet warned of pick-pockets - and unfortunatley pakdokter's partner did become a victim. She lost her handphone which was tucked in the back pocket of her ruck-sack. It was either pick-pocketed or had slipped out of the bag while she was trying out some clothes in the mall. Wallahua'lam.....