Magical Prague

by Quézia Camacho (Brazil)

Making a local connection Czech Republic

First day of summer here. And I came to celebrate at the spa. Is it fair, right? A complex of hot waters to celebrate today's 35 degrees.But despite being in Budapest (I’ll probably stay here forever), I need to talk about Prague. Prague welcomed me very badly. The first hours were a little bit traumatic! The hostel didn’t exist but then it existed and seemed to belong to the mafia. The very heavy suitcase in that streets with medieval pavement, with irregular stones. The urge to pee was endless, desperate! That guy snoring like a truck in the lower bed when I thought I would finally have my super deserved rest ... It was tense. Just remember it hurts. I survived and Prague decided to compensate me for the damages. It was worth every second. Everyone had already warned about the beauty of Prague. I also had seen some pictures on the internet. So, I already knew, more or less, what to expect for. But, what isn’t written on any blog and isn’t possible to transmit by texts or photos it’s the magic that surrounds that place. This magic made me wake up at 4 am just to see the sunrise in an empty Charles’ Bridge (one of the must see spots of the city). Didn’t work...The bridge wasn’t deserted at all. Actually it was full. Full of brides and their photographers! While I counted there were 16 couples. Then I gave up. Of these,at least 14 Chinese couples! Funny story, right ? What makes someone cross the world carrying a photographer and team, wearing a wedding dress only to make a wedding album? Such indescribable magic from Prague! Or maybe ia a mystery, restricted to the brides, that permeates that place and brings good luck. Perhaps... But the fact is, the photos must really look wonderful. Another favorite spot, for brides at sunrise and crowds after 10 am, is the Astronomical Clock Towers. The place was surrounded by scaffolding and covers, due to this terrible European custom of maintaining and restoring historic buildings in the summer. The historic center had that classic and beautiful medieval style. It’s a wonderful dive into the past. Only in Prague it’s possible to taste a delicious goulash in a tavern opened since the 12th century! So far (and without possibility of competing for any other) the most ancient and interesting restaurant where I have ever had the privilege of having lunch. The public transport system works very well. The Tram is a tour with a beautiful view from the window and the subway is very easy to locate. I didn't get lost once! ( what is absolutely incredible) The sensation about the language in Czech was very curious. A mix of vulnerability and challenge, adventure. Similarly what a child feels when starts learning to read, I guess. What a delight to relive that childish feeling. I know all the letters, but those sequences, often just consonants that make up the syllables, doesn’t make any sense to me. As the sounds! The pronunciation hardly matched my reading, the sound I expected that syllable to have. That was very crazy because, cause I didn’t have na internet chip, so I was forced to approach people and trust what they said to me in Czech and who pointed to me with gestures. Very few people speak English, even among young people. Despite of this, the friendliness overcome everything. That surreal and unpronounceable language was definitely not an obstacle. I dispatched half my bag to Brazil using basically gestures and smiles. A huge hug for the super patience girl who helpedme at the post office. I hope my package arrives one day. I walked at dawn through a silent and dimly lit Prague, only in the company of my camera. I wasn’t afraid any time. Such magic from Prague conveys much peace and security. Prague, I’ll miss you a lot. I'm sure you’re a completely different destination on winter. I hope to be there next time to check it out.