A NIGHT’S Tale
Why you must spend one romantic night in the warmth of
mystical Praha
The ride to the hotel from the international airport in
my friend’s green Jag made me feel like a posh Czechi local. Since Prague is
best discovered on foot, metro and trams; we dropped the beast near my hotel,
took the subway and then trudged to ‘Potrefena Husa’ in ‘Platernska’ where his
family was going to join us for dinner. Meeting locals is always informative;
his wife and hip teenagers kept me updated on the interesting facts and bits
about Czech culture. I was glad to have someone translating the menu or I would
have ended up eating scampi in beef gravy or the like.
They insisted I sample the traditional soup kulajda, made
of sour cream, potatoes, quail egg and mushrooms. As the expansive dinner came
to a satisfying end and my Staropramen (old spring beer) hit the spot, my
friend challenged my jet lag by asking me if I was ready to breathe in the real
Prague.
ENCHANTING CHARLES BRIDGE
Charles
Bridge, which lies seductively across the Vltava River, is a primary route
between Prague Castle, MalaStrana (lesser town) and The Old Town. I stood on
it, unphased by thousand-odd tourists taking in the post-sunset magnificence of
surrounding domes, cathedrals, synagogues, St Nicholas Church and everything
that smelt Gothic. Is that Aladdin on his magic carpet humming ‘A whole new
world’? Strolling on the Stone Bridge, one can wave at local musicians, vendors
and artists who captivate passersbys with their talent. This famous bridge
showcases 30 statues including saints like Francis Assisi, St Anthony, Madonna
and the Lamentation of Christ. Antithesis to it, not too far off, outside the
Kafka museum, is the amusing ‘Pissing Fountain’, where two stark male
sculptures swivel their hips and spill into a common pool, supposedly
representing the two Czech cities, Prague and Brno.
BUZZING NIGHTLIFE
Prague, known
for its indigenous beers and vibrant nocturnal life, nests countless watering
holes and pubs. It is never too late for another beer, especially after the
long hike; so we headed to Central Europe’s largest disco — Karlovy Lazne — a
15 century bathhouse with five floors, each playing its own genre of music.
Hectic and busy, we scrammed out and moved on to the more
elite one – Sasazu. Paul Van Dyke, Tiesto, One Republic have all performed in
this popular Asian fusion restro bar which holds up to 2,000 patrons on a
weekend.
GOOD OL’ OLD TOWN SQUARE
Next morning,
I suddenly felt deserted as there was nobody to hold my hand and lead me to the
must-visit UNESCO-listed Old Town Square and the trendy Wenceslas Square. But
thanks to the Orloj Astronomical Clock, which is the ultimate landmark, it was
easy to find both. A few stops by the metro and a cobbled stretch framed by
baroque townhouses and churches awaited me, making the Old Town rustically
alluring.
LARGEST CASTLE IN THE WORLD
There are
many ways to get to the ancient Prague Castle from Old Town but the tram is by
far the most practical as it takes you right up to the castle district where
one can snoop around the expansive structure that cradles the St Vitus
Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica, Lobkowicz Palace, National Gallery and
ebullient gardens. (Note: If it is your first time, Tram number 22 steers you
to almost every scenic site in the city).
My chivalrous Czech pal who dropped me to the airport
that evening, declared, ‘If you haven’t had tvarohový kolác – you haven’t
tasted Praha!’ Available only in selective bakeries, the cheese) delicacy was
quark (a type of the climax of the trip!
Kainaz
Jussawalla
TL 14OCT18
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