A city to get lost in

From München we caught a train and bus to Prague in the dark. The Czech Republic was the first country where we had basically no language to help us. I think in all we learned six words. We got to the station with the expectation that our hotel would pick us up (a decent hotel in Prague is the same price as a basic hostel in Paris, so why not?) and the owners spoke perfect English and had warned us of the dangers of dodgy cabs. It was dark, cold, nothing was obviously sign-posted and there was no car to pick us up. We waited for what seemed like ages, occasionally accosted by unofficial taxi drivers before: a) realising our mobile had no credit (Vodafone UK you heartless bastards with your incomprehensible charging system) and b) we were in a foreign country where we could literally get 'lost' and hacked to pieces. We eventually found a pay phone and called the hotel. There had been some stuff up so they told us the reputable taxi company to catch (which is harder than it sounds) and the price we should be expected to be charged. The whole trip to the hotel was filled with fears of kidnap and stolen luggage etc but our taxi driver was actually a rather friendly old man who took us directly to our accommodation and charged exactly what he said he would.

Our accommodation is actually run by Americans, which I suppose takes away from the cultural experience. It was reassuring however.

Prague is an interesting place. Taken with the idea of tourism and the cash that flows therein there is plenty of English-speaking Czechs just waiting to unload you from the awfully burdening thing we call money. We lost a lot of it in Prague but to be fair the basic rates for most things were about the same as everywhere else. They just have extra ways to slug you. In the morning we saw Prague Castle which is amazing in the way all European castles are (although this had a complete torture chamber which made my stomach turn). We then walked through the town centre slowly to the train station for our connection to Wien. To be honest I am not sure if I would return to Prague. While it is beautiful and old we both felt a certain uneasiness the whole time (well yes okay 24 hours alright?) we were there. Somewhere to consider certainly.

Our next stop, Wien!