Advice from a “local” American

When you are traveling abroad it’s really hard to ask anyone except the hotel personnel and the information counter at the train station for information about travel or food recommendation. The reason I find this to be true, at least for us, is that we didn’t speak any of the languages of the countries we were in. So you don’t want to just go up to some random person and start speaking in English. First off you look like a total tourist and I am sure they are so over dealing with tourist, and second if they don’t speak English well you may get an answer but it will not make sense at all.

While we were on the train heading to our hotel in Brussels there was a guy that was sitting near us. When he heard us talk he asked if we were from the US, and we said yes. He told us he was from Washington and seemed to be living in Brussels now. He told us of a few places to be sure to see as well as a place to eat. As soon as we dropped of our stuff at the hotel we headed to Fin de Siecle which was his recommendation. 

We had a great meal. This place is very traditional and Brian had the Beef Stew which was one of their most popular menu items. I had the Tandoori Chicken and it was great. I found a new awesome drink I like, which is Sparkling Tea.  This was one of the first times we sat at a table with people we did not know. In Europe you could sit at a four top table with two other people you don’t know. It is kind of weird but sometimes you can meet some cool people. 

Getting to Brussels

When we found out we could save ourself a 9 hour train ride from Prague to Brussels by flying we jumped on it. The best part was is we flew with RyanAir and our tickets were only $36 each! I still am not sure how we could only pay $36 each, we didn’t have to pay to check ANY luggage, and the flight was not bad at all, especially since in the US the cheapest flight is way closer to $100. 

We did not get a complimentary drink, but honestly it was an hour and a half flight and I didn’t really care that we didn’t get a drink or a snack. To me a drink and a snack are not worth the additional $65+. We had heard mixed reviews about RyanAir, but our thoughts were, you get what you pay for and honestly the value for the money was great. 

When we arrived at the Airport and made it to our terminal we had to wait a little bit. When they finally called that we were boarding I was totally confused because there was not a plane in sight, only buses. We all loaded into two buses like a bunch of sardines, and they drove us about 100 yards away to our plane that was parked away from the building. We boarded the plane from the ground, which was a first for me but not Brian. 

Once on the plane we realized that the $10 extra dollars we had paid per ticket to be in priority seating was the best decision EVER! We were in a row of three seats and it was just us. There was no one behind us, which was nice, and no one in front of us. The plane was packed but in Priority Seating they give you more space between people. 

One of the funniest and most different thing that happened on the RyanAir flight was the food they served (for a fee). They have lasagna and chicken fingers and things like that, which they warmed up for you. We did not have any but they looked like MREs. They also sold lottery and scratch off tickets on the plane. 

We had a smooth flight and made it safely to Brussels. As we walked out of the airport and were looking for the bus to take us into town, we were offered a lower price to take a shuttle with 6 other people. We decided this seemed to be a good idea, since the bus wasn’t leaving right away and we were just ready to be to the hotel. Unfortunately we had to sit in the very back of the van, which was not good for me because I get car sick. As we began our “adventure” home I realized there must not be much of a speed limit in Brussels either based upon how this driver was driving. About 10 mins into our 45 min drive we hit traffic. After the driver did the whole “stop and go a little then slam on the brakes’ act he decided to make his “own road” off to the left of all the other cars, AKA the shoulder. He proceeded to drive about 60mph. He left the highway and took some crazy windy back roads at about 80 mph. The thought crossed my mind that “he was taking us out into the middle of nowhere to kill us,” but I quickly had a change of thoughts when I realized I was about to get sick from his driving. The fact there was no AC and I was crammed in the middle of a bucket seat in the back of a van didn’t help that matter.

After finding the highway again we headed into town going about 120 mph. My seat belt was tight, my knuckles white, and sweat was pouring down my back as I prayed that we please get back safely. I could tell Brian was freaking out a bit but was trying to be my protector and act like everything was cool. When we arrived at the train station, I almost kissed the ground. 

 

Last day in Prague

Brian and I decided to spend our last day in Prague checking out all the fun places we drove past on our bike tour before our afternoon flight to Brussels. We decided to revisit the Jewish Quarter because we wanted to do a little more exploring. 

While in the Jewish Quarter, we found a great Bohemian Crystal Shop. Originally, we thought these shops, said “Bohemian” meant Hippies made them. We were wrong. They say Bohemian because they are made by people from Bohemia. Bohemia is a region in the Czech Republic. All of the crystal we saw here was so beautiful and very reasonably priced. They had some crystal that had hand paintings that appeared to have gold flaking on it. 

We got some additional views of the Synagogue, as well as some other views of the old Jewish cemetery our tour guide told us about. Apparently it used to be at street level but overtime they buried so many people there and just kept stacking them on top of one another and building the ground up. People were buried here from 1439-1787. The numbers of grave stones and numbers of people buried there is uncertain. It is estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible, and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all. 

After checking out the Jewish Quarter again we went to see the St Charles Bridge. This was very neat, but a little crowded. Compared to almost everywhere in Paris it wasn’t crowded but so far in Prague we had not have too many crowds up until the bridge. There were many interesting statues along the bridge on both sides, which were very cool to look at. A lot of them had religious influences. There were artist along the bridge as well as great street music being played. 

 

One thing that was hard to see, and this is how it has been in every city in Europe, where the homeless people. For some reason it was harder for me to see them in Prague because 25+ years ago there were no poor people due to communism, yet that was the only positive thing communism does (Not allowing there to be any homeless people). 

What makes it so hard is that unlike here in the US where the homeless people just sit there (which is also hard to see), here they are on their knees and they sit like that begging all day, with their heads down, almost like "in shame". Most of them, once you give them money or food, they pray. There were others who the entire time they were reciting the Lord ’s Prayer or doing their rosary. 

After doing the rest of our sightseeing we decided to have a quick lunch at the Beer Restaurant close to our hotel and then head to the airport for our flight to Brussels. 

Holy European Bakeries!

OMG! If you are on a diet STAY AWAY FROM EUROPE! Especially if you are on a no sweets, and no carbs diet! On every corner (sometimes sooner) there are delicious treats and fresh baked breads.  If the smell that you can sniff from about 50 yards away is not enough to pull you in the door, the sight of the display case will. 

I'm a sucker for bread and sweets, so Brian had to pull me along a few times and a few times be initiated the "sweets stop." 

The display cases have deserts that look so yummy, yet I can't pronounce a single name. I do the ol' "point and smile" when ordering. Everyone is super nice about this so that helps. On the rare occasion I have attempted to pronounce the word, they quickly say it the correct way (not trying to correct me but making sure it was what I wanted) and I realize I was so far off I turn red in embarrassment. 

I enjoyed an enormous macaroon from the Paul bakery in Brussels. 

Not. Only do they have yummy treats but they also have premade sandwiches that put subway to shame. The bread is amazing, and although I felt it weird at first, they butter the bread and it's actually very tasty. 

One thing I was looking forward to was having a true Belgium waffle, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw this display case (did I mention they sometimes place these in the window like  if you where "window shopping" for sweets). 

Of course Brian decided we needed one, and off we went to order our yummy treat. 

It was the most amazing waffle (did I mention I don't really remember ever having a true waffle, bc I'm not a morning sweets kinda girl) I've EVER had! It was so warm, sugary, soft in the middle and a little crunchier outside, melt in your mouth amazing! 

Mexican in Praha

I never thought that the two main struggles we would have would be getting home sick, and missing work. Brian and I are both ready to be back to "the real world" but are still enjoying the trip. 

It is really hard eating all three meals everyday out, navigating through each cities subway system and toting luggage between countries. I wouldn't trade it for the world because it's been an amazing experience but I would say 17 days is my max for being away from "the real world." 

We are still doing our best to eat traditions meals from each country we are in but we cheated a little and our last night in Prague we went to a place called Agave, and had some killer, upscale, Mexican food. 

At first Brian was not on board because he reminded me that the proximity to Mexico was as close as we are to home, so not very close, but we decided since it had good ratings on tripadvisor, we would go.

We did not regret it! The food was awesome, not traditional Tex-Mex but close enough. We both enjoys our meals. They both came with this habenero hot sauce that was super yummy and mine came with these spicy pickles veggies. They were hotter than the habenero sauce. 

Prague Castle

Today we visited the Prague Castle. It was so gorgeous! The castle is so huge and inside the castle walls is a gorgeous cathedral. It's strange because when I think of a castle I think of one building but in actuality a castle typically has an opening in the middle almost like a donut. In this opening there are gardens and in the case of this castle, a gorgeous cathedral.

It reminded me of the Notre dame but much taller and many more spikes (spires) on it. 

Inside of the cathedral it was breathtaking. The photos do not do it justice. There were so many stain glass windows with so much detail. They each seemed to tell a story. 

We were able to witness the changing of the guards and that was pretty neat. When they walk through the streets inside the castle their foot steps echo off the walls, which sound so powerful.  

It reminded me of the guards you see in London because they stood so still and never smiled. People where taking selfies with them and they never moved or laughed (I would have laughed).

The views from the top of the castle grounds were so pretty. You could see the whole city from up there.

Seeing the Prague Castle was a great experience and I'm so glad we went. We were smart and took the tram to the higher elevation so that all we had to do was head down the steep hill instead of having to walk up it then back down. 

Another food mishap

Well it happened again! 

After the bike tour we decided to go to a place called pizza collesium. I will be honest I'm so over eating out, but we don't have a choice. 

I was craving salad so after looking over the menu we picked out a pizza and a "salad". Again the menu was not all in English and when the salad arrived this is what it was:

A meat platter! Not a cheese platter this time but a meat platter! Omg! I really wanted salad and not meat!

On a better note the pizza was great!