My Emotion in Motion

I started the three-night tour of Prague after the final examinations during my Erasmus study in Poland. I have nothing to do so I decided to go to a not-so-far city for two reasons, to escape the boredom of waiting and for practicality. I was bored and waiting for the official end of my stay in dormitory. Most of my colleagues are already planning their way back home while I still need to stay at the dorm and wait for the final math conference that I need to attend in Wroclaw, Silesia. Besides, I still need to complete my Erasmus contract of 10 months. I extended my stay in the dormitory.

Prague, Czech Republic is not too far from Poland. I’ve been to the city twice on a stop-over during the Christmas break when I decided to travel by bus from Lublin to Zurich, Switzerland and back. It was a backbreaking travel, but the experience was incomparable. It was evening I haven’t seen much of Prague except for the silhouette of it’s famous castle.

During my second visit to Prague, this time armed with more time and less school worries, the weather was not so cooperative. It was sunny at first when a sudden downpour made me stay half of the first day inside the hostel. It was not a quiet hostel, a cheap one, by European standards. But, it was worth the stay with the hostel’s, Equity Point Prague, courteous, but, strict receptionist. The lobby was very relaxing. There was a long sofa where you can slouch or lie down if you want to or use the wi-fi to surf. Outside it was raining hard.

When the rain subsided, I decided to go out. The first place I decided to visit was the Botas Store. Botas is an authentic Czech shoe maker where products are of very high quality. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the store at its given address. The person there told me that the shoe manufacturer relocated somewhere without giving the forwarding address.The whole day was spent walking and sightseeing in, probably, the most beautiful European city. Prague is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and when you say Boheme or Bohemyo, a typical Filipino will relate the word immediately to something like a beautiful person or handsome guy coupled with being a playboy or a gigolo, an idol of sort or a model. It’s also a famous word because of the rock group, Queen.

The next day ended up more cruel for me as the downpour became stronger. Not to waste the time and beauty of the city, I decided to brave the wet landscape hopping from one building to the other until I reached Charles Bridge, the most prominent edifice of the city that connects the Old Town to Petrin Hill traversing Vlatava river. It’s magnificent and incomparable.I learned that Prague escaped the bombings of Nazi Germany because Bohemia decided not to oppose the Nazi’s march to and occupation of the city. So, the city was spared from total devastation and destruction, thus, maintaining the same buildings and landmarks erected during the time of the Habsburg family and the Roman Empire.

The third day was a bonus for me. The day before, while surfing the net, I chanced upon a friend whom I met in a bus going to Warsaw. I remembered, she was seating right beside me and I was very busy filming the travel from Lublin when she asked to be excused. I said, “No! I’m filming and I shouldn’t be disturbed”. But, of course, I was only joking. Oksana was seating next to me when she asked me to step aside because she’s going to the bus’ toilet because of “call of nature”. We became instant friends. We were both Erasmuses. That was in Warsaw, Poland.

Several months later, we met again in Prague and on my third night I was spared from additional hostel expenses. Thanks a lot, Oksy ... that was really great to be with you enjoying the third Prague night in the outskirts. It was cold and windy, but, the soup she cooked made the night more comfortable. Not all tourists had the chance to see those places other than the city center and the old town. More so, with the authentic Slavic cuisine straight from the cooking pan, cooked in front of me and a beer called Staropramen.

The last day was, sort of, a “guided tour” with Oksana doubling as the guide. I hope she didn’t got tired of me. The outskirt is so beautiful, but, the inner city places not familiar to tourists are more beautiful and pretty. I have seen Prague with my two eyes from a tourist’s vantage view and from a local’s familiarity. I instantly fell in love with the city.

Created on: September 2, 2016 / Ernesto Icogo @ Quezon City

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