A short guide to the Czech Republic and Prague.
Czech Republic. . . This country has everything - both what we understand from the socialist past, and what we know from the capitalist present. Prague is the luxury of imperial Vienna and the modest charm of Budapest. Here, too, there is everything - both medieval charm, and panel houses on the outskirts, and legal drugs and prostitution. In this amazing city, it seems that time is not something that has stopped, but such a category as time does not exist at all! Therefore, do not be surprised when you do not see hurrying and fussy people who are late for something. The Czechs are not in a hurry to go anywhere - they already have time everywhere. During the day they are neat and thorough like the Germans, and in the evening they are cheerful and reckless, like real Slavs. Traditionally polite and well-mannered, like real Europeans, by the way, when addressing someone on the street, be sure to say hello - it's just “Good dan (early, evening)” and add the word “Please”. Get used to the culture, dear countrymen.
There is a myth that the older generation of Czechs knows Russian. It is not true. Despite all the nationalism, these people do not have complexes of "oppressed Balts". Therefore, they simply never needed a great and powerful one. In Czechoslovakia, no one has ever imposed the Russian language. Politics - yes, economics - also yes, but not language. If we talk about the basics of the language, then knowing Ukrainian it will be easier for you to understand what they are trying to tell you, of course, subject to slow pronunciation. But even here the casket just opens - “We’re insane, Moz Chesky, you’re a little more mature, please” (“I don’t speak Czech well, please speak more slowly”). Tourists are treated very well in Prague - every resident understands that one of the main pillars of the city's economy is tourism. After listening, be sure to thank - “Dekui” (or simply “Dicky”) and say goodbye - “Na sledanou” (in Brno they say “Na sgledanou”)
You will hardly need a taxi in Prague. Just ask, "I'll get to the neiblazhshi station of the meter. " I recommend using public transport - tram, metro and bus. Please, be civilized - buy tickets (yizdynka), most often they are sold in the departments with CDs or books, as well as kiosks and Tabá k/Trafika shops. Also, ticket offices are located at some metro stations (Dejvická , Hradč anská , Mů stek, Florenc, Hlavní ná draž í , Ná draž í Holeš ovice, Ná mě stí Mí ru), opening hours: from 6:30 to 18:30, some ticket offices are closed for lunch. The most convenient of the tickets is the daily pass. It costs 100 kroons (about 40 hryvnia) and ride the subway without counting stops and not timing. Just do not forget to validate your ticket at the entrance so that the start time of the trip is noted on it. You will be surprised by the half-empty subway. Approximately, as in Kyiv on Sunday morning. There is almost always a place to sit down. And in the evening, do not forget to press a special button on the car door to open it - saving door resources, you know.
BEER. I will say without exaggeration. If you have not tried Czech beer, then you have NEVER tried beer. Start with the classics - "Pomegranate" or "Goat" and, having worked out, drink the best beer in the world - "Pilsner Urquell" ("Pilsen Feast"). Velvet has a very interesting taste - justifying its name, it has a velvety taste. In general, both women and men of completely different generations drink beer in the Czech Republic. Beer is the Czech mentality. And of course the health benefits. The price of beer in normal places (where there are no tourists) is 20 - 30 crowns.
Czech cuisine is very satisfying - mostly meat and flour. And count on your strength when you order food - the portions are very large, twice as large as standard Ukrainian ones. The prices will surprise you too. Even in tourist places they are acceptable.
I strongly recommend not to be lazy and leave the tourist routes. Don't be afraid, don't get lost. Just go where your eyes look, periodically checking the map. Pay attention to the districts "Zhizhkov", "Nusli", "Vinogrady", "Andel". Tourists rarely meet there. A warm welcome and a sea of positive in any "Lord" I guarantee. By the way, "Gentlemen" is not a bar or a pub. This is the format of a village club, where residents of nearby houses flock every evening to drink beer, chat and relax. In non-tourist "gentlemen" the quality of service is an order of magnitude higher, and the food is tastier than in those where tourists are taken.
If you are in Zizkov, be sure to climb the Parukarka hill - an interesting view of the city and the TV tower. In Andel, you can go to the Staropramen factory and hang out in youth bars. In "Nusli" and "Vinogrady" you can have a great meal. And of course - drink beer everywhere.
You can talk about the Czech Republic and Prague for a long time. But it's better to see it with your own eyes. So just pack up and go. Especially with the current affordable prices for bus tours...
