Pretty, Prague
MEDIUM RARE
It’s a fairy tale city, a skyline scalloped gently in colors of brick, stone, and tiles. To leave Prague without a visit to the 200-plus-year-old Prague Castle is a crime.
Did President Bongbong Marcos just commit a crime, all because the dedicated, determined, professional killjoys back home would criticize a parachuting visitor for taking time to relax, look around, feel the city in his bones and sinews, his spirits recharged in the springtime air?
Prague Castle’s jewel is a cheerfully spreading cherry tree, probably just as ancient, with a crown so wide its branches and foliage – and gorgeous pink flowers -- could provide shade enough to shelter 50 people at a time. There are other sights to catch in the capital city of the Czech Republic, including the old town square where a mall offers, among other culinary delights, Asian food in its restaurants (though a visiting VIP like BBM would probably not have time to take a meal there, or what would the critics say?).
When Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Prague seemed to have acquired the better part of the bargain, at least where tourism is concerned, while Slovakia surged ahead as a prime place where visitors could be astonished at the quality and sparkle of its crystal chandeliers.
A trading center since the 10th century, Prague’s streets, shops, and landmarks continue to attract visitors from all over the world, especially, yes, Chinese mainlanders arriving in big groups. One memorable sight was Prague residents dressed in Halloween attire as if these were not costumes but the usual de rigueur during the week of our visit. With such a beautiful city as their playground, why shouldn’t the natives behave as if they’re in a stage play?
The natives, by the way, and this is according to the tour guide who was also our driver, go for beer as their national drink. “Everyone likes beer,” he declared. The city’s only mistake, it would appear, was building a stadium so big it could never be filled. Funny, that he included that stadium in our tour.
With only 7,000 Filipinos living in Prague, is it any wonder that not much word-of-mouth advertising has been coming out of this pretty, picture-perfect travel destination?