So ends our trip to Europe. This morning began with breakfast with Maria then off to the stationary shop Ngoc and I visited on the 2nd day. We wanted to buy a few more gifts. We took the bus from Termini and headed over there. Unfortunately the store didn’t open until 10:30am, so we decided to go for gelato first. We walked up toward the Pantheon where we made a quick stop at the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

Ngoc got a little outta control

We sat on the front steps for a few minutes before we decided to just go get gelato. Who cares if we’re eating gelato at 10am? So we went to Gelateria Della Palma, and needless to say, we were the first customers. In fact, they were still putting the gelato into the display case.

Ngoc really likes gelato!

I left with what I had been dreaming of – red guava and green apple. Ngoc went for chocolate and pistachio.

It totally hit the spot.

Afterwards we went to the stationary shop, got what we needed, then headed back to the bed & breakfast. We got our stuff, presented Maria with a small gift, then went off to catch the train to the airport.

Unfortunately our flight time was changed AND it was also delayed an hour.

We finally got to Prague, hopped on the bus, headed back to the same hostel from the first night in Prague. After checking in, we went to the Charles Bridge to take a peek… and there were fireworks! (YAY!). Afterward we just ate at one of those touristy restaurants near the bridge. We had Czech-style Goulash and a salad (green and red peppers w/ tomatoes and balsamic w/ olive oil).

Then it was back to the hostel where we took goofy pictures, packed our things and then got into bed.

Goodbye Beautiful Europe!

After a tiring day 2, Ngoc and I decided to take day 3 easy. We woke up later than usual (around 9:30) and headed out around 10. We made our way down some streets to do a little shopping, first to Repubblica, a big plaza with a beautiful fountain in the center, then we made our way up to Barberini where we were looking for a restaurant to have lunch in. Unfortunately both of the restaurants we were looking for were a) non-existent and b) closed until later that day. So then we were in search of another place. We found a restaurant around Barberini and went inside the deserted place. I think it was early, because soon after some other people came in.

I ordered a mushroom ravioli and Ngoc ordered a mushroom pasta. Although we were a little apprehensive at first, both were very good and we were pleasantly surprised.

Then it was off to do some shopping. I wanted to find a cafe to get a coffee, so we walked up Via Vittoria Veneto, which must’ve been one of the lushest streets in Rome. Filled with expensive high-scaled restaurants and well dressed people, it felt much different from the tourist-side of Rome I had seen the past 2 days. We stopped at Café de Paris, so famous it even has it’s own Wikipedia article. There I had a €6.50 iced latte. Needless to say, that’s about US$10. Ngoc had a tiny iced coffee (which was very sweet) which was about €4. That’s probably the last time I’ll try to indulge in La Dolce Vita in a belief that I’d fit into that environment.

Ngoc with iced coffee at Café de Paris

We left and walked through the streets until we found the Spanish Steps (the top of the Spanish Steps). We took more pictures and walked down into the streets below where we started to shop.

Posing on the Spanish Steps

Then HORROR… my stomach started to ache. I’m not sure if it was the coffee or the food, but something was not right. The good thing was, I was able to keep it together for most of the day. We went to a few stores, included a stationary store called, Vertecchi, as well as the adorable kitchen store C.U.C.I.N.A. right near the Spanish Steps. Next was shopping at Via Del Corso, a street filled with mid-range shops.

We walked around with no aim, but one aim was gelato. We found more gelato at Giolitti, which has now become one of my favorite gelato places.

We left and ate in a piazza nearby. Sitting on some benches in front of a hotel. It was nice just to relax in Rome. We then decided we’d take the bus back to Rome’s Chinatown.

Never have I felt more out of place.

Yes, I, surrounded by countless Asians, felt completely out of place.

Oh well.

We couldn’t find any of the stores I wanted to go into, so that was another failure. We headed back toward our B&B, but not before stopping at a grocery store where I stocked up on 6 jars of nutella, 2 packages of cakes, 6 bottles of pear juice, 1 jar of artichokes, 1 jar of olives, and various other misc items.

If only I could bring gelato back.

After resting up in our B&B room, we left for dinner near Piazza Navona. We went to this adorable (and… romantic) restaurant right in one of the small winding streets. It is called Antica Taverna. According to my guide, it says that they get the goat’s milk ricotta and rabbit from their hometown in the Sabine Hills. It’s located at Via Monte Giordano 12. We sat outdoors (which was a little dizzy-fying unfortunately due to the fans running in front of a light, giving the tables a strobe-light effect). Anyway, I ordered mussels and pasta carbanara. Ngoc ordered bruschetta and a spaghetti-type pasta.

Rigatoni Carbanara from Antica Taverna

This restaurant was amazing. I definitely recommend it.

Afterwards we walked around and then got on a bus to head back home.

Overall, an exciting and beautiful day in Rome.

The morning began with the usual breakfast at Maria’s aptly named “Cafe Nobel” in the main lobby of the bed & breakfast. She gave us croissants filled with fresh custard w/ a subtle orange zest flavour & ample powdered sugar. Then there was the banana with Nutkao (another non-Nutella brand of hazelnut spread), strawberry yogurt, & a fresh cup of foamy cappuccino w/ chocolate powder on top.

Then it was time to head out. We walked around the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore toward Via Nazionale to do a little bit of shopping. I had it in my mind that I’d buy myself some Italian tennis shoes, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to find ones that I like. We made our way to Campo de’Fiori, an outdoor market south of Piazza Navona. There we sampled cheeses, looked at fresh fruits and vegetables and purchased some €5 Italia t-shirts. Then was a delicious fruit-cup for €3 that contained 2 types of melons, pineapple, nectarines, and yellow watermelon.

Produce at Campo De'Fiori

After that we walked toward Corso Vittoria Emmanuelle II (a major street) and stopped at a stationary store where Ngoc and I promptly purchased more notebooks than we probably should’ve even thought to purchase… especially since we would have to carry them for the rest of the day.

Finally we bought a bus ticket, but not before playing a game of “how do you say bus ticket in Italian?” charades with an old Italian woman in a tabacchi.

A side note, there are 4 types of bus tickets in Rome and they are as follows (info from Rome.info):

• Biglietto semplice B.I.T. (time integrated ticket)
  Price: 1,00 Euro
  B.I.T. tickets can be used on any means of transport in Rome; they are valid for 75 minutes and the visitor can take any transport mean to reach the preferred destination during the 75 minutes time. Tickets needs to be stamped when starting the travel; if the visitor takes the metro, then the ticket needs to be stamped a second time.
• Biglietto giornaliero B.I.G. (one-day ticket)
  Price: 4,00 Euro
  Valid 24 hours on any means of transport, it must be stamped only one time (when starting the travel); in case the visitor use the metro, the ticket must be exhibited to the controller at the entrance of the metro line.
  !WARNING: this ticket is valid untill the midnight (of the day it had been stamped)
• Biglietto per 3 giorni B.T.I. ( 3-days tourist integrated ticket)
  Price: 11,00 Euro
  It is valid for 3 days in a row on any public means. It has to be stamped just once when starting the travel and exhibited to the controller at the entrance of the metro line.
• Biglietto settimanale C.I.S. (tourist one-week integrated ticket)
  Price: 16,00 Euro
  It is valid for 7 days in a row and it has the same terms of use like the B.T.I., only the owner must write on the card his/her own name.

If I had known clearly about these bus tickets, I might not have walked across the whole city. In day 1 we walked at least 8 miles (I mapped it out with the running mapper).

Anyway, that was just a side note. After we received the correct bus ticket (at €1 per ride) we went to the Vatican. Across the city and over the Tiber River. We arrived just outside of Piazza San Pietro, also known as St. Peter’s Square. Well, St. Peter’s Square is not a square at all, by the way. It’s a big rounded circle with columns all around. At one end you have the post office & gift shop, and at one the security entrance to the basilica.

We went around 11pm and the line through security wasn’t too bad. Then we had to go through the “clothing inspection.” Remember, the Vatican has rules where you have to keep your shoulders covered and your skirt cannot be too short (or you can’t wear short-shorts). I had a shoulder covering, but I had assumed my dress, which ended a little above my knees would pass. Total fail. Except, this girl with an exceptionally short skirt in front of me goes through. I on the other hand… pulled my leggings out of my bag and pulled them on right in front of a ton of tourists.

Then finally we were let through and we got into some sort of line… which we did not know what it was for. Also, no one in line spoke English when I was saying “Hey!? What is this line for!? Does anyone speak English? What’s this line for?” Fortunately we found out only a few minutes later that it was the line to enter the dome above St. Peter’s Basilica.

Finally we got through to go to Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano, also known as St. Peter’s Basilica. Needless to say, the basilica is an amazing and very impressive looking building. Inside was even better. The dome rises 448ft from the ground. Intricately decorated with beautiful paintings, priceless sculptures, it is a simple breathtaking basilica.

The dome in St. Peter's Basilica

The lighting is dark inside, so the pictures I have are quite blurry (I have shaky hands, not good for a slow shutter that needs a lot of light).

After exiting St. Peter’s Basilica we entered back into St. Peter’s Square where we were able to get a view of the Swiss Guard. Despite their “clown-like appearance,” their uniforms make them look quaint.

We found that because the Vatican is it’s own sovereign state, they have their own post office. Ngoc and I bought a few postcards and stamps (but not before I spazzed out and accidentally made my money go everywhere in front of the Vatican postal worker). He jokingly told me I was too dangerous with money.

Mailing some postcards

Then it was time to go see the Sistine Chapel. The entrance to the Vatican museums is located 800m from exiting St. Peter’s Square – therefore if exit from St. Peter’s Basilica, walk through the square, around the Vatican walls to the entrance to the museums… it’s probably a km overall.

We walked about halfway when we spotted gelato at Old Bridge Gelateria. Of course we stopped for some.

We finally made it to the Vatican Museum entrance where we had to go through security once again… and we found a bag check. At the bag check the guys were completely flirting with us. Guys are not shy in Italy. We even got asked out for the evening, but promptly ignored them. Guys in Italy must go on dates all the time… especially with female tourists ha.

Don’t forget your student ID folks, you save €6 (which is about US$9).

So then began our trek through the Vatican museums. I hadn’t realized how extensive their collections on display were. It was corridor after corridor, room after room of amazing treasures the Vatican had collected or conquered and placed on display. Overall it probably took us about 3 hours to make it through the museum. Keep in mind that the museum closes at 6pm.

Posing inside the Vatican

We finished at the Sistine Chapel at 5:30pm. We sat for a little bit. They shut the doors right after we entered. The ceiling was just beautiful! I can’t imagine how much had gone into creating the intricate colours, lines, etc that Michaelangelo brought to life. Oh and you’re not allowed to take any pictures inside, but I got off a few shots. One of which is not completely blurry. Shhh.

Stolen Sistine Chapel Picture

When we exited, we realized we had to go get our stuff… but we were back at St. Peter’s Basilica! In a dazed rush we ran around asking employees how to get back to the front of the museum, but we were informed to “Go out of St. Peter’s Square, go 800km around the wall… the museum closes in 15 minutes… RUN!”

HOLY POOP.

We booked it. Past the Korean tourist group we had already passed TWICE… running out of the front of St. Peter’s Basilica, down the steps, running through the Square, around the corner, running down the streets next to the Vatican wall until the point I was about to collapse. Ngoc was the hero of the day, she managed to run the entire way. I walked about 200m before running again.

Ngoc made it just in time. Bags secured, but hunger ensued.

We took the bus back (and to our dismay the bus stopped and the driver got out for about 10 minutes… apparently that was the “starting point” of the bus, so they get out for a little break). We watched a great view on the bus featuring a little boy trying to toss a cat into a fountain. Cat jumps onto fountain ledge, little boy falls into fountain.

We made it back to the main part of Rome and got off the bus to go eat at Pizzeria Montecarlo. Let me tell you – GREAT PIZZA! I ordered the Montecarlo pizza which featured a sunny side up egg, olives, onion and tomato. Ngoc ordered a pesto pasta – which was delicious. We were very happy campers.

MonteCarlo Pizza

Afterwards we went to Il Gelato di San Crispino for a delicious concoction of gelato. We sat near the fountain in front of the Pantheon and just took in the atmosphere. After finishing we decided we wanted more gelato… so off we went to Gelateria Della Palma, another famous gelateria in Rome. We went back to the Pantheon to finish our second gelato in 20 minutes. Then we decided that we’d walk back to our bed & breakfast.

Overall, it was a beautiful day and I can’t wait to put my pictures up!

Today has probably been the best and fullest day we’ve had thusfar. It started out at 9am. We had breakfast made by our lovely hostess Maria. I really want an Italian grandmother – she’s amazing! Super nice and so gracious about making sure we had a good breakfast before we left the B&B.

Started with a croissant filled with custard, also a strawberry yogurt and homemade cappuccino! We also made some new friends who we might go to Pompeii with… but not sure yet of the plans.

Well we started the day by hiking out to the Colosseum & the Palatine. We entered the Palatine first to look at all the ruins and the Roman Forum. It was a very sunny (and cloud-less) day, which meant that it was also very hot. There was a breeze, which was excellent in the shade.

The Colosseum

Ngoc decided to play tour guide and make stuff up about some of the ruins. We also climbed into some parts of the ruins that were probably off-limits, but no one was watching… so it’s not “illegal” until someone says you can’t do it right?

The Roman Forum

After the Palatine we went to the Colosseum. I was surprised at how unimpressed I was with the interior. Perhaps I was expecting something much grander? I guess it was impressive – size, history, etc etc, but I think that because I was hungry I was a little cranky.

We walked toward the Pantheon after the Colosseum, but stopped in at a random cafe to eat. This was around 3pm, so the cafe was empty. Many locals stopped in and they all seemed to know one another. We both ordered salads which were HUGE!

Also, one of the regulars took it upon himself to take our orders. Then when we were taking pictures, he decided he wanted to pose with Ngoc and even give her a kiss!

Ngoc's New Friend at Cafe di Angeli

After lunch, it was off to the Pantheon. I was really impressed with this building — the large hole in the dome left me with my greatest question: “What happens when it rains?” Luckily my tour book cleared it up when it said that there were drains right under the hole in the dome in the marble floor.

The Imposing Pantheon!

The most exciting part was our first trip to the gelateria! We went to one recommended in the tour book – Cremeria Monteforte. I ordered melon & strawberry. Ngoc got pistachio and another flavour I can’t remember at the moment – I’ll change this later. Can I say — WOW!? New York gelati just can’t compare.

Ngoc is super excited about gelato!

Afterwards we made our way toward Piazza Navona. There is a beautiful fountain there as well as the Sant’Agnese in Agone church. The church was amazingly intricate inside, but no pictures allowed, so I don’t have anything to show for it.

After the Piazza, we walked toward Trevi fountain, but as we walked by we saw another famous gelataria  - Giolitti. Yes, we did go in and get another HUGE serving of gelati – I got pear and mango. Ngoc got coconut and chocolate. The server also put a huge pile of whipped cream on top.

I am in love. I must learn how to make gelato!

We then walked to Trevi Fountain where we made our wishes. Ngoc made 4  with coins from Hungary & Czech and the Euro & a US Penny. I made 2 with a 20 cent Euro & a Czech Koruna. We sat for awhile before deciding that we’d also do the Spanish Steps.

Making a wish at Trevi Fountain!

So then we strolled to the Spanish Steps which were crowded with people. The whole city is currently filled with tourists, but no matter how many tourists, it’s still a lovely city to be in.

We sat at the steps for awhile before walking the mile or two back to our b&b (but not before picking up some doner kebab).

Ending a great day at the Spanish Steps!

Now I’m uploading Rome Day 1 – A Selection on Flickr.

Ngoc and I are in the airport lounge waiting for our flight to Rome. Today was a fabulous day! It started out relatively early – 9am. We set off to Central Kavehaz again for breakfast. I also bought a box of macarons!

12 Macarons!

Then we took the tram across the Danube River to Gellert Hotel to go to the Gellert Baths.

The inside of the Gellert Hotel is breathtaking (very elegant). Ngoc describes the inside of the hotel as similar to what she’d imagine a palace bathroom (with a pool). We went inside and got our own changing cabin – complete with “bed” and a locker. Then we went to the thermal baths. The water was either 36*C or 38*C. We went into the 38*C bath. Note to those who wish to visit thermal baths — it’s clothing optional. Although, most people who opt for nudity tend to be those over the age of 50… just in case you were wondering.

After the thermal bath, we wanted to go to the pools. They have 2, an indoor and an outdoor. The outdoor pool is on the upper level and is also a wave pool. The deepest it goes is about 250cm. Let’s just say that in my attempt to touch the ground, I also freaked myself out.

The indoor pool is in a beautiful atrium. There’s stone lion statues with water coming out of their mouths and the ceiling opens up to the beautiful sunny skies. There’s also old ladies doing aerobics, families with their children and other random guests.

Indoor Poor at Gellert Baths

After taking dips in the pool (and seeing that we both had gotten horribly tan which we did not expect since it was actually a cloudy day) we went back to the thermal bath just to relax. Then Ngoc and I tried the sauna and since I was dying, I went to lay out in our little cabana. Then I decided I totally needed a massage, so for about $14-15 I got a 15 minute massage.

We left Gellert around 1:30pm and we were starving, so we went to the Central Market to eat some food on the 2nd floor. The service at the place we went to was HORRIBLE. I would never eat at that stand again… I ordered stuffed cabbage (which was good) but the lady just slopped it on and even tho she almost dropped the plate (she did lose some of the sauerkraut) she didn’t even try to give me a new plate.

Afterwards we went through the market to look for more souvenirs. Unfortunately I didn’t find anything that I quite liked.

Then we got our bags and headed to a pick-up point to go to the airport. The transport was 30 minutes late, but we got to the airport, through the ticket counter + security with relatively little hassle.

Sun Setting over the Adriatic Sea

It was waiting for our luggage when we arrived in Rome that was the biggest problem. We had requested and paid for 2 seats on a bus to take us to the main centre of Rome, but unfortunately, despite our flight arriving on time at 9:40pm, our luggage didn’t come out to baggage claim until 10:45pm. Then we had to run to catch the last train to Termini Station… and we literally ran through the airport. Well not before we ran around frantically trying to get money out of the ATMs (they weren’t working for our cards).

We arrived at our bed & breakfast and so far it’s awesome! A really nice private room w/ private bath and the owner and managers of the b&b are totally sweet and awesome. More updates to come and pictures too!

I have learned a lot of things about myself since coming here.

1) I enjoy fruit drinks (ok I already knew this, but gosh! So many different options here…)

2) I am definitely afraid of the dark – but more on that later

I think our suite-mates (we live in a 3 room apartment, but we have our own room) are making something delicious, because some amazing smells are coming from the kitchen right now.

Anyway, today was really packed. We headed out around 10am and went to Central Kavehaz near our hostel. I was so excited to finally got a good coffeehouse. I ordered a Viennese Coffee, Chocolate Croissant and a Pear Juice.

Breakfast at Central Kafehaz

If there’s one thing I’ll miss about Europe — it’ll be all the fruit juices. The pear juice was AMAZING. We must bring it to America!

After breakfast, we went to Central Market Hall (Nagy Vasarcsarnok) which was filled stall after stall with fruits, vegetables, meat, and upstairs – souvenirs and traditional Hungarian food! We tried to look at all the stalls and we bought some paprika and other souvenirs.

Central Market Hall in Budapest

After the market, we walked down Vaci Utca and did a little shopping, but in the end we got on the metro and headed to the Buda Royal Palace. There are some amazing views of Pest from up there and we took a lot of photos.

After walking all around the palace, we ate lunch in a small cafe near the back exit. Then it was off to the underground labyrinth.

The labyrinth was the scariest part of the trip. A) the air was very stale and B) I was scared out of my wits of the dark. Besides being dark, wet, and smelly, it was also scary and there was some sort of mysterious cult music playing.

Ngoc is a little scared...

I slipped a few times on the wet floor and it was quite cold. The problem with the maze was how DARK it was. It seriously was so dark at times I couldn’t see Ngoc. I was using my camera flash for light. There was one area called the “Labyrinth of Courage” which was, seriously, just no lights. Darkness… and nothing else. Needless to say, Ngoc was trying to get out of there was quickly as possible, and I was trying to be cautious and when Ngoc disappeared from in front of me there’s me yelling “NGOC? NGOC? NGOC?”

Once we go out, I felt a lot better. Light makes me feel safe heh. Anyway, we left and went to Margaret Island — which is BEAUTIFUL. We went to the Japanese Garden and then walked the whole length of the island.

Japanese Garden

After the island, it was time to go eat, so we went back to Vaci Utca and had some Hungarian food (which wasn’t very Hungarian if you ask me… just “touristy”) and now we’re back at the hostel.

Check Flickr for “Budapest Day 2 – A Selection.”

Arrival in Budapest was at 8:30am this morning. The big open air train station is pretty amazing and packed with travelers. Budapest is really run down in that area in town, but I think I was expecting something grand after coming from Prague.

Budapest Keleti Train Station

We took the local bus to our hostel which is on the 4th floor (no elevator) of an old fashioned building near the famous Vaci Utca (a shopping street). We climbed up and were introduced to a 4-person mixed dorm room… where two half naked guys were sleeping. I was a little horrified and had us upgraded (ugh for US$30/person/night more) to a 2 person private room. I think that was the best decision I’ve made so far on this trip.

Do you see the legs of the half naked guy?

Well, since the room wasn’t ready, we went to the flea market in this big park in the northeast part of Pest. There were a ton of booths and a lot of old soviet memorabilia. It was getting really hot (today was about 91* or more) but we walked around the park and looked at the castle which had a small church and an agricultural museum and we also walked to Heroes Square which is a big memorial.

Who are these Hungarian Heroes?

After that, we took the metro and stopped at nearly every stop to look at the buildings and all the sights.

We ate in Oktogon. There’s a street filled with cafes. We finally got to try some Hungarian goulash – with lamb, potatoes and some tiny noodles. It was faintly spicy and very flavourful. Very much like beef stew (except with lamb) and very very red.

Ngoc enjoying Hungarian Goulash

After eating we went to St. Stephen’s Basilica. It was HUGE inside and very nice and cool. We left and went across the plaza to “California Coffee Company” and had some iced tea and watermelon. After enjoying the view from the 2nd floor window (and the AC) we decided that we wanted to walk the Chain Bridge to Buda. It was a short walk and the Buda side has the best views.

It’s very eerie in Buda because there were basically NO people. Every once in awhile we’d run into another set of tourists or a local here or there, but really it was just us on empty streets.

We climbed up a “mountain” (aka a hill) to Matthia’s Church. There were great sweeping views of Pest and an awesome view of the Hungarian Parliament Building.

We sat on the steps eating some gelato when this tourist (I believe he was Eastern European, but he didn’t talk much so I couldn’t tell where he was from) sat down next to me.. and had his wife take a picture of us… Has he never met a real live Asian before? Was I just so awesome looking sitting on the steps that he just had to get a picture?? I have no idea.

After finishing up, we went down the meeting, back to the empty streets of Buda and got to the metro station. We got back to where our hostel is, and did some grocery shopping. We’re eating on the cheap to save money for Rome. (Plus food in Budapest is not that great).

Anyway, tomorrow we have a big day ahead of us – the Castle w/ underground labyrinth and maybe Margaret Island – where they have some thermal hot springs (about 100* water…). We’ll see. More updates to come – check Flickr!

You would not believe how tiny this compartment is… There’s 3 people in about 30 square feet of space. There’s 3 bunks and it’s nothing like Harry Potter. Yes, I did imagine the train to be like the big train cars in Harry Potter. Boy, did I think wrong.

We arrived early to the train station and got onto the train a little before the 9:40pm departure. Our car also has another girl, she is from London. There is no place to sit, so all we can do was lay down. How awkward. There’s no air conditioning on the trains too, so it is unbearably hot, but since the train is moving, the cold air comes into the compartment making it a lot better.

3 Bunks in Tiny Train Compartment

I ate dinner sitting up with my head in the window sill (since it was so hot). Anyway, tomorrow we arrive in Budapest at 8:30am!

Just got back from a day of walking and walking and more walking. Let me tell you: don’t bring new shoes on a trip. No matter how much I try to get them fixed, they are not comfortable. I already bought a new pair of shoes, but they are proving to not be that great either. So let me laugh and say that I will be purchasing a pair of sneakers here.

Well, we crossed the Charles Bridge and went to Au Gourmande for breakfast. Ngoc ordered a salmon croissant sandwich, while I ordered a chocolate croissant and a banana chocolate crepe. I was obviously in a sweet mood.

Desserts at Au Gourmande

Afterwards we walked down to Wenceslas Square where we shopped. They have this huge store called “New Yorker” here which is kind of like a Forever 21/H&M hybrid.

We ate lunch a Au Gourmande (another location) and let me tell you, I love LOVE French bakeries.

Afterwards we walked around the Jewish Quarter. It was incredibly eerie due to the fact that there were only about a handful of people outside. Very quiet.

View of Prague Castle from the Jewish Quarter

The day was a little hot, but not bad in the shade. I’m praying Budapest and Rome have plenty of shade.

We’re off to the train to overnight it to Budapest in about 20 minutes.

So concludes day 2 of my Prague adventure. It’s been really great here. There’s so much to see that I’m kind of regretting only spending 2.5 days here! After finishing up the rest of Little Quarter, Ngoc and I decided to cross the Charles Bridge into Old Town.

View of Little Quarter from Charles Bridge

So in the less than 24 hours I’ve been here, I’ve already taken over 1600 pictures… Uh oh. Luckily I have 18gb of memory with me… unfortunately… I won’t have enough space on my computer, so I’ll have to work on figuring out a way to get all the pictures (ok, not all 1600, a selection) onto Flickr and so on.

Anyway, Old Town was amazing. We walked around for awhile before we arrived at Old Town Square. There were amazing views of Kinsky Palace, the Tyn Church and we also saw the astronomical clock.

Tyn Church

We walked until my feet were completely dead. Old town is very beautiful. There are a lot of little alleyways to see and some of them are even deserted so you can sneak in a great picture.

Deserted Street in Old Town

Then we made our way back across the Charles Bridge into Little Quarter. The sun was setting, so we had some great shots of the pink sky behind Prague Castle.

Sunset over Prague

Afterwards we had dinner (which was very expensive btw). One thing I dislike about Prague is touristy-ness of the prices for food. The food isn’t anything special and should not be priced as it is… I expect NYC style meals for what I’ve been paying for grilled fish or roasted duck (which was very gamey).

I am saving my money for Rome and eating my weight in gelato. So… it’s unfortunate that I’m spending a fortune on Prague

My pictures will be up on Flickr soon – so check them out – Prague Day 1 – A Selection!