2011 - Prague to Dresden

Since we only had two days in Prague, I started off by doing what I always do in an unfamiliar town. I walk, and walk, and then walk some more. During my walking I like to stop and spend time just watching the people go about their everyday lives.

Prague is actually a large city, but the part that always gets the most attention is the so called "old city". This region is actually quite small, but since it is where all visitors to the city want to go, it is almost invariably crowded with throngs of tourists.

Not only was the old city extremely crowded, when I looked down to the cobblestoned streets, I could not help but see the thousands of discarded cigarette buts that carpeted every metre. It really did detract from the beautiful medieval buildings that the busloads of tourists were busily taking selfies in front of. I began to wonder if I was the only person looking down.

The most crowded section of all was the city square, where the famous astronomical clock does its performance every hour. As the hour approaches, thousands of people cram the square to get a video of the famous spectacle. Although it was interesting, I found myself already looking forward to getting back on the bikes and enjoying the quiet lanes and bike paths again.Read more