Prague - Clare Conway

Hey everyone! So we've been back from our Central Europe voyage for almost a week now, and the last city we visited was Prague. Before I left, everyone I knew was telling me how gorgeous Prague was and how lucky I was to be traveling there. Even though the weather did not cooperate in the least (cold and rainy, like we never left Boston), I was still able to enjoy the beautiful architecture and historical sites throughout the city. The appearance of Prague itself, with its cobblestone sidewalks and mix of new and old buildings, was one of the city's most striking and memorable aspects. This is of note coming from the United States, where the cities are only hundreds of years old. European cities have thousands of years of history and settlements, adding to the eclectic mix of modern and historical buildings.

One of the most important historical sites we visited was Wenceslas Square, named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. Fittingly, there is a large statue of him in front of the National Museum (which actually has bullet marks on certain pillars from Soviet fire). The square was home to many key events in the history of the former Czechoslovakia, as well as being a place where many Prague-ians go to either protest or celebrate. Interestingly, two young students decided to set themselves on fire in the square in 1969 to protest Soviet occupation. There is a memorial to them at the top of the square, and then a plaque in the middle of the square. Additionally, many demonstrations were held in the square during the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Even though some of the countries we have visited (including the Czech Republic) have had a history of Communism, Prague's overall appearance today seems virtually untouched by Communism. However, I think that the memory of this period is fresh in their minds: many advertisement-like billboards were up in the square commemorating 20 years since the fall of Communist rule in the Czech Republic. In contrast, Bratislava was filled with drab, spartan concrete apartment buildings which were all too revealing of a Communist past.

Also, listening to several of the women entrepreneurs in Prague was a highlight of the trip, as hearing how they have successfully worked on their own terms made me consider starting my own business. Their success in their own enterprises in a still male-dominated business world was truly encouraging. Even though Sarka (who owned her own tour guide company) suggested that starting a business early will allow you to spend more time with your children once you decide to have them, I am unsure that I will have enough knowledge and skill to become an entrepreneur right out of college.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay in Prague, but unfortunately the weather put a damper on any more outdoor activity. I would certainly come back, as there was so much more to see and do in the city that three and a half days did not allow for.