Prague, Czech Republic

The lobby

Prague was the primary reason for this cruise adventure. It was on my bucket list. My grandfather was born in Prague in 1888. He left when he was sixteen and entered the USA with his siblings in 1905. Much as Bob tried, he was unable to locate any records with more detail than what Ellis Island offered. Still, I was curious to see the city where he came from and learn anything I could about what was going on there at that point in time.

The restaurant, all tiled

The bus ride from Regensburg to Prague was about three hours long with one rest stop. I found it interesting that our transfer guide brought to our attention the crossing of the border into the Czech Republic. He called it "The Iron Curtain." I hadn't heard that term in a long time and the term no longer applies to the divide that separated Western Europe from the Soviet Union and its satellite states.

Our hotel was one of the oldest in the city. The Art Deco Imperial Hotel dates back to the 1400s. The original building burned down and was reconstructed in the 1700s and early 1800s. Many famous Czechs from history are associated with the hotel either having stayed here or owned it. During WWII, the Nazis occupied it and for quite a while after the war, it took some time for locals to patronize the hotel and restaurant again. In 2022 extensive reconstruction was done to bring it back to its grandeur.

Our room has a high ceiling and two large windows are hung with heavy damask drapery. Needless to say the bathroom is much larger than the one we have endured for the two weeks on the riverboat. I can wash my hair without my elbows hitting the sides of the shower. The door to our room is at least nine feet or more in height and a heavy dark wood. 

The restaurant attached is decorated in carved and painted tiles with amazing detailing. It was here I raised my first Czech Pilsner in memory of my grandfather. He taught me several words in Bohemian. Pivo--beer, Nazdrovi--cheers, Jak se mate?--How are you? and we always answered "dobre" or well.

So armed with very little language, I am grateful that everyone speaks English as well. I stay out of trouble that way.