A Postcard from Prague
At four in the morning, our whole generation met at Nikola Tesla Airport. At that moment I didn’t feel like going to Prague. I wanted to be back home, sleeping in my bed.
We were all on the bus as the guide started telling us what we would be seeing. I wasn’t paying much attention to that because I was more interested in the people I would meet and the overall atmosphere there. So, I’d like to steer you away from the landmarks you can easily find online and focus instead on something you can’t.
The first thing I noticed when we landed was how cold it was, but somehow the atmosphere felt warm. People from different nationalities who had come from all over the world to see the same sights as I had made everything feel more welcoming. Smiles from families on vacation made the surroundings even more pleasant. It felt like we already knew each other. The guards in front of the cathedral were doing their job diligently, but they weren’t alone—people were taking pictures with them. Next to the guards was a knight handing out wooden swords and good vibes to everyone passing by, making our day brighter.
On the second day, we went to Karlovy Vary. Suddenly, we were caught off guard by loud sirens and alarms, leaving us confused and scared. In the end, our teacher explained that it was just an air raid drill. This made the day and the experience unique and unforgettable. As we walked through Karlovy Vary, we saw many elderly couples, deeply in love, warming themselves by drinking hot water from souvenir cups. Even though it was raining, this made my day warmer and brighter.
On the third day, we accidentally stumbled upon a cake shop. The pink façade, with ribbons and welcoming decorations by the door, showcased lovingly made pastries that were left on display with the trust that no one would take them—and no one did. An elderly woman with a magical smile worked at the stall, and the moment she saw us, she made me feel like I was visiting my grandma for some homemade treats.
On the fourth day, we changed our route and went to Dresden. It just so happened that they were having an autumn festival in October. As we walked by, we saw people selling mulled wine to keep warm, various tools, and magnets. But one stand, in particular, caught the attention of my friends and me. An elderly couple was selling wooden spatulas, ladles, and cutting boards. My friend and I each bought a cutting board for our families, and the woman revealed that, if we wanted, she could use pyrography to engrave the names of our loved ones into the wood as a gift. She didn’t speak much English, and we didn’t know German, but our smiles were enough for her to see how delighted we were.
On the fifth day, before our flight, we had another chance to visit the city center and take a walk. We decided to follow the guide’s advice and “get lost in Prague.” Of course, we had maps on our phones, so we had a general idea of where we were. We made a few wrong turns here and there, but we didn’t regret it because we stumbled upon a retro clothing store. When we walked in, the woman greeted us with a smile. The shop didn’t just have vintage clothes; there were also old-fashioned tea sets, flags, and radios from the 1980s. The whole store took us back in time until we had to leave.
I hope this gives you a true picture of Prague and our experience there, and that traveling is not just about the sights you see, but the moments you live through.
Tara Manigodić IIa
