Ah, Prague. Lots of Americans visit for the cheap beer and beautiful architecture, but this city has special meaning for me. It was high on my list for as long as I can remember. I knew that I’d enjoy walking the city, reading about its history, making friends with the locals, and finding out about myself along the way, but I was surprised by how emotional it felt. Having an immediate, personal connection to Prague changed the way that I experienced it, like no other city had done.
Generally speaking, everything you hear about Prague is true – it’s one of the most stunning cities I’ve ever seen. The cobblestones will destroy your ankles without good walking shoes, though, and I was glad to be wearing my Campers. (They come with me everywhere!) The Jewish Quarter is pretty special, but the name is a misnomer – it’s actually a very small section of the city, but it’s worth a separate visit. I stopped for a traditional lunch in the neighborhood, too, for a taste of home. Absolutely delicious!
I took a day-trip to Terezin, also for personal reasons. On the train I met two American girls who had been studying in Italy for the semester. They explained to me that they felt strongly about visiting Terezin, a former ghetto and concentration camp, since most Holocaust survivors have since passed and can no longer tell their stories. I was impressed by that – my reasons for going were so different, and they seemed so young and distanced from it. In truth, none of that mattered once we were on-site… We were all witnesses to history, to the atrocities inflicted there, regardless of connection to it.
With all of the places I’ve seen, Prague is always one that I rave about, to everyone who will listen. I recognize that it’s particularly meaningful to me, but I do think that its soul is special.