travel with aimee

We arrived in Prague on the 27th of March in time for a glorious sunset. We had booked in to the OneFam Home after the one in Budapest being so amazing.

As it was our month-iversary, we treated ourselves to have dinner out. We found a place called Meat and Greet which was a fancy burger restaurant. We got ourselves a drink, Beer and a raspberry mojito, then ordered a burger each and some fries. It was so yummy and the sweet potato fries were the best i’ve ever had. Big thumbs up!

We were interested in the drinking games of the Prague OneFam so went to their sister hostel OneFam Downtown. The best part of these hostels were that they held free family dinners most nights and when we arrived they were plating everyone’s tea up. Obviously we noted this for future reference.

We went to a supermarket to get a few drinks while everyone ate as unlike the one in Prague, there wasn’t a bar. When we got back we sat with a group of people who seemed chatty and friendly. I talked to Denika and Sammy, two girls from America, while Ben chatted to Alex from England and Josh from Scotland. We were also joined by Jeremy, from Quebec in our dorm, and Harrison, an Aussie. We bonded straight away, getting everyone’s socials, and chatting for hours. Josh was hilarious and we got on super well with him.

Everyone was heading out with the hostel to a club that night, but since Ben and I had already splashed out we decided to head back. The boys all got a photo together and then another with me in it.

And that was the beginning of ‘Pragues Main Characters’

28th March –

Ben and I went on another Aimee guided tour of Prague. We saw the Cloth tower, cute old toy shops (one was even next to a hooters…odd location for a toy shop), and the main square. We were in time to watch the Astronomical Clock go off as it goes at the start of every hour. Let’s just say, it’s very underwhelming and anti climactic as it’s little rotating characters in a tiny window above the clock. We enjoyed walking through the streets a lot and went to see the book spiral in the Muncipal Library. However upon seeing the queue, we did not wait in line to get a photo inside of it.

Much to our delight, we stumbled upon a magical place called ‘The playground’. It was a humungous toy store with a slide inside! Of course, we went on it…twice!

That night, the drinking games were at our hostel with free homemade sangria! It was very very good. Compared to the other hostel, OneFam Home Prague was nowhere near as good as Budapest. The atmosphere was much calmer, people were more sat down and chilled, not the party people we expected. The drinking games seemed unplanned and like many of the staff didn’t know them? So, Ben and I took charge and led our fave of all time : Pizza Box! Despite its amazing reputation, it did not take off…wrong crowd i think.

The hostel also held night events however each one was for a fee to join, so the Prague Main characters rebelled and created our own plan of a pub crawl. Turns out no one had paid for the hostels pub crawl and everyone wanted to follow us! I got appointed leader and even offered a job. Bear in mind, I don’t know Prague and had hardly explored it yet so I appointed Alex, who claimed he knew a ‘strip’. Spoiler : He did not. We followed him like headless chickens until one of the staff suggested we go to Joystick, a bar with arcade games. So that’s where we went, however the vibes were severely defeated due to the stress of finding somewhere so after a drink or two, Ben and I retreated back, swearing to never lead again.

29th March –

We woke up quite late to an invite to brunch with ‘Pragues Main characters’. Invitation accepted. We went to a cafe called Jewel where we all sat like cutie patooties and ordered our food. Ben, Alex, Josh and Harrison all ordered the english breakfast which they regretted after realising the beans were cold. I got french toast which was gorgeous and after a bite of mine, Alex and Harrison ordered themselves some too. When it came to paying, Josh found one of the waitresses very fit and so tipped 25% in hope of her number on the receipt in return…this did not happen.

After brunch we all stuck together as Alex cruised Prague streets in his long coat, living his main character fantasy. That’s how the name began. We walked through a little market and that’s where we found out our other member, Justin, was an amazing photographer. Boom, the group was complete with our very own paparazzi. He was so lovely and so good at what he did.

We walked over Charles Bridge and got Alex to do the iconic Depeche Mode pose as he was perfectly dressed for the occasion. He was chuffed with the results. Jeremy told us about the metal dog we had to touch in order to gain good luck so we all stroked it. We then carried on to see Prague castle. Once again we followed Alex who said we got a tram, however when we got off we actually headed back the way we just came, why we didn’t learn to not follow Alex I really don’t know.

About a thousand stairs later we were at the castle. The views were stunning and we awed at the cathedral. Even turning our heads upside down to see ‘every angle’ courtesy of Alex.

Soon, everyone decided a beer was in need. Especially since Pilsners in Prague are €2. Before that though, we had to visit Pragues main attraction : The water rats! They were so funky with bright orange teeth. We then found an Irish Pub and all got a drink. It was short lived as we practically downed them to leave as quickly as possible. Not the right vibe for Pragues Main Characters.

We all headed back for the free family dinner which was…unusual. It was what Ben described as tomato soup with lentils on rice. Oh well, it was free. Once everyone was ready, we gained the newest member : Mr Chow and headed for a night of heavy drinking. We found one pub which was like the catacombs and all began our crawl there. The barman was literally smoking weed as he served us and when I got to the front, I got ID’d and then upon proving my age, he gave me a free shot. Can’t complain. It felt a bit too ‘local filled’ and Josh wanted tourism. Not to be stared at like outsiders as we entered.

So we moved on and found another pretty decent bar called Pop up and all sat upstairs. Espresso Martinis and Pilsners filled our table and we just sat, chatting and drinking for hours. We were joined by some of the girls we had also met, Desiree Ronnie and Jasmine, and after another few drinks moved on. Alex found a pretty cool club type bar however since it was already early in the morning and Ben got literally groped by a woman, Ben and I left.

We both sat on the sofas outside our room for a little bit just talking to some other people in the hostel and after I went to bed, Ben stayed up talking for a bit longer. From that night, he scored us a free bottle of vodka a girl no longer wanted. Well done Ben!

30th March –

Our group began to dwindle as Jeremy and Justin left and so Josh, Alex , Harrison Ben and I went out for some lunch. We got a pretty decent burger and then all went to the National Museum. It was so fun and Josh and Alex bought a 0 euro note for €3.50 as a souvenir.

Obviously, we once again indulged in the free hostel dinner…sort of a tomato spaghetti? Then, went on a little walk together before returning back and playing chess. Hostel nights, amirite?! We vowed to wake up in time to all say goodbye in the morning as we were all leaving tomorrow.

31st March –

It was a very bittersweet (soundtrack of our group) goodbye as this was the bestest friends we had formed yet. We had had such a good time together and it was so sad to all be going our separate ways.

One by one we left and Ben and I moved on to a different accommodation where we would spend the rest of our time in Prague.

1st April –

We decided we needed to check out our final few landmarks including the narrowest alley, John Lennon wall, Franz Kafka head and the dancing house. I also got my very own Depeche mode photo on Charles Bridge.

I was so excited for bed as the next day was practically Christmas. My parents were coming! I couldn’t wait, i struggled to sleep due to pure excitement!!!

2nd April –

Waking Ben up, hurrying him along and practically running out the door, we headed to the hotel where my parents were staying.

The doors to the hotel lobby opened and it felt like rays of sunshine were beaming down on my mum and dad. It was so good to see them. I ran up to them and gave them a massive hug. It felt so good to be in their arms again. We went up to their room with them, unpacked their luggage and took out the things they had brought for us. Like I said, it was practically christmas. New clean clothes, our headphones, some food. It was glorious. Best haul ever.

We all set out together to show them Prague and grab some drinks. We began in the main square, and then went to a place down some streets. We talked for hours, relishing company of people from home. I don’t think I have ever felt as much bliss as I did this day. We got some food aswell since it was lunch time and we were all quite hungry, especially my parents who had been up since 4am! We spent all day with them, bar hopping and just enjoying their company. When it got to tea time we went to a place called ‘Fat Cat’ and got an absolute feast! My dad and Ben got a 3L beer tower to share and mum and I got cocktails. We got nachos and chicken to start then all had our mains. It was so good. They also gave us milkshakes with our bill! Better than the usual mint or two!! We then waddled back to their hotel where mum dropped like a fly to sleep. It was quite impressive. Ben and I then left them be while we got back to our accommodation. The most perfect of days.

3rd April

I told Ben as soon as I woke up, there was going to be many tears this day, and I wasn’t wrong. We all met up once again and this time explored more over Charles Bridge. We went in some souvenir shops, had a few drinks at different places and then made a stop to try the famous chimney cake (it’s actually Hungarian but they sell them everywhere in Prague.)

We then went to a little restaurant down the narrowest alley for more drinks and eventually some food. Throughout the whole day i kept leaking tears. When it was time, we walked back with them, waited for their taxi and said our goodbyes.

I cried so hard into Ben, thinking about how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. I just felt so appreciative of life and everyone in it. The world just felt so full of love.

4 April –

With very puffy eyes from all my tears, we left the next morning to continue our journey and enter the world of bratwurst and dachshunds : Germany.

MUST SEE’s :

• Astronomical clock
• Municipal Library
• John Lennon wall
• Narrowest alley
• Prague Castle and Cathedral
• Franz Kafka rotating head
• Dancing House
• Charles bridge
• Water rats!