We didn't do much for the beginning of our 3 days in Prague because the cold (-15ºC) really just made it unpleasant to even go outside...especially when one has a limited amount of clothes, AND when the majority of those clothes were packed with Southern Asia in mind. We met some cool people, mostly Americans, and in the evenings enjoyed delicious, cheap (like everything else in Prague, and supposedly most of eastern Europe), Czech beer! And, the rest of the time spent indoors was dedicated to preparation for our upcoming change!
We did, thankfully, force ourselves to go out to explore the beautiful city. The grandeur of everything, the buildings, roads, even sidewalks, was quite the contrast from Amsterdam's quaintness. We explored the Wencesias Sqare where all the big touristy shops overwhelmed the beautiful, old architecture. We admired the old Tyn Church and the other sights in Old Town Square, and bought a few little odds and ends at the incredibly cheap street markets. We went on to the big canal/river "Vltava", and then crossed it on the Charles Bridge, heading toward the Prague Castle. We didn't actually go into the castle, but we walked all around the courtyard, got the amazing view of the city from up high, and went into the grand and colorful church. We did all this with two American (NC) guys we met that morning!
That evening, we went into the Basement Bar below the hostel, got a fe pitchers of beer, played a game of trivia (a Monday night tradition at that bar), and then started a card game with a few new friends. By 23:00 we had managed to attract at least 6 more travelers who wanted to join in the jokes, laughter, and the exchanging of stories. It was great fun!
Tuesday morning we had to get up earlier than we would've liked, and the next 50 hours was travel time, with a few 10, 20, 30 minute chances for some shut eye. We flew from Prague to Moscow, and then from Moscow to Bangkok. Upon landing in Thailand, we went through customs, to the currency exchange counter, baggage claim, and then quickly to the bathrooms to change out of our boots, and sweatshirts, and into sandals, and short sleeves. We found our way across Bangkok and to the train station where we would later catch our train to Trang (and then a bus to Koh Lanta - where our workaway is). We bought outpr train tickets, put our big packs into Baggage Storage, grabbed some much needed caffeine, and then stepped out to get a feel for Thailand! We were immediately offered rides by the little taxi cart drivers, offered any kind of info, offeres coconuts, and beers, etc. We walked a ways into the city, keeping an eye on the time (it was only 12ish, and our train left at 17h). We discovered a few big, colorful, ornate temples, and justwandered the streets which were lined with small shops selling all kinds of cheap odd and ends...and then there were even more people selling stuff all along the sidewalks on little carts. Coming from Prague where the streets held few people only out to run errands, Bangkok was bustling, and so jam packed you could hardly move at times. We didn't encounter any signs of the riots, and for the most part people were very friendly (although we did have to simply be aware and wary of those who might not have been all good intentions...but that applies anywhere and everywhere). We bought some delicious, SPICYYYY, street food: Kels got a chicken curry, and I got a big, fresh, ripe coconut, and some kind of a porridge (the only veggitarian thing around), and then I added my own fresh veggies. Now, that was risky of me because my body is not accustomed to this food or water...so I might pay for that...
We got back to the station at 16:30 (according to Kelsey's watch), and relaxed for a few minutes. When we were ready to get on the train, and were walking toward the platform, I happened to glance at the big clock in the station. It read 17:42. We had missed our train. Thankfully, there was one more train going to Trang, BUT all the first and second class seats had been reserved, leaving us with two, 3rd class seats. Normally I wouldn't complain about that, but the 2nd class tickets we had before, placed us in air conditioned sleepers (actual horizontal beds). To give you a little insight here, we hadn't slept for over 36hrs by this point, and we were really looking forward to a good nights rest before ourexciting next day. Also, the train ride was 16hrs long (no, I'm not exadurating). Thats a long time to be sitting - very upright - in a crowded, brightly lit train car, with a large, very loud crew of Thais we just knew we couldn't trust.
So, some painful stomachaches, countless, annoying, unsuccessful attempts to sleep while hugging our bags, and 16h hours later, we are about to arrive at Trang Station! Finally!
~Iolani
P.s. so sorry for the lack of posts. My blogger app has been deleting all my hard work :(
Amsterdam post and many many photos to come...!
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