We decided to just wait it out in the first coffee shop, which again…was gorgeous and inviting. Coffee in the center is round 55 – 70 koruny (2-3 euros). Lucky for us the rain stopped quite fast and we even got some sun after. We checked the market and all possible stores. All I bought is a magnet for my sister. It’s a tradition we have. The rest of the people expect beer of course.
Why beer?
Well the Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. So yes, you can assume it is good. The city of České Budějovice was for centuries also known by its German name, Budweis. Does that name ring any bells?
Anheuser–Busch has been involved in a trademark dispute with European beer companies, in particular the Budweiser Budvar Brewery of České Budějovice, Czech Republic, over the trademark rights to the name "Budweiser". Beer has been brewed in České Budějovice (known as Budweis in German) since it was founded by King Ottokar II of Bohemiain 1245. The name Budweiser is a derivative adjective, meaning "of Budweis". In 1876, Adolphus Busch and his friend Carl Conrad, a liquor importer, developed a "Bohemian-style" lager in the United States, inspired after a trip to the region.
In the European Union, excluding the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Finland and Spain, the American beer is marketed as Bud, as the Budweiser trademark name is owned solely by the Czech beer maker, Budweiser Budvar.
Do not buy any beer on the local vendors or stores though. One bottle can cost you even 100 koruny (4 euros). Rather look for their local stores out of the center. They are called Albert. There you can stock on your beer supply for the thirsty people waiting for you back home, for around 10 koruny (40 cents).
After all the luring death traps (stores) we finally managed to reach Charles Bridge (Karluv most).
We also decided to stop in some museums on the way. One of them was the Torture museum. Tickets are more or less the same price (round 6 euros). If you are expecting some elaborate stuff, don’t. Like everything else, it is an illusion. Yes, you can see some interesting stuff and I would recommend them if you are just lost in Prague and wanting to fill out a few minutes here and there. But most of them look like something I would put together at home.
The bridge is gorgeous. Filled with musicians and more death traps in the shape of stands selling art, jewelry and other stuff you really don’t need but want. The view from the bridge:
On the way back I decided to have another local dish. Goulash in bread. Worth its money (I don’t recall how much it was, but it was cheap). And after approx. 20km of walk I of course had to have something sweet too. God forbid I lost any calories.
These are supposedly quite traditional. There are vendors all around the center with them (besides the sausage ones). They come in two shapes more or less. The cone one which is filled with sweet cream or ice cream and the roll one. I decided to go with the roll one filled with Nutella. [Insert a very very happy face here]. It cost me 70 koruny (3 euros) ... so worth it.