Czech Please

This past weekend I went to Prague for Saturday night…that is correct I went to the Czech Republic for one night. I considered it my “One Night Only” weekend. The rest of the crew (Braden and Anna Mark, Shannon and Andy Block and Josh) were able to take Monday off, prompting the trip and I decided not to miss the opportunity. So at 9am Saturday morning we landed in Prague, with Czech Crowns, no hotel reservation and a vague idea where to go. This is my idea of traveling (well sort of).

We hopped in a cab and got dropped off just outside the city center. Please don’t mistake that with we asked to get dropped off outside the city center. No, no, the cab driver pulled over, told us what direction to head and took off. Yup, we were off to a great start. We spent the first hour wandering around the city looking for the perfect hotel. And surprisingly we found it (finally my bad luck with traveling is wearing off – read the Naples entries to get an idea). After dropping off our bags we hit the city on foot checking out the basic sites such as the Charles Bridge and Castle, while stopping for refreshments every 100m.

Our afternoon drinks turned into happy hour which turned into dinner and then finally a desire to go out. Based on recommendations from two friends (via text message during dinner when they found out I was in Prague for the night) and Andy’s vague recollection of a big club by the river we set off. But not without roadies….four red bulls and a fifth of vodka for the girls and we were set. Unfortunately the liquor store didn’t have cups or straws so we made do and mixed the drinks in the can. It sounded great at the time, until some local Czechs gave us the sigh of disapproval.

The club was amazing; four floors of music ranging from Top 40, Disco, Rap and House. We danced the night away on the top floor to Britney, Timbaland and all of our favorites (literally all of our favorites, the DJ was all too willing to play anything we requested). Needing a break we decided to check out the first floor but ended up stopping on the third and dancing to the 80s. Shocking, me in a different country rocking out to Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer and singing at the top of my lungs. At this point though the normal 80s lover than I am took things to a whole new level, what with 4 red bull vodkas down. I just wanted to dance. And that is what I did. (Think Tommy Boy and “Maniac”) I was that random American girl dancing like an arse, running in place to the song. To round things out nicely, Braden performed his best air guitar to La Bamba for some older women.

After the club and on our way home we decided to check out Goldfinger, a gentleman’s club across the street from our hotel. The entrance fee was 450crowns (or about CHF30) per person but given the late hour (and our state of mind) it seemed too high. We eventually talked the bouncer down to 500 total plus 450 for a bottle of champagne (about CHF60 in total for everyone). Apparently we thought this was still too high and walked away. It was probably for the best, but looking back I don’t think we will ever get a deal like that again.

Instead we went back to the room and crashed for the night. Well, at least most people did. I spent most of the night with the Red Bull shakes, swearing off the juice for ever. And unfortunately it didn’t get better the rest of the night or following day. But thankfully, everyone else was just as wrecked. Yes, misery loves company.

We finally got out of the room Sunday in time for a late lunch in the main square. Accidentally we sat in front of the famous astrological clock and had ideal seats to watch “death” ring the bell for 3 o’clock. Like I said we were all wrecked and moving a little slow. After lunch the girls attempted shopping but ended it quickly in favor of a quick nap. I left the group sleeping, hopped in cab to the airport and I was home in time for dinner.