This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

The reasons for going to the Czech Republic, for me, have always been many. In particular Prague had always fascinated me: for the historical events that happened there: from the defestration of Prague, an episode that triggered the 30 Years War; to the Jan Palach suicide and the Prague Spring . But also for the many literary settings from Franz Kafka‘s Castle, to Umberto Eco‘s Prague Cemetery.

I have been there four times and always in very different modes and with very different company. A couple of times I also combined it with other destinations nearby or passing through. The first was in August 2001, 8 days with friend and rental car. This, was our itinerary that also included stops in Slovakia and Slovenia.

Going out with a pair of dirty underwear in hand

In the summer of 2001 I was proposed on a traveling trip by a colleague. That experience did not satisfy me completely, and for a long time I had it in my mind to return in the winter period. Rightly, I was convinced that the city could render more of its aura of mystery. Although I had already been on trips, even solo ones, I was not as hungry at the time as I was later. I had been working steadily for a very short time, but I was mainly devoting both my economic and time resources to activities with friends. My friends were super couch potatoes and I accepted without question the proposal and also the itinerary of my colleague.

On the first morning in Prague, my colleague walked around for half an hour holding a pair of dirty underwear that he had reduced very very badly. He had brought them specifically so that he could use them one last time, not have to wash them, and return with more space in his suitcase. This is actually something I sometimes did myself later on, perhaps for trips where you really need to gain space in your suitcase.

Going to the Czech Republic so not just Prague

We rented a car from Italy, and as a quick intermediate stop we stopped in lovely Cesky Krumlov. In Prague we saw a bit of everything, but at a very leisurely pace. While on the road I pawed to start seeing and doing from the early morning. I fell in love with the narrow streets between the square with the clock and the Charles Bridge, but also with the excellent beer that was then very cheap and the rustic taverns. Speaking of which I also fell in love with two lovely little Canadian sisters we met on the last night.

Evening with Canadians, the highlight of my going to the Czech Republic

The waiters at the crowded place asked if we could share a table with these two. It was one of the funniest evenings of my life, also made funny by the various misunderstandings that can arise when four languages are spoken at the same table: Italian (me and my colleague); French (the two Canadians); German (one of them with my colleague); and English (me with the two of them).

The apotheosis was reached with the translation of the Latin origin of my name Fabio (of the fava/he who grows fava beans) into Mr. Bean, since the fava is related to the bean. I would have stayed in Prague with them, but the schedule called for Bratislava. I was quite unmotivated, so I didn’t like the Slovak capital (I re-evaluated it by returning years later) but made up for it in part with a series of silly photos.

At that time without social it was not easy to keep in touch as I later happened to have even with people far away, so I never heard from the Canadians again. As mentioned before, I liked touring Prague so much in the evening with few people and without the crowds of rowdy Italians, that I was left with the idea of going back in the winter, maybe with snow.

Visiting Bratislava and its statues

Years later I returned and appreciated Bratislava better. On one of the thousand times I went with my basketball club to the tournament in Vienna, I loaded the boys on the bus leaving them with my colleagues and took the opportunity to go to the Slovak capital.

Even the first time I remember being amused by the many even funny statues scattered around the center. While I had not lingered over the beautiful bridge that looks like a flying saucer, which I later learned is one of a kind in the world.

This time I enjoyed it much more, and it is proof that I like certain places (but not only) depending on the condition in which I visit them. In my case, I must also say that if I am alone, I almost always get along with myself; whereas if I do not have enough like-minded company it happens that I become impatient and do not enjoy it. There is no right or wrong way, but it is people who are different and perhaps I am not very adaptable.

More travel in and around Prague Go to Prague, plus see Snow White’s castle

Trips taken, travel stories divided by continent

Countries visited in my travel stories

Anecdotes, divided by type in travel narratives

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Fabio Viroli

Ho sempre avuto tante passioni, ma da sempre più o meno latenti, le principali sono viaggiare e scrivere. Tra le altre cose ho una laurea in psicologia; ho fatto per più di 30 anni l’allenatore di basket; leggo tanti libri; sono stato molto appassionato di sport e di musica rock; e faccio improvvisazione teatrale. IL mio primo romanzo, che non parla di viaggi, si chiama LE TUE GAMBE SONO BELLE COME LE TAGLIATELLE

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