Couchsurfing in Prague!

Hello friends,
Jule and I hopped on an overnight bus from Krakow to Prague.  It took us 15 hours to get there.  We met this guy named Mika on the bus who was a french professional snowboarder.  He's been retired and has been traveling the world for 4 years now and he loves extreme sports.  He talks about base jumping and how he had about 20 of his friends die doing extreme sports.  He had actually witnessed some of them die due to different things like faulty parachutes and such.  He describes it as being better than sex and he can't stop even though many of his friends have died.  Mika says sometimes there is only about 3 seconds from the jump.  One second:  Jump, Two seconds: Open the parachute, Three seconds: You are on the ground already!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttz5oPpF1Js

We arrived at the Prague bus station at 11:00PM

Our Couchsurfing host, Sinclair is in the middle.  He met us and brought us to the salsa party with our luggage and all.  He took care of Jule and I and was super nice and generous.  He made sure we got there safely and made us feel very comfortable.  He introduced us to a bunch of other couchsurfers and we danced salsa and bachata for the rest of the night.  Prague has a huge latin dance community.  Although Sinclair left out of town the next day, he allowed us to stay in his home even while he was away.  Of all of the countries and cities.  That is a big statement but I fell in love with the architecture, the lovely people and felt very comfortable being in this city.  Walking down the street in amazement as I looked around the amazing towers, churches and castles.  You will see how beautiful it is from my pictures but they do not give it justice.  You will just have to see for yourself and visit Prague someday soon. 

I met Alex at the salsa party in Prague.  He is also a couchsurfing friend of our host, Sinclair.  I had such an amazing time dancing with him!  He knows salsa, bachata, brazilian zouk and many other forms of dance.  Wow!  Thanks for the dances!

Prague tram

Our host suggested that we do a free tour of the old town, new town and the jewish quarter of Prague.  It was very informative and it was a walking tour that lasted around 2 1/2 hours.  We just tipped the tour guide a couple of bucks and we didn't have to pay for an overpriced tour.  

Famous Astrological Clock Tower

The astrological clock was installed in 1410 and is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world but it is still working.  

Astronomical Clock
http://www.prague.cz/astronomical-clock/

Vysehrad is a castle located in the Czech Republic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyšehrad

Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle in the world and the most visited Czech monument amongst tourists.  It is also a UNESCO heritage site.
http://www.hrad.cz/en/

Pinkas Synagogue :  Memorial for 80,000 Jewish Victims from Morovia to Bohemia
http://www.jewishmuseum.cz/en/a-ex-pinkas.htm

Founded in 1478, this is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetary.  There are over 12 layers of tombstones and it is said that there are over 100,000 people buried here.  Because of overcrowding, the people had to be buried on top of each other.  

Palladium Mall

We went to a CouchSurfing meeting in Prague and met other travelers, hosts, and surfers from around the world.  They have a huge community of CouchSurfers in Prague.

I met sweet Tomas at the CouchSurfing meeting.  He speaks 4 languages well and just got back from living in Malaga for 2 years.  

The home of our wonderful host in Prague was awesome.  Jule and I were so fortunate to stay in this cozy home.  

his backyard

he had an indoor pool that he offered to let us use

he had a private dance studio to practice his salsa and bachata

bathroom and sauna room

the exterior of his lovely home

The National Museum

pork rib

Bridge over the Vitava River 

Jule with The Charles Bridge in the background
It is one of the most beautiful bridges in the world and the oldest in Prague.