Monday, April 27, 2020

X is for... X'mas in Prague


There was a life before Covid19. A life in which we were working crazy hours, travelling the world and planning an exciting 2020. I was there too.

But before 2019 ended, the Boy and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Prague. Normally, we plan our vacations one year in advance, but 2019 was different. We went to a Naturecare Institute for 13 days and badly needed a vacation after that. We did not have any leaves left so had to utilize just the four days of public holidays in December. Luckily, we had a valid Schenghen visa.

Can you blame us for loving this city?

So, we scouted for the cheapest ticket, which wasn’t so cheap considering school holidays had already started, and landed in Prague, for the second time in four years.

We based ourselves in a different area, it was freezing cold and every nook and corner was decorated in Christmas spirit. It was a very different Prague that I had seen last time. Only this time, it was more magical!

Different squares were decorated and there were a lot of Christmas markets.
The food and the wine was incredible.

Prague is a city out of a fairytale, Christmas makes it more dreamy.


Anyway, I was keen to take a photo in the same spot as I did on my last visit. That particular picture had won me 500 USD, so it was special. Also, it was my most favourite picture from all my albums.

We took the exact same tram and walked over to Letna Park. Since the daylight hours were much less, we could not reach the spot on time. When we reached the place, I took a hundred pictures but it did not come out exactly the same. Then the Boy searched for the last one and then matched the scenery! We walked a bit more and found the exact same spot!

In four years, I seem to have aged more, and the light is less, other than that, everything looks picture perfect!

Me in  Dec 2019

Award winning, fave picture, me in Oct 2016


The next day, the Boy went to exchange some money in a shop. We had walked a lot so I decided to sit on a bench while he hunted for the best rates. Prague can be pretty tricky when it comes to exchanging Koruna. Anyway, while he was gone I was just looking at my phone when a man came and sat rather close to me. I felt he was staring at me and I did not like the vibe.

I immediately got up and walked close to a mother who was sitting on another bench with her three children. There was no space on the bench and so I just stood there praying that they don’t leave before the Boy comes. I was so scared that I didn’t even try to check if that man was gone or if he was still following me. The family stayed for a bit and then walked away. I immediately found another spot I could go to if the man came back!

I was sitting on one of these benches during the day..
So, these things happen when you are travelling! Unpleasant experiences are a part of the travelling game. Nonetheless, they make you smarter, like I was the moment I saw the man sit next to me!

On another note, do visit a European city in second half of December. The Christmas markets are beautiful, and the weather is not too cold to handle. Prague is my last travel memory before Covid, and certainly one of the best ones. 

Please, please, please visit these cities once during Christmas time.
You won't regret it!


20 comments:

  1. Prague... The place we had booked tickets to for July 2020...and I had done so much research on it :/!!But come Corona and all plans seem to have gone off the bench sob sob!!

    Hey, which photography competition/website is this... My husband and I have recently developed this new hobby of photography... And are novice in this area... Which are these sites/photography competitions I can look for to post our clicks!! Would really be obliged if you can guide :)

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    1. I would warn you against travelling to Europe in July and August. It is too crowded, the summer has gotten worse, overall it is just not as good as it is in other months.

      As for the photography contest - this was a random contest on Instagram by Agoda and a Middle East company called Shukran. I was lucky that there weren't many participants and they gave almost 10 prizes. So it won!! Otherwise it is a very standard picture :)

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  2. Eeesh! This A2Z I may not have traveled but I sure am adding places to my bucketlist! Christmas in Prague is one thene you've injected into my head. Let's see how long before I fulfill this!

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  3. The post exudes the joys of Xmas.

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  4. Beautiful pictures Nisha. I have heard so much about this place that I think I know the place and just have to visit now.
    I hope to visit all these places soon. Thank you :)
    -- rightpurchasing.com

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  5. I reaally want to visit places during Christmas time. The photos you have shared are so so pretty <3. And the incident with the man is the reason most of us refrain travelling solo. Little we can do about it.

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  6. Fantastic post. The film Rockstar created this urge in my mind for Prague. Also, Vin Diesel's XXX.
    I've never been to Europe. But this post does an excellent job of creating interest. Also, the pictures are great. That award-winning photograph is seriously good, the lighting, the clouds and the reflections in the water. ����

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  7. Wow, I just love the city. I have written about the beautiful city for the post 'P' in this series.
    I can only imagine what Christmas celebration in a vibrant city would feel like. Thank you for letting us experience that through your visuals and writeup.

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  8. I was lucky to visit Prague Christman market in December 2017. It was ethereal. Prague is my favourite city in the whole world. You are right to say, there was a life before covid19. Now traveling feels like a next birth thing.

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    1. Hi-five there Balaka.. Prague is my fave too!

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  9. Such a lovely place. Dont know whether the xmas got the twinkle to the city as seen in most of the pics or was it the season or was it the city itself that is charming come any season?

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    1. Prague is charming allllll the time!! Although I haven't been there in the peak of summer - it must not be great at that time owing to large crowds.

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  10. You’re right, unpleasant experiences are part and parcel of travel. I’m glad the situation wasn’t worse. It’s nice that you ended 2019 on a memorable note. We were in Goa, and thinking of that holiday now, it seems like it was centuries ago!
    Noor Anand Chawla

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  11. A lovely post Nisha. I like the second picture from the top a lot. Those lights and that inky sky have been beautifully captured.
    Christmas markets are indeed magical. When you get a chance, try to visit Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen one winter. You'll love it.

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    1. Thank you Arti. I have been to Copenhagen.. what a diverse city. We especially enjoyed Christiana.. haha!!

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  12. Prague is lovely and must be even better in Christmas! Wow! What a wonderful trip!

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  13. Beautiful and magical pictures Nisha. I have friends in Prague and I have seen similar pictures from them too. But they look magical in every form and every single time.

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    1. Prague is my favourite city in the whole world. It is indeed magical.

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  14. Lovely visual treat Nisha!

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Your sweetness makes my day. Gentle criticism will be taken in the right spirit too :)