A Soul-Stirring Journey: A Brotha’s Exploration into Prague, Czech Republic

Stepping onto the cobblestone streets of Prague, I couldn't help but marvel at the centuries of history that surrounded me. My European journey initially did not include this ancient city. However, a friend had previously visited Prague. It piqued my curiosity so I decided to experience its beauty and culture firsthand.

The city welcomed me with their late-in-the-year LGBTQIA+ Pride festival held on Strelecky Island and in Letná Park.

I even ran into a friend from my home in the western United States…such a small world.

Riding into Old Town Prague from the airport, I saw a city filled with gorgeous architecture and amazing views of the river, the city landscape and surrounding hillsides. I couldn’t wait to get out and explore.

But before I explored, I had to eat. Please don’t laugh, but my first meal in Prague was Kentucky Fried Chicken! Okay you can laugh. I had been in Europe less than one week and my body clock was still adjusting. I was so hungry before my tour and KFC was in the same building as my hotel. So there I went.

It was a bit pricey vs. KFC back home. However, the chicken seasoning is the same, even though they did have some interesting menu options. Like teriyaki chicken and rice! And yes I tried it. Oops! That means I ate there twice. Moving on…

Be aware that condiments at fast food restaurants in Prague are not included and have an extra cost. Even the ketchup for your fries is not free. I learned that the Czech are very environmentally conscious. Their thought is, if you have to pay a small amount for the condiments, it is less likely that you will waste them, keeping trash production at a minimum. Make sense to me. There are also no plastic utensils or containers for takeout. Paper straws and wooden utensils are common. Drink fast before your straw disintegrates!

I arrived to Prague on a very early 6am flight from London (which I don’t recommend if you’re leaving the city center of London. There’s no train at 3am, and my Uber was $75US).

Since my hotel room wouldn’t be ready until 2pm, I booked an electric trike tour around Old Prague. What a great decision! I dropped off my luggage and hit the road.

Zipping through town on the trike was fun and efficient. I was able to hit many tourist spots like the Charles Bridge, the Presidential Palace and Prague Castle, all with awesome views. Prague Castle is a breathtaking complex that overlooks the Vltava River. You can see the grandeur of the St. Vitus Cathedral and the sweeping views from the castle's ramparts which left me awe-struck.

Wandering through the narrow alleys and hidden corners of Prague, I discovered the city's vibrant arts scene. The John Lennon Wall, adorned with colorful graffiti and messages of peace, was a poignant reminder of the universality of artistic expression. (Also, check out the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park when you're in NYC)

The John Lennon Wall and the statues outside of the Kafka museum proved to be fun photo opportunities as the throngs of tourists proved. While riding towards Prague Castle, a guy yelled out and asked for a ride. He was partially joking but I thought, "What the hell!" I told him to jump on and he did. Here I am with a stranger on the back of my bike headed up to the castle. The crazy things you do on vacation. He was a cool guy from London on "holiday".

I used EuroSegway.com for my Trike tour. Check them out but also look for them on other sites like Booking.com, etc for a possible better rate. My guide gave me his card at the end of the tour and I learned they have locations in many of the other cities I planned to visit. With a 10% discount. Score!

For another transportation option, you can download the Lime app during your visit. There are Lime scooters and Lime bikes everywhere. It looks like a good way to get around. Even though I did not try it in Prague, I have done it in other cities like Barcelona and Guadalajara.

I stayed at Narodni Stay hotel. It’s a cool little hotel within a larger commercial complex filled with restaurants and businesses. The good ole KFC sign will be your landmark. Unfortunately the hotel is not quite accessible for some differently abled travelers, as there is a two-landing flight of stairs to the entrance. No lift/elevator is available from the ground level to the first floor of the hotel. This is something to consider if you want to book here. And it’s a pain with heavy luggage.

Another tip: Cobblestone streets are found throughout Old Prague. Not good for pulling heavy luggage behind you. I’m glad I opted to get private transportation from the airport to the hotel. In addition to cobblestone, there are many different types of stone walkways all around. There are barely any paved sidewalks. I strongly recommend good "trainers", sneakers, or walking shoes to get around in.

The medieval buildings in the historic Old Town Square are stunning and I hear the iconic Astronomical Clock is a sight to see. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the clock during my visit. It is said that the clock's intricate performance is a reminder that beauty and wonder can be found in every corner of the world.

And so can talent. Check out the street entertainers I saw. (Videos can be viewed on my IG or YouTube channel)

On day 2, I did a Google search for good breakfast spots. I’m not much of a foodie. I tend to stick to the types of food I know I will enjoy. I will only venture out occasionally. Maybe you are the same way. Fortunately, there were enough “international” restaurants that I was able to have good Asian, Italian and American cuisine. I'm a creature of habit. On this particular morning, I had breakfast at a place called Venue. It’s a very popular eatery in Prague/Praha 1 near the shopping district. As you can see, the line was out the door into the street. I didn’t find out, until I was at the front of the queue (line), that they have a sister restaurant with same concept, 1 minute walk away. It’s called Jewel by Venue. Oh well...

As I waited in the long line for a seat inside, I was entertained by a discussion in the crowd

of how some young professionals were being mistreated on their jobs. They were being given more responsibility without an increase in pay and a lack of professional upward mobility. Ugh! Sounded way too familiar. Capitalism and corporate greed are a part of the global pandemic that continue to validate my early retirement decision. (As a reminder, retirement for me does not mean I will never work again. It means I am NOW in control of when, where and for how long I will work in the future, if at all.)

Anyway, back to the fun stuff. I met two new local friends (one is originally from Botswana & the other from the Czech Republic).

Back to the food. Venue had Chicken and Waffles on menu so I had to give it a try. Yeah, I know. Everybody is doing C & W, but I was in Prague. Could they get it right? Could they do it better?

They did a great job! Chicken thighs are always the best choice to serve. The dish came with 3 pieces. Chicken without hormones tend to be smaller (normal size) so this was sufficient. Seasoning was good, chicken moist. Chili maple syrup for the waffles was an interesting compliment that worked well. It woke up my tummy and brain. LOL. After a 40 minute wait to get in, I was glad the meal was delicious. It didn’t knock me over, but the flavor profile of traditional Czech food doesn’t appeal to me, so this was a welcome treat. I'm glad I went. The menu is diverse, so you should check it out.

Sidebar: For those who partake, the Czech Republic is in the process of legalizing the use of Marijuana. It’s use is currently legal for medicinal purposes and limited personal use. I bring the subject up because I saw Cannabis shops everywhere. You cannot miss them but what I did notice is there was no smell of weed smoking in public spaces. Oh, and the beautiful retro cars!!

Whenever I travel, I always look for us! I want to see my beautiful Black skin represented in the places I visit. Initially I saw very few Black men and women out and about in the city.

Eventually I saw a few more brothers at Pride.

Unfortunately my personal interaction with men of my shared hue was almost nonexistent. Since Prague is a very White city (approximately 90%), I assume the few Black men and other ethnicities I saw, were visiting as well. Unfortunately, I did catch more than enough White people gawking at me as I walked around the city. In this area of the world, I guess they don’t get the privilege of experiencing many people with melanin-poppin skin! The few residents of color I did speak with (Black and Latino), each had Czech spouses, so the pickings are truly slim here. All good. Get in where you fit in.

One enlightening aspect of my trip was interacting with the Prague locals and other European visitors. Despite our different backgrounds, with those I personally encountered, I was met with warmth and genuine curiosity. Engaging in conversations with Prague residents opened my eyes to their pride in their culture and their willingness to share it with visitors.

Another plus for some is the shopping. With all of its international visitors, you can find most brands you see in America. Worldwide stores like Berska and Desigual for clothing and quick eateries like Starbucks and Burger King to satiate yourself.

My final lunchtime meal in Prague was at a restaurant called Sad Man’s Tongue Bar and Grill. Funny name but I’m sure if you have one of their spicy burgers than you would become one of their namesake customers! I opted for the Sailor Jerry burger and fries. Sailor Jerry is a brand of rum. The Bacon Jam on the burger is also made with it. And my cocktail was also Sailor Jerry rum based. 🤷🏾‍♂️ Okay, there is a theme here.

Be aware. This place is cash only. But I must say this was one of the best burger and fries I’ve ever had. The flavors were fantastic. The fries were thick and crispy. Nice combo.

And the place had some cool art on the walls…and their menu.

My time in Prague was educational. It was also a bit self-reflective as I remembered the first time I learned of a country called Czechoslovakia when I was in elementary school. A place with a funny name that I never thought I would visit. Czechoslovakia is now two separate countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. That little kid from the 70s has now seen at least half of it.

A history is a tapestry woven from countless threads, each representing a different story, a different perspective, and, unfortunately at times, the story contains wars, violence and political upheaval. As I departed from this captivating city, I carried with me not just memories of its architecture and landscapes, but a deeper understanding of some universal threads that bind us all.

In a world that sometimes emphasizes differences, I appreciate those residents who showed me that diversity in humanity does exist and beauty is not only found externally through our eyes, but internally with our hearts. Thanks Prague. I enjoyed you.