Today we would sadly be leaving Prague. So we had to get up and underway somewhat earlier than usual and catch an arranged cab, which had a set rate from the inn to the Bahnhof or airport. Luckily at 6:30 a.m. when we got into the cab, Dad was once again in the front seat and happened to show the driver our tickets for the train, after we were on the way.
The driver was quite surprised and a bit mad, saying “They told me airport,” as he made a quite drastic U-turn and hit the side of his head. After a bit of jostling from Dad however, he was okay again. We were there at the Bahnhof in less than ten minutes.
Now we had an hour to wait for our train to Munich. Since no one else knew the trick that you could check the permanent posted schedule, we were the only ones up at the platform. Therefore Mom and I headed up to the main area in search of coffee ☕️ ☕️. We had to go all the way up to a circular area overlooking the main hallway.
Train Station Cafe in Prague
There we encountered typical Czech service. I had to first off, go into the kitchen to round up a server, although there were already several (three) other tables of patrons eating. Actually at one table there was a couple drinking red wine in wine glasses already at 7:00 a.m.! When we were finally obliged to order, the “waitress” took down our pleading requests for coffee, and we asked about getting it “to go”. She pleaded however not to understand even as we quite obviously blatantly pantomimed “to take it with us” also incidentally being on the run in the train station, who would imagine that we might have a train to catch??
So she brought the coffee in two normal glass cups and in the meantime, we saw herds and hoards of waiting people suddenly rush madly down the main hallway underneath us, stampeding for the gate where Dad was formerly alone waiting. We then became determined, at any cost, to quickly dash away down the stairs, around the rotunda, passing deftly the wine drinking couple on the way, as well as some other locals -who had no doubt noticed the strange antics of “the funny foreigners”.
We had to move cautiously, as our coffees were hot. The coffees available up at the platform, by the way, we had deciphered by dictionary, were instant and hot or cold. One stand was also closed. By chance, no one chased us or looked down as we then passed under the café.
Dad was, needless to say, a bit in a worry as the wagons had filled already quickly from the crowds. We found however, a nice wagon – actually the very end wagon- where only one other rider and a transvestite were. Mom and I ended up dumping our coffee glasses in the trash receptacle.
Every time we stopped, we had to check to be sure that our car was still connected to the rest of the train. Generally, Dad stepped out to look at each new station and generally we were still attached.
At one point a server came back to our nowhere land and took our order for sandwiches and drinks, then reappeared 20 minutes later with our order, only to have us also subsequently request “chipsy” which she had to redisappear for once again. It was great, although cost us about $20. I made sure to be in the W.C. When dad paid so I didn’t have to see him overtip again.No big deal though. Generally it was funny and a nice joke with us.
After stopping in Pilzen, by the brewery conveniently for our photo opps, we also crossed the border into Dland and continued on into Munich. It was sad and sentimental for me, and for them too, I think. But Prague I know will never be the same.
Friday 29 May 1999
