Autumn 2019: Getting to Prague

Lucia

Delay

CZK

Staroměstské

Prague, Oct. 2019

Oh wait. The story can’t just jump to another chapter like this. I don’t know about you, but for me, a good story deserves a good start.

So here is how it started:

Lappeenranta, Sep. 2019

We were in TEK Lounge. Me and Lucia.

I didn’t remember much what Lucia said; I just liked the way she gave information and guidance carefully, so I wouldn’t make any stupid mistake during my trip. She knew in advance I was going to Prague, where her home university was. We shall meet Lucia later in this series so don’t worry 😉

You may be wondering: Why Prague? Why Czechia?

Well, the answer is simple: Why not? (Especially when there is a good deal to fly from Helsinki to Prague lol).

The truth is, I want to see the whole Europe before leaving it, so every country is on my list. I started this trip with Helsinki, then I flew directly from Vantaa airport to Prague.

Back to the story: From Lucia I received a 1-hour transport ticket (which applies to all means, from trams to buses and metros in Prague), and some Czech Crowns (CZK). Here are what I needed to know before my trip:

1. In Czechia, people use CZK instead of euros (EUR). So I had to exchange currency.
2. Money exchange in Prague is very risky. Scams everywhere. So there is only one trustworthy place that Lucia knew, and the ticket she gave me is the key to get there without having to deposit anything.
3. The exchange place closes at 8pm. My flight was scheduled to arrive at 4, so things would be quite relaxing: going there, getting some Crowns, and walking back to my hostel.

Okay, now we can jump into the main parts:

From Helsinki -> Prague, Oct. 2019

The train stopped inside the tunnel – the same place every time I traveled to Vantaa Airport, Helsinki.

People streaming out, heading for their planes. I was also in the crowd.

The thing I like about Vantaa, is the simplicity. One railway line. One way to go. Instruction every ten meters. You literally can not get lost in this airport.

This time I used Czech Airlines. And it got me by surprise, that even though I already checked in online, I still had to queue up almost 30 minutes for a regular check-in.

Security was easy. I had all the electronic devices in one tray and liquids in an separated bag so it was simple for everyone.

I arrived at the boarding gate half an hour early. Many were already there waiting. I sat down, read Life of Pi, and watched the airport landscape.

And then the flight was delayed. Not once, but twice. The boarding gate location disappeared from the information board.

Everyone flying to Prague was panic. They asked around, then the security guys had to make lots of phone calls. I wasn’t panicking, but also worried – come on, I just wanna fly in peace.

Finally, the boarding gate changed to another location far away. People ran with their stuffs. When we got there, this gate was boarding another flight. The area suddenly was chaotic.

I was like fuck it, then sat down, and spent almost another 2 hours reading and checking the gate. When we finally boarded, it was six in the evening – a four-hour delay.

The flight was a typical boring one. Children crying, turbulence, no food and drinks, small leg space, and especially late. I had to exchange my eur, and if I wouldn’t make it there by 8, then I would be ripped off one way or another.

The plane arrived. I looked at my watch. “Already 7:50pm” – I sighed. Once again shit happened to my trip.

“Not really; In Czechia now is only 6:50pm, don’t you know?” – A voice came next to me. He was a businessman who usually commuted from Turku – Prague. And what he said saved my life. Before we landed, he also guided me how to get to the money exchange place using Lucia’s ticket, what to do in Prague and so on. Until now I am still grateful for his help.

Getting out of the plane, I rushed outside, in order to not forget what he guided. Jumped to a bus, reached Nádraží Veleslavín station, then take metro A to Staroměstská station. The whole trip reminded me of the last time I went to Hanoi – not knowing the way, just hopped on the bus and let it go to the destination where you kinda remember the name.

I reached the exchange place at 7:50pm (Czechia time), get some CZK, and felt relieved. From that moment on, I could start my trip in Prague without being nervous.

(To be continued…)

Khanh Tr.