A different side of Prague

(Note: This was written on Saturday July 20, 2013)

Today I went to a flee market with my Singapore group.  I’m still here actually. I just had so many thoughts bouncing around in my head, I had to write them down.  So I bought a beer for less than a dollar and sat down to write.

Typical stands at this flea market.
They set up every Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m.-about 2 p.m.

And I look as out of place as an American girl possibly could in this situation. 

The looks I am getting aren’t mean though (as I would get in normal out of place situations) but rather the people seem amused at the sight of a young girl dressed nicely typing away on her Mac laptop, and answering in Czech.  My accent clearly lets them know I am not native, but they appreciate the effort.

The people here selling things seem to be pretty poor, or at least lower class.  But the spirit here couldn’t be friendlier.

For instance, I accidentally overpaid one vendor by 10-korun (equivalent to 50 cents.) The young man chased me down to return that extra coin.  I couldn’t believe it!

A relatively poor neighborhood. But filled with some of the nicest people
I have ever met. 

I have been trying to speak in only Czech here (made easier, as no one seems to understand English) and when one vendor found out I was from the USA (he belted USA!) he gave me a bottle of French wine for soooo cheap! It was one of the highlights of my day, and one of the most interesting Czech conversations I have had so far.

The market is located on the outskirts of Prague, and it was a 30-minute metro ride to get here. But I am so happy I came.  It’s a different side of the Czech Republic that I haven’t experienced, and I feel that much more content that I gave it a shot. 

It wouldn't be Prague without access to pivo!
Beer is cheaper than water. 

Oddly enough, I feel much more safer here in near poverty than I have almost anywhere else in Prague.  The people are happy, and sometimes I think it’s easy for people in the first-world to forget the little things in life.  These people sure haven’t.  Everyone is jolly, and singing along with their car radios (a lot of 80’s American music being blasted.) I just wish I could buy something from everyone! But there are near over 100 stands here, and I made do with having conversations instead.

I feel very content now, and I just wanted to record this feeling. I hope I never forget this experience in a different part of Prague.

Enjoy the first-world conveniences ya’ll, I am in a different world now.

Best,

Cass