Prague.

Like Cesky Krumlov, this was a place I was looking forward to for a long time coming to Eastern Europe - probably more so then any other place. I think possibly that expectation was a little too high, and in the end it didnt live up to my expectations.

Thats not to say I didnt have fun though....but...

Did you ever have those nights where you walk around going "oh well we'll find a good bar somewhere around here"? Thats kinda what it felt like for the whole week in Prague. We'd heard so much about the Prague night life, that it really couldnt ever deliver on all that promise.

Possibly the most exciting thing that happened was my finding of a new adventure sport. Forget base jumping and bungee jumping. Try getting your hair cut by someone who doesnt speak a lick of english! A heart pumping thrill ride all the way! I had been putting this off for weeks and weeks, and as a result had developed somewhat of a mop top. I was so worried about ending up with one of those bad Euro haircuts (youve seen them!). I dont want a mullet!! In the end, she did an ok job. She kept chatting away in Czech, and of course I had no clue what she was saying, but give her credit, she knew what she was doing.

If I was feeling at all "home sick" for my time in Edinburgh, it was certainly cured by the visit of Scottish "Premier" League team Hearts, as they headed into town to take on Sparta Prague in UEFA Cup action. For that day, the place could have been Edinburgh, with at least every other person being Scottish. Bagpipes and kilts abounded. I felt sorry for any tourists only in Prague for a day or two "yeah the traditional Czech instrument is a wee bag of pipes".

Dan and Jen, who I caught back up with after Cesky Krumlov, had a considerably better Prague experience, on the night of the Pearl Jam concert. They headed out to try and get last minute tickets to the gig, but werent able. They then headed to a bar to drown their sorrows with some locals only to find that the bands lead guitarist turn up after the gig and have a good drink and a chat with them. They were well pleased!

As far as the sights of Prague went, the Castle is quite impressive, and the square and city itself are also quite good, but I think my favourite day was spent climbing the hill on the castle side of the river and then up the mini eiffel tower which gave awesome views of the city.

We got to meet a couple of youngsters, Sean (a Melbourne lad) and Andrea (from Louisanna) who have since joined our merry group of travelling fools as we've headed further east....