Prague 3 September 2024

3 Sep
It is quite hot here in Prague, but I’m not complaining. I thought I’d leave the touristy sites in the city today and head for Čelákovice on the River Labe, I believe it’s also known as the Elbe River.
Čelákovice is a town about 25 km east and accessible by train from the oldest station in Prague, Masarykovo, built by the in 1845. It was renamed Masaryk Station in 1919 in honour of the first Czech president.
To get there I had to walk to the tram stop and take 2 trams. I was expecting to see an old ancient run-down building, but no, it in the process of having a facelift. There’s still a lot of work to do.
I found the ticket office. I had written down what I needed- a return ticket - in Czech, and showed it to the young man at the counter. He responded in English and that was good! So I cheekily asked if there was a concession for 65+ and there sure was. So my return ticket for the 25km, 30 minute ride on a very comfortable, clean 2-level train cost me CKr 66, about £3.30!
The train ride was smooth and when I got to my destination I checked out the toilet and was pleased to find it very clean.
With Čelákovice being a small non-touristy town, everything seems to be in Czech. Oh well, that’s the beauty of going off the beaten track! I managed to find my way to the river Elbe. The tourist office is down there housed in the Trdz museum. Next to the museum is St Anne’s church which only opens on Sunday. It was very pleasant to walk by the river.
By this time the temperature was hotting up and I was beginning to feel it. I made my way back towards the station and walked through the residential area where there is also some nice sports facilities and houses.
Then I saw a nice restaurant and decided to make a stop there. Restaurace u Bohuslavů. The menu is in Czech! Thankfully the waiter can speak some English and he recommended the cucumber sauerkraut and the goulash with dumplings. He did offer potatoes but I opted for dumplings- do as the Romans do, as the saying goes. The cucumber sauerkraut was very refreshing. I must look up and see how it’s made. That is something I could do with my cucumbers possibly. The goulash was tasty but I wasn’t keen on the dumplings. It looked more like slices of white bread. Maybe that’s the Czech style of dumplings!
So I’m having a second cup of coffee before heading back to the station. The train runs every half an hour. So when I’m ready I will make my way back and probably take it easy the rest of the day.
I’ll do some of the touristy stuff tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day!