Hi There!

I suppose that there're not many people on the German side of the border trying to sell garden-dwarfs as on the Czech side there are hundreds; given the competition they should be cheap. And so should the prostitutes. One parking lot has garden dwarfs, the next (100 meter down the road) has a bunch of unappealing looking street hookers. The ideal combination in to start a long journey through countries of which I don't understand the language.

Going to and entering Prague is not so very difficult as there aren't many more roads than absolutely necessary; however they are pretty busy. I entered Prague via quite a big detour. On purpose as at 11 am I hadn't much more left that 30 km (19 miles). The surroundings are impressively beautiful (limestone has an interesting effect on plants), the weather has gotten better (now it rains at night and is oppressively hot during the day); in other words I'm terrific!

In Prague, in my eyes one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, I spent a couple of days on a camp site. The camping privately owned. The family has children themselves and perhaps therefore gives discount to students. With that as a base I explore Prague. I've been to this city before, so the biggest tourist traps I don't go to anymore. I just hang around and taste the atmosphere in this gorgeous and lively city. I also pay a visit to the shop literally named: "Potten & Pannen" which is the exact Dutch spelling for Pots and pans. No need to tell what they sell: Chandeliers.

Hi There!

Prague is the only thing the Czech Republic revolves around. It is practically the only place really worth visiting; well, now I don't do it justice. There's some beautiful countryside, and the people are terrific. Hospitable, friendly and poor. Already now I think that the poorer the people, the more they want to give away. And outside Prague it is even cheaper to get pissed than in the capital itself.

When I get to the border - on a Sunday - I wave my passport at the guards, and without looking at it they tell me (almost annoyed) to keep going. How stupid am I to think they want to see my passport? Well, fine by me! Welcome to Slovakia.

Slovakia isn't a very interesting country. After Prague, Bratislava (the capital) is actually pretty boring. Oh, they do their best. It is being restored, they have some things of their own. The city center is illuminated by red and green lasers which is a real art. Perhaps I have not too good feelings about Bratislava - although it isn't the Slovaks fault - because I watched the Dutch soccer team loose in the World Cup. Takes me back shortly to the Czech Republic as, although they weren't playing, they watched it passionately involved. When the Germans lost I heard them saying things like: 'Damn Germans, finally got what they deserved.' I think it is pretty silly still to be angry at the Germans for the second world war... But I was in Slovakia. And area of Slovakia that is nice is the part east of Nitra. It is slightly hilly so the straight and square communist street plan couldn't be built. Therefore the countryside is real pretty and still has some character.

And then, all of a sudden, the Danube comes in my view. A large slow running river dividing Slovakia and Hungary. Over the glittering water I can see the cathedral of Esztergom standing proud on top of a hill. While passing the border guards getting onto the ferry to Esztergom I get my first stamp in my passport. The first one on my fourth international boundary!