Submitted by Martina Esparza the 2024 Spring program in Czech Republic…
Over the past weekend, I traveled three hours south of Prague to Cesky Krumlov. Besides Prague, this charming little town offered me a glimpse into the Czech lifestyle. After a short bus trip, we arrived and were eager to explore. Our school program abroad, CEA CAPPA, guided us through a mini city tour, where I quickly realized that walking from one end of the town to the other only took about 20 minutes, revealing its small size. With a population of 2,300 residents, life there felt quaint and quiet. Cobblestone streets led us to many locally owned restaurants and boutiques. We struggled to find a place to eat that accepted cards, as most restaurants were cash only and ATMs were nowhere in sight.
The two days there differed greatly from Prague’s bustling streets. Instead of trams, buses, cars, and pedestrians, Cesky Krumlov’s streets were filled with only people and bikes. Chain restaurants and grocery stores were nonexistent; instead, small, independent businesses flourished, and corner stores provided essentials. Despite its size, the culinary scene was surprisingly diverse. My favorite find was an Italian restaurant owned by an elderly couple, where we enjoyed the best pizza I’ve had yet in the Czech Republic. (Submitted on April 15,2024)