Cesky Krumlov

After my last trip to Europe, I’d become pretty much jaded with this whole travel thing. After all, what’s the point in seeing all these quaint towns? It’s the people that count - they’ve always been more interesting to me than the sights. But traveling when you’re middle-aged (how I hate calling myself that) is clearly not the same as traveling when you’re young! Because middle-aged travelers don’t hang out in piazzas with Eurail passes and say “hey - what country do we feel like going to next?” And there are very few middle-aged travelers millling about in train cabins looking for company and conversation. But Cesky Krumlov has changed all that.

First of all, the Czechs are very nice people. They’re not as busy as the Western Europeans. In my short stay there, I’ve run into several people who would say “where are you from?”, “the Philippines! Really?” “Well, welcome to the czech republic! Please enjoy your stay here”. In general, my theory is, the richer the country - the more dour and gruff the people are. The poorer the country, the friendlier it is. That’s why I still like the Philippines - for all its faults - because the people are nice - and they’re not as dour and gruff as I am! And that’s why I like the Czech Republic!

But back to Cesky Krumlov. It’s cheap. How cheap you say?

Our hotel cost us $40/night, w/ breakfast. (this is high season, double-occupancy, mind you). And if you think that’s expensive,

you can crash at this hostel for $8/night, per person.

A good meal will cost you about P130. And if you want something really good,with wine, you’ll have to shell out about P500. (that’s how much I paid at this restaurant for a good steak and some Czech Budvar beer).

And it’s amazingly beautiful. (Or as Lonely Planet would put it - “achingly beautiful”). I didn’t realize it then, but I do realize now - that expensive prices dull one’s sensitivity to beauty. It’s true! You get to appreciate beauty more when it comes cheap! Cesky Krumlov is just plain gorgeous. Gorgeous!