14 November 2006
Carlsbad - Karlovy Vary - Karlsbad
Did you guys know that I wanted to start my working-abroad-period with a traineeship in the famous Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary? http://www.pupp.cz/ But (un)fortunately my application was not successful. That is why I ended up in Prague...
And more than 8 months after I arrived I finally made it to a trip to the famous spa-town. Eight of us were supposed to head there by bus. But eight o'clock in the morning was only late enough for 7 coz when I called my dear friend from Poland and asked where he is, he answered "mmmmffffpppppp, innnn baaad...." [in bed]But luckily I was able to sell his ticket for the bus just before we left. Very energetic and full of excitement (well, as much as you can have on a Saturday morning) we were looking forward to the day...
And more than 8 months after I arrived I finally made it to a trip to the famous spa-town. Eight of us were supposed to head there by bus. But eight o'clock in the morning was only late enough for 7 coz when I called my dear friend from Poland and asked where he is, he answered "mmmmffffpppppp, innnn baaad...." [in bed]But luckily I was able to sell his ticket for the bus just before we left. Very energetic and full of excitement (well, as much as you can have on a Saturday morning) we were looking forward to the day...
Just arrived we discovered that it was really cold, but smart me… I was prepared with scarf and hat and even gloves! Okay, I looked stupid, but I was warm :-)
We ran a little around, heard a lot German and Russian and saw some nice sights.
But basically we waited for our dear Polish friend L. to get the next bus and arrive as well. Finally all 8 together it was already time for lunch. What an exciting search for a place you can get some hot wine. We finally –honestly: FINALLY - ended up in an overpriced touristy place where none of us was really happy.The only thing you can do in Karlovy Vary (if you do not use the spas) walk along the river, look at actually pretty nice old buildings, and end up at the Grandhotel Pupp from where a funicular lifts you to the top of one the hills that surround the town. And that is actually what I liked most. The view on the landscape was impressive. Due to the season the trees where lightening in all different colors. Unfortunately it was foggy and raining so the pics don’t really look too good. But I enjoyed pretty a lot there.
After we did not find a spot inside the only restaurant on the top of the hill and no one wanted to sell us any Svařak (Glühwein, hot wine) outside we walked down the hill. Steep, slippery and funny we arrived back in town and headed for a bar with more reasonable prices. We found a very cozy place with a waiter that was one-of-a-kind.
I tried my first Grog ever and since we were in Karlsbad we had to have at least one Becherovka. And this waiter could not see only three of us drinking it so he brought another mini-round for the rest… 
And after this it was already time to go to the station, take a bus home and prepare for the night. Which ended up as a party at Anděl though we actually only wanted to meet and leave from there. But some hot wine made us stay there for longer somehow…
I tried my first Grog ever and since we were in Karlsbad we had to have at least one Becherovka. And this waiter could not see only three of us drinking it so he brought another mini-round for the rest… 
And after this it was already time to go to the station, take a bus home and prepare for the night. Which ended up as a party at Anděl though we actually only wanted to meet and leave from there. But some hot wine made us stay there for longer somehow…
