2008 Woodie Awards
Traveling is a breeze for those Europeans
Shannon Obey
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Commentary
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It's astonishing how simple it is to take public transportation in Prague, especially when taking into account the difficulties in the States. In America, at least in my own experience, transportation such as trains or buses are available, but not easily accessible. You buy a ticket, but it's either a one time or roundtrip deal. In Europe, this isnot the case, everything is much easier.
When you first get to your destination, in this case Prague, you must purchase a ticket which is good anywhere from one hour to a full day-unless you get a three month transportation pass, which my program so kindly gave me. After cramming onto your tram or metro of choice, you can fumble over to a funny looking yellow machine which will punch your ticket with a timestamp. All while being tossed and jostled around with your fellow travelers.
If you choose not to purchase a ticket, which many do, beware of undercover cops. You could be sitting in your seat when an undercover cop will pounce on you, showing you a tiny badge, and expect you to produce your ticket instantly. Once I had forgotten my transportation pass at home and only realized this when I fumbled through my wallet in a state of panic. Thankfully, I had not yet gotten on the Metro, so they did not slam me with a $50.00 fine. Instead told me to go back up the mile-long escalader and buy a ticket, but boy was I shaking in my boots.
Train travel around the Czech Republic can also be stressful. This past weekend I went to Southern Bohemia, about three hours south of Prague, with three other girls and our program director. The trip there via train was almost perfect despite being crammed into cars and forced to sit next to smelly strangers. But our trip back home was a completely different story.
After lugging our day packs from a local rickety red train onto a faster one and sitting for two hours, our eyes glazed over from exhaustion, the train stopped and backed up to the nearest train station. Not knowing what was going on, we all dangled out of the windows trying to hear what the conductor was saying. With help, we translated what he was saying into: "Everyone must get off the train." We then waited for another train to come, while some partook in the beer culture and did not stop when the new train arrived.
When you first get to your destination, in this case Prague, you must purchase a ticket which is good anywhere from one hour to a full day-unless you get a three month transportation pass, which my program so kindly gave me. After cramming onto your tram or metro of choice, you can fumble over to a funny looking yellow machine which will punch your ticket with a timestamp. All while being tossed and jostled around with your fellow travelers.
If you choose not to purchase a ticket, which many do, beware of undercover cops. You could be sitting in your seat when an undercover cop will pounce on you, showing you a tiny badge, and expect you to produce your ticket instantly. Once I had forgotten my transportation pass at home and only realized this when I fumbled through my wallet in a state of panic. Thankfully, I had not yet gotten on the Metro, so they did not slam me with a $50.00 fine. Instead told me to go back up the mile-long escalader and buy a ticket, but boy was I shaking in my boots.
Train travel around the Czech Republic can also be stressful. This past weekend I went to Southern Bohemia, about three hours south of Prague, with three other girls and our program director. The trip there via train was almost perfect despite being crammed into cars and forced to sit next to smelly strangers. But our trip back home was a completely different story.
After lugging our day packs from a local rickety red train onto a faster one and sitting for two hours, our eyes glazed over from exhaustion, the train stopped and backed up to the nearest train station. Not knowing what was going on, we all dangled out of the windows trying to hear what the conductor was saying. With help, we translated what he was saying into: "Everyone must get off the train." We then waited for another train to come, while some partook in the beer culture and did not stop when the new train arrived.