For what are probably obvious reasons, I haven’t had much to write about for the past couple of weeks. We’ve been unable to travel anywhere with no official word on when that will change. For the time being, we’ve been enjoying the hell out Prague, which has been closed to foreign tourists during the quarantine period. It has been truly delightful to see Prague’s streets free of the clutter of tourists and tourist-aimed bullshit. Here is what the city looks like in quarantine, even during busy weekend days.
Just a few stragglers on Namesti Republiky.
Day or night.
The Powder Tower now casts a shadow on an empty street.
The only people in Old Town are pushing strollers or walking their dogs.
Anyone who has ever visited Prague has never seen the intersection connecting Charles Bridge to Old Town like this in the middle of the day.
Even our local icons have their masks on.
Some Old Town restaurants stayed open for takeout, selling beer that was once $6 for $2.
No tour groups or giant stuffed animals in sight.
At the top of the hour, the area in front of the astronomical clock usually has hundreds of eager spectators. Now, not so much.
Wenceslas Square didn’t host Easter markets this year.
Charles Bridge hasn’t been so empty on a Saturday afternoon in years.
Trdelnik is still for sale but without a line and at a fraction of the price.
Now there are always free benches in Old Town Square.
…where you can have a beer or a margarita in the best seat in the house.I know many of us are dying to get back to our originally scheduled world travels. But I have to admit, if we couldn’t go anywhere for the next 12 months and Prague stayed just like this a little longer, I can’t say I would mind.
Do you know if USA travelers will be able to visit Prauge in July?
At the moment, only a select number of countries in the EU are allowed in without a negative coronavirus test/quarantine. If USA visitors are allowed in July, they might still require mandatory negative test upon entry and a 14 day quarantine. It’s hard to know for sure what will be allowed or not in July.