SPA Time in Podebrady


 

Bakov Train Station

 Public transportation across Europe sounds like "a piece of cake"; however, we weren't sure that if we went into this train station we'd ever reemerge.  Ominous as it was, we went in and after speaking to a stationmaster who was fluent in Czech only, we bought our ticket.  Out of the conversation we understood that the train was "broken" and we'd need to catch a bus in front of the station that would take us somewhere else for another train. Of course this didn't create any anxiety why would you be wondering?  We went outside and found a bus with the driver fast asleep at the wheel and no passengers aboard.  Upon further misunderstood inquiry we gathered that we were supposed to wait across the street from these steps and a bus would show up.  It did.  We left and the anxiety did not decrease, sorry.  This is the National Railway not the Bullet Trains with English speaking conductors that you see in the Triple-A brochures. Although the ride was acceptably comfortable,  I suspect that Benito Mussolini sold these trains to the Czech Republic for a very good price.



The road to "another train"

 Did we have a clue as to where the bus was going?  No.  We thought that when the bus was reported missing and they found our camera on the side of the road, this would be the last picture we ever took.



Justin and his father
(the father is the good looking
one with the hat)

 I forgot to tell you that Justin, who understands and speaks Czech fairly well, actually brought us to the train station, helped us buy the ticket, and waited until we were pulling out on the bus before he went back home.  The return trip was however very anxiety provoking with no one to help us and no English speakers at the Prodebrady train station -- Slavic languages are almost devoid of cognates so even guessing is difficult.  The bus got us to the other train station where with a lot of ticket showing and finger pointing we finally boarded the correct train to Prodebrady.  On the train a lady asked Carol, "Are you Dutch?"  To which Carol promptly replied, "No.  I'm from America, California."  The lady blurted out, "Schwarzenegger!", and the conversation ended.





A restaurant that we recommend

 When you come to Prodebrody, you get on this bridge, look for the two green umbrellas then go to that restaurant; they have the best pork knee and beer in town!  



I want to start a foundation
 for the preservation
of artistic expression

 Thinking that graffiti was a uniquely American problem, we were surprised to find it everywhere in Europe that we traveled.  Isn't this just awesome, just gorgeous on this 200 year old sandstone wall?  Perhaps if we crucified the artists next to their work they would receive and appreciate the kind of recognition they so desperately long for, just kidding we need to protect the little darling's First Amendment rights, globally.





Exterior of castle in Prodebrody

 This view doesn't do the castle justice because you cannot see the interior courtyard, etc., but you can see the change in architecture from the medieval form to the more recent style of construction.  While the castle has a long and illustrious history, it is currently a branch of Charles University where Czech students learn English and exchange students learn Czech before entering the university.  The tour boat in the foreground travels the river north through locks.  At the right is an island that separates the locks (half the river) and a small hydroelectric plant that uses the other half to supply the town with electrical power.

 

Eastern side of the island,
the hydroelectric plant






  

 


Western side of the island, lock entrance






Western side of the island, the actual lock






Bellvue Hotel and Wellness Center

 This is where we hung our hat in Prodebrody.  Far left is a six-block esplanade for walking amongst gardens, fountains, landscape art, etc.; the tree lined pavement surrounding the esplanade is for walking and biking and fronts all the wellness hotels and shops.  On average, prices are quite reasonable, train tickets $5.00 for a round trip, Hotel $100. per night including breakfast and dinner in their restaurants, and wellness treatments such as massages are about $30. per hour, so you can have a very relaxing time without breaking the bank.