Una gita a Praga, ovvero come unire al dilettevole anche il dilettevole.
Dall’1 al 3 aprile 2011, in quel di Praga, si terrà il 5° Meeting internazionale di Patchwork.
Le due edizioni precedenti, che ho avuto la fortuna di vedere, sono state piacevolmente sorprendenti per l’originalità e la freschezza dei lavori esposti. Anche il clima aveva una certa sua freschezza, ma questo è un altro discorso…
Un’inventiva sciolta, unita a una assoluta temerarietà nell’uso del colore, hanno generato dei veri capolavori, composizioni geniali, mai scadenti nella supponenza o nell’inutilmente elaborato.
L’ammirazione è maggiormente dovuta anche in considerazione del fattore età, che nel caso delle quilter praghesi è relativamente bassa, e sappiamo bene quanto conti l’esperienza in questa attività. Non oso pensare cosa saranno capaci di combinare tra qualche anno!
In molte parti della Boemia, il patchwork è una piacevole novità, e le artiste locali hanno trovato in esso vasti spazi di espressione estetica e culturale. Se poi sommiamo pure la voglia di libertà espressiva, di spensieratezza, di vivacità, in un paese per troppo tempo confinato e compresso in spazi angusti, soffocato da poteri occhiuti e pervasivi, emergono una passione e una creatività senza limiti.
La sensazione di trovarsi di fronte a un’attività destinata a crescere, un bocciolo che non ha ancora pienamente disteso al sole la sua affascinante corolla, è confermata dall’organizzazione un po’ naif (mi piace!) della manifestazione, e da come questa abbia successo nonostante sia ancora (purtroppo) relegata in periferia, collocata in ambienti resi adatti solo grazie alla fantasia e alla buona volontà dell’associazione locale.
Tra l’altro, per motivi che mi sono ignoti, finora questo interessante meeting internazionale è stato, quasi sempre, un po’ snobbato dalle riviste del settore, which they insist on mainly to promote major events that are well known to the public.
Given the undeniable success of the previous exhibitions, in the future the prices of the Prague patchwork probably will enjoy increased credit, and it will be finally recognized the artistic value of these textile works, which will be offered adequate accommodation, more central, hoping that, with increasing consideration, You are not lost on the street directness that makes these unique jewels of creative sewing.
If to achieve the exposure you need to suffer (but just a little '), the Prague visit is a feast for the eyes: We do not know where to look, many, these are the things to see.
It is not necessary to describe all the attractions that this ancient city, the castle, the little town with its narrow streets, the Vltava River and its bridges (do not miss a boat trip!), the old Jewish quarter, the Stramovska park, museums (Kafka and Mucha, tanto per fare dei nomi); if you already do not know the can foretaste of any travel guide, or even in some website (es. Prague Guide , Alberto Prague, ecc.).
But there are still other good reasons justifying a trip to the Czech capital.
In primis, It is the paradise bon viveur. The premises of Prague offer the comfort of a warm, fresh rivers of beer, and dishes that make you mouth water just to read them on the menu.
Remember again, in anguish, evenings in Birmingham, a hole in the stomach and no decent place to jot down a mouthful, only of the laminated fast food, where plastic food also seemed (and already call it food is hyperbole). I saved only in the Balti Triangle, of eateries periferifa where were served dishes of Indian origin, or so.
In Prague is a different music. Around every corner it opens the door to a brewery, a restaurant and, purtroppo, even some pizzeria.
Allow me to give you, come si dice, some advice.
Avoid the local blatantly "tourist", type the brewery U Fleku. In rooms where you can taste the original Prague specialties are often small, narrow, with inconspicuous inputs.
Personally I have always preferred the simplicity of the dishes served by U Medvíků, da U Kata, nel ristorante Pilsner Urquell originale Kolkovna, o alla Novoměstský Pivovar, locali che servono i menù tipici della cucina mitteleuropea.
Tre semplici avvertimenti.
Primo: non aspettatevi dei camerieri servizievoli e pazienti. I praghesi, mai maleducati, sono però generalmente bruschi, sbrigativi, rigidi. Anche se il primato della scortesia spetta ai tassisti e ai conduttori di mezzi pubblici, i camerieri vi serviranno con sufficienza, come se stessero concedendovi un favore supremo.
Secondo: quando entrate in una birreria, intendo una “vera” birreria praghese, appena seduti prendete il sottobicchiere di cartone dal centro del tavolo e ponetelo di fronte a voi. Il cameriere vi porterà automaticamente una birra. Se non lo fa, è sufficiente indicare quante birre volete con le dita; talking is considered superfluous, refined stuff. When you will take the coveted beers, he will put on your desktop a tiny piece of paper, almost a pizzino, upon which he will score, as the notches that make the prisoners in the cells, mugs who served there. keep it jealously, guai a perderlo o a stropicciarlo, although it seems nothing more than a piece of paper torn from a sheet badly caught from the trash. That modest strip has, for the local, more value than a regular commercial invoice, and ruining it will only gain the reproaches, course in Czech, waiters, the manager, and all the customers present. When you've had enough (of beer, I mean), place the coaster over your mug, otherwise, over beer, it is likely that there will bring another.
Terzo: remember that you are not in Oslo (but even in Caracas, tranquillizzatevi). The Prague pickpockets are true artists, like those of Barcelona. hang, ovviamente, the most popular tourist places, trams and metro. It should therefore run on a shoestring, keep a copy of your personal documents, and leave everything else (es. tickets) in hotel. A charge card is ideal.
the bad news is over.
One of the nicest things about Prague and the reach and efficiency of public transport. The network formed from the subway, Trams and buses, incessantly it covers the city, into the night.
Per chi, come me, It comes from a country where if you miss a bus or a train must notify friends and relatives to denounce your demise to the Police, such is the wait between one run and the next, enjoy a service (economic) which guarantees a tram every 5 minute even at midnight is the stuff of science fiction movies.
If you are not faint of heart, I recommend you try the thrill of roller coasters that offer you the Metro escalators at Andel station: fast as a formula one and with a slope of dolomite, They are perfect for Prague, always in a hurry, always on the run, so much so that, one evening in the metro corridors, left back also a poor cripple.
What is the reason for all that frenzy of ant, It is not even given to understand.
For accommodation that you are spoiled for choice. You may choose to stay right in the middle Vltava, al Kampa Garden sull'isoletta namesake; if you like modern art, for you there is the 'Art Hotel; just as out of the norm is the Vintage Design Hotel Sax; but if you are fascinated by the historical setting, l’Hotel Constans, a sixteenth century building, It is for you. Is already, Prague, Also returning to the hotel is something exciting.
Among the hundreds of hotels it is certain that you'll find what is right for you. Just a minimum of familiarity with the internet to choose and book your accommodation. Thanks to specialized sites like Boooking e Venere you can also consult the opinions of the guests of its hotels and, credetemi, They are not filtered or "accommodated", because there are cases of extremely negative judgments, failures unappealable, and sharp criticism.
Thanks to these "feedback" will be able you avoid disappointment, and you can find the best there is in relation to what you intend to spend.
Allora, He had the wish to visit Prague? Bene, Now let's see how to get there.
Voli low cost ce ne sono, from Rome, Napoli, Bari, Bergamo and Treviso WizzAir, from Milan EasyJet, from Venice with Germanwings, and still others that you can all be found on site WhichBudget, for those who want to fly without spending too much.
When you exit the airport, Terminal 1, you can take bus No. 100 (easy to remember ...) ending its run to the last stop Zličín. There is one every half hour and costs 18 crowns 18 minute journey (coincidentally).
From Zličín of the subway to the center of Prague. Subscriptions to 3 o 5 days are very affordable (330 o 500 crowns).
Those unwilling to take the plane or did not find place, It has a valid alternative: the train.
From Rome, via Florence, Bologna, Venice and Udine, Apart from a comfortable EuroNight Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) which takes you directly to Vienna, without changes and in absolute comfort.
In addition to cars equipped with beds and bunks, the carriages are available with traditional compartments 6 seats, with seats that are lowered and unite to form a shakedown case where taking a few hours of sleep.
No check-in problems, excess baggage, He waited for boarding, documents to be shown a thousand times. It climbs on board in the evening and you are pleasantly awakened at 7 e 30 by a polite young lady who gives you a nice hot coffee as well.
Alle 8 e 30 you get to Vienna. If the day is propitious, from Meidling station, in 10 minutes you arrive at the castle Schönbrunn. Nothing better than a nice walk in the park to stretch a bit 'legs. Inevitable drop in at some pastry to pull a bit 'on the cholesterol values.
from Vienna, trains to Prague no shortage. There's just one direct running from Vienna to Meidling 14 e 33 and arrives in Prague at 19 e 19. How to say: after brushing a robust Wiener Schnitzel in Austria, It is digested by train and you arrive in the Czech Republic right at dinner time, where they expect beer and roast duck. goodbye online!
the metropolitan (red line C) It takes directly in the Prague station. If you arrive in the evening, after 18 e 30, It is likely to find the closed ticket offices, then get ready to buy a ticket from a vending machine. Take the one to 26 crowns that allows you to run for an hour and a quarter (in tram, bus and subway).
Ah, dimenticavo: if you choose OBB, do not hope to book your trip, to buy a ticket, to receive information, in the station ticket offices. know nothing, nothing can (or want) tell. Yet these convoys pass, they stop, the people there salt, share, but for FS are nonexistent, unreal, figment of imagination of some eccentric. Faced with competition, FS Trenitalia and oppose protectionist maneuvers, vexatious, mi arrischierei a definirle puerili, disrespectful traveler and his needs.
A little bad. Just go to the site of OBB Italia to consult the schedules and offerings, buy online airline tickets, or order by phone and receive them at home.
If I remember correctly, you are in Prague for some shows patchwork, right? Then I make my way.
From the center take the subway, yellow line B (direzione Černý Most) and get off at Vysočanská.
The station is on the corner between the Solokovsà and Freyova. Right on your side of Freyova is the bus stop n ° 136. The interval between one stroke and the other is about a quarter of an hour, there'll have to wait long, then.
You have to get off at the third stop, Sklonená,. Are approximately 6 minute trip.
Skloněná is the first right, where he's turning the blue car.
Descend down this street. Lo so, It is not the best as access to an international exhibition.
Continue for a hundred meters and then turn left, on Mallenkova. You should find some signs indicating the direction to the Hotel Step.
MallenkovaA few hundred meters again and we finally arrive at the Hotel Step. Purgatory is over.
See that Friday, the opening day of the exhibition, This can be visited only by hours 14 alle 18, while other days you can get already at 9 e 30.
The No. 136 bus stop for the ride Vysočanská is located, on the other side of the road, next to a yellow building (bellows, in short, about yellow, yellowish, nocciolino, cream, boh…).
It might happen that, after enjoying the view of many colors, will not go to inabissarvi back in the dark underground. Allora, to return to the center, you might take a tram, for example the n ° 15, which it has its own terminal nearby, the other side of the intersection (see photos), in front of the blue building, up to Balabenka, and there take the No. 8 that will bring you to the heart of Prague.
One of the most popular activities from Prague (due to work in progress) It is to move the tram lines. In case you already have a map of the tram network, leave it on home, It is outdated since the Code of Hammurabi, and perhaps even these my information may already be out of date.
small curiosity. When a tram or a bus arrives at the terminus, They go down all passengers (va bene, so far nothing strange…), but you you can not climb! The driver closes all doors and waits for the full hour fateful, that shown on its roadmap. Only then it will advance by about ten meters, reopens its doors, and you can finally get in the car. This applies even if outside is pouring, snowing, falling a meteorite: the break of the driver is sacred, and he wants his privacy.
We pull a little 'of sums.
historical city + tourist attractions + easy access + reception tailored + gastronomic Specialities + International meeting of Patchwork = unforgettable trip.
What more could you wish for?
If the expectation of this synesthetic experience does not tickle your fancy, rassegnatevi: you are really insatiable.
To those who would like to be fascinated by a patchwork admirably composed of fragments regretted Belle Époque, powerful Habsburg Mitteleuropa, rich Barocco, Jewish indelible imprint, severe gothic, delightful Art Nouveau, experimental cubism, I remember that for Prague have gone Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Tycho Brahe, Giacomo Casanova, Christian Doppler, Antonín Dvořák, Albert Einstein, Leos Janáček, Franz Kafka, Johannes Kepler, Milan Kundera, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alfons Mucha, Rainer Maria Rilke, Jaroslav Seifert, Bedrich Cream, and that she does not wait for others that you.
Allora… ci vediamo lì.
