Prague to Olomouc by Train

The boat staff had reserved a taxi from the dock to the train station. It was expected to be 5 euros.  We forgot to confirm with the driver before we got in to the cab, and lo and behold the rate was 10 euros by the time we got to the station.  Paid it and moved on.  No sooner had we gathered our belongings, we were approached by a man looking official in a vest and he asked if he could help us. His English was good, he looked eager to help, and I had no experience in Czech.  He took us to the ticket window and we got a group (of two) ticket for a discounted price.  He found the platform for us and explained the system.  As we were walking, he said that he slept on the streets and that it was a holiday.  I told him that I would tip him for a job well done and not for his circumstances.  He continued to “work” and we made it to the platform and the potential location of the train.  We tipped him 8 euros and he suggested 10.  I gave him 10 because I really felt that he made my life a lot easier with his work. As my son would say, “We will win their hearts one excessive tip at a time.” 

The train ride was comfortable and took about 2 and a half hours. We shared a cabin with an older woman, and a family with a young girl.  About three quarters of the way the girl spoke English.  She was sitting by me and I quickly asked her “Do you speak English?”  She looked at her mother, who gave her an encouraging nod, and we proceeded to have a great conversation.  She was 9 years old and was well on her way to fluency.  We played “what is this color?” She would point to a color, say it in English and would try to teach us to say it in Czech.  She worked really hard with us and I don’t know if she thought that we were good students or not.  Time passed quickly and we prepared to leave. I gave her my business card with my name and email address.  Then the most amazing conversation took place:

Czech girl: I have computer.

American woman: I have computer.

Czech girl: I have Facebook.

American woman: I have Facebook.

Czech:  Friends?

American: Yes!

Her mother wrote both her name and her daughter’s name. I am so excited. I now have been friended by a girl in Czech Republic!  Travel is a marvelous thing.

1/26/2014: I have been Facebook friends with Terezka since our 2011 meeting.  Here she is with her mother. So cute!