Prague Journal

Sunday, February 20, 2005

The Prague Post had listed a hockey game between Zlin and Slavia Praha at the T-Mobile arena at Vystavyšté Park this afternoon, but the stadium was dark and locked at 4:30. I should have paid more attention to the Slavia Praha website or the T-Mobile website, both of which listed nothing today in Prague. I think the game may have been yesterday, but I can’t be sure. HC Sparta Praha did list a game at 5:00 today, but it did not look like it was a home game (my bad Czech skills). Despite the fact that the T-Mobile arena is an unheated bare-bones multifunction amphitheater built in 1962, and was deemed unfit for the world championships last spring, I am very disappointed, since this may have been our only chance to see a live hockey game this year.
The exhibition area at Vystavyšté was busy with an Indian carnival and “Holiday World” expedition, sponsored by travel agencies. Now in its 14th year, this is the largest tourism fair in central Europe, with 700 exhibitors from 50 countries. Over 30,000 visitors leave the show with bags full of brochures, catalogues and posters of enticing destinations (which is not so great for domestic tourism). As I rode on the tram, I was surprised to see how many stores and markets were open today. Prague is changing, and Sunday is no longer as quiet as it used to be. In our neighborhood, only two grocery stores are open, the small one on the corner from 3-6pm, and the larger Julius Meinl from 10 am until 5pm.

posted by JWinn @ 9:57 PM