Eurail Luggage Rules and Other Outbursts - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

arbiter13 · 06-13-2005, 09:36 AM

Ok, I leave tomorrow for Prague.

A friend I'm meeting in Germany suggested camping. Ok, that's good...but I've got a camping accessory I really want to bring along. A machete. I've had this thing for years, versatile and beautiful. So....I can put it in my check in luggage for the plane ride...right? And would I be safe carrying it in my bag on the train. As in, I'm not going to check anything in on the train and just carry everything on board with me...anyone?

Lord...I should not be this nervous...

Also, how much english should I expect people to know? I've lately come to terms with how horrible my german and russian are. I have to get on a bus from Prague Airpot to Nametski Republiky (sp?) and I'm completely clueless. Then at the hostel, at places around town (still have no idea what to do, I'm a very anti-social person), at the train station to dresden, around there, back to prague...WTF!?!?!

Sorry, had to vent.

Seriously...I love you guys. Been trollin this board silently for ...since the date it says..may something...yall rock

**GoKrazy** · 06-13-2005, 11:56 AM

I never expect people to speak English... I try to learn a few key phrases before leaving and if all else fails then I resort to a smile and sign language. If they happen to speak English that's a bonus! Some areas are better then others - at the airport you can more on less count on finding a fellow anglophone, but in a small rural village it's propably not gonna happen.

A machete? Wow.... that's hardcore. If you were going camping in a jungle, then it's a must, but in Europe? I've been camping one way or another for the last 15 years and the biggest knife I used had a 3 inch blade - and that's when I was roughing it on a 5 day canoe trip. Most of the time I can get everything done using a simple fold-away pocket knife. But I guess if you must have it, then take it. If you check it on the plane then you should be fine.

Don't give up on trying to meet other people in the hostels you're staying at. If all else fails try the old "How abouth this weather?" line. Best of luck! Have a blast in Prague!

**tumblezweedz** · 06-14-2005, 04:14 AM

I usually leave my machete at home, but Prague can get kind wild...

But about the buses, I can actually help! They have awesome bus/metro info at the stations/airport, and in English, so you can get a map to help you find your stop. Also, you can get a multi-day transit pass for a pittance that makes it easier to get around (no fumbling for change) and if you get off at the wrong place, it's not such a big deal. IThe 7 day pass is about $8US, and there are tickets for shorter stays, too. Namet. Repub. is also on the yellow metro line, so it might actually be easier to take one of the airport buses that head directly to a metro line (the 119 and 254 go to Dejvicka (which is the green line, but the transfer to the yellow line at Mustek is just one stop from Nam Rep. and looks shorter overall) or the 100 goes to Zlicin which is on the yellow line, but at the other end from where you want to go. Easier for transfers, but longer. The flyer you want to pick up is called Through Prague quickly and easily with us, and it's put out by the transit authority, so it'll be readily available at the airport info desk. It has info on all the tickets and a good map of the metro and major airport bus links. I also got a city map which shows the subway/tram lines, but I don't know where we found it.

At the hostel the staff will speak English, and you'll get the hang of sign language quickly! Just relax and enjoy. You'll love it.

arbiter13 · 06-14-2005, 08:36 AM

Flight leaves at 4 today.

Thx to EVERYONE.