My trip to Prague by Antoine

During the school holidays last October, I went on a school trip to Prague. There were 30 pupils and 3 teachers. We took the flight from Toulouse and only two hours later we were in one of the most beautiful cities of the world...

Our school in Aurillac, St Eugene, is twinned with a High School in Prague called PORG. Each of us stayed in the family home of a pupil of this school during one week. We welcomed a group of pupils from there during the April holidays.

The discovery of Prague and its people was an amazing experience. Prague is a beautiful city, with fabulous architecture. Prague Castle is really fantastic, with beautiful frescoes, it is for me one of the most beautiful castles I've seen. Charles Bridge is also famous and also very beautiful. From this bridge we can discover Prague from different angles. When the fog is over Prague, the Castle seems to be in a cloud and it's really great to see it. We walked through different parts of Prague, like the Jewish quarter with its beautiful synagogue and very special cemetery. There are numerous friendly coffee houses in the town centre. The Library is also wonderful with ceiling frescoes that could almost be confused with the Sistine Chapel.

We also visited Terezin concentration camp. It is very moving to visit because it is mostly intact, it is easy to imagine the conditions the people lived in. Terezin is one of my strongest memories of my trip.

We also visited Prague Zoo, selected as the 7th best zoo in the world by Forbes magazine.

Czech cuisine is very special but also very consistent. The dishes are very diverse but also very fattening! When we ask for only one plate in a restaurant, it is enough for two!

Czech music is special but pleasant to listen to. You need to get into the mood of the country, by being in a famous bar in Prague enjoying one of their culinary specialties like a good goulash and a fresh beer.

People in this country are extraordinarily kind and generous. Indeed our friends wanted all the time to pay something for us and it was the same thing for their parents who were really generous too. People are very welcoming and they really have a western type of life style and mentality, judging by their clothing or even the music that young people listen to.

All young Czechs, or almost, are bilingual, which is proof of their increasing openness to the world. My friend in Prague is an extremely nice young man and very proud of the country where he lives. Prague is, for me, one of the most beautiful capitals I've seen, not just in terms of architecture, but from a human perspective because the people are fabulous and very open.

This town is not big but it is full of history and things to discover. The neighborhoods have different resources and different very interesting cultures. Though there are a lot of tourists in Prague, it's nice to spend time in the city.

If I ever I have the opportunity to return to that country, I would with great pleasure because for me and all my classmates it was a wonderful experience. My trip to Prague will remain etched in my memory and the people I've met also.