Yesterday I posted a photo from my recent trip to see how many of you could guess where I went. Some of you were correct. We visited Prague for a few days last week. For years I had heard how beautiful the city is. Now I can officially report that people were not exaggerating. Prague is one of the most stunning cities I’ve visited.
Before I share more about Prague though, I want to talk about my taxi ride from the airport. Our plane was delayed. Not by much, but just enough for us to miss the last shuttle to our hotel. Instead we had to take a taxi. According to my guidebook, taxis are not plentiful and expensive in Prague. As we approached the taxi stand one was taking off with a customer. It was the only one. However, we were first in line. It was after 10pm and the temperature was dropping. No worries though since I had a warm jacket, a scarf, and gloves. I bundled up.
Ten minutes later, more people joined the taxi queue, but still no taxis appeared. The better half started talking to a gentleman standing in line behind us. I was getting pretty cold and slightly irritated so I didn’t pay much attention to the conversation.
Fifteen minutes later, a taxi showed up. That’s when I found out that the better half realized that the gentleman’s hotel was near us and we should share our taxi so the guy wouldn’t freeze for another thirty minutes waiting for the next one. I don’t usually advocate sharing a cab with a stranger. Yet I will tell you that this time it worked out for us.
I found out that the man is a financial backer of a movie being filmed in Prague. As I talked more with him he told me that movie is a Korean/US co-production titled The Last Knights starring Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen. This certainly piqued my curiosity. As it turned out, he was in town initially to visit the set and to have a mini break, but one of the producers had to leave town for a week so he had to step in and act as the producer. They were filming during the nights and he would be outside all night long for several nights in Prague in December. Folks it gets cold in Prague.
When we arrived at our hotel, the gentleman was so appreciative that we shared a cab he insisted on paying for the entire fare. I was shocked. His only condition was that I go see the movie—he didn’t know at the time that I am a movie nut. I think the movie will be released in 2013 and I’m pretty sure I’ll see it.
Before I leave you today I would like to caution all of you about inviting strangers along for the ride. Yes it worked out for us, but be careful people. There are some crazies out there.
Prague at night
50 Year Project 
The Kindness of Strangers is a very special thing – sometimes you just have to go with your instincts and then, when you can, pay that kindness forward!
I agree with you. We hear so much about the bad in the world and how awful people can be to each other, it’s important to remember that not everyone is mean.
shame he didn’t invite you to the set while you were there
That would have been cool, but I didn’t know how to slip it into the conversation. “Thanks for paying for the cab, now can I meet Morgan?”
I would have fired a million questions at him about what it is like on set then hoped he would invite me to see for myself just to shut me up hehehe 😀
Unfortunately I didn’t know what he did until halfway through the ride. At first he was just talking business with the better half and my eyes were glazed over.
So true. You were very lucky, but you never know. He sounds appreciative too 🙂
I call my better half my lucky charm–things always work out when we are together. When I lived in Boston I worked late at night and finding parking was difficult. I would call the better half who was kind enough to come down and jump in the car to help me. Within seconds a parking spot would open up. Worked like a charm!
A lovely post!
Thanks Isobel
He repaid you kindness in full. What an interesting encounter,
it was a pleasant surprise. He’s a nice gentleman and I appreciated his act of kindness. I can’t wait to see the movie.
The crazies are a really really really small percentage. They are outnumbered by normal and kind people by far. I’ve travelled as a solo female and not met such yet even broken down on the side of the road in the middle of the night….but great taxi ride!
Goodness, sorry to hear about your experience, but glad is all well. It’s hard to remember that most people are pretty nice. We hear and see so much on the news and such that it taints our views. This isn’t to say that people should not be cautious. Always be cautious when traveling or walking in your own neighborhood.
I have never been to Prague but I know it a very beautiful city with baroque architecture. Lovely pic
Thanks. I was amazed by the city. Completely stunned.
absolutely
That’s awesome!! It would have been so interesting talking to someone like that. However, when he told you that the condition was that you had to go see the movie, you should have given him your address so that he could send you free tickets or set up a private screening LOL!!!
Dude…where were you last week?
Yeah I would be wary too but sometimes you just have to trust your guts. He sure could afford to pay the cab, it is a business expense for him and charge it but a nice way to say thank you.
I’m usually the wary one. maybe my imagination is too active–thank goodness it worked out.
Will look forward to watching “The Last Knights” as it is set in beautiful Prague and stars two of my favorite actors!
I’m pretty excited to see the movie now! And you are correct, Prague is beautiful.
I am so anxious to see all of your pictures of Prague!!! I bet it is a wonderful place!! Your taxi story is a great one—I guess your better half knew what he was doing, right???? Great story with a happy ending and now I know another movie that I will have on my own list to see!!
the better half has a way of making wise decisions when I think the opposite. I’ve learned over the last ten years to go with the flow. I do shake my head a lot though
Any act of kindness is always rewarded in some way. It is especially nice when offered when nothing is expected in return. I am glad your had a good experience.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
His generosity was a wonderful start to our vacation. And I enjoyed conversing with him as well.
Oh wow!! what a story!!
You are lucky to have such gentlemen…but I can imagine how that can lead to unpleasant things.
Anyway…I wonder what the movie is about, I haven’t read news about it and I quite like Clive Owen
Here’s a link to the IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2493486/news
Owen and Morgan are wonderful actors. It would have been a kick to meet them. Next time 🙂
thanks for the link 🙂
it sounds quite good. will wait for the trailer to do the final judging.
I agree…they are wonderful actors.
I’m really curious to see how it turns out … and now I feel like I have a connection to it.
A great encounter for you! ,,,, and I’m envious because people tell me Prague is wonderful!
I hope you go Frank! You’d love it–so much music all over.
Someday!
Prague is a beautiful city. I went there twice, I loved it.
There are a lot of nutters out there but also a lot of really nice and interesting people.
This typpe of encounter is so typical for travelling, don’t you think? If you’d een on your own, I’m sure he would have invited you to the set. 😉
I’ve had so many wacky encounters on my travels. And I’ve met many wonderful people, some of whom I’m friends with now. That is one of the things I love about traveling, every time something unexpected happens–and usually it’s a wonderful surprise.
Prague is wonderful but I think Budapest is even better!
Good to know. I haven’t been there yet.
I like to think I can tell a genuine person but you never know.Hope there will be more more photos!
Let me get them organized and I’ll share. I promise
You have a big heart – and an interesting life!
I think the better half gets the big heart credit
How cool! Your story makes me want to see the movie when it comes out.
I hope you do!
It is shining brilliantly, beautifully at night. Romantic with promises of adventures. Wishing you and your family all the joys and blessings of the Holidays.
You too!
Love that picture of night in Prague. The lighting is beautiful. What a great, blessed experience your cab ride became.
Nights in Prague are wonderful
How cool! We found the Prague train station a bit intimidating, but the cab ride was fine. So glad you visited one of my favorite cities–it is a gem. Would love to go back and take more photos.
We never ventured to the train station, but now I wish we had to find out more. It’s a great place!
I could have spent a week in Prague, just taking photos. Did you have trouble with the language? We did!
Most of the people we spoke with, understood and spoke English. I did enjoy listening to them speak in Czech–doesn’t seem like an easy language to master.
I love Morgan Freeman! Oh, and I visited Prague briefly on a school trip just over 2 decades ago. Beautiful city. And yes, picking up strangers can be a stupid idea – like that heroine addict…..but that’s a different story for different day.
Morgan Freeman is one of those actors who shines no matter what role he’s in. We lucked out, but I hope everyone is careful when it comes to stangers
Maybe he should have been more careful….hehehe
Shhh…don’t tell everyone how dangerous I am
I can only imagine what Prague is like now. I went in 1993 and I loved it then. I’d be curious to see how much has changed .
Almost ten years later–lots of McDonald’s and Starbucks now. Not sure if they were there when you visited.
Oh…no! It was so untouched and nothing American. Oh well. That is why I love Central America still. There really isn’t much influence yet. But I’m sure Prague is still amazing! I loved the pastel colored buildings!
Those buildings made me smile
a happy story, one imbued with xmas spirit, cant help thinking that one good turn deserves another as your stranger obviously believed too 🙂
It does make the world a nicer place.
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That’s a lovely story – you certainly do have to be careful but I think you go with your overall gut feeling.
I can’t wait to visit Prague. I’m really keen to see it – maybe next year!
Lynn 😀
Oh I hope you go Lynn. With all of your reading the city will be magic for you!
It’s one of those places that I’m really excited to visit – and then of course I read Daughter of Smoke and Bone which made me want to go even more!
Lynn 😀
I should read that one!
Gorgeous picture!
Thanks
How cool is that? Sometimes it pays to be kindhearted, that is for sure.
Yes it does.
Yeah I’m a little cautious about random strangers, but sometimes you get a sense for people. Glad it worked out for though, being a movie nut and all and then running into a producer type like that 🙂
It was crazy to find out he’s a movie producer. It made my night
the most interesting conversations can often occur in a cab ride.
I’m learning that
Wow! What a cool experience!
it was fun and I’ll always remember that cab ride.
Prague is, IMHO, one of the most beautiful (and musical) cities in the world. I think I really must visit there again, some time soon – but preferably not in winter 🙂
It was cold there but we wanted to visit the Christmas markets so we braved the cold temps. Thank goodness for mulled wine 🙂 I hope you see it again when the weather is nicer.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I have not seen your post for a while…although I am following your blog. Good to be reconnected. Happy new year!
And Happy New Year to you. I wish you the best!