Legally Robbed in Prague

We arrived Prague from Paris at around 4pm. We took a cab to our hotel at Vlaaska. Hotel is very nice, looks like a museum and it's 500 years old. I repeat it's 500 years old! It's colored orange with flowers on it's walls.

The receptionist was so accomodating. She gave us coffee and discussed everything about Prague. Where to go, where to shop, where to eat using a map. She encircled her recommended places. Because I was tired, it was like forever to me. I wanted to go to our room and rest but she kept on talking. I was afraid she will show another map. It was helpful but it was an information overload.

At last we checked in. Rest a bit then head to the Infant of Prague church. The church interior was a big WOW! I can't describe it in words. I wish they allow photos taken. We attended the mass in Czech. I understand nothing but I know when OUR FATHER was recited. The
sound, the pause and stops were the same so I recited OUR FATHER in English. It was like a dream to be there.

After the mass, we climbed the Petrin Hill of 1,043 feet high where Prague's version of Eiffel Tower was built in 1891 is situated.

The climb was fairly steep but pleasant and healthy at the same time. We enjoyed their garden at the top. Love the roses in different colors.

We went up to the observation deck using elevator for 150crowns (400 in peso), there we see the whole of Prague! Magnificent! Red roofs!

It's getting dark already and since we were tired, we decided not to walk anymore. Funicular railway for 24 crowns(P60) was the best choice to go down without pain and hassle. After the tickets were dispensed from the machine, we went directly to the funicular then off we go.

In just few minutes we were on the lowest point of the hill. There were two personnel
waiting for passengers that just disembarked. One personnel asked our tickets. Confident
enough, we showed it to him as a proof that we ride the funicular with tickets.

He checked it and said,

Personnel: "YOUR TICKETS WERE NOT VALIDATED".

We were surprised but managed to ask what shall we do to validate?

Personnel: "YOU WILL BE FINE FOR 700crowns or 30euros each FOR NOT VALIDATING".

We explained our side, that we are tourist, that there were no signs so we could follow. There was a staff inside the booth but gave us no assistance what to do after purchasing the ticket from the machine. Then he showed us the instruction at the back of the ticket. And we said its too small for a tourist to read.

We explained again but he was playing deaf. We asked him if we could talk to his supervisor, he said "it's already late, come back tomorrow if you want to complain". He even told us that we can call the police. We asked his ID and he showed his ID. We asked if he will issue us an official receipt, he showed us the receipt. Since we displayed no intention to pay, he asked our passport but we didnt show it to him, afraid he would somehow confiscate it. He told us we cannot go out if we will not pay.

I was already furious. I argued with him. And we told him all these:

IT's A TOURIST TRAP!
How many victims do you have everyday?
This is not good for your country!
We paid for the fare, we cannot get the ticket from the machine if we didnt pay. It's not fair for your visitors!
You should have assigned a staff to instruct tourists!
Blah blah blah (as in nagyawyaw ko in English)

I'm sure he is already used of the same complains everyday so its normal to him. He was really playing deaf...Why listened anyway when they make money from it?

In the end we really have to pay to get out from the building. We paid 700crowns each. Its
1800 in peso. He issued us a receipt.

Aside from us, there was also a Czech family of five with a Filipina wife that was fined. They also argued with the other personnel. But got no choice but to pay.

We were afraid to call the police because weve heard stories that their police system is not good too. Corruption is common so we might pay more.

I hate my first day in Prague!

We visited the funicular again on our last day. This is the line that they have. Imagine how many tourist victims they have everyday...

The rest of my stay was all well. Museum and church hopping was our goal. Prague is beautiful! Except for the fine...

When in Prague, validate your train tickets!