What's behind Iron Curtain No. 1?

When I think of Eastern Europe I think of a run down, old, grey building with broken windows covered in graffiti. You can call me naïve but I have never really ventured outside of Western Europe.  

Eastern Europe was brutalized during World War II. Prague, being preserved only for Hitler’s personal dream of having a walking museum of an extinct race, and Warsaw, a city that was entirely leveled building by building even after World War II had ended, leaving them poor, communist, and controlled for years giving them a reputation of terrible living conditions and a high crime rate.

Well, let me tell you this, when that Iron Curtain lifted, these countries were ready for the world. The marble streets of Prague have never been more clean, streets alive well into the night, and a booming tourism industry. 

We arrived by train around 11:50 at night. We walked out of the train station into a very poorly lit park, something we expected, but after rounding the corner it was like it was 11:50 in the morning. People were everywhere, streetlights were buzzing, and bars and restaurants were still going strong. 

Surely Prague is just a tourist spot, Warsaw will be more of what we expect for sure. Nope, couldn’t be more wrong. Surrounding the Old Town of Warsaw is a gorgeous park, easily 2 miles wide, a monument to the Unknown Solider, and tall skyscrapers. Stepping into the Old Town is like stepping back into a rural French town. Old buildings all painted different colors, elderly women selling tulips in the street for the Easter holiday, and patios being set up anticipating the spring. 

The only remnants that communism was ever present in Warsaw is the Palace of Culture and Science which now houses two very important monuments: Tourist Information and an observation deck to see the entire city.

Of all of my expectations for Eastern Europe the only one that has been met has been the weather. One minute it is freezing and snowing, the next the sun is out and the jacket comes off. Within 12 hours we saw almost every kind of weather you can imagine and it is absolutely gorgeous. 

These cities are filled with history and are just waiting for people to drop the stereotype of the dangerous Eastern European city and see just how spectacular they really are. Next stop: Bratislava and I cannot wait to be surprised yet again.