Beautiful city.... must be interesting to also study the history whilst visiting countries...great to be able to travel vicariously through you before my travels are realized .... thank you
I agree The Microsoft copilot AI has helped as I ask it for summaries of history for places I’m going It’s free and provides cool background information
Chris - your videos are always so helpful and entertaining. Love the foodie spin as well! 😊 Question - Packing as a minimalist, shoes take up a ton of space. What do you bring for shoes? I thought you just had keens but I see you have some black shoes on now. How many pair do you bring on your travels?
Great question In Asia I only have the Keen’s Perfect Here in Europe I have second hand leather high top shoes I bought for this trip and the Keen’s are in my backpack for Asia after :-)
Aloha my friend, wonderful videos of the stunning historic buildings, churches, clock towers and the squares in the old town of Prague. A good dark beer for breakfast, that is the way to go. What is the name for the Czechia dark beer that you were having a two pubs. I agree, walk around and find hidden gems like the pubs and that vinyl record shop. Good old 90s music !!!!!! You have given your audience many more countries to visit. Mahalo looking forward to your next video.
Such a great strategy to do more expensive trips in the mix in small doses while spending time mostly in South East Asia. You must be looking forward to eating rice again after all those sausages and potatoes! Nice work
Just go. If there is a small language problem it is part of the adventure! Especially in the hospitality industry there will be somebody who speaks English. I try to learn small travel phrases if while walking i have to ask a passerby "where is" etc. They say Japan is the hardest as often there is no English next to the script on a sign, but in general the people go out of their way to help you get where you need to go. Luckily English is the bridge language. I have seen two people from different nations and for whom English is a second language converse in English to communicate. Czechia is famous for the beer. I used to love Pilsner Urquell which i believe is from there. Tucson late 70's-early 80's. The Wodden Bucket & Mr. Billards. Grateful to still be alive. You make me want to travel again. Thanks!
I agree that you should definitely not hold back on traveling due to possible language barriers! The "worst" place I have been has been Japan and China, but I got my point across by pointing and gesturing, and even had to walk the server out to the window to show him the plastic food I wanted (Japan). The pros highly outweigh any struggles you may have.
Great video and topic. After hitting more countries than I can count, across six continents- language is and will never be an issue. It’s cool to learn a few polite phrases for the country you’re in, but that and a smile is all it takes. When it comes to travel- done will always be better than perfect. Just go, the truth is- not everything is going to go as you plan, be what you think it will be, or as complicated as you will make it before you get there. What you will come away with will be worth so much more. Get lost, talk with your hands, make mistakes… have fun and don’t overthink it.
In our travels, we have found that in most tourist spots, the locals speak great English. In most of the world, people are taught their local language as well as English in school. And for reading signs and menus, worst case scenario we can use Google Translate which can take a picture of the menu or sign and then translate it. But your point at the menu strategy is even easier!
So true about the language, humans have a knack for basic communication, worked outside in Scotland for 2 years in late 70's, and that gray sky reminds me how cold and damp it was this time of year.great work, PEACE!!!
Ya gotta go back to Amsterdam...the food is amazing and so many historic sites and cobbled streets that you will love and all the Church towers and the ringing of the bells are magical. Plus you can see Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum with wonderful art! Oriental City serves a wonderful duck dish and dim sum !
It's good advice to go even without knowing the Czech language. It is very hard language that takes about 1,100 hours to learn at a basic conversational level (for people speaking Germanic languages). :D
Absolutely love your videos! Thank you! I myself speak several languages. Indeed, I am a translator in real life. And it's true, as you say, that with technology, one can travel everywhere today without speaking the local language and get by. However, you do miss out on a lot by not being able to understand the conversations around you, nor participating in them. That's just my feeling about the topic. Can I just point out a detail though, because I've heard you pronounce "Czechia" like "Tchetchnia" several times now! These are different places, as you know! It's pronounced "Check- ee - a". Or you can simply say "the Czech (=Check) Republic". Thank you for your wonderful content that demonstrates that a life of freedom and discovery can be achieved on a budget!
I agree don't let the language barrier stop you from traveling...I am in Da Nang Vietnam currently( My first time in Asia)..You can get by w Google Translate...That said I lived in S America for 6 years and speak Spanish...It sure is nice to be able to have conversations with the locals.It opens up many doors.The one thing about where I am now is the cost of things...Its insane how affordable everything is.I thought Colombia was cheap..$9 a night for a nice private hotel room $3-$4 for a meal is crazy...
The only countries I found challenging with “English Essential” was Brazil/Portuguese and surprisingly Chile/Spanish. I’m not sure what your experience was in Chile but we only found two people who spoke some English - I would estimate the percentage of English speakers in both countries would be under 5%. Great video! Have you been to Turkey? I’m heading there in two weeks 🤩
What a awesome location it’s similar to other European countries like Austria etc, just stunning. And the food amazing ! Maybe a little clogging on the lack of fibre side lol. On the positive I wouldn’t have to worry about going to the toilet much ! 😂
very cold there. you have inspired me to get a divorce (after nearly 30 years) and live the nomad life. I will be mostly debt free next month and travel freely by the end of November. thank you for getting me off my a**!
@RetireandGo sorry for the confusion. our marriage ended over a decade ago but we didn't divorce for financial reasons (I'm a US citizen and my wife is korean). after my girlfriend's death 4 years ago (that's her in my profile pic), my life was rudderless. your videos inspired me to explore and minimize my financial burdens. thank you.
@Thai.Farang no, my wife and I have been in an open relationship for more than a decade. my girlfriend (my profile pic) and I planned to marry after the pandemic but she died 4 years ago. Chris' videos inspired me to get out of my rut. I've been living in Singapore for 14 years and his SEA videos showed me how fun (and cheaper) Singapore's neighbors are.
@RetireandGo we had problems with a "tourist tax" on our bills. At the time there was no computerized check. It was a slip of paper with numbers on it.
Other countries being added to the Schengen area isn't necessarily a good thing. It means you can't use those countries to "hop into" to after your 90 days are up.
@@RetireandGo I don't think the comment was meant to be a negative ding. It is an issue for full time travelers doing the Schengen shuffle. You are correct it makes it easier to country hop, but it also limits you to 90 days within all those countries.
I live in Prague, and tipping wasn't expected until about 10 years ago, when tourism really started to go crazy, and restaurants got used to getting tips. So, nowadays, even us locals tend to give a tip. About 10% is normal for a tip here.
@@AnthonyLauder A 10% tip sounds reasonable, and I’d be more than happy to give that. However, most places near where I live in Virginia (US) now expect 20% or more for tips-it’s really getting out of hand.
@@ariholic2017 I just read the other day that 25% is now the tip level in a lot of places in the US. When I first visited the US 40 years ago it was 10%. It has creeped through 15 to 18 and now even 20 to be 25. I wonder when even the US citizens will say enough? It does put people from non tipping or low tipping countries off from visiting the wonderful (expensive) US.
@@RetireandGoThank you🖐, sounds like it's getting expensive but this is because you are staying for a few days if you were there long term like in Asia I think you would find it a lot cheaper I don't think there is a lot of difference living in Bulgaria to Thailand. I assume 100 dollars a day includes travel costs?
@@RetireandGoThank you🖐, sounds like it's getting expensive but this is because you are staying for a few days if you were there long term like in Asia I think you would find it a lot cheaper I don't think there is a lot of difference living in Bulgaria to Thailand. I assume 100 dollars a day includes travel costs?
@ yes absolutely Flight train uber included Food hotel About $100 a day is a good average And if I spend one week in each country it’s not bad really When i get to Asia I’ll make up for the increased costs with cheaper living :-) By the way, it’s really nice traveling through Europe like this Chilly, but hardly any tourists
Don't say that Czech republic is in eastern Europe. Geographically and especially historically it is nonsense. The Czech lands were about 800 years part of Holy Roman Empire, 110 years part of Austria-Hungary Monarchy and then Czechoslovakia (20 years independent, then occupied by Nazist and then 40 years under the influence of Soviet). So in 1000 years of Czech history, there are only 40 years when it can be said that it was part of the East...
Prague is my happy place. Im always happy when I visit Prague.
I agree :-)
Beautiful city.... must be interesting to also study the history whilst visiting countries...great to be able to travel vicariously through you before my travels are realized .... thank you
I agree
The Microsoft copilot AI has helped as I ask it for summaries of history for places I’m going
It’s free and provides cool background information
Thank you, Chris, for yet another great and informative video! Glad you are having a great time!!
Thank you
It’s a lovely destination
Chris - your videos are always so helpful and entertaining. Love the foodie spin as well! 😊
Question - Packing as a minimalist, shoes take up a ton of space. What do you bring for shoes? I thought you just had keens but I see you have some black shoes on now. How many pair do you bring on your travels?
Great question
In Asia I only have the Keen’s
Perfect
Here in Europe I have second hand leather high top shoes I bought for this trip and the Keen’s are in my backpack for Asia after :-)
Aloha my friend, wonderful videos of the stunning historic buildings, churches, clock towers and the squares in the old town of Prague. A good dark beer for breakfast, that is the way to go. What is the name for the Czechia dark beer that you were having a two pubs. I agree, walk around and find hidden gems like the pubs and that vinyl record shop. Good old 90s music !!!!!! You have given your audience many more countries to visit. Mahalo looking forward to your next video.
I love to find second hand stores
Antique or vinyl
:-)
Hmm I’m not sure what the beer name was
Good timing for getting out of Thailand! Prague is cool, lot's to enjoy there.
The cold air feels good :-)
I honestly can say Eastern Europe is stunning, every spot you've profiled is gorgeous.
It really is a wonderful area to visit
The architecture and culture is fun to walk through
❤@@RetireandGo
Love your work
Thank you :-)
Have a great week
another great video Chris, keep it up. Kent
Thank you for this
I appreciate it :-)
Such a great strategy to do more expensive trips in the mix in small doses while spending time mostly in South East Asia. You must be looking forward to eating rice again after all those sausages and potatoes! Nice work
Haha true
I am enjoying the change but yes I miss the Thai food
Just go. If there is a small language problem it is part of the adventure! Especially in the hospitality industry there will be somebody who speaks English. I try to learn small travel phrases if while walking i have to ask a passerby "where is" etc. They say Japan is the hardest as often there is no English next to the script on a sign, but in general the people go out of their way to help you get where you need to go. Luckily English is the bridge language. I have seen two people from different nations and for whom English is a second language converse in English to communicate.
Czechia is famous for the beer. I used to love Pilsner Urquell which i believe is from there. Tucson late 70's-early 80's. The Wodden Bucket & Mr. Billards. Grateful to still be alive. You make me want to travel again. Thanks!
Thank you for this wonderful comment
I appreciate this !
Yes I like a dark beer, local if I can get it :-)
One of the best cities in Europe.
I agree with you
Everyone said to make sure to go
Another great video. As a fellow foodie, Thank you 😂
You are most welcome :-)
Great video. You are making your dreams come true. That’s awesome!! Love it.
Thank you kindly :-)
I hope I can inspire you and others to get out there and travel this year
I agree that you should definitely not hold back on traveling due to possible language barriers! The "worst" place I have been has been Japan and China, but I got my point across by pointing and gesturing, and even had to walk the server out to the window to show him the plastic food I wanted (Japan). The pros highly outweigh any struggles you may have.
True
AI tech is coming that will remove any language barrier
Probably this year :-)
Great video and topic. After hitting more countries than I can count, across six continents- language is and will never be an issue. It’s cool to learn a few polite phrases for the country you’re in, but that and a smile is all it takes. When it comes to travel- done will always be better than perfect. Just go, the truth is- not everything is going to go as you plan, be what you think it will be, or as complicated as you will make it before you get there. What you will come away with will be worth so much more. Get lost, talk with your hands, make mistakes… have fun and don’t overthink it.
This is so true
I appreciate this
Polite and adaptable!
In our travels, we have found that in most tourist spots, the locals speak great English. In most of the world, people are taught their local language as well as English in school. And for reading signs and menus, worst case scenario we can use Google Translate which can take a picture of the menu or sign and then translate it. But your point at the menu strategy is even easier!
Very good points
I agree
Google translate is a travelers friend :-)
Love ur videos! Ur making a lot of content- don’t burn out!
Very true
Im taking a day off every week to rest
Otherwise 12 hour days filming and editing!
Always love watching your videos Chris 🙏😃
Thank you kindly
I hope you have a wonderful week
that waffle stick looked 🔥 yum
I agree :-)
So true about the language, humans have a knack for basic communication, worked outside in Scotland for 2 years in late 70's, and that gray sky reminds me how cold and damp it was this time of year.great work, PEACE!!!
Oh yes true
Working in Scotland must have been interesting
Yeah man, I was young, so many cool people, young and old, and so much history, but I could not acclimatize, visit Edinburgh if you haven't
Ya gotta go back to Amsterdam...the food is amazing and so many historic sites and cobbled streets that you will love and all the Church towers and the ringing of the bells are magical. Plus you can see Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum with wonderful art! Oriental City serves a wonderful duck dish and dim sum !
Oh my yes I agree I need to
If not this trip then another
It's good advice to go even without knowing the Czech language. It is very hard language that takes about 1,100 hours to learn at a basic conversational level (for people speaking Germanic languages). :D
Oh yes true
Just go
I don’t even worry about language
I just get in a plane :-)
Yes! Another mad dawg! 🐕
Oh yes
They are worldwide haha
Brisk is O.K. if it is sunny or at least not pouring rain. With age we need the light! Hua Hin is on the short list.
Very nice :-)
Absolutely love your videos! Thank you! I myself speak several languages. Indeed, I am a translator in real life. And it's true, as you say, that with technology, one can travel everywhere today without speaking the local language and get by. However, you do miss out on a lot by not being able to understand the conversations around you, nor participating in them. That's just my feeling about the topic. Can I just point out a detail though, because I've heard you pronounce "Czechia" like "Tchetchnia" several times now! These are different places, as you know! It's pronounced "Check- ee - a". Or you can simply say "the Czech (=Check) Republic". Thank you for your wonderful content that demonstrates that a life of freedom and discovery can be achieved on a budget!
I wish I could speak these languages like you ! That is great
I agree don't let the language barrier stop you from traveling...I am in Da Nang Vietnam currently( My first time in Asia)..You can get by w Google Translate...That said I lived in S America for 6 years and speak Spanish...It sure is nice to be able to have conversations with the locals.It opens up many doors.The one thing about where I am now is the cost of things...Its insane how affordable everything is.I thought Colombia was cheap..$9 a night for a nice private hotel room $3-$4 for a meal is crazy...
$9 ! Boom
That’s awesome
Too cold for me. Looks beautiful
It’s chilly for sure haha :-)
I bet you are missing the thai foot massages hahaha? Many thanks for sharing your journey sir.
Oh my yes !
You know I saw Thai massage locations around Europe
Kind of interesting
The only countries I found challenging with “English Essential” was Brazil/Portuguese and surprisingly Chile/Spanish. I’m not sure what your experience was in Chile but we only found two people who spoke some English - I would estimate the percentage of English speakers in both countries would be under 5%.
Great video! Have you been to Turkey? I’m heading there in two weeks 🤩
This is true
Brasil was the one
I was in Floripa and English was fine
I recommend Floripa :-)
Do you find you need less cash than you thought? I'm assuming most places take cards?
Oh yes for sure
I have not used even 50 euro in cash
Love your videos, what editing software are you using ?
I bounce between a few but InShot is one I’m learning :-)
@RetireandGo thank you
What a awesome location it’s similar to other European countries like Austria etc, just stunning. And the food amazing ! Maybe a little clogging on the lack of fibre side lol. On the positive I wouldn’t have to worry about going to the toilet much ! 😂
Haha ! True
very cold there. you have inspired me to get a divorce (after nearly 30 years) and live the nomad life. I will be mostly debt free next month and travel freely by the end of November. thank you for getting me off my a**!
Oh my haha
I want you to travel but make the divorce choice after some couples therapy haha. :-)
Chris inspired you to get a divorce!? 😂😂😂
@RetireandGo sorry for the confusion. our marriage ended over a decade ago but we didn't divorce for financial reasons (I'm a US citizen and my wife is korean). after my girlfriend's death 4 years ago (that's her in my profile pic), my life was rudderless. your videos inspired me to explore and minimize my financial burdens. thank you.
@Thai.Farang no, my wife and I have been in an open relationship for more than a decade. my girlfriend (my profile pic) and I planned to marry after the pandemic but she died 4 years ago. Chris' videos inspired me to get out of my rut. I've been living in Singapore for 14 years and his SEA videos showed me how fun (and cheaper) Singapore's neighbors are.
@@maximushung ok I understand
:-)
Have a great year!
language problem does arise if not eating certain stuff like being pure veg
Interesting! Good point
Do they add a tax on your meal bill?
Hmm I’ll need to check that
@RetireandGo we had problems with a "tourist tax" on our bills. At the time there was no computerized check. It was a slip of paper with numbers on it.
@ very interesting and I appreciate this information
Other countries being added to the Schengen area isn't necessarily a good thing. It means you can't use those countries to "hop into" to after your 90 days are up.
Dang, you had to really reach to be negative on this! I’m actually impressed :-)
@@RetireandGo I don't think the comment was meant to be a negative ding. It is an issue for full time travelers doing the Schengen shuffle. You are correct it makes it easier to country hop, but it also limits you to 90 days within all those countries.
warsaw or prague? who wins
Hmm I don’t know haha
And we have so many more countries to go !
Do people in Czech Republic typically tip for meals? Tipping culture in the US is getting a bit out of hand.
I live in Prague, and tipping wasn't expected until about 10 years ago, when tourism really started to go crazy, and restaurants got used to getting tips. So, nowadays, even us locals tend to give a tip. About 10% is normal for a tip here.
@@AnthonyLauder A 10% tip sounds reasonable, and I’d be more than happy to give that. However, most places near where I live in Virginia (US) now expect 20% or more for tips-it’s really getting out of hand.
@@ariholic2017 Haha - if you gave 20% here, the waiter would think it was their birthday! And lots of locals would give you funny looks.
Thank you to the community for these great responses!
@@ariholic2017 I just read the other day that 25% is now the tip level in a lot of places in the US. When I first visited the US 40 years ago it was 10%. It has creeped through 15 to 18 and now even 20 to be 25. I wonder when even the US citizens will say enough? It does put people from non tipping or low tipping countries off from visiting the wonderful (expensive) US.
How much do you reckon you have spent so far 💰?
Europe is costing about $100 a day all in
With Southeast Asia costing about half that, hitting a few countries like this is doable :-)
@@RetireandGoThank you🖐, sounds like it's getting expensive but this is because you are staying for a few days if you were there long term like in Asia I think you would find it a lot cheaper I don't think there is a lot of difference living in Bulgaria to Thailand. I assume 100 dollars a day includes travel costs?
@@RetireandGoThank you🖐, sounds like it's getting expensive but this is because you are staying for a few days if you were there long term like in Asia I think you would find it a lot cheaper I don't think there is a lot of difference living in Bulgaria to Thailand. I assume 100 dollars a day includes travel costs?
@ yes absolutely
Flight train uber included
Food hotel
About $100 a day is a good average
And if I spend one week in each country it’s not bad really
When i get to Asia I’ll make up for the increased costs with cheaper living :-)
By the way, it’s really nice traveling through Europe like this
Chilly, but hardly any tourists
What's your ethnic background, Chris? Is there any Eastern European in your bloodline?
I guess a mix
Typical US kid haha
AI real time translation....what could go wrong?
Yes true haha
I think we will see this in 12 months
Don't say that Czech republic is in eastern Europe. Geographically and especially historically it is nonsense. The Czech lands were about 800 years part of Holy Roman Empire, 110 years part of Austria-Hungary Monarchy and then Czechoslovakia (20 years independent, then occupied by Nazist and then 40 years under the influence of Soviet). So in 1000 years of Czech history, there are only 40 years when it can be said that it was part of the East...
Let’s say north Europe haha
Part of the motion picture Flammen & Citronen (“The Flame and The Lemon”)
starring Mads Mikkelsen was filmed in Prague.
It's a beautiful city.
He is one of my favorites!