Olla-Moats

Our first hostel stay since we left, and what a fine city to chose. A student town, north of Brno, and on the way to Poland. It is a fine old historic town that seems to be mainly off the tourist trail and is mainly populated by heavily subsidised students. We stayed in a hostel called ‘Poet’s Corner’, which may be the nicest hostel I have ever stayed in. Small, friendly, homely, great atmosphere, lots of like minded people, great furniture and owners that want you to get a feel for the town itself. The fact that both L and I have been almost exclusive conversation partners to each other since we left, meant that talking to other people was great, alternatively stimulating, and informative about future destinations. I had forgotten about the benefits of hostelling.
The town itself is fairly small, bespoke with cobbles and ramparts, two fine town squares, a cheesy communist astronomical clock, monuments to the past, plenty of green spaces, a fine cathedral and finer churches. When the Hapsburgs were the emperors in this part of the world, they chose this town as their royal seat and the effect still survives in the buildings that line the twisting streets. Our disorientated arrival was routine, but was made worse by the old layout of the town and one way streets. This is not a level town, nay it is up and down with streets that a Viking would be proud of in their narrow warren likeness. Of course Napoleon took a trip around these streets trying to find somewhere his owners weren’t sure where this was. Plenty of odd looks and big smiles were received on this motorised stroll through town, until we were pulled over by the Policei. We had entered a square from the North, but instead of treating it like a roundabout and going to the right (continental rules!) we went to the left…..at first I thought he was waving in salute to Napoleon, but then I realised. Luckily L was a little faster to react and explained in the old silly tourist trick voice that we were lost. Personally I think it helps that she is not a man, but we escaped with no penalty and sort of helpful directions. We spent a few nights in this town and would recommend both the town and hostel as a place for a good few days holidaying that will be both cheap and memorable, even if you don’t get the opportunity to break the rules of the road.