In the long run, taking a train ends up being a faster, stress-free mode of transport.
I just have one little problem with Czech transportation. I never learned how to ride a bike, and it is a very necessary skill to have when you live in Europe. Everyone here bikes and, in fact, my school even has a bike holiday where students take a one-week trip to go cycling in the countryside! So transportation can be a little nerve wracking for me. My first week here, my landlord gave me one of her old bikes to use to get around town, and even though I was really embarassed I tried to ride around a bit for practice. I'm still not very good, but I haven't given up hope yet, even after falling into the ditch four or five times.
Another aspect of transportation that is difficult for me is driving. While the Czech Republic does drive on the right side of the road like we do the United States, it is not very common to drive an automatic vehicle. Everyone has a manual, or stick shift, car and this is a completely different kind of driving for me. When you are on a hill, you have to release the clutch and hit the gas before you roll backwards, or even worse, kill the engine! And let me tell you, the Czech Republic is very hilly. I get nervous whenever I approach a stop light.
Transportation in the Czech Republic is connected to the culture and daily life of the Czech people in many ways. One example is that there is a love for nature in the Czech Republic that goes beyond weekend hobbies or vacations.
