Welcoming Reception at the Municipal House, Prague. |
Click here for SPECIAL REPORT I, here for REPORT III, here for REPORT IV, here for REPORT V, here for REPORT VI and here for the FINAL REPORT.
PRAGUE, Mon: Well, I stayed a good part of the 25th September roaming the streets of Vienna. I stumbled upon the Sigmund Freud Museum which was Freud’s actual house at Berggasse 19 where he had his medical practice and wrote many of his renowned works. There is a library there with all his works and I spent some time going through his penned thoughts on religion and dreams. Anyone visiting Vienna should not give this a miss.
I was to leave Vienna on the 1655 flight but it was delayed till 1720. When I arrived at Prague, the immigration lines were long and I only cleared immigration at about 1930. A direct taxi to the hostel was too expensive, so I took the bus no. 119 and from there I took the metro to the centre of town (metro stop “Museum”). It cost me 20 –Kc (equivalent to about RM4).
I felt that I was backpacking all over again when we, as students, were doing it across Europe and the US lugging with heavy bags. I had 2 bags because of the laptop and some pleadings to fair and finding the cheapest means to travel. The bus was packed with fellow travellers and it appears Prague is a popular destination with shoestring travellers. The bus took us through the lush countryside, vast open land and from the suburbs to the end of the bus line at Dejvcka. It was beautiful. I then hopped on the metro to head towards the centre of town.
I looked for my hostel (“ABC Hostel”) and after about 20 minutes, found it. It is just off the Wenceslas Square, and very close to the National Museum. The hostel had one only 1 extremely narrow lift where you had to open the door manually to get in, and the building in which the hostel is situated is dark and brooding. I was shown to my room after the formalities and was given 4 sets of keys – one for the main entrance to the hostel, one for the main entrance to the 3rd floor where my room is, one for the corridor leading to the kitchen and the last for my room door. I was advised to keep all these doors locked at all times.
I quickly washed up and headed for the Municipal House where the Welcome Reception was being held. I was already about 2 hours late as it was due to start at 1900. I walked about 8 minutes towards the Municipal House and found it easily. However, unlike Vienna, the streets of Prague had a mixed sense of danger and excitement to it. I was feeling a bit insecure with my surroundings and had to continually look over my shoulder, whilst trying to read the Prague map for the first time (and rushing for the function all at the same time) as there were various groups of people walking about the streets aimlessly and looking suspicious.
But, where food, drink, wine and beer waits, (hu)mans will always cometh, and cometh again. And I was not disappointed. The Municipal House was majestic, to say the least. Although the programme said “smart casual”, most of the guests were in lounge suits. I felt a slightly out of place, with only a blue “smart casual” shirt and pants, and slung over my shoulder was my bag but again, the wine and beer called and I was not about to disappoint them.
After a few glasses, I had to go about my side job and snap whatever photos I felt were relevant for our website. There were some “no–photos” areas but with courage from the Dutch, I went ahead nevertheless. There were no less than 8 different halls on different levels and sections of the House where food and drink were served. When I was there at about 2115, the crowd was still quite large, and it is reported that some 2000 delegates had attended the function earlier. The list of participants had about 3000 names registered for the Conference. It was immense. It was grand. Eat, drink and be merry.
I quickly tried to eat as much as I could and after surviving Vienna on a meal a day, it was refreshing to be able to stuff myself with a buffet–spread choice of food. The rice and curry were horrible though. But the beer then washed it down well.
Thavalingam Thavarajah (left) and Vijayan Venugopal. |
There were no familiar faces, and although lawyers mostly look alike – ties right up to their necks, in straight tight suits, carried with a slightly tilted chin and immaculately shined shoes – I was not able to spot any Malaysian delegates. It was rumoured that Haji Sulaiman Abdullah was going to attend the Conference, with a large delegation from Shearn Delamore, but alas, no one was in sight.
I dutifully decided to immerse myself in more beer and wine, which I must say, I have never tasted better beer than the Czech beer I had although I forget its name now. It was excellent. I will try to recall it tomorrow. And at the same time, reminding myself of the need to get pictures for the Bar’s webmaster, I continued with my duties. I trust the pictures turned out fine, and its not easy working with a camera in one hand and a beer in another.
I went into the main hall where there were these 6–8 men well–dressed in black long suits with a tail at the end, playing huge instruments in unison, and making sweet, sweet music. I could not make out the music, was it baroque, Bach, Backstreet Boys or Beach Boys? Right in front of the stage (as we are trained to think that Malaysians always “Boleh” and always have the best seats in the house) I noticed a group of lawyers who looked quite familiar. I approached them and one of them was Thavalingam Thavarajah! He was dressed to kill, in a red Polo T–shirt and leather jacket which looked as casually smart as I was. I was happy to see him dressed that way. Malaysians are always different. He was there with his lovely wife. Vijayan Venugopal and his wife, K. Gowri were also there.
We exchanged the customary pleasantries and then Thava and I started talking about the Conference and catching up. I then noticed at the corner of my eye 3 delegates who looked familiar. Sure enough, there were from Singapore! And of course, as Singaporeans, they actually must have the best seats in the house – they were sitting on the stage where the strange men were playing the huge instruments. I met 2 of them before through young lawyers events and the Bar Games – Jacinta Thanimalah and Anand Nalachandran – and they are both Council members representing the young lawyers section in the Law Society of Singapore.
Bon with the great Czech beer and Wan Kai Chee. |
Wan Kai Chee, our Bar’s boy genius–turned–lawyer, was also spotted at the function. He kindly registered on my behalf as the registration desk closed at 1800 and I would be arriving after 1800. I was informed that registration took a long time because of the sheer number of participants despite the organisers being supremely efficient, and I was relieved that I did not have to go through that.
The night was great, and kick–started a Conference which has more than 150 sessions to choose from. The organisation of the Conference, seen from the Conference pack given to us, appears to be in a different league altogether. From excursions to breakfasts to forums to evening receptions, I believe it will truly be an enjoyable and rewarding Conference.
I sadly left the function at about 2330 when the majority of guests were leaving. I took my time strolling Prague, Wenceslas Square and the outer part of the Square. The weather was perfect – just cool with a slight breeze – and a shirt was enough to keep me sufficiently warm.
The best and most enjoyable way to explore a new place is to walk it and I did, but then again, I was not entirely comfortable walking at that time of the night. There were vagrants wondering around, drunks not being able to walk in a straight line, homeless sleeping on the street benches, groups of men “mock–wrestling” on the sidewalk and “promoters” of bars and nightclubs approaching people inviting them into their establishments. Police cars and foot police units were ever present and patrolling the Square.
There was an incident I witnessed where a young looking girl approached two men and immediately latched onto one of them by holding onto the front jeans pockets and crotch of the man, groping for money and at the same time trying to entice him into giving her money. It happened for a good one minute as the man tried to walk away from her, and he succeeded.
I was thus extremely careful with my belongings and it is sad that one needed to be that way in such a historic and beautiful city. As I had not felt out the limits of the city, and I will probably do in the next few days, I ended the night at about 0130 at a hot dog stall near my hostel. I wonder how they do it, but the sausage was excellent – crispy skin on the outside and tender on the inside. I ate my hot dog and at the same time, watched people walk by and go about their nocturnal activities.
I have only just looked at the list of participants, and there are 19 delegates from Malaysia for the Conference. It is not a large number but I am sure that in the spirit of the Malaysian Bar we would be able to bring home ideas and learn new practices which will benefit the Bar. It is also my wish to see our lawyers making an impact during the Conference and in our own ways, contribute to continuing good work of the IBA.
More pictures... | |
At the Sigmund Freud Museum, Vienna. | |
Municipal House | |
Aah, the one and true friend, beer in the midst of romantic light. | |
Welcoming Party... | |
Mysterious floor marbling | |
Friends from Singapore – Jacinta Thanimalah (far left), Anna Quah and Anand Nalachandran. | With their spouses. |
The Warrior and me. | |
Nice floor marbling at the Municipal House. | Even superheroes have their bad days. |