As we were walking back to our Airbnb yesterday, we remarked on the intriguing city of Prague. My partner made the comment that “it’s so interesting how different all the different parts of the world are. But at the same time, it's the same.” I found that interesting indeed.

Prague is my first foray into Eastern Europe. Perhaps that’s ever present in the back of my mind, but it seems Prague epitomizes the region. Ruled by the Přemyslids, Habsburgs, Hussites, and Soviets over the past 1000 years, Prague boasts numerous cultural influences and architectural styles from the surrounding regions, but also a strong identity of its own. The Soviet shadow lingers, but mostly just because that history is the most recent and most known. Now Prague is progress and independence and intensity and Art Nouveau. Prague is sure of itself. It’s like Prague perfectly encapsulates all of this to shine as the exemplary Eastern European city.

And yet, how different are the Bohemian people compared to others? The history and culture here is unique, just as unique, in fact, as the culture on the Adriatic coast, the culture of Umbria, Andalusia, and South America. People eat and sleep and hang out. People zip about the city—in Prague they take the tram, in Rome, the metro. People struggle and strive, laugh and enjoy. That’s the same everywhere, and it’s one of the epiphanies of traveling. Everywhere is unique, and beautiful and profound. But from a certain perspective, that sameness seeps through. And it’s just as beautiful.