Tuesday 5/2/2006

Finding Internet Connections in Karlovy Vary

They say it's there, but it can't be found.

While still in Prague I [Mark] did a Web search for wireless connections in Karlovy Vary. I found a number of possibilities (none of them free). However, on our arrival, I found the situation quite different. Our fist day in town we went searching... our saga:

1. I noticed what seemed to be a local wireless network while in the van the night we arrived! Wow... could this be? My Mac indicated that I was connected, but I could not do anything online. A couple days later, I learned that it was waiting for the appropriate password. Who is "z19ap" in Karlovy Vary (if you ever find and read this, please let me know)? If only there was a way to ask the network administrator to let me in.... "Knock knock...."



2. On our walk into town the first day we stopped at the main bus station where there was a city information office. The people in the office suggested we use the Internet kiosk in the station, but would not consider it part of their "information" to check for availability of Internet.
   They gave us maps of the Czech Republic, information about camping, public (as contrasted with "you have to be staying at the hotel") baths, all kinds of things, but if we wanted to learn about Internet availability in town... sorry.
3. A few meters beyond the bus station I found a little Vietnamese restaurant with a sign in front offering "Internet". I went in (downstairs) into a smoky den... deep in the back was a room marked with a "@" but it was closed off with a table turned on its side.
4. Near the main post office in town we found a little pastry shop. Next door was an opening with a sign above it indicating email, gaming, Internet. I went in, down stairs... again, another dark, smoky den without the ability to connect my computer to the Internet.
5. As we continue to ask about WiFi and Internet, few people even understood what we were asking about.
6. At the Thermal spa hotel, we saw a big sign advertising "Internet" across the windows of the second floor. We found the entrance and learned that there are two old "Windoze" computers with Internet connections you can use to surf the Web and check your Web based email at 40 Crown per 1/2 hour (at a minimum of 1/2 hour).
7. We took a little lunch break at a cafe. Debbie thought might have Internet, because the sign looks sort of like it has an "@" in it (I took the photo later that night, the daylight colors are blue and orange... much prettier):

   

   But, they do not. And, the proprietor had no idea about what WiFi is or where to find Internet access.
8. Simultaneously we were looking for a place to "do the waters"... this is, after all, Karlsbad. We went to Elizabeth Baths and asked the (Russian-, German-, Czech- (of course) English-speaking) receptionist about WiFi access. She understood us and sent us to "The Atrium" about 150 meters away.
9. On arrival at The Atrium, the proprietor apologized and said his Internet connection was not working any more, but that "near the Valencia restaurant" there is Internet.
10. At the Valencia restaurant, the people sitting there, two policemen and the waitress, had no idea what we were asking about.
11. But, across the way is another city "Info" station. We asked the young woman there. She was not aware that the Internet at the Atrium no longer works, and knew nothing about the Internet connection that supposedly now exists "near the Valencia".
12. We continued on our walk and arrived at the Pupp Hotel (one of the poshier hotels in the area). The woman at the desk disdainfully mentioned that they have Internet (if this includes WiFi, it's not clear) access "only for the residents".
13. We were not solely on a search for Internet access, we were here to enjoy Karlovy Vary, so we took the funicular up to the peak (556 meters) where the Diana restaurant is...
    a perfect location to have WiFi if I've ever seen one... a little restaurant with a 360 degree view of the entire area.
    But, no.
14. We walked back down through the lovely woodland trails and found a "Best Western" hotel next door to the Russian Orthodox church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
    Ah, an "American" hotel. Perhaps they have, or know of Internet access. The man at the desk understood our quest. He apologized for the little Windoze box they have for the use of guests and offered to let us check our email on it.
    And, he offered that "over there..." is a little "telephony" business. He gave good instructions on how to get there.
15. My earlier research (at jiwire.com which also has a Dashboard Widget I've been using) had indicated that the Hotel Bristol has WiFi. It was on the way from the Best Western to the "telephony" so we stopped by.
    Indeed, they do have "Internet" as the sign on the desk indicates in Russian and English:

    

    And, the woman at the reception desk explained that, yes, they do have WiFi, but it is available only up at the swimming pool. She gave us a "magnetic swipe card" to access the area, and we go up.
16. At the pool, the attendant pointed to yet another Windoze machine. She stated that there is no "WiFi" (whatever that is... she seems not to understand), so I took my PowerBook out of my knapsack and checked to see if I can find a signal.
    Sorry.
17. Finally to the telephony location. It is run by a Russian. I say "Sdrasvoiteh" (sp?) as I enter. Tiny cubicles (like library carrells) each have a telephone. On one desk is a Windoze box. But, on another carrell, near a wall with an electricity outlet, there an ethernet cable.
    Eureka!
    Cost: 1 Crown per minute, no minimum.

    

    
    We returned daily to check our mail and update the Web site.
18. The following day we found electricity on the veranda of the "pish posh" Imperial Hotel, where we "took tea". But, there was no WiFi, nor could we find any evidence of an Internet connection. We used the electricity, then moved on to return to our Russian telephony office.

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