European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                At the bus tour members took out their suitcases and loaded them up with the morning s take. A lot of room still remained in the hold. This is not so much Quot the bus Driver shrugged. Quot last week. Quot he gestured wildly with his arms to demonstrate a Jam packed Mountain of goods. The bus look us up a circuitous Hill to Ideal a tiny Crystal China and lamp Emporium. My fellow travellers snapped up China sets wine glasses Cognac glasses serving dishes s mall chandeliers Ash trays decanters and vases with True shoppers Fervour. Quot i can t wait to get Home and Lay my stuff on the table said Tara Byrd a family member from Pir Masens. An hour or so later we again boarded the bus for the Golden Lane a winding walk up a Hill to a Castle. English speaking vendors abound in this picturesque setting and the Best buys Here Are soviet military items postcards and water colors of the City. Senior airman Kevin Lackey a Security policeman assigned to Ramstein a Germany found his prize buy on the Golden Lane a soviet military watch for $35. He also picked up several soviet military hats including a Are Navy Cap for $17 each. All the so lot stuff is Groat Quot Lackey exulted. Russian c Ayiar in Blue topped jars also appeared on several vendors Small tables. It paid to bargain Tor it. I bought two jars Tor 450 crowns plus 10 Marks or a total of about $22. Further up the Hill another Vendor wanted 450 crowns per Jar. A. Crystal animals also could be had on the Golden Lane for a few dollars each a buy that several travellers took v advantage of. Prices outside Czechoslovakia can be As High As $70 for a Small Crystal animal Byrd said. Quot i never dreamed of getting into collecting these because it was too expensive Quot Byrd said of the Crystal menagerie she bought in Prague. Quot i just had a Ball buying . We dined at a Fleu one of two Prague breweries that claim to be the oldest in town. Dinner offered a Choice of goulash or something else and since we were in Prague most selected the goulash that came with dumplings. The dessert choices were ice Cream and an intensely smelly cheese. Most opted for the ice Cream. ,. A a a a Quot no one s going to want to sit next to me now Quot was the weak quip from one of the few who had ordered the cheese Belore she knew what she was getting. Two and a half hours alter setting out. On the Way West we reached the Border. Two tour buses ahead of us passed through with Little notice  passport Check. But our number came up and the order came to open up that cargo hold. Passengers held their breath and stared out the window As the guard ordered Only a bulging suitcase Anil a neatly wrapped Large Box pulled. V Quot a woman from Heidelberg admitted ownership of the suitcase and left the bus to explain her packages. There was a collective sigh of Relief when the suitcase was closed and put Back on the bus after minimal discussion. The owner of the chandelier in the Box was t so Lucky. The guard kept it. Quot she s very mad Quot said Sharlene Miranda of Goppinger the daughter of the chandelier owner the woman had 30 Days to retrieve it and pay a us percent duty on her $ 167 Purchase. Nothing else was touched including the Duffel bag that hid Roberts chandelier Quot i think we got off Giul Quot Roberts said As we pulled Ott into the night. Far left handmade marionettes Appeal to children and adults. Left Tony Blauert of Walker minn., calculates a Price on a clock. Tips for doing Prague an astronomical clock in downtown Prague. Here Are a few tips for getting the most out of a visit to Prague. A a a a a a a a. A a a a. A. A a a a a. A a a a if possible change your Money at the Border. A colleague received 28.75 czech crowns for the Dollar including commission when he exchanged Money at a Border crossing on a recent trip. That s nearly a Crown More than top Tours clients got from their tour guide on a midweek trip in april. Top Tours officials say that Money changing is an optional service that tour guides provide if they want to. However i was told when i booked my tour at an on base Tours and travel office that the tour guide would change my Money. If changing Money at an Exchange Kiosk or Bank in Prague where the Exchange rate hovers around 29 to 30 crowns to the Dollar ask Oyhat the Money changing fee is and if the agent will re Exchange your crowns for you. Save your receipt in Case you want to change the crowns Back into Western currency when you leave. Another colleague said he had no difficulty re exchanging Money on his Way Back to Germany by producing his receipt at a Border Exchange outlet. Do not Exchange Money with people who approach you on the Street. A save your receipt also when you buy goods at a duty free or hard currency shop such As Tuzes. If it has a red or purple Stripe your Purchase is exempt from any Border taxes if the Tuzes receipt does t have the Stripe the tax will in 3 percent of the value if your goods Are i Het ked at the Border according to information from the . Embassy consular Section. Street vendors who Are willing to sell goods Tor hard c currency will probably not have Access to the official duty free forms so buy at your own risk. A examine c Crystal animals  c  items Lor flaws  buy them from Street vendors. It May not All be perfect. It s up to the individual to find that out said an american who Lias lived in Prague for several years. Quot i Don t think you can go Bat k and Exchange . A of hungry and adventurous if you want to save Money pass up the overpriced breakfasts at hotels that Cater to tourists and wait until the Street Booths or cafes open at around 10 . Some food vendors operate out of building windows that look on to streets. Locals say that a lunch of soup bread and cheese will Cost less than $1. A Quot Parky Quot or czech hot dog costs 35 cents or so and czech variations of gyros hamburgers and pizza Cost about As Little. Dinner will Benore expensive. Quot they be caught on to the spirit of capitalism Quot tie american local said. A american shoppers who Breeze in Tor bargains stand out in the crowd. Leave the shopping t arts at Home. Keep a close Eye and hand on your Wallet or purse and those of your fellow travellers. A Deedee Arrington Doke May 23, 1991 stripes Magazine 9