I went to prague twice
once before the revolution (like a couple of months before) and once when it was proper capitalistified. There was quite the contrast
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sun 30 Jan 2011, 15:21, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

There were 15 years between my first and second visit
And there was a huge difference, not least in the cost of living. The first time I went, I managed to spend less than £70 in a week, that included eating out every night and quite a few cab fares/nightclubs etc.

Most recently, the cost of things there was similar to that in the UK.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Sun 30 Jan 2011, 15:28, Reply)

my first trip was one day with guides (we were camping in germany).
As I remember it we were hours at the border, there was NO ONE in the streets and we were ushered quickly to a giant church (I think it was, anyway), fed a 11 course meal, then ushered out again. It was a long time ago, but I don't remember sightseeing or anything

edit: august 1989 and a quick check of wikipedia says the velvet revolution was November
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sun 30 Jan 2011, 15:33, Reply)

What's worse than a guide in your pocket?

( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Sun 30 Jan 2011, 15:52, Reply)

a brownie in your pants?

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sun 30 Jan 2011, 16:00, Reply)