So, I am finally in Prague. After weeks of alternating between moments of complete procrastination and extreme productivity, I have arrived. The days leading up to my departure were a cornucopia of emotions, sometimes two or three at one time and most of the time conflicting. Between saying good-bye to a long lost friend and having barely enough time to spend with someone who had recently become exceedingly dear to my heart, I wish life came with a pause button. However, it doesn't and I feel bad for the mess I left behind. Not emotional mess, but actual physical mess. I wish I had been even more on top of my shit, but I wasn't and now I feel guilty. Yay being me. Anyway.
My flight over was long, delayed twice and I didn't sleep enough, between the cute, but sprawling British boy next to me, who kept elbowing me (god lord I felt huge) and the snobby, pretending to be helpful woman behind me who kept kicking my chair every time I was nearly asleep, while she tried to talk to the Indian woman, who clearly spoke very little English, in the seat next to her, and managed to put this poor woman down for clearly being an inexperienced traveler, I spent half the flight wishing I had turned back during the security check and left while I had the chance (after all my mom waited and watched until I was well passed security before she headed back to the car).
When I got Prague, I was relieved to see my name, printed on an envelope, containing the keys to the flat I would be sharing for the next month. It only took about 20 minutes to get to my flat and slightly less time, once inside to find a room.
Ahhhh my room. Every room is decorated the same, somewhere between college dorm room and prison chic. Honestly, the cot they call a bed should be considered a torture device and outlawed by the Geneva Convention. I am not allowed to put anything up on the walls, so decorating is not an option and I feel like I am trapped in limbo until I find my own place, which needs to be soon.
Now on to Prague itself. I have had the chance to explore it twice and what an experience both times. My favorite time is, of course, at night. While there is a beautiful vibrancy to it during the day, it is nothing compare to the splendor and aliveness of it at night. It doesn't sparkle like Paris or have the cold momentum of London, but there is something truly alive about Prague at night. The people, tourist and locals alike, sort of stroll through the old town area, watching each other and the vendors who stand in their store fronts compelling people to come in and buy. Waiters at restaurants hold open menus in the streets with untold numbers of goodies and delicacies, tempting passers by to stop in and try this or that, drink a famous Czech beer and experience Old World cuisine. Even the beggars here seem to be far less pushy. Down on their knees with their faces to the ground and arms stretched out in front of them, they seem to be in reverence to the people willing to shell out a crown of two and in a state of complete humility to those who would sneer. Needless to say, I find them fascinating.
More to come....
My flight over was long, delayed twice and I didn't sleep enough, between the cute, but sprawling British boy next to me, who kept elbowing me (god lord I felt huge) and the snobby, pretending to be helpful woman behind me who kept kicking my chair every time I was nearly asleep, while she tried to talk to the Indian woman, who clearly spoke very little English, in the seat next to her, and managed to put this poor woman down for clearly being an inexperienced traveler, I spent half the flight wishing I had turned back during the security check and left while I had the chance (after all my mom waited and watched until I was well passed security before she headed back to the car).
When I got Prague, I was relieved to see my name, printed on an envelope, containing the keys to the flat I would be sharing for the next month. It only took about 20 minutes to get to my flat and slightly less time, once inside to find a room.
Ahhhh my room. Every room is decorated the same, somewhere between college dorm room and prison chic. Honestly, the cot they call a bed should be considered a torture device and outlawed by the Geneva Convention. I am not allowed to put anything up on the walls, so decorating is not an option and I feel like I am trapped in limbo until I find my own place, which needs to be soon.
Now on to Prague itself. I have had the chance to explore it twice and what an experience both times. My favorite time is, of course, at night. While there is a beautiful vibrancy to it during the day, it is nothing compare to the splendor and aliveness of it at night. It doesn't sparkle like Paris or have the cold momentum of London, but there is something truly alive about Prague at night. The people, tourist and locals alike, sort of stroll through the old town area, watching each other and the vendors who stand in their store fronts compelling people to come in and buy. Waiters at restaurants hold open menus in the streets with untold numbers of goodies and delicacies, tempting passers by to stop in and try this or that, drink a famous Czech beer and experience Old World cuisine. Even the beggars here seem to be far less pushy. Down on their knees with their faces to the ground and arms stretched out in front of them, they seem to be in reverence to the people willing to shell out a crown of two and in a state of complete humility to those who would sneer. Needless to say, I find them fascinating.
More to come....
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