Jana Domov Mladeze Hostel
Prague, Czech Republic
Saturday, 17, May 2008
1:07 PM (USA)/ 7:07 PM (CR)
sitting on the balcony of my hostel, Jana Domov
I'm not sure, but I believe that the girls chicly dressed in all black behind me are French, so I'm trying my utmost in my double-patterened, no-black-to-be-found shirt to appear elegante ;)
Anway, about the day today. We had orientation at the Prague Institute, which is where our classes are held, and got a run down of Czech History and general information. After the information part we went on a walking tour to get our bearings and such, which was fun; however, after that was over we were free to do whatever because we have a tram AND subway pass that covers us the entire time we are here, so all we do is hop on tram or subway and head back to the hostel, when ever we please.
Sooooo, we walked around a bit extra and hopped on Tram 22. We accidentally got off at the wrong stop...
However, it was the most fun we've had all day!! We went to a festival/concert that we being held in the park. It was like a Renaissance festival or something, but there was a pony ride, candy, a band and a roasted pig...yes that's right a WHOLE roasted pig. It was scewered through the mouth and going alllll the way out the, well, you know, haha.
That little "happy accident" showed me the Prague that I was looking for. I hate cliche meaningless tourists points because, yes, they may be wonderful and world renowned, but I appreciate the other part of exploring a city more. I like to see the people that live here with their dogs and children, like at that festival.
The best place to get the feel of your new culture and the people is the market/ grocery store. The Tessco, their Wal-Mart, has a WONDERFUL supermarket with fresh eggs, tomatoes, fruits and bread, bread, bread. It was amazing. The packaging was different, no obnoxious colors and real material was used such as tin and stronger pasteboard. The people shopped different, for example no carts were to be found, only simple hand baskets that from what I saw, were filled with chicken breasts/ fish, leeks, a loaf of freshly baked bread and wine and/or beer (by the way Czech's drink more beer per capita than any other country). They were quick but not frantic, cosey in the sense of being in an outdoor market but not so close that you felt claustrophobic. Basically I felt that it was very wholesome and not a show put on for others to see how "healthy" or "green" they were being, they simply live and have lived this way their whole lives.
Another great and overwhelming thing about Prague is the architecture. People ooh- and ahh over it all day long, but until you see it in person, you can't possibly experience the magnitude and beauty of these buildings. There isn't just ONE row of historic houses, but the ENTIRE CITY, there are no plane facades to be found.
Prague is rich in history and people and I'm slowly figuring it out :)
I think Faran and I are going to go out for some supper/walking while it is still day light, so with that much love to you all and I'll be seeing you soon :)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
London Bridge is falling down! That's okay, we flew anyway :)
Heathrow Airport
London, Great Britain
Friday, 16, May 2008
8:54 AM(USA)/ 1:54 PM (GB)
...or else my palate has become more sophisticated/ expectant to the bitters.
More on this topic. I've decided that everything for the first time has a high probability of sucking (excuse my language). For example, I'll be honest, combined with it being Christmas and missing my family as well as being in FRIGID New York for the first time with not many snacks (haha) it wasn't AS magical as Home Alone makes it seem; however, that being said I did in fact love it and it allowed me to know what was in store for me THIS go round (flying out of NYC). I liked it so much better (keep in mind the weather was great and nostalgia wasn't calling my name with every Christmas bell I saw). I understood so much better and extreme pains before were merely common place bothers...except when Faran and I lugged our luggage down to the subway and rode through Harlem. Let me explain.
As you know, New York isn't know for effective travel by car. It's slow and constipated (something I'm having NO trouble with at the moment. Sorry if that grosses some of you out--Justin, lol). So as a remedy we decided to have Debbie, Faran's mama, to take us to the 72nd Street subway and take Train A all the way to the AirTran, a shuttle that takes you straight to your airport terminal, and unlike fluctuating traffic, subways and trains are on a strict schedule. The "extreme pain" here was that this particular subway had no ramp, nor elevator, so we had to lug our 80 LB luggage (one 50 LB + second checked bag + carry on) down an incline that didn't allow us to use the wheels on our big bags. In conclusion, our bags man handles US and almost threw us down the stairs. But again, this was the first time we had attempted the subway WITH luggage, and next time we know to pick one either with a ramp OR an elevator because the rest was a breeze. It worked perfect.
And just to give the New Yorkers some credit, Faran and I had at least 4-5 people help us get our luggage downstairs AND the cop let us get onto the subway for free :) I don't know if it had anything to do with Faran's exotic eyes (think Ashley with blue eyes) and curly head of hair or my straightened, straw colored version or what but we had help from both men AND women which proves to me, New York is loaded with visitors...haha just kidding! They were genuine locals, who despite their frosty reputations actually helped us. Like the Grinch, the Tin Man, or anyone else who has searched and found a heart, the NYC locals have as well.
Even people watching is getting easier and not so awkward. I feel so much more comfortable in public, exchanging glances, just glances with nearby folks that are brightly dressed (Europeans LOVE color).
One last thing, on the way here we each had a personal TV with head phones, an eye mask, a blanket, a pillow and a toothbrush with tooth paste. The airline served us an amazing supper (really it was excellent for an airline I thought), snack, and breakfast. The Cabin Crew was genuinely sweet and nicely accented.
Oh and to get into the mood for the mother-land, I watched Elizabeth, with Cate Blanchett, which follows the life of how the first Queen Elizabeth came to be :) It worked, very heavy and lots opera sound tracks. Loved it, you should all watch it on a rainy night or one in which just one more 27 Dresses just wont cut it. It has a HARSH beginning, but weather through it, it gets better :)
LOVE YOU ALL! Faran and I are now about to board our Czech flight!!!
London, Great Britain
Friday, 16, May 2008
8:54 AM(USA)/ 1:54 PM (GB)
...or else my palate has become more sophisticated/ expectant to the bitters.
More on this topic. I've decided that everything for the first time has a high probability of sucking (excuse my language). For example, I'll be honest, combined with it being Christmas and missing my family as well as being in FRIGID New York for the first time with not many snacks (haha) it wasn't AS magical as Home Alone makes it seem; however, that being said I did in fact love it and it allowed me to know what was in store for me THIS go round (flying out of NYC). I liked it so much better (keep in mind the weather was great and nostalgia wasn't calling my name with every Christmas bell I saw). I understood so much better and extreme pains before were merely common place bothers...except when Faran and I lugged our luggage down to the subway and rode through Harlem. Let me explain.
As you know, New York isn't know for effective travel by car. It's slow and constipated (something I'm having NO trouble with at the moment. Sorry if that grosses some of you out--Justin, lol). So as a remedy we decided to have Debbie, Faran's mama, to take us to the 72nd Street subway and take Train A all the way to the AirTran, a shuttle that takes you straight to your airport terminal, and unlike fluctuating traffic, subways and trains are on a strict schedule. The "extreme pain" here was that this particular subway had no ramp, nor elevator, so we had to lug our 80 LB luggage (one 50 LB + second checked bag + carry on) down an incline that didn't allow us to use the wheels on our big bags. In conclusion, our bags man handles US and almost threw us down the stairs. But again, this was the first time we had attempted the subway WITH luggage, and next time we know to pick one either with a ramp OR an elevator because the rest was a breeze. It worked perfect.
And just to give the New Yorkers some credit, Faran and I had at least 4-5 people help us get our luggage downstairs AND the cop let us get onto the subway for free :) I don't know if it had anything to do with Faran's exotic eyes (think Ashley with blue eyes) and curly head of hair or my straightened, straw colored version or what but we had help from both men AND women which proves to me, New York is loaded with visitors...haha just kidding! They were genuine locals, who despite their frosty reputations actually helped us. Like the Grinch, the Tin Man, or anyone else who has searched and found a heart, the NYC locals have as well.
Even people watching is getting easier and not so awkward. I feel so much more comfortable in public, exchanging glances, just glances with nearby folks that are brightly dressed (Europeans LOVE color).
One last thing, on the way here we each had a personal TV with head phones, an eye mask, a blanket, a pillow and a toothbrush with tooth paste. The airline served us an amazing supper (really it was excellent for an airline I thought), snack, and breakfast. The Cabin Crew was genuinely sweet and nicely accented.
Oh and to get into the mood for the mother-land, I watched Elizabeth, with Cate Blanchett, which follows the life of how the first Queen Elizabeth came to be :) It worked, very heavy and lots opera sound tracks. Loved it, you should all watch it on a rainy night or one in which just one more 27 Dresses just wont cut it. It has a HARSH beginning, but weather through it, it gets better :)
LOVE YOU ALL! Faran and I are now about to board our Czech flight!!!
In New York City??!!
John F. Kennedy Airport
New York, New York (USA)
Thursday, 15, May 2008
Around 4:30 PM
I can't get over the wonderful people in my life and the wonderful people that I run into. I'm exhausted with joy, worry, love...airports! Being around this many people experiencing their experiences... my watching and thinking is amazingly tiring.
There is a man sitting with a cart, on a crate and I keep on thinking that he is a midget. There's a dog barking.
WTC, a dog in the airport? I would have brought Layla had I known you could!
I'm a freak, I love to people watch.
I feel like people are reading over my shoulder....hey you there, stop reading!!!
Anyway, this is such a great place, so full of everything you could ever dream of and at the same time,I constantly find is that it is just a place. It's just a place made up of people like you and me. They are not super human because they live in NYC, not that I thought that; however, it is one thing to imagine these places and another to meet and greet with them. It sounds like I'm saying be prepared to be disappointed but that isn't the case, simply furthers my belief that imagination is one of the most powerful elements that a person has and is vital to a happy existance. Not to take away from things and their splendor, simply it is what you make it, open your eyes to see the wonder. That simple, otherwise you may spend a lifetime disappointed.
*(written later that day) Taking a spin on what I said earlier: NYC is beautiful in the spring. People are on bikes, walking and talking; there are sailboats on the Hudson.
People are smiling, laughing-- Spring seems to have sweetened this "acquired-taste-city", if you may, or else my palate has become more sophisticated/ expectant to the bitters.
New York, New York (USA)
Thursday, 15, May 2008
Around 4:30 PM
I can't get over the wonderful people in my life and the wonderful people that I run into. I'm exhausted with joy, worry, love...airports! Being around this many people experiencing their experiences... my watching and thinking is amazingly tiring.
There is a man sitting with a cart, on a crate and I keep on thinking that he is a midget. There's a dog barking.
WTC, a dog in the airport? I would have brought Layla had I known you could!
I'm a freak, I love to people watch.
I feel like people are reading over my shoulder....hey you there, stop reading!!!
Anyway, this is such a great place, so full of everything you could ever dream of and at the same time,I constantly find is that it is just a place. It's just a place made up of people like you and me. They are not super human because they live in NYC, not that I thought that; however, it is one thing to imagine these places and another to meet and greet with them. It sounds like I'm saying be prepared to be disappointed but that isn't the case, simply furthers my belief that imagination is one of the most powerful elements that a person has and is vital to a happy existance. Not to take away from things and their splendor, simply it is what you make it, open your eyes to see the wonder. That simple, otherwise you may spend a lifetime disappointed.
*(written later that day) Taking a spin on what I said earlier: NYC is beautiful in the spring. People are on bikes, walking and talking; there are sailboats on the Hudson.
People are smiling, laughing-- Spring seems to have sweetened this "acquired-taste-city", if you may, or else my palate has become more sophisticated/ expectant to the bitters.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Welcome all!
So, this is my blog!!
This is the best way for me to keep in touch with you all as well as you being able to keep track of me :) I can't wait for all that Europe holds (nude beaches, crazy clubs, hash brownies...oh yeah, and of course classes!! haha)
I just want to say to everyone, that you all are the best support system and back up a girl could ever ask for and you mean the world to me :) I attribute everything thing to Jesus of course; however, you all are blessings of His so thank you all for being answered prayers :)
So anyway, this is the deal, go to this website as often as you like to see if I've made any updates. Other than that I'll be seeing you in a few weeks!!
I LOVE YOU :)
Millions of trees are accidentally planted by squirrels that bury nuts and then forget where they left them.
(H)
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