Pes v větrovka?! (A Dog In A Windbreaker?!)

Hello everyone! Or as we say here in Prague, dobrý den! After being here for a little over a week, it is safe to say that I could not be more in love with this place. Although I was warned many times before my departure about the relative coldness of native Czechs, I have come to find many of them to be extremely helpful and welcoming of Americans. Of course this should never be expected when you are dealing with a girl like me that can barely master basic Czech phrases, is pathetically bad at charades (if you can't say it, act it out!), and has absolutely no sense of direction. Luckily though, I have found many kind strangers who have been more than willing to help me with everything from reading a map to ordering meat at a deli (which really is a feat in itself). Being faced with new cultural norms has truly made me realize how much I take for granted the most basic daily tasks and interactions, whether tipping a waiter or waitress, or maneuvering public transportation.


After 20 hours of intensive Czech language class over the course of the past week, I remain hopeful that I may someday be able to carry a coherent conversation in Czech. My Czech teacher here, Zdenka, is nothing short of phenomenal. I have never been taught by a more patient and encouraging teacher. She even gave us a mini-orientation at the grocery store in order to clarify our many questions and concerns regarding shopping for food. I have no doubt that 20 American students gathered around the deli discussing why the meat is in jell-o attracted a great deal of attention, but for the most part, the confused glares were minimal.


As a dog lover myself, I was quick to notice the prevalence of dogs in Prague. However, dogs appear to behave very differently here. The first thing I noticed is that dogs are often not walked on leashes here, but rather, they are trained to walk next to their owner on the sidewalk. I find this to be very counterintuitive, particularly because we are in an urban setting. Part of my astonishment also stems from the fact that I have a dog that has never been trained a day in his life, and would thus take the opportunity to stalk people around for food if he was ever let off his leash. I have even seen dogs waiting patiently outside store entrances by their own free will for their owners to exit the store. It appears that dog training is not as optional here as it is in the United States. Another trend I have seen is dog garments, by which I mean vests, sweaters, and windbreakers for dogs. I have been attempting to persuade my parents for years that our dog needs a windbreaker, and finally I have my proof. I think I will pick one up for him while I am here. Let's hope that they have size XXL (he's a 90 lbs black labrador retriever).


In true character, I will now delve into my recent experiences with food, which have been pleasant to the say the least. As I predicted in my first blog post, meat (maso) and cheese (sýr) are very much staples of the Czech diet (oh and did I mention potatoes?), however I have been extremely impressed by the amount of vegetarian food that has been offered at nearly every restaurant that I have been to. I am by no means a vegetarian, however I come from a family that eats very little meat, and thus I have taken full advantage of the vegetarian fare that Prague has to offer. My favorite restaurant so far has been one of the most highly recommended vegetarian restaurants in Prague, Maitrea. Nestled in one of the back streets off of Old Town Square, the restaurant has an ambiance that is both welcoming and beautiful, not to mention a reasonably priced menu that would appeal to nearly any vegetarian or non-vegetarian alike (foodie in the making perhaps?!). My roommates and I were also pleased to see that they offered guacamole (a personal favorite), which paired wonderfully with the delicious salad that I ordered. Although I have yet to dabble in the meat dumplings, I plan on doing so in the near future. After all, I am a Wisconsinite at heart!


As a true test of our map reading abilities, our program coordinators sent all of the students in the CET program on a scavenger hunt around the city. Now do not be fooled, this was far from any amateur scavenger hunt, being that it covered nearly the entire city of Prague, and it took a grand total of seven hours to complete. Did I mention that it was 20 degrees outside, and I have terrible circulation to my fingers and toes?! By hour five, I was definitely not a happy camper, but we got the job done, and saw some extraordinarily beautiful and interesting places in the process. We also placed 3rd out of 12 teams, which is quite the accomplishment considering our overall lack of direction. My only saving grace has been the gift of gab that I inherited from my mother, which has been very practical in terms of asking for help or directions. I also contributed to my group's success by picking an excellent restaurant for lunch! (suprising, right?) All in all, it was a great experience, and only one of many that I have had here thus far. 


Let's hope that my first week of classes does not involve any solo navigation around Prague! 

The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square

The Dancing Building (my favorite building in Prague thus far!)

My scavenger hunt group and me on the Charles Bridge.

The Cathedral

My scavenger hunt group and me in front of the Cathedral.

Me and my new friend (the security guard at the castle entrance). He wasn't exactly the talkative type.

View From The Castle

Cheers,

Hannah

For Here or To Go?

I finally made it to Prague, and I have loved every minute of my time here thus far. Everything about this city is so genuine, from the people to the culture. Somewhere amidst all of the urban chaos, you can always find a family owned bookstore, a quaint cafe, or a small specialty market. It is so different walking into a Czech food market, where milk can be bought fresh (unpasteurized I might add), and where bread is made fresh daily. To add to the appeal of these markets, the prices at these specialty markets are often the same or cheaper than those at large grocery stores (take a hint Wal Mart). This price trend holds true for nearly all local restaurants and cafes as well. In other words, the US dollar goes a long way here in Prague.

The currency here is the crown, and the equivalency of the crown to the US dollar is roughly 18 crowns for every one US dollar. Paying for everything in crowns is definitely going to take some getting used to. For now, it still feels like I'm handing cashiers Monopoly money. For example, today I had a minor breakdown when I realized that I was handing a cashier a 200 crown bill for a sandwich and a cappuccino. My American mentality kicked in right away when I saw the number 200 on the bill, and my first instinct was to assume that I was being severely ripped off. However, once I came to my senses I realized that the 100 crowns that I was spending on my lunch were equivalent to only about $6.00. In retrospect, it was a total steal! Not to mention the fact that it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten (and I know sandwiches). I think its safe to say that I will be a food connoisseur by the time I leave Prague.

One of my favorite things about Prague thus far is the way in which beauty is a part of everything, from the buildings to the streets, and even the food. Today we were taken on a tour of downtown Prague, and as we walked through the winding cobblestone streets, I didn't see a single building that was short of remarkable. The most average building in downtown Prague could still be considered a tourist attraction in the United States. Even with the incredibly efficient public transit system, I will undoubtedly endure the winter weather to explore the city on foot. However, I'm beginning to realize that my already lacking sense of direction has been further diminished by the absence of my blackberry. Google Maps, how did I ever live without you?! And to think that I thought I had street smarts (lies). Looks like I might have to learn to read a real map after all.

An interesting aspect of the way of life here is the strong emphasis on food, as both a delicacy and a reflection of cultural traditions. It seems that in Czech culture, eating is not only an act, but also a process. At the cafe I went to for lunch today, I was expecting the cashier to ask whether I wanted to have my food for there or to go. The phrase "for here or to go?" in many ways embodies the nature of American culture. In the United States, eating is considered something that we seek to simplify as much as possible. Food is essential, thus we eat. It is not typically perceived as an opportunity to socialize or relax like it is in other cultures. At our welcome dinner last night, the food was brought out to us in increments, with bread first, then soup, and finally the main course. Although the process could have easily been shortened, we stayed at the restaurant for a total of over two hours. I'm learning more and more that the food is only part of the experience of eating here. I realize that this sounds contradictory, but what I'm really trying to say is that even in the fast-paced city of Prague, Czechs seem to find a way to set aside time for the things that make life truly enjoyable. It is remarkable how much more clearly I'm beginning to perceive my own culture by experiencing the culture here in Prague. I guess that's why they call it culture shock.

Downtown Prague

Downtown Prague

Downtown Prague

Downtown Prague

My delicious and aesthetically pleasing cappuccino!!! :)

Cheers,

Hannah

My Life In Two Suitcases (And A Little Carry-On)

Hi everyone! In light of my upcoming semester abroad, I have decided to jump on the blog bandwagon. Being that this is my first blogging experiment, bear with me. The one-week countdown until my departure officially starts now, and I couldn't be more excited! I finally started packing today, and let's just say that my parents and I have very different definitions of what is "essential" in life. Why on Earth would they not see my entire collection of shoes as absolutely necessary?! Clearly, some compromising will be in order. (Ok fine, I will only bring half of all my shoes...)

Trust me people, packing for four months is far from an easy feat. Up until this point, I have never had a reason to consolidate my life into two 50 pound suitcases, but I've finally met my match. If nothing else, I'm beginning to realize that I completely missed the boat on the practicality gene. The packing process started to go a bit more smoothly after my mother bluntly reminded me that doing laundry is in fact a universal practice, meaning that I do not need to pack four months worth of clothes after all (my bad). All I can say is thank God she broke down and let me take the Snuggie. How much more practical can you get than a blanket with pockets and sleeves? Looks like I might be on the right track after all.

Upon receiving my Prague City Guide, I did what any rational person should do...I flipped directly to the section on Czech cuisine (priorities). Although I don't understand a word of Czech yet, I was thrilled to learn that at least Prague and I are on the same page when it comes to food. It appears that two of the most important words in the Czech language are maso (meat) and sýr (cheese). What more could a girl from Wisconsin ask for?!

All and all, I can't wait to explore a new place unlike any other I have ever been. I'm sure I will experience the initial culture shock, and I will no doubt look like a completely out of place American tourist for the first few weeks, but hopefully I will not make a complete fool out of myself (fingers crossed). I would like to be able to end this post with a cliche statement about Prague not being ready for me, but to be honest, I think I'm the one that's not ready. Let's hope this blonde with a bad sense of direction can survive in the fast-paced city of Prague. Wish me luck!

Check back for new updates in a week!

Cheers,

Hannah