I write this on a lovely Prague afternoon, nestled in the tourist-ridden Starbucks by Karlovy most (Charles Bridge). The sun was shining so bright that after I finished at my Forum 2000 Foundation internship for the day (link here: http://www.forum2000.cz/) , instead of hopping on the tram I decided to go for a walk down the hill to see where it would take me. I had no idea that the Malostranská tram stop was so close to my internship, and my stroll left me pleasantly rewarded— instead of some no-name street I stumbled on to one of the most famous quarters in all of Prague.
This week has definitely been more low-key for me, owning to sheer exhaustion and dare I say aimlessness? Last night I didn’t want to go to volleyball, or pub night, or to a café. I just wanted to sit at home in my apartment, something I never do at school—you can barely ever find me in my room on campus. But here it’s lazy, easy, and safe to stay at home. Money is also an issue, I spent so much last week! Going out to dinner, drinks, birthday celebrations for two friends, entrance fees for some cool clubs, even buying groceries. It’s hard because you don’t want to miss out on experiences, but you just have to be judicious in some areas.
A fun time I did have last week was Music Trivia night at The Globe (link here: http://www.globebookstore.cz/ ). We got lost on the way there, so after wandering around in the cold for 30 minutes, its location is now burned into my brain. At our table during the competition, my group strained our ears trying to remember the names and artists of the vaguely familiar tunes that were played. Eli was the best, he was the only guy on our team and carried us. The only two tunes I knew were Butterfly by Crazy Town and Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis. Clutch, right? Not ashamed.
I also just failed at sending a postcard. It’s taken me about four weeks total to: A. buy the postcard, B. buy the stamps, C. get my friend’s address, D. find an international drop-box I can mail it in, and E. work up the motivation to finally write it. Once everything else was settled, I couldn’t figure out that the stamp didn’t have a sticker back and needed to be licked instead. Everything is such a struggle.
I’m into the full swing of classes now and the homework is piling up. I don’t mind necessarily, it just changes the perception of the purpose for which I am here. There are no real libraries that I can find, so finding a quiet place to do work without distractions can be a bit of a challenge. I am enrolled in Psychoanalysis and Society, Recent Economic Development, The Politics and Economics of the European Union, and Comparative Economies of Transition and Transformation. And we can’t forget Beginning Ceský, twice a week at 8:50 am! Tuesday is my roughest day- I am out of the house from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm. The classes are all right, sometimes keeping up with the professor and readings can be a hassle, but I find the subject material mostly interesting.
My economics professor is currently in China for a conference (what gives?) so for the past two Wednesdays I’ve had free afternoons. Today I succumbed to an oasis of familiar comfort in the form of Starbucks; last week I became much more familiar with the Národní trída shopping area. I skimmed my fingers over the delicate fabrics of Zara and Mango’s floaty dresses, and yearned for H&M’s cutoff t-shirts, but all I bought that afternoon were groceries at the mega Tesco. Tesco is a chain of grocery stores, but at their main locations they are like a multiple-story department store with school supplies, food, clothing, and home items. In a sense it’s kind of like a really nice Wal-Mart that has stores all over the world. Living here, my motivation for style comes and goes. I preemptively made it easier for myself by packing mainly presentable clothing instead of a wardrobe of comfy leggings and hoodies like some of my friends did. I thought Prague was going to be like Paris, where you can’t step outside your door without a full fashion ensemble. You do see the occasional eye-catching outfit, but if you are not in the Staromestska Namesti (Old Town square) tourist area the people dress more normal and practical. I did go to a teahouse in UR sweatpants and a Polo RL button-down two nights ago. I was too lazy to match a style dimension so I ended up with business on top, party on the bottom…
After weeks of fruitlessness (aka not knowing how to check my mailbox), I now have a package from my mom and sister and a Valentine’s Day card from my grandparents! Little touches of home. I also lend great significance (perhaps too much) to the jewelry I wear every day. I wear a ring from my father, bracelet from my mom and sister, watch from one set of grandparents, and a locket from my other grandmother. I like to think I’m carrying a little bit of them with me every day. Also, I am never without my favorite silver elephant ring that I bought for myself- a girl’s gotta look good on her own terms, right?
Some highlights from the last week and a half:
Last Thursday some friends and I went to a Charles University “Welcome Party” hosted by the International Students Club at Obcanská Plovárna (link here: http://www.obcanskaplovarna.cz/en/intro/ ). It was a beautiful venue- a club but also a restaurant and bar situated on the banks of the Vltava River by the castle district. The glowing lights reflected in the water outside took my breath away, or maybe it was just the 10 degree temperature. We arrived at about 11pm, and while the lounge seating area was crowded, the dance floor was tantalizingly empty. By now I’m sure you can guess what I did next- give me a dance floor anytime, anywhere, and I will break it down no matter how many judgmental, secretly jealous Czech eyes are watching.
The crowd became denser as the night went on, and word was buzzing around that the man in the red velvet blazer was a Danish prince. I don’t know about that, but I did meet a flamboyant Frenchman named Jibril who enthusiastically invited Keely and me to a party at his place on the upcoming Saturday and insisted on giving me his number. Let’s just say I never made it.
Last Friday we went out to dinner at The Globe again for Lo’s birthday. The wait staff brought her a complimentary glass of electric blue absinth, which she couldn’t manage to finish. I’m really curious about this bedeviled drink, and I may have to try some before my semester in Praha is over.
Last Saturday I went on an academic trip to Lidice and Terezín. Lidice used to be a thriving village and community up until 1942 when it was razed to the ground by Nazis and all of its people were killed or sent to concentration camps. Seeing the solemn valley ablaze with morning sunlight was a stark contrast to the unfathomable events that happened there. Terezín was a ghetto and fortress compound used as an internment camp for Jews before they were deported to other extermination camps. It was a cheerless place, but in perspective I head on a weekend trip to Krakow in a few hours- we’re stopping first at Auschwitz in the morning.
Thanks for sticking with me, my mind was all over the place in this post. I’ll keep you all updated. Can’t wait for daylight savings!
Se láskou(with love),
Marina
P.S. here’s a link to see the boots that I literally wear every single day here in Prague: http://www.shoes.com/en-US/Product/EC1229798-5132566/Etienne+Aigner/Banana+Bread_Black/Women%27s+Costa.aspx?catalog_name=web&CMP=OTC-GoogleBase&partnerid=GoogleBase&cpc=GoogleBase&campaign=Etienne%20Aigner&category=W&cpckw=Etienne%20Aigner%20Women%27s%20Costa%20Boots%20%28Banana%20Bread/Black%29&CAWELAID=564969862
So far they have served me well, even though by the end of this I will have worn them into the ground.