We’ve hit the two-month mark in Prague!
It’s been a blur of adjustment–adjusting to a new flat, new jobs, new routines, a new city, a new language, and a new lifestyle. I’m learning how to be a teacher, we’re learning how to cook here when grocery shopping takes three hours (and you still don’t find that damn basil), I get lost about once a week, and we haven’t figured out how to receive mail. I imagine we still have a lot of learning and adjusting left…but we’ve made it into our third month!
Don’t miss One Month in Prague by the Numbers!
TWO MONTHS IN PRAGUE: BY THE NUMBERS
6 TIMES asked for directions.
^^the face of a native.
I obviously look like a native now because I’ve been asked for instructions and directions several times. Unfortunately I don’t speak like a native…but hopefully that will change, maybe by the one year mark?
FIRST out-of-country trip completed.
At first it seemed like a logistical nightmare, but it actually was somewhat easy to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany for our anniversary. I loved Germany at first sight, and we had a great time exploring the little town and meeting the friendly residents.
60 MINUTES in a store dedicated to all things Christmas.
We went into the famous Christmas store in Rothenburg on a whim, and ended up spending an hour in there. It was amazing and filled with every kind of Christmas decoration and ornament. It felt like December 25th in that store! Even though it’s only October, that store made me really excited to spend Christmas in Europe. I think we may have to make a stop in Germany over the holidays because those Germans know how to do Christmas.
2 DAYS in the adorable Cesky Krumlov.
I know, I can’t stop talking about this place, but it was just such a great little Czech town to visit! It’s famous for a reason. I’m hoping to go back once every season, because I love it so much. We had a great time boating down the river and going medieval.
5 DAYS survived with teenagers in the mountains.
^^yes, these were the team names. I did not pick them.
Spending a week at an English camp with forty-three 18-year-olds (all girls except one) seemed like a crazier idea the closer it came to go. However, it was a fun, if exhausting week. I learned a lot about teaching English, hiked about twenty miles over the entire week, and enjoyed the clear cool air with incredible views.
ONE highest mountain in the Czech Republic climbed.
^^I snagged a picture of most of the group on top of the mountain.
During our stay in the mountains, one of the big activities of the week was to climb Snezka, the highest mountain in the Czech Republic. I was skeptical and fearful of my weakness and my shoes (not to mention climbing with a bunch of teenage girls), but it was spectacular. One of the highlights? Walking part of the way back through Poland!
3 new long-term jobs.
Last month, I wrote about having three new temporary jobs. Luckily, I have replaced the temp jobs with three new long-term jobs. What a relief! I’m not completely confident of my teaching yet (ugh) but I’m teaching at an elementary school (with the little ones!), I have three lessons a week at a local business, and I’m tutoring several students in psychology. My schedule is much fuller than I thought it would be, but once I get used to everything, I should enjoy it.
4 BLOCKS walked for our first Prague street festival.
A few weeks ago, we stumbled upon our first Prague street festival! Even though it got rained out, forcing us to duck into a nearby pub for refuge and beers, it was fun to sample some new local food and explore a new area of the city.
DOZENS of pictures of this beautiful city.
I take at least one picture a day. No wonder I get asked for directions all the time, with my phone constantly on camera mode.
TWO unlimited transit passes successfully purchased.
I know this doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but it took us so long to get these. I’m (too) proud that we figured it out and got them on the spot! It’s so much easier to have this pass than to buy new tickets wherever we can whenever we want to take public transportation.
THE FIRST FEW DAYS of autumn.
Autumn has arrived! There are an unfortunate lack of pumpkins so far, but I’m keeping my eye out, don’t you worry.
A WEEKEND spent organizing our new apartment.
We’ve almost lived in this flat for a month now and finally got around to organizing this past weekend. Now that clothes and books aren’t everywhere, it seems a bit echoey now. Cheers to having all of my clothes in the (one!) closet.
A LITTLE BIT of homesickness.
^^How could I not miss this face?? 
^^Or these leaves?!
ANOTHER WEEKEND trip planned to South Moravia, here in the Czech Republic.
Wine tasting, here we come!
What’s been happening in your life lately?
Linking up with the #SundayTraveler!
p.s. Thanks again to Kaelene for the inspiration!
Happy two months! All such great things, I am smiling big time remembering this stuff :)) What part of the city do you live in?
Let me know if you need any tips on how to deal with Ceska Posta. It was initially a nightmare for me but I have since conquered my fears 🙂 Very good to know: you get charged a TON in customs fees on anything coming from outside the EU that is worth more than 100 euros, including if someone sends you a package and marks that it is worth more than 100– wah, wah.
I live in Prague 5, Smichov! We are close to Andel and trams so it’s really easy to get around :). I love that you’ve been through all of this–and that you are still here, which means you’ve survived it all lol.
I can’t believe how much you can get charged by customs–thanks SO MUCH for the warning!! We finally figured out where we can get packages (although as usual, the customer service at the post office is “stellar,” as I assume you can imagine), and I’m so glad we can tell our family not to send us big packages (not that my parents would haha–but E’s parents want to send him so many things…like a crockpot haha!). Your tips are saving us!!
I am so glad your enjoying recapping your time with these posts! It is impossible to not miss our dogs, to bad they can’t just travel the world with us! And I totally feel you about the basil, it took me so long to find baking soda and trying to describe what I needed to H was even more impossible!
I really am! It’s a great way to keep track but also remind myself how much I actually do…this month time seemed to go by in a blur of work and daily life! I love that baking soda story haha…how would you describe that to someone who doesn’t know what it is? I’ve been looking for some but no go either….glad you found some! I’m dying to make those pumpkin rolls you had on your blog (they look CRAZY good) but I’ve found about two of the ingredients so far!! Maybe in another month I’ll have found it all lol 🙂
This brings back so many memories after first moving to England…..being new, not finding things, standing out!! Looks like you are doing well and enjoying it too! Can’t wait to hear about Rothenburg ob der Tauber!!
Yes I will post about it soon! it’s such a cute town. I always love to read stories like yours about people who have made it one year in…it gives me hope that things will get easier 🙂
Looks like you’ve had a super busy and enjoyable month! Have fun on your weekend trip!!
Thank you!! And yes it has been easy, and mostly enjoyable 🙂 thanks so much for reading!
You’ve done so much in such a short time! Kudos!
What is it about foreigners being asked for directions all the time? I’m constantly asked for directions here, but maybe it’s just because I look the friendliest. (Damn American face.)
Haha that must be it! I tend to smile at strangers all of the time, which most Czechs don’t do (in fact, they tend to look angry). American face, indeed!!! 🙂
Wow! These two months have flown right by! Looks like Praha is treating you VERY well though. 😀 (Yes, I’d miss that little puppy face too – what a sweet guy!)
Prague is totally amazing, isn’t it? Sometimes I’ll see yet another pile of dog poo but then I turn the corner and see the castle or something and remember why I like it here so much 🙂 I can’t believe it’s been two months, either! I guess missing our dogs is a part of travel…unless we’re lucky like you and get to bring them with!! 🙂
…Oh–so you’ve made an international move recently, as well!!…What inspired you to make the move (I’m a n00b to your site–sorry!!)???…
I’m so happy you’re here! I have traveled quite a bit, but I recently moved to Prague to teach English! Two months ago, in fact, haha 🙂 I love traveling and I have always wanted to live abroad, and suddenly it seemed like the best time (although it’s never the perfect time) so we went for it! thank you for reading and I hope to see you around here again! xo 🙂
Happy two months! Isn’t it so satisfying to be asked for directions in your new country? Every time I’m like, YES, EXPAT SUCCESS! And I feel ya – WHY is it always so hard to find basil?!?!
Thank you! And it really is! It makes me feel like a native even though I usually have no idea where they actually want to go haha. But I’m getting closer! And I STILL haven’t found basil! Did you ever find any??
You’ve seriously gotten a lot under your belt in the first 2 months! Congrats! And I love that you’ve been to a Christmas store already 🙂 xx
I couldn’t resist when I saw the giant one in Rothenburg…it’s too awesome! And thank you! I’m so glad we’ve made it two months haha 🙂 here’s to (at least) two more! xo
Congrats on 2 months! That view is amazing from the mountain, what an experience.
Yes it was indeed! And thank you 🙂 xo
Happy 2 months! Looks like you’re getting sorted!
Yes it finally feels that way! Although still no bank lol. Hopefully soon 🙂
Yay for 2 months! I’m glad things are settling down for you!
Thank you! I hope you guys are feeling more settled, too 🙂 xo
Hurray for 2 months! What a brilliant idea for a blog post. I wish I had done something like this during my time abroad.
It’s great, right? Thanks Kiki! 🙂 I think it will be great to look back during the year, and if/when I move back! As will the blog, in general 🙂 did you keep a blog while you lived in Hungary?
Yep I did. Here you go: http://ohhungary.com It’s nothing as organized as yours. It was very much a bunch of random ramblings.
Sounds like a great second month! I love that you look so in your element that you’re already being asked for directions! 😀 And it’s so weird I had never seen all year christmas shops and there is one next to my flat in Edinburgh! Need to pop in their soon 🙂
It’s been going well! And haha yep, getting asked for directions is an EXPAT WIN, as Courtney said 🙂 You should definitely go to the Christmas shop, especially since it’s almost Christmas season so it will put you in the spirit!!