+ It’s a three-day weekend! Tomorrow is the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day here in the Czech Republic. This day commemorates a student demonstration against the Nazis in 1939, as well as the student demonstration against Communism in 1989. The demonstration against Communism started the Velvet Revolution 25 years ago. It’s our first long weekend where we aren’t on a trip, and I’m enjoying being in Prague for an important day like this. I’ll check in tomorrow once we head out into the town to fill you in on how the day is commemorated in the city.
+ Also, the last few weeks have been so busy with work, so I’m grateful for an extra day off on the weekends (I kind of think we should always have a three day weekend, who’s with me?). I hardly ever say no to new lessons that fall into my lap, and suddenly my schedule is insane. It’s not necessarily a bad thing (need that moneys), but if the blog is quiet, you’ll know why!
+ This week was kind of rough, as we’ve been dealing with landlord issues (not fun no matter what country you’re in!) but I was so happy to meet TWO lovely ladies from Blogland this weekend: Andrea and Jessi! Thanks for making my weekend so wonderful, ladies!
^Jessi & I on our blate (blog date if you didn’t know). My hair is going through a rough adjustment period…
+ We finally tried Cafe Savoy (first found out about this place thanks to Cynthia) with Andrea and I love it. A must if you’re in Prague! I’ve really missed French toast and might need to be making some soon. The place is completely gorgeous, too. When I saw the ceilings I had a small moment of worry about the prices, but they’re actually reasonable.
+ We also fed the swans/ducks/random other birds on an island in the river with Andrea. Such a fun, relaxing activity! it helped that the island has a gorgeous view of the city and the castle and was full of yellow, crunchy leaves. If you are feeling bummed about your city (and you live near a body of water with birds), grab a piece of old bread and head to the birds! It’s rejuvenating (except when they get a little pushy, then you should probably move on).
+ With Jessi and her crew, we tried to go here but it was closed, so we ended up at Cafe Louvre instead (which I haven’t been to since my birthday). It was just a delicious as I remembered!
+ Last weekend was so beautiful in Praha we headed up Petřin Hill to take in the views. I didn’t realize how much stuff was up there, besides the Eiffel Tower-like structure. There’s an observatory, old ruins, a mirror maze, rose gardens, and much more. It was a lot more of a popular place than I expected (the Czechs love their fresh air), but it was a great fall walk. I hear it’s also gorgeous with cherry blossoms in the spring.
^^I had to stalk this adorable beagle puppy.
+ Our visas were approved!!!! YES! Now we just have to pick them up (…), get insurance, and register with the foreign police. Woo!
+ E’s parents were kind enough to send us a few jackets we had left there, and along with them, they sent a few boxes of Kraft mac’n’cheese! E was in heaven. I have to admit, while I prefer Annie’s (boxed mac’n’cheese snob right here) that stuff tasted pretty goooood.
+ We’ve been saving up money to travel for Christmas, so this month has seen us staying put. It’s been wonderful to explore more of Prague we haven’t had a chance to see yet. It’s also nice to have time to just wander–we went to Old Town Square and played tourists with trdelník and svařák (hot wine). That definitely has me excited for the Christmas markets here, which open on November 29!
+ Speaking of Christmas, we were able to snag two tickets to the Nutcracker at the National Theatre. I can’t believe how sold out most of the shows were–ballet and opera are huge here. I love that–and I love our decent yet very inexpensive seats!
+ I’m not sure if I’ve shared this yet, but across the courtyard from our flat, an orchestra practices a few times a week. A full blown orchestra, not just a few musicians. While they are really loud–as I guess they should be–it’s also relaxing to hang out in our bedroom and listen.
+ While I have been enjoying our weekends here in the lovely Praha, I’m starting to get itchy feet to explore more of Europe. Luckily, December happens soon! However, we STILL cannot decide where to go for Christmas. I’ll say it again–choice is a prison! My goal is to decide today and get booking…so hopefully I’ll be able to fill you in soon. I’m also telling you this to give myself some accountability…that’s why blogging is for, right? 😉
+ In case you’ve missed things around here lately…check out my new early travel inspiration series, my ABCs of Travel, and my posts from Germany: Berlin and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Congratulations on your visa approval! Yay! Also on the package with some mac & cheese, yummmm. I know what you mean about saying yes to every lesson right now…. it makes your days crazy busy but at least sometimes people cancel and then you get a nice spot of time.
I thought the same thing about Savoy but yeah– very affordable! The ceiling is amazing and mmmm that cafe au lait was so good. It looks like generally you had a really great food weekend 🙂
Thanks! Mostly it’s just SO NICE to have it done for now. I just read your November post–it sounds like you are in the same boat as me! It’s hard to justify saying no to any lessons but I’ve been really stressed and probably not as good as a teacher because of it. I usually feel relieved when people cancel, haha. One reason it’s hard to say no, though, is that people tend to cancel a lot and I want to make up the money. I’m sure you understand that!
Thanks for putting Cafe Savoy on my radar–I really loved it! It’s so beautiful, too, and I love walking down to the bathrooms and seeing the pastry making!
Totally. I am in such a good mood and am a better teacher when my day is not packed full and am not frantically running from one place to another. I feel that big time. And yeah, definitely about the cancellation thing too… it’s really rare to have a week where there are no cancellations at all.
& you’re so welcome– I’m glad you loved it there too!
I heard that they have really good carrot soup at Savoy–so now I have another reason to go back 😉
That is some good looking french toast! A great place we used to love to go to for breakfast on the weekends is The Globe http://www.globebookstore.cz/cafe-1-2.html. It’s an English bookstore/cafe with a fun atmosphere. If you’re interested in trying new places…… 🙂 I always loved walking the island!! A little escape in the middle of the city!! Gah, making me homesick for Prague again! 😉
Ooh yes I’ve heard of the Globe but only for trivia–i didn’t realize it had breakfast, too! Thanks for the tip 🙂 and sorry but not sorry for making you homesick…I just can’t help but show off Prague!
A three day weekend sound be an every week thing! And that puppy is adorable! Yay for Christmas travel, we are saving up as well for our Christmas trip and future trips I want to start planning for next year. Congrats on your visa being approved!
Yes let’s start a petition for three-day weekends haha 🙂 I know you’re going home for Christmas and I remember something about Amsterdam, do you have any other fun trips (besides exploring Iceland) planned for next year? I’m so excited for Christmas! And thanks! I’m so relieved to have the visa stuff done for now!!
Yes we are going to Amsterdam for Easter (so excited) and I am really hoping for a trip to Scotland at the end of May, beginning of June. We have not decided what to do for our summer holiday, I kind of want to go home again but it is so expensive! We also just bought a car so lots of road trips in Iceland will be happening!
We are thinking Amsterdam for Easter, too! I’m dying to see the city and the tulip fields have been a dream of mine for ALWAYS.
Deciding where to go is always the toughest for me! You will love Scotland if you make it there–I’m hoping to go again this summer. It would be SO green in May/June!! I also want to go home this summer but it’s hard to know if I’ll be able to afford it. Those plane tickets out West! Sometimes I wish my parents lived in NYC or a major hub—the middle of nowhere Montana is so hard to get to!
That’s awesome you bought a car–can’t wait to follow along and see where it takes you in Iceland! 🙂
It is so true! I am wanting to go home this summer but then also travel around Europe more. Such a touch choice as it is so much more expensive to fly home than to travel around Europe.
So great your visas were approved!! Yay! Such a pity about landlord issues – that’s the worst kind of drama to deal with! And wow! So cool you met Jessi! I follow her blog too! Xo
It was so fun meeting a fellow blogger! And yes landlord issues suck although ours seems to be getting a little better, thankfully! at least he’s being quiet and not asking for things, haha, so hopefully that’s a good thing 🙂 and thanks! I’m so relieved to have our visas!!!
What a fabulous daily life post….visas, blates, and cafe savoy!!! Enjoy your holiday weekend!!
Yes it was a fabulous couple of weeks! Cafe Savoy spoiled me, I think 🙂
I really enjoyed meeting and spending time with you guys on our blate, too! Haha! I LOVE that word. 🙂 It looks like the rest of your weekend was just as lovely. Congrats again on your visa approvals. Conquering government paperwork is no small feat.
Yay for blates! 🙂 So glad we had another one, too! xo
Well done on the visas! Fab news! It has been so so many years since I last fed the ducks! I feel the need to do so soon!
Yes you should! I was surprised at how relaxing it was 🙂 and thank you! I’m so relieved to have that done for now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!!
What a beautiful place!
Yes, it really is! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
That’s cool that you got to meet some bloggers in real life. Must have been interesting! Being able to hear an orchestra practice across the courtyard sounds so magical – but I could totally see myself getting annoyed with it!
Yeah it was so cool meeting other bloggers on the road. Plus, other people who speak English! haha :). I have a love/hate relationship with the orchestra for sure–I’m glad it doesn’t play every night!! But some nights it’s just what I need 🙂
Yay for 3 day weekends, care packages AND a blate!! Lucky you!
Yes I’m grateful haha 🙂 I wish every day was a three-day weekend!!
Ohhhhhh french toast is one of my weaknesses. I can hardly ever resist. I am on my way…
Haha life is too short to resist French toast! 😉