Although I’ve felt comfortable in Prague right from the start, it’s definitely been full of its head-scratching, stressful, can’t-help-but-laugh moments.
+ Going to the grocery store is at once a fun and challenging task (not too unlike it was in the States). I love seeing all of the different food and throwing some random items into the cart that I can’t wait to try. I don’t love trying to decipher what things are, how much they cost, or what other ingredients they require. Being surrounded by Czech makes my head hurt! Every task becomes much harder than it ever was–I almost bought a giant block of curd the other day when I was looking for cream cheese. I don’t think it was those delicious cheese curds you get a cheese factories, either.
^^we discovered Jaffa cakes, which are apparently a big thing all over Europe. They’re delicious and probably so bad for you.
^^in the bread section of our giant Tesco (a big supermarket chain). This is definitely my favorite section! Besides ice cream.
+ Speaking of food, our lack of appliances is starting to get to me. I don’t have a blender, a crockpot, a toaster or a rice cooker, and apparently I need those things to make a decent meal. (Also we only have one pan, one pot and one cookie sheet…). We are really trying to keep it simple here, so I am thinking I can maybe buy one of these things. The question is…which one? I would love a crockpot for the rainy days ahead, but how can we not have a toaster? Or make smoothies?…it’s a difficult conundrum. Also…if you have any simple, one-pot/pan meals, let me know! I need them!!
+ Now that I’ve finally figured out the transit system, it’s fairly easy to use. However, it still can seem like a maze since I don’t know the routes very well. Usually, I’m at a tram stop and realize it doesn’t go where I want it to, so I decide to take the metro (subway). Then of course when I get down there, I realize it doesn’t go where I want to go, either! Then begins the convoluted task of figuring out connections and all that jazz. Although I’m finally figuring out the map, I still don’t have an OpenCard, or a transit pass. Mostly because it’s a pain-in-the-butt process full of red tape (come on, Prague!), but paying for individual tickets is getting expensive. So I guess I’ll haul down to the office with my passport and the promise to name my first-born baby after the Czech president next week and get ‘er done.
+ This is something many of you Americans will need to get used to, also, as I hear it’s starting to become a law in states–bags at the grocery store. If you don’t bring your own, you have to pay for one. Which isn’t a huge deal as they are approximately seven cents, but still. Luckily one of my friends gave me the perfect bag before we left the States (thanks, Kris!!!) which has been a lifesaver. There have been several times, though, where we got carried away and had to buy a bag or two (side eye IKEA).
+ Oh, IKEA! What once was a fun place of wonder in Denver (usually because we weren’t actually buying anything but those weirdly delicious meatballs) was a four-hour black hole. Turns out, when everything is translated from Swedish to Czech, it will be hard to figure out what it is. Who would’ve thought? I expected a fun adventure out of the city, and instead we came back and slept for about twelve hours. We had trouble finding our way around the store, and when we finally found everything we needed to buy, we realized that we didn’t know lots of important things, like measurements. Specifically, of our bed. They don’t use King, Queen, or Double here (or at least not that I could figure out)–they use centimeters. I was also convinced I would be able to find a pillow for stomach sleepers there, just like I had found in Denver–but I don’t think that exists over here. Or, it does, and the saleslady just had no idea what we were talking about (which is just as likely). Despite all of this, IKEA counts as a win–we found almost everything we needed, we ate meatballs, and we successfully got it all delivered to the right address! And our sheets fit (mostly).
+ Doing laundry has become an adventurous task, as well, especially as our machine is in Czech or strange pictures. E found a manual of sorts online, but it hasn’t helped us figure out why we tend to get the “ERROR” message every other time, or it refuses to drain, or it refuses to use our soap. We did figure out what some of the numbers and symbols mean–but that doesn’t seem to help us make the thing work! I am thrilled that we even HAVE a washing machine in our little flat (no dryer–which is pretty standard around here), but not so thrilled that it doesn’t like us back.
^^the bottom one is time, and the top number is spin cycles. What the time turner demonstrates, I’m still unsure. 
^^the mystery of the washing machine. we’ve decided that the flower means cotton, and the feather is for a delicate load…otherwise, our brows are furrowed.
+ A few notes on style: Red lipstick is everywhere here. I really want to jump on this trend (and have for years). Any ideas on a good, inexpensive color? I tried one on today that made me look as white as a sheet…I don’t think that’s quite the look I want. Also, I’m strongly regretting the fact that I didn’t bring any good, tall boots with me (besides my bright orange, fur-lined rain boots). Part of this is because, besides said rain boots, my only waterproof shoes are black flats, which don’t exactly provide warmth. I need to pull the plug and buy some, I think…but I am cringing at the shoe prices here! I’ve found some deals, but I have a feeling they may not be waterproof…ugh.
+ I found a Starbucks and a Pumpkin Spice Latte! How cliché, I know. I had so much coffee during school/work in the U.S. and was obsessed, but I only have it a few times a week here (who am I?). I drink much more tea (again, who AM I?). But with fall exploding on Instagram, and the fall-like weather we’ve (mostly) been having here, I couldn’t resist a little taste of pumpkin (and at $5 for a small, it will be my last for a while). Right after, we found pumpkins at a farmer’s market, so I think it was a good omen. Yay for fall!
Linking up for the #SundayTraveler!
