+We finally have (mostly) figured out our washer! I’m not sure what most of the buttons mean, still, but the clothes are coming out clean, sans soap, and not dripping wet. Which clearly means we know what we’re doing and it’s definitely not a happy accident.
+ On Friday we headed to South Moravia, better known as Czech wine country, for a quick little getaway (as in, less that 24 hours getaway). We arrived in Mikulov, late, tired, sore from standing on a train for the better part of three hours as it was so packed, and promptly got lost. I’m not proud of the tiny tantrum I may have thrown as we searched for our hotel, but we found it, and immediately found out that the pension (which also had a pet wallaby…what?) also had a wine cellar. Evening saved! The rest of our time, in Mikulov and Valtice, was great. Both are cute little towns and I love me some wine tasting! We went to the Wine Cellar of the Czech Republic and immediately got tipsy because there were so many wines to try and we wanted to make it worth every penny we spent. Yes, we were those people at a wine tasting and it was a lot of fun. After, we made the not-so-wise decision to taste bercak, or young wine. That stuff goes down smooth and needless to say, I’m still recovering.
^^in the cellar! nothing cooler than drinking wine in a cellar, am I right? 
^^that pink stuff, bercak, is known as the most dangerous drink in the Czech Republic because it’s so easy and delicious.
+ Next week we (somewhat unexpectedly) need to go to Berlin for our visa interview. We were originally scheduled for the end of October, but when a spot opened up earlier, we snagged it, as we need to get those long-term visas ASAP. I’m still unclear as to why we have to leave the Czech Republic to get a long-term visa here, but it is what it is, I guess. We also have to go back to Berlin in about a month to pick up the visa, assuming all goes well (and our visa handler is convinced that it will). Since the appointment is on Monday, we are going on Sunday to explore Berlin. Anyone out there been to Berlin have any recommendations? I need some!!
+ Speaking of travel, we are also starting to plan the Great Christmas Escape of 2014. I have a lot of ideas on where to go, because I always have ideas, but since we don’t know how long we’ll be in Europe, we are planning to spend almost every minute of our time off exploring more countries. Currently, I am thinking Germany-Liechtenstein-Switzerland-Belgium-Luxembourg, but I feel that may be a bit lofty. We need to narrow it down! I’d love to hear from you–where are you favorite places to spend Christmas and/or New Year’s Eve in Europe? I also would love to stay in Prague for Christmas, but I’ve heard it doesn’t always snow here, and I would love to be somewhere with snow. Okay, I need to be somewhere with snow. I’m spoiled by snow at Christmas and a non-white Christmas is a tough pill for me to swallow.
+ Almost every day, E and I look at each other and say “we live here! In Europe!” It doesn’t always seem real, even after two months. I am feeling more settled here. Looking back, I think that the first month was kind of magical–we were in our training program, which was hard, but we had a group of built-in friends, a place to live, and lots of extra time to explore. The second month, to be absolutely dramatic, was kind of awful, and I’m glad it’s over. It really hit me during the second month that we are here for the long haul (it hit me right around the time we signed our lease…) and I panicked. Few friends, and no desire to make new ones; new jobs to support us here that I did not feel qualified for at all; so much red tape to cut through in a language that refuses to stick in my brain; homesickness and the realization that I won’t get to go home until who-knows-when; and on and on. Now that things are more settled, I’m feeling giddy about being here again. I expect that will probably change…ooooh the roller coaster.
+ Does anyone know where we can go to celebrate Halloween here in Prague? I know it’s not a big holiday here (or a holiday at all?) but I’d like to celebrate somehow. If we do find somewhere to go, I guess we need to figure out costumes…what can I make with the clothes in my closet? And with E’s clothes? And black eyeliner and/or silver eyeshadow?
+ I went back to IKEA and it was WAY less stressful than last time. And I sprung for a fall candle! I love candles and fire and mostly they are the closest I can get to a fireplace. Someday, maybe!
+ Thank you to anyone who gave me ideas for one-pot meals! My aunt shared this website with me and everything looks amazing. I am trying to make this recipe but I have not been able to find basil, still! Maybe I can substitute spinach?? That’s pretty much the only other leafy-green thing I’ve seen besides romaine lettuce and iceberg.
+ I’m working with little kids right now and after only two weeks, I’m already feeling an illness coming on. Maybe because three kids at last count have sneezed on me? Despite this possible cold/flu/something, I really enjoy working with kids. I’m putting together a post about the hilarities of ESL teaching–expect that soon! Spoiler alert: one of my classes involved a live grasshopper. Kids!
^^this is part of my “commute.” Yep, that’s the castle and a sunrise through those trees! But it’s not perfect…this is at the top of a giant hill I have to hike up.
+ Today we grabbed a coffee (my favorite Sunday activity) and rode a tram near the castle and the Charles Bridge. It’s a great way to see the more touristy sights touched by fall but without getting stuck in the crowds. This place really is beautiful, guys! We rode the specific tram I take to work, because it has a beautiful view of the city, and if you get a good seat, you can get a sudden view of the castle as the tram rounds a corner. It’s especially spectacular as the leaves start to change color. (I guess I’m one of those bloggers that talks about fall all the time now.)
^^I spy some fall decor!
^^so sunny today!
+ This week, an old high school friend is passing through Prague as she travels through Europe. She asked for recommendations and sadly I still don’t know enough about Prague to really make recommendations…but I’m excited to see a familiar face!
What’s new with you? Do you have any fun plans for this coming week?
Strange about the visas, though a friend in Warsaw also had to travel to Berlin… hmmm. I am in Berlin so can obvs. give some tips, but there’s a lot, so it depends. What are you interested in seeing/doing/etc? Whereabouts will you be staying?
We are staying in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg I think? Close to the Czech embassy! We won’t be there long but maybe a place to eat for dinner and breakfast? I know it’s a vague request haha. We are just exploring, mostly! Looking forward to it, though–it looks like a vibrant city! How lucky you get to live there 🙂
OK, yeah, so you’re probably in Kreuzberg or Mitte, since the
embassy is right on the border there. Here are some things I would suggest that are not super far away on foot (30 minutes or less).
Eat/Drink:
Max & Moritz (German food) http://www.maxundmoritzberlin.de
Maroush (Lebanese, cheap) http://www.maroush-berlin.de/
Westberlin (the area right by the embassy is kind of wasteland for good coffee, though you do have Starbucks and the like, but this is the best in the area) http://www.westberlin-bar-shop.de/
Huong Que (awesome Vietnamese) http://www.huong-que.de/huonque_de.html
Chipps (a nice, American ish breakfast… think pancakes, french toast, waffels, omelettes, and they also have a really delicious and reasonable lunch menu during the week) http://www.chipps.eu/
Sights:
Topography of Terror (WW2 history, free) http://www.topographie.de/en/
Park am Gleisdreieck (awesome huge and not busy park, perfect since it will be warm tomorrow) http://www.gruen-berlin.de/parks-gaerten/park-am-gleisdreieck/
Tiergarten (also huge, and near the touristy stuff like Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Jewish Memorial) http://www.berlin.de/orte/sehenswuerdigkeiten/tiergarten/index.en.php
Streets:
If you want to walk down some streets that have real character and a lot of food and shops and bars and whatever else, check out Oranienstr. and Bergmannstr. Bergmannstr. is also nearby two awesome parks: Viktoria Park and Tempelhof (the airport-turned-park).
Hopefully that’s good. If you have any on the fly questions, feel free to hit me up here on on Twitter (@deutschbitte)
Thanks so much! We made it to a few of these spots but not everything due to time. But I LOVED Chipps haha. We’ll be going back soon to pick up our visas and I hope to see Topography of Terror and Tiergarten if we have time. I’d also love to go up to the top of the Reichstag! Your tips are great, thanks again, so much 🙂
Your wine tasting trip sounds amazing! I wish I was on mainland Europe, I would be traveling all over to the Christmas markets!
Yes I can’t wait to hit them up! Although you get to go home, which is nice 🙂 are there are Christmas markets in Reykjavik? And wine tasting was awesome!
There is a small Christmas market attempt happening in Reykjavik, but going back home will be amazing and we have some fun holiday markets there as well!
Aww yeah! the US really knows how to do Christmas, too 🙂
Oh I absolutely loved spending New Year’s Eve in Berlin – by far one of my favourite NYE in the northern hemisphere ever! 🙂
ooooh thanks for the tip! I will look into that asap, thanks! 🙂
Haha, can’t wait for your ESL stories! Grasshoppers, wow. Glad things are more settled and you’re feeling happy about being an expat again 🙂
Yes it comes and goes haha but this month has been an improvement so far :). The grasshopper story is ridiculous, lol. I have already amassed a lot of stories in just a few months, so the post should come soon! I love reading stories from your ESL time, too!!
Great updates! I don’t miss being infected by children germs at this time of year – since not having worked with children, I haven’t been sick once! I would take the being sick just to work again though! I am glad you got the washer sorted! When I first moved in with Luke he had been using softener instead of detergent to wash his clothes for years!!
Yes I didn’t really think I would get sick that often while working with kids–but so far it’s been once a month! Yuck! That’s so funny that Luke was using softener…does that even CLEAN clothes??? lol!
Nope! They smelled good, but were definitely not properly washed!
hahaha such a boy thing, right? “well they SMELL fine so they must be clean!” lol!
Hope you are not getting sick!! Yay for figuring out the laundry! The wine trip sounds pretty amazing.
It really was amazing! And I’m so happy our washer has stopped saying ERROR all the time…at least for right now, keep your fingers crossed! I seem to be out of the woods sickness-wise but who knows…kids!!
I love these daily life posts– it’s really my favorite kind to read! Holler if you have any specific Berlin questions… I studied there in college 🙂 And hope you have a good (albeit) short trip there! Alex and I are often doing the same thing (“Guess what? We live in Europe”)… life is magical 🙂 For Halloween in Prague ideas, try expats.cz… they have decent club/party listings.
How did you enjoy Mikulov– would you recommend it?
I love daily life posts too–both reading and writing them! 🙂 I didn’t know you studied in Berlin–that’s amazing! I haven’t been but I’ve heard so many great things about it. Can’t wait to spend even two days there!
Thanks for the Halloween recommendations–I need to check those out to get my Halloween fix somehow!
I love hearing that you still have those “we are in EUROPE” moments too…glad that it doesn’t get old ;). it is so magical here!
As for Mikulov, I’m not sure I’d recommend the town itself, although it has a cute square. I liked Valtice more (but I like small towns more, usually) and Pavlov is where I would stay! I wanted to stay there but it was all booked for the weekend we were going…oh last minute haha!
I love your updates! It really makes me miss living in Europe (and also so jealous!). That young wine, is that the half fermented stuff? If so, I’ve had the Hungarian and Austria equivalent and yup, powerful and dangerous! So easy to drink. Berlin is awesome. Regardless of what you do, you’ll have a blast.
As for Christmas, go anywhere there are Christmas markets!! Vienna has loads. I haven’t been to any German ones (sigh, a regret), but I hear they’re fantastic as well. I went to Krakow in December it was ridiculously cold and there was snow, but it isn’t fun snow cause it’s in the city. I discovered this really random village in the High Tatra mountains in Slovakia which was an awesome place to retreat to in the winter – plus lots and lots of fresh snow. Here is the hostel I stayed at: http://www.gingermonkey.eu/ They have the most adorable dog that you’ll fall in love with.
Yes it’s half-fermented! It’s so dangerous but so delicious haha. I’m so glad that Berlin is awesome, I can’t believe we’re going tomorrow! I need to pack lol ;).
Thanks so so much for the hostel recommendation–we are definitely going to go there! Either at Christmas or sometime in the winter. Hostel dogs are my favorite!
I’ll have to add Vienna to the list–it’s so hard to choose where to go, every place claims that their Christmas market is the best lol.
I always feel like I could literally write and write and write in response to your posts. Can we just meet already and grab coffee?? 1. I’m glad you figured out your washer! 2. Wine hang overs are the worst hang overs…they sneak up on you! 3. I lost my voice for most of the week last week. It was awful… Productive teacher I was not 4. I love expat stories about the kids, I can’t wait to hear some!!!!!
Yes, PLEASE! If we ever are in the same city, or even country, we’ll have to have that coffee date! I have a feeling we could talk for HOURS haha. I would love to hear some expat teaching stories from you too, they’re my favorite 🙂
I hope you’re feeling better! I HATE having to work still when I’m sick, and I’m sorry you had to, yuck! After the wine I felt hungover for a few days in addition to feeling sick haha…I’m not as young as I used to be, lol!
Great news about the washer!
How did you get lost in Mikulov? It’s pretty tiny isn’t it? I’ve been there twice… only in passing.
Berlin is awesome, you can see a ton of stuff for free. In fact there are a ton of posts on my blog about Berlin, you can even see a lot of stuff for free- like the Reichstag Dom, you just need to register online 24hrs before hand.
Aachen, Germany is supposed to be great for Christmas markets, and it’s really close to the border so you can skip into The Netherlands and other places, too!
Europe is, tho’ I don’t often admit this living in England, a small continent, and us bloggers are your friends too- especially since we’re only an hours flight away 😉 plus we’re all at the end of e-mails and facebook messages 🙂
Haha I know Mikulov IS really tiny…I think it was just dark and we forgot to look up where our hostel was!
We didn’t make it to the Reichstag Dom but we plan on it next time–and I will definitely check out your posts before we go next time! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
And for Aachen! Great tip! I’m dying to see Amsterdam at Christmas! Where are you headed for Christmas this year?
Thanks so much for the words of support! I do feel like I have friends in Europe thanks to you guys–I always get the best advice when I ask for it, and so much love and support and validation at my lame jokes 😉 xo