I don’t about all of you, but I have this little problem with expectations. No matter how many places I go, no matter how many times I try to let go of any and all expectations of a place, I still can’t help but have preconceived notions of somewhere.
Especially those famous places that you hear about all of your life–how can you not have expectations of those?
Really, they’re dangerous, and I enjoy places much more when I have fewer expectations.
I’m working on it.
Moving to Prague was no different expectation-wise, although I’d never been here, so I think that helped. I heard that Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe, and most of the time I can’t help but agree. But when you live in a city–even one reputed to be as beautiful as Prague–you don’t just get the fairy-tale glimpses. You get the real, nitty-gritty glimpses of life here.
When I say nitty-gritty, keep in mind that I work at a private English school and live three blocks away from a mall.
Before moving to Prague, I expected…
…to find more comforts of home. Not just mac’n’cheese, but things like turkey meatballs, Febreeze, and spur-of-the-moment seasonal decorations are just not as readily available or as affordable as I figured.
…to only have one job. I do have a post on this almost ready to publish, but unless you score a full-time position, most English teachers bounce around between companies, schools, and private lessons. In addition, the visa I have is a freelance-type visa, which means I need to be able to show more than one place of employment on my taxes.
…to make friends quickly because, despite all of the warnings, I generally have always been able to do this. However, I was not anticipating the language barrier and the sheer work it would be to make friends. Oof. (This is an example of an expectation I really should have had because people kept telling me to have it, but I didn’t listen).
…to find a beautiful, clean city every day. Prague is certainly beautiful, but it’s also old. Unless someone is taking care of old things, they will get dirty and fall apart. Prague is still a city and that means there’s trash, and areas that are dirty, and overflowing trash bins, and the all-too-often eau de sewer. Also, graffiti is huge in Prague (and maybe all of Europe?). Mostly I find it amusing (and sometimes it’s pretty, too) because I don’t understand the urge to tag anything–especially with something like “BAT KISS” or “TWO RETARDS OF PRAGUE.” I admit though, when our beautiful flat building was tagged with something that looks alarmingly close to “Hitler,” well, I was sad. Why!
…to not have a bathtub. Thankfully I DOOOOOOO. It’s the little things, people!
…to be able to travel quickly, cheaply, and easily through Europe at the drop of a hat. Not saying this is impossible, but is usually takes foresight and research to get the really good deals. Also, there are cool websites for flights (like Skyscanner, my favorite!)–but bus and train websites are still often in the local language and therefore more difficult to navigate.
but lets be real, it wasn’t that hard to get here.
…to have every Friday off and to be away every weekend. Yeah…not so much. I don’t have a 9-5 job which I’m very thankful for, so I have random pockets of time between lessons (plus Friday afternoons! woo!). I read somewhere that someone who taught here only had a four-day week and for some reason I applied to this everyone moving here.
…to have a much less stressful lifestyle. While I wouldn’t say that I am as stressed out as I was back in Denver–I’m not in grad school, which is one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done, so that’s certainly an improvement–it is not the 10-hours-a-week and endless, relaxing travel that I was picturing. Part of it is that adjusting to a new country and culture in itself can be a stressful experience. Part of it is my fault–I haven’t been saying no to any jobs that come my way–but the Czechs are also go-getters. I can’t believe how many people are dying to improve their English! I officially had to turn down a request for the first time today because I just can’t squeeze any more in.
…to pick up the language quickly. I’m sure you’re thinking I’m very naive at this point (I have traveled and know my limits when it comes to learning a new language…usually) but my Czech is not improving. BUT that will change soon, hopefully, as I will start official Czech lessons in two weeks!
I didn’t expect…
…to find Prague a very livable city.
…to begin to love teaching and my myriad of students.
…to (mostly) quickly understand the transportation system.
…to discover so many awesome new snacks.
…to have a view of a park outside of my window.
…to randomly walk into a protest against the Czech president.
…to find so many amazing pockets of the city.
…to explore so many little gems of the Czech Republic.
like the incomparable Český Krumlov.
…to play find-the-castle on my way to work almost every day.
And most of all…
…I really didn’t expect to begin a love affair with Praha.
Do you ever struggle with expectations?
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Today I am very happy to be co-hosting a new Friday link-up with the lovely Yalanda!
Welcome to BYOP! A bring your own type of event, Bring Your Own Post to be exact! Join us every Friday for an uncategorized link up.
