February 8, 2015 - Amy and the Great World

Six months in Prague…really? I had to double check my dates because a part of me just doesn’t believe it.

Six months is generally accepted as the adjustment period when you move abroad (or move back, or start a new job, or most new things, I think). While I feel at home and settled in Prague, I don’t think it took six months–Prague is just so easy! There were certainly adjustments, and some that will still be happening, but I could easily see myself living here for a long period of time. Will that happen? Who knows!

Anyway, just as I suspected, my sixth month in Prague, January, was a little more mellow than I would have liked, but it was necessary for my health and my wallet. January seems like the month for that kind of thing, doesn’t it?

I still managed to explore Prague a little bit more, and even spend a weekend out of the city!

SIX MONTHS IN PRAGUE: BY THE NUMBERS

ONE NIGHT at a graduation prom in Jihlava. Similar to an American prom where everyone dresses up, but is part a graduation ceremony, and friends and family are invited to be a part of it–fathers are dancing with their daughters, who are also dancing with their dates!

^^my handsome prom date!

FOUR SLICES of cake from this beauty, won at the raffle at the graduation prom.

2o MINUTES watching teenagers in prom dresses and tuxes scramble for money on the floor in an interesting Czech tradition. During the graduation ceremony, the graduates all line up in their fancy outfits to receive a sash and a glass of champagne from their teachers. As they walk up the line to receive this, their friends and family in the audience throw coins at them (ouch, right?). After the last name is called, and they toast and drink all their champagne, the kids scramble to fill their glasses with as many coins as possible. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of these girls in their giant dresses and manicured nails and heels trying to pick money off the ground!

^^sorry for the blurry photos…they were moving fast!

FIVE HOURS in the beautiful city of Telč.

ONE HOUR walking around the castle in Telč.

TWO HOURS on a train ride through the spectacular, wintry Czech countryside.

36 HOURS of private lessons this month.

ABOUT 30 mini-donuts. We just discovered these at Tesco and now I insist on them every Sunday. What’s better than donuts on a Sunday? Mini ones, I say!

TOO MUCH tomato soup and grilled cheese. My comfort food for when I’m sick, wherever I am in the world!

ENDLESS cups of tea. I have a love affair with both tea and coffee, but I seem to be preferring tea here (perhaps because we don’t have a coffeemaker).

FOUR DAYS of snow! I love seeing my beautiful Praha all covered in the white stuff. The last few days we’ve finally seen some sticking!

SEVERAL slices of pizza from our favorite little spot in Prague. For only 30kc (about $1.50) a slice, it’s hard to resist whenever we’re in the area.

^^normally it doesn’t look this greasy, but you can brush flavored oils onto your slice if you fancy and I got a bit carried away experimenting. Still delicious.