Amy and the Great World

Czech Republic

Three Things I Love About Prague

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I’m so happy to announce that I was voted into the Top 100 International Exchange & Experience Blogs for 2015! Thank you, thank you to those who voted for me. I’m so honored! I put a lot of love and care into this blog and it’s nice to get some recognition.

Now, speaking of contests, I was asked to participate in one by writing a post outlining three things about my favorite city. I missed the competition (I definitely deserve that best blogger top spot), but I still got attached to the idea. I think my favorite city changes over time, but of course my current favorite is my current home, Praha!

three love prague

The castle.

Ooooh I bet you know I was going to say that one! It’s the number one thing I take a picture of around here. I just love how it stands tall over the city, looming over the river. It’s so distinctive and gives Prague a unique skyline among the many gorgeous cities in Europe. I get a glimpse of it every day on my commute to school–spoiled, right? Whenever I’m feeling bad about anything, seeing that castle always gives me a boost.

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The alleys.

The tiny, skinny roads winding through Prague, especially in Old Town, are a huge part of the city’s charm. They lead to cathedrals, to schools, to pubs, to flats, to government offices and strip clubs to McDonald’s. They add a charm and a mysterious feeling. If (I recommend when!) you come to Prague, make sure to wander the alleyways and admire the buildings and take yourself right back to medieval times.

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The atmosphere.

Right away, I felt comfortable in Prague. The city is full of energy and people, but it also feels calm. I think part of the reason the energy is so great here is that the Czechs love their city and want to see it grow. Communism impacted Prague a lot, and it’s still recovering, and it’s lovely to see it brighten up. It’s so easy to navigate, even when you don’t speak Czech. Also, the Czechs mind their own business. Sometimes their stoicism can confuse me, but it’s nice to know that I can sit on the tram and read, or take pictures of the castle, without feel like someone is going to talk to me or judge me (at least, I won’t be able to tell if they’re judging me).

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What are three things you love about your favorite city?

Linking up with the #SundayTraveler! 

Czech Republic

Six Months In Prague (By the Numbers)

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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!

IMG_8904^^my handsome prom date! IMG_8914

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

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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!

IMG_20150129_201525^^sorry for the blurry photos…they were moving fast!

FIVE HOURS in the beautiful city of Telč.

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ONE HOUR walking around the castle in Telč.

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

36 HOURS of private lessons this month.

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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!

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

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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).

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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!

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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.

IMG_8969^^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.

ANOTHER lovely brunch at one of my favorite spots in Prague, Cafe Savoy!

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Question:

How was your January? Recharging? Rejuvenating? Chilly? Exciting? Tell me below in the comments!

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Five Months in Prague By the Numbers

Four Months in Prague By the Numbers

Three Months in Prague By the Numbers

Two Months in Prague By the Numbers

One Month in Prague By the Numbers

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Linking up with the Sunday Traveler, Fresh Face Friday and Treat YoSelf Thursday! 

Czech Republic

A Snowy Day in Telč

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January was a month of “nesting” or being sick (ugh) and I was missing travel, adventures, and life. Luckily, last week, after a night at a graduation prom in Jihlava (more on that later!) E and I took a day trip to the little UNESCO-heritage town of Telč (pronounced like “telch” in the English alphabet).

Telč fell onto my radar randomly–I don’t remember exactly where I saw it, but I think that it was one of those “30 cutest towns in Europe” lists that I read so often. I saw one picture and happily added it to my Czech Republic List–and I’m very glad we were able to make it there!

(Cesky Krumlov also makes those lists, usually, if that doesn’t make you want to go more!)

We took a train through the idyllic, snow-covered countryside. While I don’t mind busses or planes, there’s something about riding in a train that really let’s you soak in the country around you.

Only when I got out of the city did I realize how much I was craving open space and quiet–and we certainly found that in the Czech countryside! There’s so little snow here in Prague, and it’s been fairly warm, so I keep forgetting that it’s January. Telč was a good–and cold–reminder that it’s still winter!

The main square was the highlight of the city–full of these incredible, pastel buildings from the 16th century. There is also a castle on the square, lined with honest-to-goodness moats. They were mostly frozen in the weather, but certainly added to the ambiance. We meandered towards a castle, through a stone archway, past a frozen lake, and happened upon a trail that led right behind the castle.

The fortress in Telč is not the biggest or grandest in Europe, but wandering around the snowy pathway, in the wintry silence, gave me a few “we live in Europe and we’re walking around a castle” moments. Sometimes, in the day-to-day life, I forget this incredible fact, and it’s necessary to remind myself (although let’s be real, I take a Prague castle picture daily, so I don’t forget this fact much!).

The castle and the square were so quiet, I wondered if anyone lived in that town. Except for the occasional car, and the occasional person rushing through the cold with their head down, we had the place to ourselves. I savored this–alone time is few and far between in the bustling Praha–but we quickly found most of the population when we ducked into the recommend Pizzerie on the square. Walking in winter, with the promise of pizza after? One of my favorite pastimes, truth be told. I was impressed with the pizza, although I neglected to snap a picture–but please stop at the Pizzerie if you make it to Telč! It’s right on the main square, you can’t miss it.

We didn’t get to stay long in Telč, as we needed to return to Jihlava to catch our bus back to Prague. I am so happy we were able to visit, as unfortunately it’s a bit of a way from Prague. If you have time, though, it is a must in the CZ–even in the dead of winter!

IMG_8926 IMG_8967 DSCN7209DSCN7219^^a playhouse and a castle!DSCN7226DSCN7227 IMG_8946^^I loved the detail of the wrought iron banisters

IMG_8948 ^^my handsome fellaDSCN7245DSCN7246DSCN7248DSCN7251^^my favorite building! DSCN7252IMG_8957^^one last view

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Linking up with Travel Tuesday and Two for Tuesdays. 

p.s. I’ve been nominated to participate in bab.la and lexophiles.com “Top 100 International Exchange and Experience Blogs” competition! Click the image to vote for me, if you’d like.
IX15 - Vote for this blog!
 

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