Denise1023

Real classes started today! They are pretty cool; I learned in Art and Architecture that the pillars right outside our class building are 12,000 years old. After classes, Katie and I went to the bus station to try and buy tickets to Florence in a few weekends. The teller was so confused; I chalked it up to language barrier, but later on I realized that the name of the bus station we were at was called Florenc also, so she was trying to tell me we were already here! haha. We went for dinner at this cafe where they play the best music videos and have the best hot chocolate and we tried to make some decisions for spring break- moracco and barcelona, or greece? Tough choice.... While on the tram home, I got a text ... read more

So today I went grocery shopping at Tesco, which I normally hate doing because that store is so overwhelming, but the cashier was so nice. He smiled and helped me bag my groceries! Seriously, I never realized how small things like smiling make such a difference. Afterwards, I met Katie at an internet cafe to blog about my amazing weekend and look into Spring Break plans. The two German guys next to us heard us talking about how we are going to Moracco so they introduced themselves. They were originally from Moracco so they gave us advice on good places to go. I think its awesome being able to meet people from so many different places. When I came home, David and Bridgid put on the Czech version of American Idol- HILARIOUS. They were some wacky ... read more

Most amazing day ever. Shelia asked me last night if I wanted to go to a carnival with her today. I said sure- figured maybe it would be food, perhaps some rides. Well, not in the Czech Republic! We met a bunch of other students at the commuter train station and took the train, which cost 15 cents and sounded like it would fall apart at any second, to about a half hour outside Prague. We got off the train and walked to the main square of this village where everyone was dressed up in crazy costumes. And I'm not talking partycity style, but handcrafted unique and elaborate costumes. A lot of people were animals, but really anything and everything was there. There were tons of people on stilts too. The little kids were probably the ... read more

ok so our teachers here are soooo coool. Today was the last day of intensive czech, so after our final we had to go on a scavenger hunt throughout the city. At the final spot there was supposed to be a surprise waiting for us. When we first got to the last address, I thought we were at a squatter settlement. But then we entered the building and went down the stairs and in the basement was a really cool bar/art gallery/ projector room. Its one of those hidden word-of-mouth gathering places for artists to talk and premiere their work. The surprise was that there we met our professor who will be teaching us Czech for the rest of the semester. He was a really laid-back and interesting guy. He showed us this animated documentary by ... read more

So today in Intensive Czech my teacher asked me in Czech if I speak any other languages. So I started telling her that I speak some Italian, but without realizing it I had switiched to speaking Italian! She just laughed and was like well I don't speak Italian so tell me in Czech please. Then- get this- we took a tour of the National Library of the Czech Republic. Let's just say I was in my glory. Then another round of karokee at Meloun. ... read more

So today for lunch I went with a few girls from Czech class and met Liz and some of her friends at this restaraunt nearby. This is the first place I've been to that didn't have an english translated menu, so Liz translated each one as thats chicken with dumplings, and so on. But when I went to order, I thought the first word I said was chicken but it was really just roasted. So the waitress got really confused and was like in czech "roasted what?" and once again Liz had to translate for me. slighty embaressing. it was good food though and the whole meal only cost me $3.50! At night Berenika, Katie, Liz, and I went to Usudu, this really cool underground wine cellar. We made friends with the table of Czechs next ... read more

Today Katie Callie and I went to the Jewish quarter and saw the museum about the Jewish ghettos which was really touching and the old Jewish cemetery which sounds so creepy but was really cool looking. And then Liz and I went on a quest to find an internet café. At the third one we discovered that internet was not working ANYWHERE in the city. Something about weather conditions? Like it was too cold? Oh Eastern Europe...although I hope David doesn’t read this and see I called Prague Eastern Europe….then home to watching CNN (the only English channel) and discussing politics with our Scottish guests. ... read more

Slighty sleep deprived, I woke up to go to Kutna Hora, which was a really old mining town only an hour outside Prague. It’s a good thing I can only take two minute showers because I get ready so quickly in the mornings now! Kutna Hora was such a nice town and the architecture was incredible. Amazing Czech lunch. Then we went to this other Church that was decorated with the bones of 40,000 people who died in the Plague. Literally, the whole thing was made out of just skulls and bones, even the chandellier! Creeeeeeeeepy. Then back to Prague, where I saw one of my Czech neighbors, guess what I said dobry den, and he SMILED AND SAID DOBRY DEN BACK!!!! Now thats a first. Then went to Julia’s apartment for some wine and becharov ... read more

So we tried the cafeteria at the school today….nay for next time. Becky ordered the last fried cheese ball so I didn’t know what else to get because I can’t understand any other Czech foods so I just pointed at the first thing on the menu and it was this beef thingy in tomato sauce. I repeat: nay. Then we got out of Czech class early to do a scavenger hunt. We went back to crazy crazy Tesco and we were trying to ask these people what these items were on our list so I go up to this couple and I say “pardon, mluvite anglistsky?” (Do you speak English?) They nod their heads so I show them my list and they say in a British accent “I don’t understand, are these street names?” ahaha so ... read more

After intensive Czech today we took a class trip to a restaurant to practice our Czech ordering skills. The waitress accidentally gave us English menus though so I didn’t accidentally order poached goat liver or what not. Then we made another stop at Tesco, that crazy store, so I could get some school supplies and toliet paper for our appartment. When I got home, we had another lovely dinner party. Our Scottish guests are excellent cooks!!! Note to self: learn more Czech so I can read food labels. Having tea with milk and salt instead of sugar is not so tasty. ... read more