Ally Across the Atlantic

Friday night, stayed out all night and watched the sunrise on the Charles Bridge at 5 AM with 25 of my friends.  It was an incredibly beautiful sight and moment. 

What I’ll take from Prague: A scar on my chin, a greater appreciation for KFC, some serious beer snobbery, a quieter speaking voice in public (get excited!), a new best friend, an understanding of American stereotypes, and a big bottle of becherovka

What I won’t miss about Prague: No free tap water, unfriendly faces, always being classified as an outsider

What I will miss about Prague: Just about everything else. 

A Final Round-Up

Best Czech Beer: Gambrinus 

Best Czech Liquor: Becherovka 

Best Prague Club: Radost 

Best Prague Bar: U Sudu

Best Hot Wine: Cafe Ebel (Old Town) 

Best Prague Nachos: JJ Murphy’s 

Best Prague Coffee: Grand Orient Cafe 

Best Meal Deal: U Trajcu (aka 100 Crown) 

Best Brunch: Radost

Best Mexican Food: Las Andelitas 

Best Prague Activity: Paddle boating 

Best Beer Garden: Rieogrady Savy 

Most Underrated Prague Location: Vysehrad

Best European Airport for a Layover:  Milan Malpensa

Best Late Night Meal: Sausage in Wenceslas Square 

Worst European Airport: Frankfurt 

Worst Coffee: The roadside stand at Lidice. 

Number of flights: 11

Number of airports: 6

Number of trains: 4 - Milan <-> Venice, Brussels -> Bruges, Bruges -> Amsterdam

Number of bus companies: 2 - Student Agency, Eurolines

Number of countries traveled to: 8 - Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Stockholm, Italy 

Number of cities/towns traveled to: 19

Number of museums visited: 24+

Number of live shows: Sleigh Bells, Fatboy Slim (errr..), Belle & Sebastian, Diplo 

Saw Diplo last night at Lucerna.  It rocked.  I think every American student in Prague was there. 

Nearly every one I know complains (or raves) about the fact that their study abroad programs are overwhelming populated by female students.  This article provides some interesting insight into why this may be. 

When I woke up this morning, groggy as always, to attend my 9 AM Czech class, I checked my Facebook, e-mail and Twitter, as I do every morning.  This morning, I realized that I had slept through a major event in recent world history - the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been killed by US forces. 

While I see my friends at home’s celebratory videos, pictures and Facebook statues (“going to drink an AMF at the 9-0 in celebration, #America,” “Every frat is blasting God Bless the USA,” etc.), I am just waking up and going about my daily routine.  Two of my American teachers mentioned it in passing, and most other students have been finding out the news slowly during the day. And while I understand the importance of this announcement - hell, it’s been in the news for half of my lifetime- it feels especially strange to read about this news abroad.  I’m reading it at a completely different time schedule than the American people are receiving it, and it has not had any real effect on my surroundings at all.  Receiving Travel Advisories from the State Department for American living or traveling abroad made everything a reality. This pivotal event had happened, and would effect me as an American wherever I am. However, in a time of joy and unity for the American people, this moment is the strongest feeling of removal I’ve ever felt from my home country.  This announcement - which will undoubtably be a flashblub memory for most - will always hold special significance for me.

(Source: futurejournalismproject)

A few awesome things from the past two weeks: 

• Getting asked for directions - Apparently I look like a local now, as several times I’ve been stopped.  The best part? I can confidently give them to almost anywhere! Today I was even asked in Czech on a tram, which I could answer, just not quite as confidently. 
• The world is tiny - At our Sedar two weeks ago, we were eating dinner in my friend’s apartment, when his roommate’s girlfriend walked in with 3 other girls.  As I glance to see who’s coming in, I realize I know one of the girls - her name is Taylor, and she’s in my pledge class! She was a friend of the girlfriend’s friend. Neither of us knew the other would be in Prague, much less the same small apartment. 
• Paddle boating - on Vltava with friends and beer is one of the greatest activities I’ve ever done. 
• Cafe crawling - In working on my final papers, I’ve been going to lots of different cafes (after three months of working at the Globe twice a week).  Today I went to Grand Orient Cafe, the only Cubist cafe in the world - whatever that means. It was beautiful, and my iced cappuccino and goat cheese salad were delicious. 
• Megan coming to town - One of my closest friends from USC is coming into town tomorrow for 4 days! I can’t wait to show off Prague to my last visitor. 

Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden in Vinohrady.