Sunday, March 09, 2008

Dobry den

My love/hate relationship with Prague began once again yesterday.  I woke up at 5am for the trip to the airport to fly to Prague.  Upon arrival in Prague's airport, the hate portion of this relationship began.  The 'stereotypical' Parisian snub seems friendly in comparison to the attitude you often encounter here, but of course in all fairness, you do find friendly locals too.  After multiple people cut in line in front of me--the rules of a queue seem to be the exception here--and a long bus ride to the city center, I finally made it to the hostel, only to find out that I was placed in a five-person room with four guys, and the management won't do anything about it.  The guys checked out this morning, so I don't know whether I'll be stuck in an all-male room all weekend.  The showers are also unisex, and the party gathering room is right outside my door.  (Wish me sanity!  I'm about 5 years older than everyone here and running on a completely different agenda.)

However, within an hour of arriving, I fell in love all over again while in the Old Town Square enjoying the Easter Market and sipping svarak--Czech mulled wine--with a potato pancake-wrapped sausage followed by handmade sweets (I swear mitteleuropa eats nothing but sausage, beer, and pastries.)  For a girl who's recently considered going veggie, eating three sausages in one week is a personal record.  (And they're not the Morningstar sausages I serve at home either. ;)  I would probably gain 15 pounds if it weren't for all the walking and carrying my massive pack.

Incidentally, I love the translations around here, such as the sign I saw for the Tesco 'hypermarket'.  I wonder if the shopping tempo inside is quicker than your average supermarket, or whether the store moves like the Dancing Building.

Tomorrow I'm off to Terezin for the day, and then I leave early Tuesday morning for home, so this will be my last post abroad.  Cheers.

5 comments:

Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com said...

My my. All of those male roommates! ;-) In all seriousness, that must have been uncomfortable and I'm sorry. At least they checked out and, with luck, your next roomies will be of the female variety.

I didn't know you were thinking of going veggie. As a twice-failed vegetarian, I wouldn't advise it unless you're against the eating of animals as a matter of morality. Otherwise, I've come to learn that the "everything in moderation" mantra is best applied here. I prefer veggie meals, but like to have the occassional chicken, turkey, or fish dish--so why deprive myself? Maybe we can be "almost vegetarians" together. ;-)

Happy abroading! Be safe!

Joseph R. Ruthruff said...

Be safe over there, Angie. And have a safe trip back!

Anonymous said...

I have never been to Prague, although I have dreamt about it for years.

You sound like you are on a wonderful adventure.

I bet it is just as chilly there as in Munich.

Enjoy yourself sweetheart and have the best time

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you're having a good time despite the few bumps along the way, which I'm sure you were expecting a little bit. I'm still jealous you're over there, I wanna go! Stay away from the blue fairy though, it doesn't sit well the next day...

Lane Mathias said...

Enjoy the rest of your trip and take care:-)