“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste
experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and
richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
Some of my family members have urged me to update my blog
more (cough, Mom) so I decided to sit down and write a new post before I leave
for Prague and Dresden for the weekend. The weather is so nice here anyways; I
am typing this from the park trying to get a tan. Classes are going well and I
am slowly getting into a daily routine, so for this blog I decided to type some
observations and experiences I have encountered. I have only been here for a
mere 14 days but it seems longer.
Random Thoughts:
1)
Dogs are EVERYWHERE. This is not an exaggeration. I have seen
dogs in cafes, dogs on the trams, and of course people walking dogs. There must
be some unwritten rule stating that everyone must own a dog. It makes me very
jealous because I want to get a puppy too!
2)
People here are not nice. At restaurants people aren’t working
for tips so they can be rude and they do. The motto here must be the customer
is an annoyance. Many people warned us about that but being the naïve Nebraskan
I am I believed they were just being negative. Nope. It is completely true.
Living in Kearney for two years made me always smile at people on the streets
but if you do that here people give you weird looks, trust me on that one.
3)
Take advantage of free water and refills at restaurants. In
Europe they do not do that. You have to pay for water and they give you a very
small amount, so you must ration it out throughout your meal. If you are
actually thirsty, good luck.
4)
Beer is also everywhere. At every single restaurant, café,
library, vending machines, and McDonalds. It is cheap and pretty yummy!
5)
Not being understood gets frustrating fast, but can be
slightly amusing. I have got my fair share of random meals because I will order
one thing and get something different. I was exchanging money today and I was
trying to get Euros but the lady had no idea what I was saying. So, I ended up
with extra Czech money after completely confusing her.
6)
Fashion wise, anything goes. Except for shorts apparently.
Feel like wearing a bright blue shirt, orange pants, and a yellow/green hat? Go
ahead! People here wear anything they want, anywhere they want. However, shorts
are some kind of crime. I feel like I am back in the olden days when ankles
were provocative. It was 75 and I wore shorts and I received quite a few dirty
looks and double takes. Good stuff.
7)
The houses here are every different color, blue, green,
yellow, and pink! I have seen buildings with huge circles on it and different
decorations. It is so interesting and fun to look at.
Well, there are plenty of more things I have encountered and
learned but I am done for now! If you read this whole thing, thanks! I am sure
I will have plenty to say after my weekend away.
Hey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and glad you are updating it with more of your experiences. It is fun to navigate your way through other countries, and while a challenge, it will give you countless memories and new way of looking at life when you get back to Nebraska. Did you have a McBeer and McD? I remember going to the McD in Prague just for the ice cream! If you get a chance next time you are in Prague, check out the Communist Museum. It is in Old Town and curiously, next to a McDonald's! Safe travels. Bruce