A Julie and Dana kind of night

Up and at em, it’s the last real day to explore! I started my morning by returning to Muj Salek Kavy, which is by far the greatest coffeeshop in the entire Czech republic. It truly is “my cup of tea”. I caught up on blogs over a giant omlette and London fog, thinking about the fact that something has GOT to change in my hometown, how can this exist here only 15 years after the velvet revolution but there is absolutely no comparison in DC, MD, VA? Come on people...! After a few hours, I headed back to Prague 1 to meet Julie, Bri, Lisa, Claire, and Olivia for paddleboating. We had been talking about doing this since day 1, but other things got in the way and our intentions were rained out at least 3 times. Thankfully, the little bit of rain cleared up right as we got in our boats, and we had a great time relaxing on the water, seeing all of the sights from a different view. Returning to land, Julie, Claire, Olivia, and I crossed the river to the John Lennon Wall, which they had not been to before. I am starting to become a bit desensitized to going there, which I do not like. However, it gave me plenty of time to think of what I want to write! Since I had gone without lunch, starving, I peeked into Beas on my way home. Beas Vegetarian Dhaba is the last really popular vegetarian chain I had missed, and my lentil soup completely hit the spot. Later, I made my way to Fittop and then to meet Sam for dinner! Realizing I was a little bit early, I decided to walk to Namesti Republicky. This was a walk I knew well from my first week, however, after learning the incredible public transport system, my laziness took over and I always resorted to tram 26 or 5 to cover this distance. However, walking to town now I had a completely different perspective of this area and what was around it. I appreciated Hybernska in a totally different light, and it actually was faster(albeit more physical) than the tram. Our location in Seifertova is actually perfect. Following my Indian theme, Sam and I finally tried Indian Jewel and it was delicious. It is crazy to think about the comparison of how long and how many times I have spent with Sam versus how much time we have spent one on one. It was awesome to get quality time together! 

Heading home, I found a very reluctant Julie, who was feeling tired, poor, and discouraged by our impending exams the following morning. Nope, we only have 3 days left in Prague my friend. For all of her directions pep talks, comes one of my exploring lectures. I begged and pleaded, promising a visit to her favorite building. And so we were off. Looking back, it is weird to think that this is the last of of Julie and my adventures ad a duo trying to find something new and exciting. This was the perfect last night. Tramming with ease to the riverfront, we got off in front of the dancing building – Julie’s favorite. This building is a Franky Gehry masterpiece and is truly magnificent, especially at night. Climbing to the top, we found ourselves in a swanky, glass, bar inside the “woman”, chandelier swinging as if it was a swaying earring. So cool. Heading outside onto the “man” we were faced with a giant light fixture and an incredible view of Prague. However, on closer look, we realized that this huge centerpiece, as well as all of the railings, were covered in TONS of spiders. Anyone who knows me well is probably laughing right now, but I think I handled this maturely (wimpering to Julie quietly). Still, this was freaking cool. So I got over it. We ordered a $2 glass of wine that actually was really, really, good and looked through the telescope like dorks. However, I would definitely recommend doing this because seeing all of the buildings so close at night was a truly magical experience. I sound like a huge nerd, but it was really, really, really, beautiful. 

After enjoying the view for a while, we walked to the riverfront. Since day 1, I had been trying to go to Bajkazyl, a bike shop turned bar along the riverfront. I had also learned this day that one of the places I pass on the running path is an expansion of this brand, and I was more determined than ever. Walking down the steps to the riverfront, we found ourselves in a huge crowd of people that were unnoticeable from above. This is where Prague hangs out at night. Lesson of the day: Take advice from locals seriously. Vratislav had said this was his go-to hangout, and it still stayed on our list, uncrossed, until the last night. We meandered through the crowd, appreciating the vibe and the view, when I realized that this was not actually the right bar. There are so many cool bars around Naplavka! We continued walking to the next bridge, hearing “I’m Yours” being sung faintly and then louder and louder. Finding ourselves at a small stage under the bridge, a huge crowd of people gathered around watching, grabbing drinks, sitting with their feet dangling over the edge of the bike path. The singer started with “Wonderwall”, Julie and I looked at each other and immediately started belting the words. I will forever remember this moment, screaming “I said maybeeeee” at the top of my lungs, my best friend by my side as giddy as ever, hanging out outside on a beautiful night, at the coolest bar, with an amazing view. This was so Prague. So us. I could not have asked for a better night! 

Bukowskis Tuesday take 2

Class allowed me time to sort out my final week in Prague. It is crazy to think that I can count all the days on one hand…Getting out of class early, I decided to wander around before a doctors appointment. Walking around Mala Strana, I found my way to Cukrkavalimonida (literal translation: Sugar, Coffee, Lemonade) a cute café, as well as other nearby shops and stands. If there is one thing I will miss about Europe, it will definitely be wandering with only one intention, find a nice kavarna to relax before continuing to wander.  On my way back to the tram stop, I passed a cute park, and was so taken by how pretty it was I walked backwards to look again. Right as my leg was killing me, I found the best place to rest. Vojanovy sady is SO overrated. For the first time in my life, I just sat, by myself, and enjoyed it. No phone, ipod, or book, I was still blissfully happy. It is beautiful! Everyone should go there! Afterwards, I headed to my doctors appointment. Lesson abroad: Go to the doctor RIGHT when you need to. 4 weeks after a stupid running injury, I found myself limping to the chiropractor. This is totally stupid, swallow your pride and just go to the doctor! However, I had another successful adventure finding my way to the suburbs and hopefully will feel a lot better before my bigger travels(lets hope!). Coming home, I scarfed down my delicious Fruta Pura dinner ($2 for premade quinoa and tofu, or lentils and corn, etc…legitimately Whole Foods for the price of McDonalds…can this be America too?!) as Julie practically danced circles around me trying to get me to hurry up and leave for Bukowskis. It was, after all, Tuesday, as in, free sangria for all girls starting at 7 pm! We arrived promptly (well, promptly for us) at 7:30 to see plenty of pitchers lining the bar. It is an odd thing, to go to a bar that is only an open bar for women. But hey, not complaining in the slightest. We met Lisa, and were later joined by Bri and Vratislav as well! It was a really nice night to just chill out with friends.

Nicole is back!

It is crazy to think that we are already preparing to leave. This entire day was spent in meetings with ISA, buying items for backpacking,(try finding Birkenstocks in Prague, I dare you) and packing. Eeek! While I cannot wait for the second leg of this trip, I am in no way ready to leave Prague. Luckily, to distract me from thinking about this too much, Nicole and Amanda came back from their own backpacking trip! Wanting to see what the hype was about, Nicole pushed for Secret of Raw for dinner. As a hot-food loving carnivore, I was shocked by how well she did. We then continued the Secret of Raw tour with Sweet Secret of Raw, which held its title as the best dessert shop in Prague. Coming back to retrieve Bri and Julie, we headed to Riegrovy Sady, joining the Czechs on the hillside overlooking the entire city. Julie and I opened our wine from the French shop up the street. 

It was truly a Zizkov night, from dinner, to the view, even to the drinks. I was so happy to hang with my oldest and newest friends and will definitely miss the view of this park. Coming home, I finally finished the difficult task of packing my suitcase to send home with my Bee, leaving me with just what could fit in my backpack for almost a full four weeks. I cannot believe that I will be spending the rest of my summer with two pairs of leggings, two pairs of workout shorts, three pairs of shoes, and so on…but I am also excited for the challenge. We shall see how this works out…

Muj, Cerny, Sushi..my ideal day

While I have made a point to try every possible coffeeshop in the entirety of Prague, there was one major one that I had yet to sample. Muj Salek Kavy, located in Karlin, was just far enough away to have slipped through the cracks. Today was the MSK day. It was a nice morning, so I decided to walk, making my way through my part of Prague 3 to this undiscovered neighborhood. I was both incredibly happy and sad once there. This is, in my opinion, by far the best café in Prague. London Fog, my favorite drink at Thistle Stop in Nashville, was right on the menu with the option for soy milk! A half liter of water was only 10 crowns, with all proceeds going to coffeekids.org, and classic American rock music played quietly in the background. I became immersed in my work, mouthing the words to classics from my childhood and enjoying my favorite drink. How did I never come here before?! Soon after, Olivia and Claire joined me for lunch, which was equally awesome. We stayed in this coffeeshop alllll afternoon, and it was perfect. 

Finally realizing that I should probably move around, I continued my day with a solo expedition to tour Cerny artwork. David Cerny, who I have mentioned before, is the quirky Czech artist whom I absolutely love. Anything that causes a reaction, you can bet is Cerny. While In Utero and the TV Tower have become part of my day to day life, there were many Cerny pieces I had yet to see. First, I headed to Lucerna(yes the 90s club) through the arcade to Horse(which may or may not resemble a certain other statue). 

From there, I cut through a park to Narodni Trida to find Hanging Man, a sculpture of Sigmund Freud a few stories in the air. 

Following that street for a quick stop in Krazy Zraty, a student café(not as good as MSK, but still very cool) I made my way to the ultimate Cerny work(in my opinion), Piss, which shows two men with moving bodies peeing on the Czech Republic. Apparently this actually spells something in the water. By far, this is the weirdest public fixture I have ever seen. From there, I wandered around Mala Strana, trying to appreciate one of my last times walking without agenda.

 I continued on my way to meet Hailey for dinner at Yami(Sorry Sweet Ginger, you have been replaced!) and it was both bizzare and great to be able to have a typical sushi date like the millions we enjoyed throughout high school, but at the same time be all the way in Prague. We then went to meet both of our groups at the beer garden for the World Cup final! So excited about Germany, I cannot wait to be there in less than a week! 

Our Weekend In the Countryside

Friday we left bright and early for Moravia, or the southern region of the Czech republic that is known for its wine. First stop was the caves. These were really cool, and very different of other caves I had seen before. We then made it it Mikulov, a veryyy small town. It was incredibly quaint! Olivia, Claire, Steph, Julie, and I had a very characteristic Czech dinner. 

Afterwards, we met with the rest of the group for wine tasting. This was sooo much fun. We learned all about the Ryzlink(Riesling) that was characteristic specifically to Moravia (cheers to you, Christie) and tried a few types along with some Gran Moravia cheese, and local ham and bread. We then headed back to town to a café that sold the wine we had tried, getting gifts and sampling a few other kinds. Julie, Claire, Olivia, Eric, and I found a table on the roof overlooking the town. With jazz music in the background, great Moravian wine, and the rest of the Gran Moravia cheese that we may or may not have taken home from the wine tasting, it was a really nice night. In the morning, I woke up early(look at this maturity) to go and climb a nearby “fortress” with Claire and Olivia. The views from the top were phenomenal. 

The Czech countryside is so pretty! We then all went to Lednice, a nearby palace. It was a beautiful building, and all of my hopes and dreams were fulfilled with Julie knocking on a door and singing “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” like the little Ana she is. From there we went back to Prague, but it was a wonderfully peaceful weekend and a nice change from our city living! Upon coming back to Prague, Julie and I met Hailey for dinner at The Tavern. It was delicious, very much resembling The Pharmacy in Nashville. Afterwards, I had to introduce Hailey to Secret of Raw, so we headed back home for some raw chocolate cake. I will seriously miss that place…