Goodbye Praha. Until next time...

Ukončete prosím výstup a nástup, dveře se zavírají. Příští stanice: Namesti Miru.
Please finish exiting and boarding the train, the doors are closing. Next stop: Namesti Miru.

I've heard these words (and its variations) countless times upon entering the metro daily. My next stop is no longer in Prague, however. My next stop is America.

For the past 4 months, this place has been my home. Coming here - to this country and with this program - has been, hands down, the single, best decision of my college career.

I knew eventually I would have to leave. I knew I wouldn't want to. I knew I would probably be looking forward to going home and the comforts and familiarities that affords. There are things I've missed about the US: having a cell phone plan, extroverted strangers being helpful (ie: helping me up when I fall or giving us directions), and understanding the language. And then there are things I won't miss about Prague: paying for WC's, paying for tap water, paying for take out containers, giving up metro seats to anyone older than you, and being short changed. There are of course things I'll miss about Prague... living in an ancient, preserved city, not having to pay tip, and the ability to readily take public transportation to another country among many other things. I didn't know how much I would want just a little more time here. I actually want a lot more time. But I'd settle for a little, also.

Franz Kafka once said, "Prague never lets you go... this dear little mother has sharp claws." Upon hearing this statement at orientation, I scoffed at these words. What a melodramatic exaggeration, I thought. And look at me now, quoting the surrealist himself.

I knew next to little about this country before moving here. Now, I know a lot. I know the streets, the city layout, the transportation, the customs, how the people are, the weather, the currency the culture... the city. I still obviously don't know a lot (namely the language), and granted I was in somewhat of a bubble while studying in this "Island Program" and granted I was still a "tourist" regardless of my extended stay student visa status.  Regardless, I was still living in this city, and living on my own. The independence on a daily basis here and the freedom on the weekends while traveling was unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced. I learned to book flight tickets and hostels, to navigate myself in foreign countries, to figure out foreign Sim cards and banks, and to cook (in foreign grocery stores - not the easiest thing).

This semester was a very (much needed) refreshing change to the life I have always led. In some ways it was exactly what I needed. There wasn't anything "perfect" about this semester, in fact, there were a few mishaps along the way. There were times when I was so incredibly busy that made me feel entirely drained and exhausted (note to self: never travel to 4 different countries 4 weekends in a row!) but I have no regrets. My time and experiences here and in the rest of Europe was spectacular. I loved always having something to do and leading a fast paced schedule (not being held back by academics was an added bonus as well!). It will definitely be an adjustment to go back - to my previous life and to America (I can't wait to hear people speak in English!) and I may even experience "reverse culture shock" - I know I definitely experienced culture shock when coming here initially. If you ask me would I ever come back to Prague to live indefinitely or would I want to move here, I would reply with a definitive "No." But am I glad that I tested my limits and wasn't restricted by conventional norms by choosing an Eastern European country? Absolutely, yes. And if you asked me would I ever think of moving to western Europe for a period of time... my answer would be absolutely, yes. This semester widened my perspective, tested my boundaries of what I am used to, and I might even say made me grow up a little.

This semester with NYU v Praze will always have a special place in my heart as I fondly look back to it. I made great friends, and lived in a wonderful place. What more could I have possibly asked for? One of my friends summed it up pretty nicely: "I realized that this past semester has felt like a slow motion jump, a smile on pause. This has been some of the greatest times I’ve ever had in my life, and I realize that in hindsight. I think one of the most rewarding things you can encounter in life is being in one of those moments where you feel as though life can never get any better and actually recognizing it. And I think I have."

The shuttle NYU set up for us is coming at 6:45 AM. My flight is at 10 AM. After a connection in Paris, I will be back in the USA at 3:40 EST. This is it for this blog - the end. I hope you enjoyed reading about my life here as much as I've enjoyed my life here.

So long Praha. I think it's appropriate for me to now use one of the few Czech words I know - dekuji. Thank you.

Vinohrady Tour

Vinohrady, in Prague 2, is the neighborhood I live in. You've heard me rave about it countless times, so I thought I'd give you the historic (self) tour that I did on Thursday, 12/16.

Church of St. Ludmila

The Neo-Gothic Saint Ludmila Church (Kostel sv. Ludmily), a two-tower basilica from 1888 - 1893, dominates the Náměstí Míru Square. Many renowned artists of the time worked on the interior and exterior of the church, including sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek, author of the statue of St. Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square and the sculptures in the Vyšehrad park.

Church of St. Ludmila

The square bears the name of the Hussite king Jiří z Poděbrad (George of Poděbrady) who ruled the country in the 15th century. It is a good starting point for a walk around Vinohrady.The square is easily recognized by the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of our Lord (Kostel nejsvětějšího srdce Páně). This monumental modern church is a unique architectural work of Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik. It was built in the years 1928 - 1932.

Church at Jiřího z Poděbrad

The street's name pays tribute to Josef Mánes, a 19th-century Czech painter and author of the images of the twelve months on the Prague Astronomical Clock. Mánesova is a beautiful tree-lined street with buildings featuring colorful Art Nouveau facades, many of them restored.

Mánesova Street

The Neo-Renaissance National House of Vinohrady stands at Náměstí Míru 9. It dates back to 1893 - 1894 and was designed by architect Antonín Turek. The building has served as the seat of various organizations and corporations and today houses businesses and occasional expositions

Vinohradský Národní dům

The historic Vinohrady Market Hall at Vinohradská 50 is located a few blocks down Vinohradská street from the Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. You can walk or take tram 11 to Vinohradská tržnice. The market hall was built in 1902, following the design of the leading Vinohrady architect of the time, Antonín Turek. It is one of the three remaining historic market halls in Prague. The interior is now taken up by an upscale shopping center, the Pavilon.

Vinohradská tržnice

There is the majestic Art Nouveau building of the Vinohrady Theatre, one of Prague's oldest and most reputable theatres. It opened in 1907.

 Divadlo na Vinohradech

A short walk from the Jiřího z Poděbrad Square is Prague's TV tower that provides a fantastic 360-degree view of Prague through the windows of its observation deck. It is located in Mahlerovy sady (Mahler Gardens) off of Ondříčkova street, just outside of Vinohrady in the neighboring district of Žižkov - essentially in the center of the city. The controversial tower was built in 1985 - 1992 despite the protests of locals who feared that this giant construction would become an eyesore to Prague. In recent years, it's become known for the baby sculptures attached to it (created by artist David Černý) that give the impression of babies crawling up and down the tower.The tower is now an unmistakable Prague landmark and has made it on the list of the World Federation of Great Towers. It is 216 meters tall and besides providing Prague with a TV and radio signal, it offers a panoramic view of the city and Central Bohemia from 93 m above ground (an elevator will take you there). On a clear day, one can see to a distance of up to 100 km/60 miles. At the height of 66 m, there is a restaurant and the Blue Café.

TV tower

Officially my last day here

Thursday, 12/16... my last day in Prague.

We went to Sestra Strudel - but it was closed. This was slightly anti-climactic. Afterward, we went to a bunch of places in Vinohrady - click here.

Then I did a bunch of errands... and souvenir shopping... and I fit in a bit of last sight seeing! I saw the "Hanging Out" statue by David Černý (same guy who did the Prague TV tower and the Peeing Man statues).

Hanging Man Statue

I only have 6 hours left here.

Coming down the homestretch - my 2nd to last day here

Wednesday 12/15 I finally had freedom from finals. On Monday I turned in a 10 page English paper at 9 am, and I had the Czech written and oral exam at noon. On Tuesday I took the history exam at noon and had to turn in a sociology 10 page research paper by midnight. Tuesday night I finally got to breathe... and sleep.

I only had 2 days left in Prague, so I had to take full advantage of my limited time left.

Unfortunately, it was snowing again. It was incredibly cold, but we trudged on. Literally. In 1992 the historical core of the city covering 866 hectares was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. Therefore, the streets and sidewalk are never salted and the cobblestone is not entirely conducive to a surface easily paved. This combination equals tons of slush, puddles, ice and many not so fun walks trudging through the accumulated snow.

We went to the Christmas markets, and Havelska markets... and attempted to find the Sestra Strudel place which is supposed to have the best apple strudel in Prague. But we gave up after bus mishaps. I later went to Mama Coffee with my English class - our professor was great in this class and we had arranged to get coffee with her.

In the night, NYU arranged a buffet at Radost FX for us! They had a slideshow and it was a great night.

(Pictures coming soon)

I only have 1 more day left here.

Machova 11/4: Suite and room tour

I've been meaning to make this post since orientation... Well, this is where I have lived for the past 4 months.

My building (it's the white one)

There's a guard's room when you walk in on the first floor. The basement has the TV room and the laundry room.

On the landing of the first floor there is the door to the outdoor courtyard - our yard is complete with a grill for cooking.

The bottom middle square was ours

Suite hallway

I live on the fifth floor, which only has one suite (instead of 2). My suite has 4 bedrooms. There is a triple, a double (mine), a single, and the RAs single.

In the kitchen we have a full sized fridge (not pictured) and there's a stove, oven, sink, dishwasher (!), and a mini freezer.

Bathrooms...

WC

Bathroom

The balconies on the kitchen and bedrooms are permanently locked. We can only open the top part in order to allow for some breeze. The bottom part is always kept locked. Apparently, NYU does not trust their students on open balconies at high elevations... Take this for whatever you may think, but personally, if I had a working balcony off of my room, I would use it all the time. And I don't think my life would ever be in particular danger.

Our double is the last room on the hallway before the stairs to the study lounge. We have bunk beds (I have the top - but it's really not that high, so I don't mind), a desk / chair each, a wardrobe / small drawer stand each, and we share a mini fridge.

 Right side of the room when entering (From L-R: my wardrobe, bunk bed, her desk)

 Left side of the room (From L-R: our fridge, her wardrobe, and my desk)

Study lounge

Balcony off of the study lounge

Home sweet home.