Since we will be here for more than 3 months, the school suggested that we get a 3month metro pass, requiring us to get a passport photo for the pass. There is a simple Quick-Photo booth in the Mustek metro stop, and so this afternoon there was a long line of NYU in Prague students in prep to get their photos taken. When it was finally my turn, I put 90 Kc in the slot, but the machine only takes exact change. That meant I had to run to the nearest store that would change my large bills, again.
I run to an Albert, which is one of the supermarket chains here. I get in line, use my freshly equipped Czech vocabulary from the morning intensive language class (with the help of some pointing) and ask the cashier if I could have 5 ten crown coins. The woman said no. I then try to go to a Money Exchange booth, but no one was there. I walk out, and an old man approached me. He asked if I needed loose change.
My first reaction was "Who is he? Should I talk to him? How did he know I needed change?" But I needed to get my picture taken as quickly as possible to return to school for my next orientation, so I just exchanged my note for coins and got my picture taken... then there was a long line for the metro pass.. things just do not get easier.
That was very nice of the old man... I'm not sure if he was Czech, but if he was, that disproves what all our supervisors have been saying, that most Czechs are rude.
Today: Intensive Czech Language class, Lunch c/o NYU, Old Town tour, Tesco grocery trip, and finally getting my Metro pass.
Looking forward to the rest of orientation and the tours to come. Really want to do a night walk of the Old Town at some point...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The First Full Day
Today was the first full day of Prague-goodness. First we had an orientation presentation about life here. We sat in one of the lecture halls in Charles University, one of the oldest universities in Europe. Then they gave us great sandwiches for lunch, had some time to explore the northern part of Stare Mesto. Afterward RAs took us around, took us to where NYU in Prague buildings. We have two buildings and they are facing a square with a cafe/restaurant in the middle. It is beautiful. Our square is also around the corner from the Staromestke namesti (Old Town Square). After being let go from the tour, I got a cell phone number, and went with some friends for an afternoon beer. We basically went on a long adventure, just so that we could, as the tour book says it, embark on a "pub crawl along Borivojova." The first and only place we went to was U Houdku, which was a beer garden. Even though we were the one of the two parties there, the good thing was the waiter could speak English.
That's one of the new things that I'm experiencing this time traveling. I believe it is the first time that I've travelled/lived somewhere that I have absolutely not a clue about the language. This morning, I went to a nearby store (which is kind of like a 7 Eleven, but not as glamorous...) and I realized all that I could do was nod, smile, and point. Hopefully the intensive Czech classes that we have to attend during this week will help me change from a mute to a talker.
After the beer garden, I faced Prague public transportation on my own to get back to my apartment. I had to walk to a metro stop then hop on to a tram. Good thing is that there is no additional fee for transfer, or at least I don't think there is... the system runs on the honor code, so its up to the passenger to validate/retrieve their tickets.
And I finally got my luggage! they were waiting for me downstairs when I got back to my apartments.
I'm going to try to post more while I'm here. But pardon me for the lack of style in my posts. Hopefully once I get back into the groove of blogging, they will be more interesting to read!
That's one of the new things that I'm experiencing this time traveling. I believe it is the first time that I've travelled/lived somewhere that I have absolutely not a clue about the language. This morning, I went to a nearby store (which is kind of like a 7 Eleven, but not as glamorous...) and I realized all that I could do was nod, smile, and point. Hopefully the intensive Czech classes that we have to attend during this week will help me change from a mute to a talker.
After the beer garden, I faced Prague public transportation on my own to get back to my apartment. I had to walk to a metro stop then hop on to a tram. Good thing is that there is no additional fee for transfer, or at least I don't think there is... the system runs on the honor code, so its up to the passenger to validate/retrieve their tickets.
And I finally got my luggage! they were waiting for me downstairs when I got back to my apartments.
I'm going to try to post more while I'm here. But pardon me for the lack of style in my posts. Hopefully once I get back into the groove of blogging, they will be more interesting to read!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Osadni
I have made it to the Czech Republic, but my luggage has not. It's still stuck in London, and is supposedly heading out on the 10:30am flight tomorrow. I half expected something like this would happen. It is a good thing that they at least know where it is, but even that fact I am dubious. Something could go wrong somewhere in between.
My laptop is about to die, given that my converter for my power source is in my missing luggage. Will post more later on... the journey here was indeed an experience.
My laptop is about to die, given that my converter for my power source is in my missing luggage. Will post more later on... the journey here was indeed an experience.
Friday, January 30, 2009
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