Bonjour! Ciao! FRIENDS!

Oh my goodness! It's the eve of my big trip!

It's surreal that it's already time! I remember planning this part of my adventure (what, 5 months ago?) and knowing that I would be ready for a break at this point in my time abroad, particularly one that involves meeting up with two of my best friends in Paris and traveling through France and Italy with them for 16 days!!

Boy oh boy! Cay & Alex are on their flight to Paris by now, which is crazy to think about, as my flight isn't even until tomorrow night. Time changes will mess you up, no?

So, on the eve of this fantastic and much anticipated rendezvous avec mes chéris (it's funny how little yet how much high school French will stick in your brain), I can be found languidly packing for weather ranging from rainy to sunny and 50° to 80°. Fun, fun, fun! My sissy gave me some good advice: "Who cares if you wear the same thing the whole time?! Just throw some shit in a bag!" Shocking, if you know my sister, who rarely cusses. Someone's cutting loose, eh?

You can also find me frantically trying to prepare all perishable foods I have around the flat, including: 2 eggs, sauteed peppers & onions, half a kelbasa, some grapes, a bag of sugar snap peas, some ancient beets that are starting to grow hairs, a few sweet potatoes, and a 1 kilo bag of carrots. Needless to say I've been eating some strange meals for the past few days. After work today I made roasted beets & curried sweet potatoes and decided a little brown rice would bring the meal together.

It didn't.

Looks yummy, no? The sad thing is that I was actually paying attention to this. I had just put some extra water in the pot, and not 10 minutes later start smelling smoke through my (open) bedroom door. Panic ensued. Luckily we have a huge window in the kitchen that opens up into an empty courtyard, and whenever I burn something, I simply stick the offending pot out on the ledge to cool off. I was strongly considering simply leaving the pot out there - forever - but I decided to not be a total jerk and clean it (5 hours later). Unfortunately, my hands now smell disgusting and I can't get the stench out of my nose. Yay. In my defense, I have never in my life burned rice before - scout's honor!

Truthfully, just the other day I was thinking about how awesome I am at making rice in a pot, because normally the pot ends up like this:

 Perfection!

Needless to say I am looking forward to the next 16 days of relatively little cooking, and there definitely will not be rice on the menu. I'm thinking wine. A lot of wine.

So, where will we three peas be for the next 16 days? Ah, put your sasspants on because you will be jealous, my friends! We'll begin our little expedition in the classical city of Paris, of course. Then we will move to the region of Tuscany in Italy to visit Pisa, Florence, and La Spezia & Cinque Terre. Next comes a night in Genoa, rounding out our Italian adventures before we move on to Nice for a few days, then one last night in Paris before the girls head back across the Big Blue and I return home to Prague (yes, home). While I don't expect to do much blogging during these travels, I'll try to post some pictures and a few updates on all of the fun we're having (and food we're eating, wine we're drinking, clubs we're hopping, and beaches we're lounging on).

For now, enjoy yet another inspirational video I've found below, and if you didn't catch the link in my last post to "Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech," you should check his story out, too (I accidentally hid him beneath Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive."

Au revoir mes petit choux! Ciao! I look forward to blogging to you again!

Na shledenou? Ne! Ne!

Almost anyone you talk to who has taken the opportunity to study abroad will tell you it was the most amazing experience of their life. Cliche? Yes. True? Also yes.

With about six and a half weeks left before I fly back to the stars and stripes, I'm realizing that I don't really want to leave. Although I've stumbled throughout my entire stay in Prague, it's been the most rewarding and exciting time of my life. I am going to miss the independence of living on my own and the ease of living in a city. I'll miss being able to walk to work or the grocery store or just through the narrow cobblestone streets, staring up at the wedding cake that is Prague architecture. I'll definitely miss the never-ending list of things to do at anytime of the day or night, and I'll miss the adventure of meeting new people and making new friends every single day.

Now don't get me wrong, I am so excited to see my family and friends again, to experience some of the things I've been missing from home (Plaza, Qdoba, not outrageously overpriced clothes shopping), to return for my last year of undergrad and competitive volleyball, but I have a feeling that I will be longing to return to Prague after only a few steps on US soil.

My poor little mind is going to be so confused: where is home? Can home be more than one place? I suppose. Can it be more than one country, though? I don't know if I would (could) ever feel that Prague or the Czech Republic is my home the way a native might, but now I feel like I'm halfway there, and I'm leaving the party early by heading home. There's that word again; home. 

Prague really does feel like home for me now. Maybe not "home home," back in Maryland or even at school in Virginia, but every time I return from a trip, I walk up the metro steps, take a deep breath, and smile. I'm back. Home. I feel certain I could call Prague "home home," given time. I can certainly see myself living here - maybe not forever, but definitely again. Prague deserves more attention than I've given it. I have, after all, already visited eight other countries over the past three months (not including Czech), will definitely be adding two more to that list, and possibly others. So really, I feel like I'm still just starting to get to know the Czech Republic, and I long to keep uncovering the secrets of its capital city of Prague.

Every time I explore a little further or take one more step out of the box I've put myself in, I am amazed at the complexity of this city. Just 15 minutes from the center you'll find rolling hills completely covered in tangles of the greenest shrubbery, spotted with homes overlooking the Vltava, or a huge park with never-ending lanes cocooned in an ongoing ceiling of giant trees. It's heartbreaking to know that most tourists won't experience the city past Old Town, and even worse, that I've really just begun to explore outside the city center myself.

As I have to start saying na shledanou to this city that has become my home, I find myself growing more and more resistant to say that goodbye. Maybe I can settle on a "goodbye for now," but not until  after I peel back a few more layers and fall further in love with Prague.

Interesting things:

• This song makes me want to put the volume on maximum and just move. I love it.

• Zach Sobiech's outlook on life. If you have time, watch his video: My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech.. Truly amazing. 

Whimsical Barcelona

It's been a month and a half since I traveled to Barcelona, Spain! Not only does it seem like just last week, but I am afraid that my memories of that trip have already started to fade - truly unfortunate, because I remember feeling like everything in the world was absolutely perfect when I was in that city. Although I can't make myself truly experience those pure and absolute feelings again (except maybe with another trip - I wouldn't complain!), I can reflect on them and hope to rediscover some of the infatuating affection I felt for the city of Barcelona.

Barcelona was one of those cities where I step off the plane and immediately smile. It's just that kind of place - I couldn't help but be happy when I was there. Just from my walk down Las Ramblas to my hostel in Plaça Reial, I knew Barcelona would be my kind of city. The shops, the people, just the airs of excitement and happiness - it was all infectious. The city is full of enthralling Spanish architecture - colorful buildings, balconies, shutters - fountains, palm trees, plants, and sculptures. My only complaint? Tourists. Barcelona is chock full of 'em. Yep, I know that I am one. Wouldn't it just be dandy to explore the world as it exists without other tourists?

 

Besides the crowds, I don't think I could possibly have any other complaints about this city. From the amazing Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria marketplace where every morning I ate a walking breakfast of delicious, vibrant fruits and amazing, authentic empanadas, to the astoundingly, intricately beautiful and truly overwhelming Sagrada Familia, to the sublimely charming and expansive grounds of Parque Güell, to the calming and relaxing Parc de la Ciutadella, to the sapphire (and surprisingly warm) waters of the Mediterranean, I have simply fallen in love. Yup, writing about Barcelona has definitely awoken the city's spirit in me once again. My entire being is now twitching with longing to just go back. What is this pull?!

 

I think I've also fallen in love with Antoni Gaudí. The fact that I would never have recognized his name or works before visiting Barcelona is simply astounding. Gaudí's impact on the city is beyond obvious, from the previously mentioned Sagrada Familia and Parque Güell, to the lamp posts in Plaça Reial, Palacio Güell (directly across the street from my hostel), and Casas Batlló and Milà (La Pedrera). In my mind, "Gaudí" is simply synonymous with "Barcelona," and of course, "Catalan architecture." The character, wonderment of Barcelona? For me, it's Gaudí.

Not only does this city boast the whimsically delightful works of Antoni Gaudí, but also the lion's share of Pablo Picasso's rearing into the progressive artist he became. It's almost possible to imagine Picasso experiencing Gaudí's work and drawing inspiration, isn't it? At least in my mind, the two artists, although preferring different mediums and styles, share a certain expression - one that I am invariably attracted to and infatuated with. The pair of Spaniards are quickly developing into two of my favorite artists.

So what's next? Good question. Between the attraction I feel towards bustling Barcelona and the contentment I felt while visiting Madrid, I truly think some time spent throughout Spain in my future is necessary. Add it to the list, right? Sometimes, though, it seems like it would be just plain old ignorant to ignore your own feelings, especially when they're so strong. I guess we'll just have to wait and see where this life takes me!

Time flies, and so do I!

Umm...I'm wondering how it became the middle of May already and I haven't really noticed. Anyone know? I guess when you travel for 15 of the past 18 days, time flies!

You want to know what else happens when you travel that much?

This.
(click to enlarge)

Uhh, yeah. That was fun to fold this morning. The good news is that from traveling I have become a lot less attached to my material belongings, and I've already started a list in my mind of the items I'll be giving away before I head back home. I think the airline baggage guys (and my wallet) will appreciate that!

Another benefit of all of this recent traveling - Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, London, & Madrid - is that I really am feeling much more myself! Keeping busy is the key, I suppose. I read somewhere that humans tend to be happier when kept busy, but are lazy by nature. Whether scientific fact or just one person's theory, I have to agree! My favorite way to stay busy just happens to be hopping around Europe. We've all got our faults.

So anywho, have I mentioned that I am going to learn Spanish? No? I guess I haven't mentioned that I'm moving to Spain either, then. Okay, not really, but a girl can dream. I just love Spain!

Honestly, I love everywhere.

A recent conversation with Cay:
Cay: You're in Madrid?
Me: Yup!
Cay: Sweet! How is it?
Me: Beautiful!! The weather is perfect today and Spain might be my favorite country. I love it!!
Cay: every country is your favorite haha
Me: Okay, true. Spain is my favorite for fashion and men. And food.
Me: Germany is second on fashion and men.
Me: Ireland is favorite for landscape.
Me: Czech is my favorite beer.
Cay: and Berlin?
Me: Berlin is in Germany, you nut!

Besides working on our geography, my conversation with Cay made me realize that I really have adored every country I've been lucky enough to visit. I've also always said to myself, "I can't wait to come back here" for every single city I've visited. But in Madrid I finally allowed myself to admit the truth: I might not ever get to see these places again. As heartbreaking as that realization is, it's true. Of course I've made plans in my head to return not only to Europe in general, but to all of the amazing places I've been, in addition to all of the places I want to go, but we all know that plans are useless (although planning is essential) (thank you for that wisdom, Mr. Eisenhower).

I also know that as much as I plan and try to map my life out, God has his own plans for me, and all of the ideas I have about where I want my life to head, only He really gets to decide (and let me know about those plans on His own time). So, I can wish and dream and hope (and throw tantrums when none of that works) that someday I'll get to have another experience like this, and I really pray that I do, but I have to realize that I might not. What better inspiration could there be to enjoy every second?

Last thought: flying over the Alps was one of the most breathtaking experiences of this adventure. I only wish the pictures could do the views justice!

If you were wondering, there are just 9 short days standing between me and the 16-day French/Italian adventure I have planned with Cay & Alex that includes the destinations: Paris, Pisa, Florence, Cinque Terre/La Spezia, Genoa, and Nice! To say that I am excited is an understatement!!

My Pictures page has been updated with pictures from all of my travels! Enjoy!

Check back in soon!

Getting back on the horse. Dead horse?

Aye aye aye. What a busy little bee I have been! Between not submitting assignments for school (sorry Dr. Bob!), creating presentations that can't be opened, working on projects for my internship, battling the Czech Ministry to try to get a visa, and taking some pretty incredible trips - not to mention a bit of wallowing here and there - I have actually been quite enjoying myself & my time abroad. Really! I know that I complain sometimes (a lot), and that's a pretty bratty thing to do, but I really am having the best time of my life!

My most recent trips that I have not yet written about are: Barcelona, where I went almost a month ago (I can't believe it's been that long!), and Dublin & Edinburgh from which I just got back last night! I am heading out to the Netherlands this weekend - leaving today - to visit Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and the Tulpenfestival with my Dutch friend Robin, who I met one of my first weeks here in Prague!

So, although I don't have much time right now, I am going to try to do a quick update! I have tons & tons of beautiful pictures to share (although this girl somehow didn't charge her camera before going to Barcelona & most of the pictures are crappy quality phone pics - silly!), so check out my Pictures page, where you can scroll through the updated albums from my different destinations!


I have been a bit of a Debbie Downer lately, I know. But, recently I've been back on the horse...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Prague_-_David_%C4%8Cern%C3%BD.jpg

Err...well I hope not David Černý's dead horse, but, uh, you know...
This statue is actually in Lucerna Pasaz, just a quick walk from my flat, and yes, I have indeed seen it in person, although this is not my picture.

My return to normalcy started with an awesome party at Palackeho on the riverbanks of the Vltava. I accidentally ran through the party when I went for an afternoon jog through my neighborhood and then the two blocks down to the river - have I mentioned the location of my flat is amazing?! Later, my friend Colin asked if I wanted to join him and some of his friends from his studio, and although I was initially a little reluctant (irrationally), I decided to go. I am so glad I did! Not only did I get to meet some awesome people - mostly Czechs - but I really had a great, carefree night hanging out in good company on a beautiful evening.

Sometimes, a little company is all you need!

More posts to come soon! For more info on the amazing Czech artist, David Černý, check out The Guardian's 'A David Černý sculpture walk in Prague.'