This is Prague.
Orientation to the City
Today we got a taste of Prague as most people see it... and it was absolutely delicious.
The day began with eggs, yogurt, OJ, and peanut butter and jam... Not too bad... At 10 we met downstairs (see sequence later... it’s a special treat) and too the number 11 tram two stops, before switching to the number 18. It was about 15 or 20 minutes to Charles University where we were treated to warm croissants, as well as a selection of water, coke, and coffee.
I was already drinking tap water, which isn’t all too bad.
We went into the lecture hall which had the most uncomfortable chairs I have ever sat in. They consisted of a solid wood plank hinged on a long bench, of solid wood. The angle when the seat was down was damn near 90 degrees... Just to make matters worse they closed half the blinds so we could see the projection. So your torn between the painfully uncomfortable chairs, and the realization that its only 5am in the States.
We broke for lunch after an hour or so, which consisted of sandwiches and drinks. The only catch was that the labels were all in Czech. Not that I’m one to complain... but... it made things difficult. I think I was eating some sort of prosciutto... but who the hell knows what it actually was.
We then broke off into groups to explore the city with one of the RA’s as a guide. We found two English book stores, a few holes in the cobblestone streets, a Tesco, three wireless phone stores (two of which are closed because it’s Sunday... Almost everything is close on Saturday and Sunday’s here), and other miscellaneous stores. We were also directed to the NYU center, which is SERIOUSLY 50 meters from the Old Town Square. The only way I can describe the feeling is like walking through Epocot’s world exhibit thingy. Photos are available on the photo page.
After our guided tour they released us to the city... What were they thinking? Just kidding, we survived, and managed to find our way home too. We started by grabbing a mid afternoon snack in the Old Town Square, which is by far the most expensive meal yet. For the 4 of us there it was 1,348 crowns, or about $80 US dollars. I had an amazing piece of chocolate cake and a glass of orange juice, which amounted to 180 crowns, or about $10. Which isn’t all that bad.
After that we went to the Charles Bridge. It was quite crowded but very cool none-the-less. Photos from the bridge are also on the photos page.
From there we went to Tesco, a 6 floored giant of a supermarket/department store. Jack and Mike also picked up cell phones.
From there it was back on the number 18 tram to the number 11. and up the stairs... and for my special feature, I will now post a picture of each flight of stairs...
This is the flight right inside the main door...
The guard station is on the right.
And your finally there. I’m sure that in my spare time I’ll count exactly how many steps there are, but for now this is entertaining enough.
Tonight we have a meeting at 7:30, and then we’re on our own again until we decide to go to bed. 10pm is looking better and better to me. I’m still working on time-shifting...
Anyways, check out the pictures on the photos page, more to come tomorrow... and Czech classes tomorrow too. Hopefully they will teach us to count!
