Whatcha gonna do?

So sorry friends out there. I know I am a total clod not to write that often and I apologize. Please accept my apology :)

Last weekend I traveled to Bratislava and Budapest with another Erasmus group (study away group) and had an awesome time. Well, besides the crazy bus driver, the 'Armpit of Europe' and the 'Male Version of Prauge' were wonderful.

First off, I'll describe the trip. Well, you must know that with a group 0f 38 American students, you will never leave on time. One guy forgot his passport and had to catch a tram to go back to his flat and get it and another overslept (we shall call him Frank). When we finally left, we were 45 minutes late. Factor in the fact that the bus driver had to have a 45 minute break every 2 hours and that there were detours near Brno, we were over 3 hours late arriving in Bratislava.

Now, Bratislava was not as disgusting as it is portrayed in Eurotrip. We stayed in a hotel on the outskirts of Brati and ventured into the city center around 9. Oh, the tram that we took from our hotel broke down midway so we had to wait outside for a bus. That was a bit of trashy Brati coming out. My friend Ashley and I along with Ben and Mike ventured into streets unknown to rustle up some grub before a waling tour at 10:30. We found an amazing Pizzaria for so CHEAP! Slavakia is a country where the US has an awesome exchange rate. About 40=$1! My dinner was 120 and that included a whole pizza and a delicious beer. I am going back to Brati for sure.

Our walking tour wasn't so great. We walked to the Bratislava Castle (you need to realize that every city/town in Europe has a castle of some kind that is a tourist must. The castle was nice,not as large as Prague Castle nor as decorated but it was really interesting. It is located above the river on top of a high hill and is surrounded by high walls constructed of river rock.

Oh, did I mention that the tour group became split up and my tour guide did not know what he was doing? That's right, at midnight I was wondering the mean streets of Brati searching for anyplace that would be located on the little maps the the hotle copied and gave to us. We finally found our way back to the city center but our tour guide left us to go out to a club. So basically it was up to me to get my roommates Katie and Nikki back to the hotel. We ventured with a couple other students armed with only a map to trek back the 3+ miles to the hotel. Needless to say we made it but we had to walk on a highway and cross some hevy traffic to get there. But, it was an adventure and I will always remember Bratislava as the hike that could have killed me.

Well I'm out. I have class tomorrow and I have to finish a presentation for East Central European Politics. I am also going to watch the biggest Fotball game of the year in Praha tomorrow night! It's Praha Sparta vs Praha Slavia. I will be wearing black so no one will accuse me of cheering for the wrong team. It will be pretty amazing!

Wow, a Larger Audience...

I recieved word from an source that my wonderful school back home has linked this blog to the school's website. Can I say that I feel real cool right now, 'cause I do. Well let me fill you in on my life these past few days.

So the whole job thing is may not be working out. I haven't recieved a call back from the manager on when they need me to come in. I think that I will call on Monday and see what is up in the Shamrock. If the job isn't there, I'll move on to the next place that needs an exceptional waitress.

Ankle Update: all is well in Ankle country. Prevention of swelling was the key here. Thank goodness I paid attention in Home Ec class when we were taught basic first aid. Who knew I would remember that almost 10 years later. Well, I have to admit, I googled what to do just to double check. I just want to say the I love Google and even though it's in Czech, I still know where all the buttons are.

And can I say, that is one weird thing about websites here. All the websites are in Czech. Wait, scratch that. I don't want to sound completey dumb here but it's so wierd to be used to seeing a certain site in English and then to have it in czech, geez. At least with Google I can change it to the American version. This site (yes, Blogger.com) is all in czech and I don't know what it says. I'm just thankful that I memorized which buttons I need back in english world.

I am getting ready to go to Bratislava and Budapest this weekend. One of the other exchange programs, CEA has over 35 students and they take several day and weekend trips throughout the semester to exotic and interesting locales. The CEA advisor is charging me the transportation and housing costs but they are such a bargain! I am only paying $200 for the entire trip. It dosen't hurt that I'll be with all my crazy cool friends either. I do have to pay for food but here in Eastern Europe, food is very affordable. You just need ot make sure you don't eat or drink in the tourist areas because they are outrageously expensive. Just a tip.

I have been sick the past few days from a sinus infestion but my czech roommate Mike took me to the pharmacy and helped me find everything I needed. I am so fortunate that I acted on my instinct to get a different flat than the ones that were provided from the school. I'm in a better part of Prague, closer to the center, and in a very Czech neighborhood. Oh, did I mention that it's cheaper? Sheesh, that goodness for that!

I'm going to hop into bed now. It's extremely late and I have to get another stamp or four on my passport this weekend. Wish me luck!


Nashledanou!

P.S. That means goodbye in czech. Bet you can't say it correctly on your first try.

May have a Job...

Today I checked out a website for expats, non Czech citizens that live in the CR, for any jobs that I may be able to do to make a little extra Krowns. I called about a waitressing position at an Irish pub called Shamrocks. The manager was really nice and asked me to come in for an interview.

Well long story short, I am going to have a trial period to see how well I do. I think I'll do really well so please say a prayer that I don't drop anything.

Oh, I am going to Budapest Hungary this weekend with another exchange group, CEA. The CEA group has about 35 students in all and goes on amazing trips to other countries and to sporting events. I have a lot of friends in the group so I am totally excited to get to travel with them!

My ankle is doing better though. No doctor needed so whoo hoo! Okay I'm outie b/c I have a lond day ahead of me. Tomorrow I have 8 hours of classes and it is silent tourture for me. Wish me luck!

So I Haven't wrote in a while...

You might have noticed that. Sorry friends. I'll be better from now on.

So much has happened since the last time that I have written. I don't want to bog you down on my first day back, so I swear I'll go slowly. School is fine. I am only taking 4 classes but the classes are only held once a week so it is hard to sit still for 3 hours at a time. I am actually reading ahead of class for the first time in my life.

It's hard to believe that I have been here for over a month. Time has flown by and at this point I am dreading my eventual return home. I just can't imagine not being able to take the subway or the tram wherever I need to go. But, I have to admit I miss driving my car Fancy around. I can't wait to actually get in the drivers seat again but I will miss the public transportation.

Here is a funny story for you. I was walking out of Delvita, the grocery store, today and I missed a step and twisted my ankle. I felt so silly b/c I was sitting on the bottom of the steps swearing in Ebglish with my bag full of groceries right next to me. I became quite light headed from the pain of walking that I sat down with my back against a closed store front. When I was finished looking like a homeless bum, I got up and had a sudden realization. Here in the CR, people pee on walls and cars all the time. Its nothing to be walking down the street in the afternoon and see someone against a wall. Needless to say, I changed clothes as soon as I got home.

Don't worry, the ankle is being elevated as we speak. I really can't afford medical care over here so we'll have to make due with ice. Love you lots!!!

Not Much Time... Sorry

I am paying for this internet at a cafe so I must be very brief. I am alive and well as you can tell. I have my first tour of Prague tomorrow and then I visit Karlstein on Saturday. And starting on Monday, I have school!!!

I am signing my internet contract tonight though so hopefully I'll have the internet at the first of the week. Til then, ajoy!

Vienna is a City of Firsts

Took my first train trip ever (excluding amtrack to Sedalia when I was 4) in my life. The trip from Prague to Vienna was wonderfully scenic. I have to admit though, I thought Vienna was going to be mountainous but it was as flat as Kansas and Iowa. I swear to you, it felt like being back home, lol.

I met two really awesome people, Reese and Derek on the train. I must admit, New York City kids are quite entertaining. We are meeting up in an hour to see my first art gallery. I would tell you what it is called but that would require me to dig my book out of my bag. Not gonan happen. It should be a day full of hard hitting touristy stuff. I swear I'll write more about it later : )

Oh, funny story to leave you with. I got to my first hostel ever last night, The Wombat, and decided that the hostel food was not good enough. As I was walking to a restaurant, a Canadian by the name of Kevin starts belting out 'Sweet Caroline' and runs up to me. Needless to say, I joined in on the singing b/c i'm crazt like that. After we were done, he invited me to go on a random pub crawl with him and his girlfriend, Eniko. Naturally I agreed and had a great time meeting Aussies, Americans, a few Canucks, and a gaggle of Englich kids with a mixture of Germans and Italains. It was a great time, lol.

Well, I must be going now. Don't worry, Vienna is extremely safe place for a single gal like me. Relatively low crime even though I have seen a few nightwalkers, lol. I'm off for the art gallery!

Whoo Hoo!

My luggage arrived finally on Sunday, after I was without for 2 days! I tell you, I was sure glad when they found it! Never fly United!!!

Tomorrow afternoon I will take a train to Vienna. I am excited to see the beautiful lights of Austria! I hope it is amazing!

Sorry for the short letter but I must hurry back to my flat to pack for tommorrow. I hope to have the internet shortly and be able to upload pictures : ) Til then, Dobre Vecher (Good Evening)!