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!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
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)!
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)!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Wanna know how my trip went?
Started packing for Prague on Tuesday night, the night before I was supposed to leave. Thank goodness my sister is the best or I would have been screwed. Britt was a trooper, folding and sorting, offering advice on what I should bring. And while I was packing, my dog Jake kept his vigil over me as he laid his head on my leg and looked at me with his brown eyes as if saying, 'Please don't go Erica'.
My family and I left at 1:30 for the airport. 3 hours and 1 stop at Popeyes later, we finally arrived. After having both suticases a few pounds heavier than the limited wieght allowed, I ended up leaving my shampoo and blanket behind in the States. My socks and swinsuit became stuffed in my backpack which was already full because my laptop is a monster (really really big). Saying goodbye to my parents and my sister was so hard. I almost started crying.
While waiting at MCI for my flight, I met Sister Margaret, a 90 year old nun from Eugene Oregon. She was telling me about her travels throughout the world and her ministry in the jails and prisons of Oregon. She was a wonderful and spry woman and I swear to you, she didn't look a day over 74 : )
My plane boarded without any problems. But as soon as everyone sat down, we recieved the bad news. Chicago was having bad weather so there was a groundstop on all flights to Chicago until the weather would let up. I blame myt dad, Earl for it. He jinxed the flight by talking about Jetblue and missing my flight. Thanks dad.
After wainting on the runway and the gate for over 2.5 hours, we were finally given the go ahead. Oh, but wait. some pricks wanted to get off and caused an even longer delay of the fllgiht actually leaving.
Finally got to Chicago at 10:00pm. Guess what time the flight to Copenhagen left? Yeah that's right, 10:00. Erica missed her flight along with 4 other people. One of those peeps turned out to be a girl from St. Joe named Kristen. We were both headed to Prague, me to live and her to visit. Needless to say, we joined forces to deal with the situation.
After whining to the United and SAS reps, we ended up booking flights the next day at 6:30pm to Frankfort and then on to Prague. United is a bunch of pricks so please avoid them at all costs. SAS is wonderful. They ended up giving us a hotel room to share and meal vouchers. A nice hotel with a cool new friend. Might be the end of a bad expeirence and the start of good.
After waking up the next day, Kristen and I decide to be adventurous and take the Metro into downtown Chicago. We had an amazingly fun time walking around and seeing the sights. Little did we know, the journey was going to get worse.
We made it on the flight on time and it was realitvey ok for being almost 8 hours long. Frakfort airport was a nice change from spending time in O'Hare. But as we were boarding the flight bound for Prague, We found out that United screwed up on my ticket. Of all the luck right. After a few frantic minutes of not knowing if I was goign to make the flight to Prague or not, the stewardesses allowed me on the plane. A brief hour later, Kristen and I arrived in Prague.
Well, the fun didn't stop there. Our baggage ended up lost somewhere in the great unknown. That delayed us from seeing if anyone was still waiting for us. Thakfully, our friends had reiceved our emails and were waiting for us when we finally left the baggage area.
All in all, Prague is amazing. My roommate Peter is funny and really helpful. I fell indebted to him already because he is taking me along wherever he goes. We do not have the internet right now so the internet cafe is where all the fun happens. Everything is fine though. I am in good sprits even though my bags are still lost and I have a friend who is teaching me Czech.
I have already been to my first Fotball game to cheer on our favorites, Prague Sparta. THere are two teams in Prague but we have to support Sparta because they are within a 10-15 minute walk from our flat. Oh, and you can walk around drinking beer and not get an open container! Beer is 1 USD here and is cheaper than buying water. I do not know if that is a good thing or not but hey, at least it's good beer.
Ok, I am ending this on a sappy note. I love and miss everyone. Prague is amazing be it would be better if you were here with me. I will write more later abour my flat and how amazing Prague is but I have written too much already. Dequay and Dobre den!!!
My family and I left at 1:30 for the airport. 3 hours and 1 stop at Popeyes later, we finally arrived. After having both suticases a few pounds heavier than the limited wieght allowed, I ended up leaving my shampoo and blanket behind in the States. My socks and swinsuit became stuffed in my backpack which was already full because my laptop is a monster (really really big). Saying goodbye to my parents and my sister was so hard. I almost started crying.
While waiting at MCI for my flight, I met Sister Margaret, a 90 year old nun from Eugene Oregon. She was telling me about her travels throughout the world and her ministry in the jails and prisons of Oregon. She was a wonderful and spry woman and I swear to you, she didn't look a day over 74 : )
My plane boarded without any problems. But as soon as everyone sat down, we recieved the bad news. Chicago was having bad weather so there was a groundstop on all flights to Chicago until the weather would let up. I blame myt dad, Earl for it. He jinxed the flight by talking about Jetblue and missing my flight. Thanks dad.
After wainting on the runway and the gate for over 2.5 hours, we were finally given the go ahead. Oh, but wait. some pricks wanted to get off and caused an even longer delay of the fllgiht actually leaving.
Finally got to Chicago at 10:00pm. Guess what time the flight to Copenhagen left? Yeah that's right, 10:00. Erica missed her flight along with 4 other people. One of those peeps turned out to be a girl from St. Joe named Kristen. We were both headed to Prague, me to live and her to visit. Needless to say, we joined forces to deal with the situation.
After whining to the United and SAS reps, we ended up booking flights the next day at 6:30pm to Frankfort and then on to Prague. United is a bunch of pricks so please avoid them at all costs. SAS is wonderful. They ended up giving us a hotel room to share and meal vouchers. A nice hotel with a cool new friend. Might be the end of a bad expeirence and the start of good.
After waking up the next day, Kristen and I decide to be adventurous and take the Metro into downtown Chicago. We had an amazingly fun time walking around and seeing the sights. Little did we know, the journey was going to get worse.
We made it on the flight on time and it was realitvey ok for being almost 8 hours long. Frakfort airport was a nice change from spending time in O'Hare. But as we were boarding the flight bound for Prague, We found out that United screwed up on my ticket. Of all the luck right. After a few frantic minutes of not knowing if I was goign to make the flight to Prague or not, the stewardesses allowed me on the plane. A brief hour later, Kristen and I arrived in Prague.
Well, the fun didn't stop there. Our baggage ended up lost somewhere in the great unknown. That delayed us from seeing if anyone was still waiting for us. Thakfully, our friends had reiceved our emails and were waiting for us when we finally left the baggage area.
All in all, Prague is amazing. My roommate Peter is funny and really helpful. I fell indebted to him already because he is taking me along wherever he goes. We do not have the internet right now so the internet cafe is where all the fun happens. Everything is fine though. I am in good sprits even though my bags are still lost and I have a friend who is teaching me Czech.
I have already been to my first Fotball game to cheer on our favorites, Prague Sparta. THere are two teams in Prague but we have to support Sparta because they are within a 10-15 minute walk from our flat. Oh, and you can walk around drinking beer and not get an open container! Beer is 1 USD here and is cheaper than buying water. I do not know if that is a good thing or not but hey, at least it's good beer.
Ok, I am ending this on a sappy note. I love and miss everyone. Prague is amazing be it would be better if you were here with me. I will write more later abour my flat and how amazing Prague is but I have written too much already. Dequay and Dobre den!!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Finally getting around to that pesky packing...
Just now packing finally. Well, my cousin ELizabeth is here napping and I'm playing on the interent but I swear to you, there is a pile of things on the floor ready to be transported to the CZECH REPUBLIC (ooooo)!!!
I found out that Wal-Mart in Central Missouri does not carry travel adaptors/converters. THe lady there said that she has never even seen one. This just shows you that people in Central Missouri never get out. I cannot tell you how many people have asked me why I would want to go to the CR. It's almost like people do mot expect others to leave this area and see the world.
Oh, here's a pet peeve. I am going to the Czech Republic, not Czechloslavakia. That country has not existed for over 14 years! Sheesh, look at a new and improved map sometimes. It's almost like after the American Revolution somene calling the USA the American Colonies again.
Anywho, just packing and all that. Hopefully I will finish soon.
I found out that Wal-Mart in Central Missouri does not carry travel adaptors/converters. THe lady there said that she has never even seen one. This just shows you that people in Central Missouri never get out. I cannot tell you how many people have asked me why I would want to go to the CR. It's almost like people do mot expect others to leave this area and see the world.
Oh, here's a pet peeve. I am going to the Czech Republic, not Czechloslavakia. That country has not existed for over 14 years! Sheesh, look at a new and improved map sometimes. It's almost like after the American Revolution somene calling the USA the American Colonies again.
Anywho, just packing and all that. Hopefully I will finish soon.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Whoa, slow down!!!
It is hard to believe that I have only one week before I leave the US and arrive in the CR. I am blown away by how fast the summer has flown and how much I still need to do. Well, considering that I have worked 60+ hours a week since the middle of June, I really haven't done much of anything.
I am really glad that everything is coming together though. My room is now set in stone and I seem to have some really great flatmates named Peter and Petra. All the travel guides that I ordered last week have now arrived live and well.
My List of Travel Guides:
Frommer's Prague (gift)
Lonley Planet Prague
Lonely Planet Eastern Europe
MTV Europe
MTV Italy
MTV Ireland (already owned)
It seems like a lot of books to take but I am also taking my Harry Potter book to read because I haven't had time due to my work schedule. As you can see, I post really early in the morning/late night. This is the only time that I have to myself and I try to use it wisely.
Tonight is my last night a Pizza Hut. I love that job so much b/c my coworkers are a hoot and my regulars are the sweetest people alive. I will miss them all so much!
I'm getting sleepy now. I worked a total of 14 hours today and I am beat. Also, I have to finish the movie 'Recruit.' Til next time!
I am really glad that everything is coming together though. My room is now set in stone and I seem to have some really great flatmates named Peter and Petra. All the travel guides that I ordered last week have now arrived live and well.
My List of Travel Guides:
Frommer's Prague (gift)
Lonley Planet Prague
Lonely Planet Eastern Europe
MTV Europe
MTV Italy
MTV Ireland (already owned)
It seems like a lot of books to take but I am also taking my Harry Potter book to read because I haven't had time due to my work schedule. As you can see, I post really early in the morning/late night. This is the only time that I have to myself and I try to use it wisely.
Tonight is my last night a Pizza Hut. I love that job so much b/c my coworkers are a hoot and my regulars are the sweetest people alive. I will miss them all so much!
I'm getting sleepy now. I worked a total of 14 hours today and I am beat. Also, I have to finish the movie 'Recruit.' Til next time!
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