After a few days in Prague, it seems like we've been here forever. I now know how to get to the NYU center from my dorm (short walk, two metro stops, short walk), and how to say a few things in Czech. Yet, it still feels like a vacation. Classes start Monday, and once I get into a routine I'm guessing it will feel more like an actual academic semester.
Obviously, like New York, Prague is a city. My friends and I were discussing how happy we are that we go to school at NYU, because we do a lot of walking and use the Metro frequently (got a 3 month pass for about $70...and you don't even have to take it out and swipe it each time!), so we don't need to adjust to both living in a foreign country and not on a campus. In that way, the atmosphere is familiar.
However, also obviously, there are lots of major differences between Prague and NYC, some of which feel quite peculiar. The Metro is a big one. I mentioned the low cost of the 3-month pass, and how we don't need to swipe cards every time we enter (its on the honors system, but if an officer stops you and you don't have a valid ticket, there are huge fines). The Metro also closes at midnight, which is a slight annoyance when we are out at night. There is also a tram, which arrives close to our building, and that runs at night, but at certain times only. We're still figuring that one out. But NYU gave us the number of a safe cab, which two friends and I took last night across the river to get back to our dorm, and it was only $5 each!
Another big difference is that Czech people are really quiet. Our first weekend here, it was kind of eerie because there was no noise on the street. No screaming, no cars honking, etc. It took me about three days in Prague to hear a car beeping its horn, which is crazy! The Metro is also completely silent. We're starting to know when there are tourists on it, because only then do we hear people talking. It is a Czech law that people must be quiet on the streets after 10pm...but apparently some people from our group are still getting used to that one.
Also, the myths are true: beer is cheaper than water. I have to get used to not having unlimited water refills when I go out for meals! Most things are cheaper than NY, which is great. I went to the grocery store the other day, and bought materials to make myself lunches for a few weeks, plus some snacks, and it was only 261 crowns! Thats about $16 :) :) You have to know what is cheaper, though, because most of the restaurants near the NYU building are on the expensive side for Prague, since its near a touristy area, and certain things in stores tend to be more pricy.
Another big difference is how aesthetically beautiful Prague is. Of course, I love New York, but the buildings here are all unique and colorful, and shorter than the skyscrapers I'm used to. There are also cathedrals and landmarks, like the astrological clock, mixed in with the skyline, and its all just really nice to look at. The short roofs are slightly dangerous in the winter, though, because icicles and large clumps of snow tend to fall on the sidewalks. A friend and I saw one that literally broke the windshield of a car parked on the street! You know things are really crazy when they block off sections of the sidewalk in front of particularly dangerous buildings. Then, its safer to walk in the street and risk getting hit by a car than to walk underneath the icicles. The snow has stopped, at least for now, and we actually saw the sun yesterday, which was really nice!
The past few days have been extremely busy, because we have intensive Czech from 10-12:30 every morning, then I've been going on tours, running errands, going back to the dorm, having dinner, going out with friends, going to sleep, and then doing it all over again! I went on a tour of Old Prague on Monday, and it was really cold and icy, but very interesting to hear stories behind the buildings and landmarks we are going to be walking past every day. Tuesday I went on a tour of Jewish Prague, which was absolutely fabulous! The Jewish quarter is right near NYU, and its beautiful. And, we went into 5 synagogues! It was awesome. A very cool feeling to be walking through it all as a contemporary American Jew wearing a Jewish star in a city that was supposed to have a museum of Jews as an extinct race only a few decades ago.
NYU doesnt seem to get that we all need sleep, because tomorrow morning at 8am at the main academic building we are supposed to sign up for school-sponsored trips. There are a limited number, and limited spots, and it takes about a half hour to get there. Guess I'll be going to bed early tonight!
I will try to post some pictures on here, but I also put a bunch on Facebook if we're friends. Prague is amazing and I'm so glad I'm here! Na zdravi (Cheers)!