"There's no place like London"

Yes, the title is kind of a cop-out, but I had to.

Getting to and from London was probably the most stressful travel experience I've ever had, but the middle part was worth it! It took me 50 minutes door-to-door to get from my dorm to the airport, which was great. Everything went smoothly at the airport, until I got to security, which was closed. It kind of freaked me out a little, because in New York security would never be closed at 8am on a Friday morning! In general, the airport was really quiet. Then, when I went through security (less than an hour before we were supposed to board, even though I had gotten to the airport really early!), there was no staff at any of the desks at the gates, which was also weird. We did not board at the scheduled time, but there was no angry mob demanding to know what was going on, and still no flight attendants or anything around. Finally, AFTER my flight was supposed to take off, there was an announcement that there was a technical malfunction with the plane, and so there was going to be a delay of a little more than an hour. All in all to get to my three friends studying in London for the semester, I took the Metro, a bus to the airport, a shuttle to the plane itself, the plane, a shuttle to the train station, and then a train to St. Pancras station, a five minute walk from the NYU in London housing:



Since I was only in London for less than 48 hours, we did a lot of sight-seeing. One of the first things I saw was one of the famed telephone booths:



The first day, I also saw Leichester Square, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, the National Gallery, the West End, Platform 9 and 3/4, the British Library (which has lots of really cool original manuscripts) and Covent Gardens. Then, I had British pub food for dinner (Shepherd's Pie!) and my friends and I went out dancing, just like the old days in New York:



The second day was also crammed with a lot of sight-seeing. First, my friend and I stopped at Borough Market for lunch (fresh food market, with lots of free samples!) and I actually saw the sun! Here's proof:



Then, we headed to the Thames, and walked along the Queen's Walk. I saw the Globe, the National Theater, the Tate, Big Ben:



Some beautiful cathedrals surrounding it and Westminster Abbey:



and then, after managing to navigate London streets, Buckingham Palace:



That night, because of all the walking and because my friends and I were all feeling slightly under the weather, we had a night in, but I was really happy just to be there and spend time with my friends. On the way home, my train back to the airport was delayed, and I got to the gate just as my flight started boarding! That also turned out to be delayed because of a software malfunction...oh well.

I'm really glad I got to go to London and see many famous sights, especially accompanied by my lovely former roommates. It proved to me that Prague is the right place for me to be, though, as I wouldn't really want to spend four months there. I can't believe its already been over a month since I landed in Prague, although it also feels like I've been here forever. Next up for me is a day trip to the Labor Camp Terezin on Friday, and most likely Budapest from Saturday to Monday! Don't worry, I'm getting all my homework done...

"Don't Forget it for a Moment, Though": Some More Photo Highlights

Boys and I in front of the bus to Vienna! Very cheap, and containing lots of free hot chocolate :)




Streets of Vienna




On top of a hill in Vienna!




Proof that the Peach Pit actually exists...




The Hockey arena!

"I like to be in...America?!?"

This weekend, most of my friends and I stayed around Prague. It was really nice to just be here and relax, as it was pretty much our first weekend in Prague actually knowing parts of the area. We had opportunites to watch movies together (Mean Girls never gets old!), sample Czech liquor (Becharovka...very interesting taste), and have brunch at Zanzibar, where I plan to go every Sunday that I'm here (a nice-sized portion for less than 100 crowns (5 dollars)?!? I'm so in).

The thing is, we kept ending up at "American" places. Where are all the Czech people in Prague?!? It doesn't help that there is always music in English playing, really random pop songs that we keep hearing over and over again (think music like Chumbawumba and Billie Jean. Czechs love Billie Jean. We literally hear it every time we go anywhere).

For starters, last Monday we went to karaoke. It was in the back of a Czech bar, but it was hosted by an American and pretty much everyone there was either a student or an ex-pat. And, of course, the selections were all in English. That was really fun, though, and we definitely plan on going back again.

Thursday night we watched a movie and then wanted to go out somewhere and hang out and have a drink and the only place we could think of that was open after midnight was called "The Peach Pit", and is a Beverley Hills 90210 themed bar. Yes, you read that right. Its complete with records on the wall and headshots of the cast members. We also went to McDonalds. Lame, yes, but not much else is open late!!

Friday night we first visited a bar called "Harley's" which was completely motorcyle-themed. My friends made up for the really expensive drinks they bought by finding some free food in the back and snacking. Then, we went to 80's/90's video party night at the famed club Lucerna. It was the only place we've had to pay a cover to get into so far, and it was extremely worth it. The place was full of American students singing and dancing to 80's and 90's hits, while the music videos to each song played around us on giant screens. Awesome.

Saturday night we partook in the American activity of bowling. However, unlike America, it was very cheap...costing $20 per hour per lane, I bowled with four friends and paid a total of $4.

Sunday we went to a hockey game, which was really intense and fun. Czechs are really into their hockey, and even have a section where fans can stand and just do different cheers the whole game. One thing that stood out to me especially was that instead of boo-ing, people whistle.

Then, we went to a bar for the Superbowl, which was also filled with Americans. The game was broadcast on "ESPN America", so unfortunately we missed all the commercials, instead getting ads for various sporting events and programs. Oh well. That was the only downside to the event, however, as we feasted on wings, nachos, sliders, and, of course, beer. It was weird to be watching the game from 12:30-4am, but it was an amazing and unforgettable night.

This weekend, I experience more English-language actitivities, as I head to London on Friday to visit some of my friends!

"How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?"

This past weekend was my first travel experience. 10 of us went to Vienna, Austria, and were lucky enough to stay at the house of a friend from our program, who happens to be European. Of course, we could not stop singing The Sound of Music. However, our friend told us the somewhat surprising fact that The Sound of Music is not a big thing in Austria, at all. She said that most of it was not filmed there, and no Austrian actors were used, so no one really knows or cares about it (case in point: her Austrian boyfriend didn't really know what the movie was when we asked him about it, and has never seen it). Our constant Sound of Music references started to annoy her a bit, but we couldn't help but call her the Captain and us her children. Oh well. At least I found friends who don't mind at least some musical references!

Our bus left Prague a little after midnight Thursday night (or Friday morning, I guess). The bus was really nice, and we got free drinks and crappy movies both ways. It took us about five and a half hours to get to Vienna, at which point we needed to take two subways and a bus to get to my friends house. After napping for a few hours and having a very European breakfast (bread with assorted spreads and pastries), we travelled around the entire inner ring of the city. Like other European cities, apparently, Vienna is built on a circle, which is the center of the city, and has just expanded outward evenly around the entire thing. We spent so much time walking and eating that we didn't actually make it to any museums! We did see the Czech tourism center, though, which was kind of funny.

I was also informed that schnitzel with noodles is rarely, if ever, eaten. And unfortunately there was pork schnitzel at dinner so I could not partake, but I got some noodles and put them on my friend's plate, plus there was warm apple strudel for dessert! Plus, on Saturday my friend took us to this huge hill, that had an amazing view of the entire city...while she was leading us up the mountain it was just like Captain von Trapp leading his children! You can never escape musical theater.

Vienna is a gorgeous city, with really unique architecture. Because it was my first European city besides Prague, it was interesting for me to try and discern the individual features of each city, as opposed to characteristics common throughout this part of the world. I enjoyed my time there, but my friends and I agreed that we had just spent a few weeks learning how to get around in one foreign city, so it was slightly frustrating being thrust into another just as we were starting to get the hang of the first!

This weekend I plan to stay in Prague and get some more Czech culture in, hopefully going to a hockey game and the Philharmonic. I look forward to learning even more about my host country!

"It's a city of strangers- some come to work, some to play"

This morning was a slight milestone for me, because it was the first time I traveled to NYU (or anywhere, really) alone. I had my first class of the semester at 9am, and in typical Glasser fashion left early, both because it was in the building I wasn't really familiar with, and also because it snowed again last night, and the Czechs don't really care if you have to walk on icy streets. However, it didn't take me that long to get there, so I ended up arriving at the building before the NYU part was even open!

I really enjoyed my trip to class, though (except for the part on the Metro when I realized that about 15 people around me needed to get off at the stop before mine and I was standing right in front of the door and had to get out of the way...Czechs like to push). I think the morning might be my favorite time of day in Prague, because that is the time it seems to be the most alive. My friends and I have already discovered that, somewhat contradictorily, weekends are very quiet and weekdays have more activity going on. But this morning it seemed even more alive, as the sun was out (only the second time I've actually seen it!), and people were just out and about on the tram and Metro and sidewalks, going about their daily routines to an extent that I hadn't observed before.

During my walk, I wondered if I stood out as a foreigner, or if I'd managed to blend in somewhat, or if the Czechs don't really pay enough attention to care. Probably that last one. At first, I smiled good morning at them, but then remembered that Czechs don't really do that, so I stopped. This morning was one of the few times so far that the fact that I'm truly living in another country sunk in...I guess because for the first time I wasn't with a big group of loud American students who speak my language and come from where I come from. But in New York when I walked to class, I felt like a part of the city, like it was mine and I belonged there. Here, I don't feel that way, yet. I went through the motions of getting to school, but the whole time I was very conscious of the fact that this place is not my home. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Instead of walking down Third Avenue through Astor Place to get to class, I walked down Francouska street and took the Metro to Mustek. It was just very different feeling. But I definitely enjoyed taking everything in, and I'm interested to see how this feeling develops.

"Don't Forget it for a Moment, Though": Week 1 Photo Highlights

The Metro station near my dorm, which I use pretty much every day.



The famed astrological clock, literally steps away from where I have class.



Main NYU academic building



A bunch of my friends and I out at what is going to become one of our favorite hangouts!



In front of the Prague castle!



View from the top of a hill...Prague is so beautiful!

"Something familiar, something peculiar"

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)!