Hooray! I can stay

Hooray! After waiting nervously for two months, I got my long term visa so I can stay the whole year here in the Czech Republic! Which meant when I got the phone call that my visa was ready, I HAAADDDDD to go to Vienna again. Poor me. I left Thursday afternoon from Prague and took a 5 1/2 hour train ride to Vienna. I arrived at 10:30pm and had no clue if I was even at the right train station and if I was close to where my BnB was. I was in luck and was at the right place. The bed and breakfast I stayed at was recommended by Rick Steves (my travel buddy) and I could not have been happier with the place. The BnB is run by a very nice family and I was greeted by Anita. She was very friendly and extremely helpful if I had any questions.

The next morning, I headed to the dreaded Czech Embassy hoping that it would not turn out as stressful as it had the last time I was here. To my surprise I just waited 20 minutes while they put the visa in my passport and I was good to go! I was back at the BnB in time for breakfast and had a nice long nap. In the afternoon, Anita told me about a large shopping area so I can buy some winter clothes. Unfortunately, Prague has the most expensive clothes even converted into US dollars! So I was hoping I would have better deals in Vienna. The shopping area was the New York Times Square of shopping. It had everything and anything with tons of people. It was great shopping but the only problem was trying on winter clothes. I was sweating and irritable trying on huge heavy jackets in heated buildings! PHEW! I did buy a big puffy jacket, gloves, hat, and a nice work shirt! I still have a long way to go tho when winter really hits. I still need warm socks, long tees, snow shoes, scarves, and a wool coat.

Now that I got my shopping on, I REALLY wanted to go to the most famous thing Vienna is known for, their Opera! I looked online for seats but they sell out months and months in advance every night. In Rick Steves (all hail Rick Steves) he suggested to get standing area seats for 4 Euros. That night the Opera was Barber of Seville. FIGARO FIGAROOOOO! I waited an hour in the "standing area " line 2 hours before the performance. In Rick Steves he suggested to get the 4 Euro standing area vs 3 Euro since the 4 Euro is ground floor in the center. I got the ticket and went to claim my "standing" area. To mark your spot you tie a scarf around the railing and you can go enjoy wine or coffee before the show. I met an American couple who were on vacation from New York. It's amazing how you can spot out an New Yorker from Manhattan with their loud personalities and take no B.S. personalities. The opera was about to begin and it was a fulllll house! I was shocked how great the standing area section was. I had a wonderful view of the stage. The opera was fantastic and I really enjoyed myself but it was difficult because it was very hot, crowded, and STANDING for so long you get distracted and irritated. I could only stay for an hour of the opera because it was too difficult to stand that long. I wasnt the only one as a girl fainted and escorted out. But I was soo happy I went to an Opera in Vienna and had a wonderful night.

I then went to the Sacher Hotel to have my most favorite soup in the whole world. The potato soup and a nice cold water. I was tempted to get the Sacher taurte cake but I tried it last time I was in Vienna and I have to say I am not a big fan of the cake. It is dry and too sweet but it is world famous so if you come to Vienna you have to try it!

The next morning I had to leave back to Prague and this time took the student agency bus back. I really like the bus since they play movies and provide beverages. I got back mid afternoon to Prague and met up with some friends at a coffee shop in Malostranska. Sarka called me to let me know Mission Impossible 4 is filming in Malostranska at the river. So after coffee, Sarka and I met up to watch the filming. It was freezing and cold but we stuck it out to watch the scene of 4 "bad guys" shooting into the river. Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner were IN THE RIVER!!!! and did a couple takes of them coming up for air and swimming away. So now you know a second (if at all) scene that will be in Mission Impossible 4 and how I was standing on the side watching it.

Fall is an absolutely beautiful season and this is my first time ever seeing seasons change. The trees all turned red, orange, yellow, green and vibrant. The weather is low 50's high 40's and both sunny and cloudy. Burchak season is over but now it's time for Hot Wine! It is delicious as Sarka has made it a few times here at the apartment. It is a red wine heated enough to not lose alcohol content and spices are added to give it a sweet cinnamon flavor. Nothing is better than a nice glass of hot wine during a cold evening here in Prague.

Still keeping up with my tennis lessons once a week and I must say I can see the improvement but still long way to go to play a match. My students are still extremely adorable and enjoying teaching them. On Friday we had an assembly where I had to host and create a theme. I chose the theme of Halloween and had my second graders help me. We had a monster fashion show and a choreographed dance of THRILLER! It was the cutest most amazing thing I have ever seen and so proud of my little ones.

Next week, we have fall break and I am heading up to Copenhagen, Denmark for a few days to visit my good friend Anna! Anna went to High school with me and moved to Denmark last year. I have been wanting to visit her for the longest time and very excited about my visit.