Sunday, December 5, 2010
Winter Wonderland in Prague
Winter has arrived! The first snow fall started November 24 and that was the last time I could see the ground. Now it is covered in at least a foot of snow. It is really pretty seeing the roof tops and tree branches covered in snow. I remember when I first saw it snowing here in Prague I was in the tram on my way to work. I was so exicted to see the rain drops turn into snow!
It is really beautiful to look at from inside where it's warm but BRRRR when you step outside you are freezing. It got down to -7C! The worst is when it's really snowy and cold because that's when things go horrible. The trams always break down or get stuck, so you might be in the middle of nowhere waiting and waiting in the bloody cold or sitting in the tram waiting and waiting hoping it will run again otherwise you might have to walk a few miles and figure out you're going to get there. Prague is notorious for having bad drivers and if you add icy snow into the mix, you guessed it, lots of catastrophies. Over 100 people died in one day due to the weather. Like I said, the snow is very pretty to look at from the inside.
What is really great about this time of year is that it is Christmas market time! All around Prague, they set up Christmas markets and large decorated Christmas trees. I live by the Namesti Miru Christmas Market where there are lots of booths selling lots of Christmas goodies. Traditional things they sell would be mulled wine which is a hot wine with spices. It is huge over here and it very different than anything I have ever tasted. They sell Tridel's which is a sweet bread wrapped around a stick and turned over a hot fire. Then they sweeten it with sugar and cinnimon. It is delicious. Of course they have their sausages and meat booths. They also sell Crepes and this fried dough with ketchup, cheese, and garlic. The tree is directly in the center and there is christmas music being played.
There are markets all over town and the biggest of course is in the Old Town Square. They have three times as many booths selling anything you can think of. The tree is humungous and beautifully decorated. They have live music of children singing Christmas carols. No wonder Prague is a highlight of places to see during Christmas time.
I learned though that the Czech Republic are one of the few countries that hold on to their traditions. For instance, they do not have a Santa Claus. Instead, on December 5th, they have an angel and a devil. They walk around the town and ask little children if they have been good or bad this year. If they are good, the angel rewards them with presents. If they are bad, the story goes that the devil takes you to hell. If I was a child, I would be the most obedient well behaved child on the planet. Especially when the parents hire the angel and devil and inform them that their child didnt make their bed. My Dad would have loved that method of me making my bed everyday.
Also, about to come to Prague is Carp! Carp is a fresh water fish that basically are like Turkeys on Thanksgiving. What the Czech people do is set up childrens pools all over town almost on every street corner and have TONS of carp swimming in them. You choose your fish and you have the option of them killing it for you or you can take it home alive. They kill it right on the street by slamming it on the ground and smashing it's head with a hammer. Aw, nothing says Christmas spirit than smashing Carp to death on the sidewalk.
After Christmas, they release all the left over Carp into the Vltava River where they all meet the same fate as their brothers and sisters....DEATH. They can't survive in the river therefore all die. Let's just say I wont be swimming ever in that river.
In two weeks I'll be home in San Diego and would love to see you! I leave to go back to Prague on Jan 1 where my real traveling will begin. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays :)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
I said a Brrrr
Dear San Diego, please do not ever complain about anything because you have the most desirable weather in the world. The weather in Prague is basically crazy. One day it can be sunny and in the mid 40's and then the next day foggy, dark, rainy, and freezing where you see your breath coming out of your nostrils! I hear this weather is nothing that is about to come as it is still in the +degrees still! YIKES
I never realized how hard it is to shop for winter clothes. What are winter clothes first of all? In San Diego, you just put on a sweatshirt and you are good to go. Here, you need to prepare, have the right equipment, and layer, layer, layer. It is such a pain though because once you walk inside, like the metro or a store, it is so hot that you begin to sweat and have to take off all the layers. It snows here in Prague so I need to find a good pair of snow boots, warm pants, warm snow jacket, hat, socks, gloves...oh man the list is endless. I get a lot of comments in my school when I wear my UGG boots. The students and faculty always comment, "Why are you wearing snow boots inside?" I tell them, I'm from California and it's just for fashion and I didnt know they actually served a purpose. I mean, I would explain that girls would wear them with mini skirts, so California is kinda clueless when it comes to proper winter attire.
Speaking about my students, they are absolutely wonderful. I have 14 students and all are adorable 2nd graders. I find it fascinating how they can use only my name with different tones to get my attention...They can use, "Alisoooon?" which lets me know they have a question. "Alisin" if they are joking around. "ALISUN!" if they are frustrated. Also, my students make the best sound effects that I have ever heard. When they describe something to me they use hand gestures and sound effects. When they play in the gym, they make sounds of lasers, squishing noises, explosions, car crashing, honking, aliens, you name it. Hollywood can use these kids as special sound effects and save tons of money.
In class, I taught my students for the last two weeks how to cook. We learned kitchen equipment, safety, measurements, and table manners. It was so cute to teach them table manners, like sitting up straight, sipping a tea cup, and most important having the boys push in the girls chair and letting the girls go first. I am teaching the next generation that chivalry is not dead! As a class, we watched a cooking show and I showed them an episode of my idol, Ina Garten! We then headed into the kitchen at school and made a recipe for Egg Salad Sandwich which they really enjoyed to my surprise. We also made Lemon Vinaigrette, Brown Cows (Pepsi and Ice Cream) and Rosemary Grilled Chicken Breast. It was interesting to see that their least favorite was the Brown Cow! I guess my second graders really have sophisticated taste. Each student created their own CookBook with their picture on the front and own handwriting for all the lessons we did in cooking.
Finally, we learned how to set tables and wash dishes (You are welcome parents). Here is a fun fact, did you know that they used to catch American spies in Europe based on how they ate?! Every culture holds their fork and knife differently when they eat. In America, you eat with one hand. Here in the Czech Republic they use both hands and shovel the food with their knife onto their fork. Interesting huh?
I am still loving my apartment and rearranged my room to make it even more amazing. I bought a plant from IKEA which is growing pretty much into a tree it has gotten so big. My roommates Mylene and Sarka are the best roommates I could possibly have. I am happy and there are moments where I look around and think, "Wow, I am in Prague" and thankful every moment.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
My visit with Anna in Copenhagen, Denmark
Fall break is here and I decided for the long weekend I would fly north and visit my high school friend Anna who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. I left Thursday afternoon and it was an easy hour flight from Praha to Copenhagen. When I landed, I found in the airport a Starbucks and I recall Anna said that the only Starbucks in Denmark was in the airport, so I bought us a couple Grande Cafe Lattes. The cups starbucks have are huge! In Prague, I get a cafe latte at the train station and the only size coffee shops serve is the size of a kids coco cup, very small.
I met Anna at the airport and we took the metro to her place. I was shocked how clean the metro was compared to the metros in Prague.
We arrived at her apartment where I was graciously welcomed by her adorable dog Milo! I also met her boyfriend Anders and got a tour of their cute apartment. Anders made a delicious dinner of pork with pears.
The next morning, Anna had class called "Flash of Genius". She provided me with a bicycle. In Copenhagen, it is flat and the main source of transportation is not only cars but bicycles. EVERYONE rides their bike. It took me a couple tries but I got the hang of riding a bike. The rules tho were a little difficult. For instance, slow riders stay on the right hand side and if you are in the left side going too slow, they ring the bell basically telling you to move over! You also have to use hand signals if you turn or slow down. I do not have any balance while riding so it looked like I was having a seizure when I was just trying to give a turn signal. We also passed an old woman and I rang my bell thinking I would let her know I was coming by her. Anna was like, "um, you dont have to ring your bell if she is in the right lane"....great I am like a driver in Los Angeles who honks for no reason.
I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in Anna's class and missed the feeling of school. Then I look around and saw their notes and homework and projects and that feeling quickly disappeared. After class, we went shopping and had lunch. We had a bagel sandwich and for dessert this most AMAZING marshmellow covered in chocolate. I forgot what it is called and Anna I know you are reading this saying, "I told you the name ten times dang it!" But it was amazing! The people in Denmark are beautiful and so well dressed. In Prague, people do not dress to impress but I figure with everything they have been through they can do whatever they want.
We then relaxed and Anna was having her friends over for some cocktails and the head to a bar called Ruby's. Anna's friends were extremely friendly and very international. I met a couple of girls from Iceland! ICELAND? People live in Iceland?! They told me that in summer it's a treat to go outside and wear just a sweatshirt!!! In San Diego, for winter I only wear a sweatshirt! We enjoyed delicious cocktails Anna made that were Halloween themed. We then headed to Ruby's and had fantastic cocktails.
The next day, we slept in til noon! Whoops. Since the day is almost over, I really wanted to shop and get a pair of boots! I found some great deals and got a pair of boots! That night we were invited to go to a Halloween party. We met up with Sarah (Anna's friend from Texas) and she made us some peppermint chocolate and rum cocktails. They sure do know how to have drinks in Copenhagen! It was a lot of fun and I dressed up as SALT the Russian spy!
Anna has the cutest dog Milo who loves people. I slept on the couch and he would snuggle with me. However, he is a sneaky dog because he would leave and go to Anna, then leave Anna's bed, come back to the couch. We are on to your sneaky ways Milo. But a very very cute dog.
Sunday, as my last day, Anna and I went on a boat tour through Copenhagen. Everyone was telling me to see the Mermaid Statue but just my luck, the mermaid was in Beijing for an expo! I joked that the mermaid swam away. Just like Prague, Copenhagen has lots of history and old unique buildings. But I also like that the new buildings do not try to fit in with the old. Instead, it is very modern. After the boat tour, we went back and Anna made traditional open face sandwiches which were tasty. I then headed to the airport after sadly leaving Anna and Anders. In the airport, I had Joe and Juice which is a Jamba Juice but they only hire good looking men. Someone has the right idea in business in Copenhagen. They also opened up an Abercrombie and Fitch in Copenhagen and to promote the store had a dozen topless CHISELED men standing outside. OF COURSE, I had to get a picture with them :) Like I said, Copenhagen has very good looking people.
I had a wonderful time in Copenhagen, Denmark and so happy I finally got to visit Anna and see how great she is doing there. Now I'm back in Prague and my next stop, SAN DIEGO for Christmas :)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
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.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What do you mean you don't party with A list celebrities?
Last weekend, I hung out with a super nice couple I met in Venice at the train station. They were heading to Budapest and then made a stop in Prague for the weekend. And just to tell you what a small world it is...in Budapest, they met the students from University of Redlands studying abroad in Salzburg who were also traveling in Budapest. WEIRD! There names were Jessie and Nathan. They are from Seattle, Washington and traveling together for 2 months. We (Sarka and I) met up with them on Sunday after our tennis lesson and had dinner together. We ate at Bohemian Bagel because it is home away from home. Inexpensive and all the comfort food you can want. They serve pancakes, omelets, salads, sandwiches, burgers, bagels with cream cheese, and desserts. It's owned by an American so it pretty much feels like home. After we ate our delicious dinner, we decided to take a tour of Old Town and the castle. We had Sarka explain things here and there and joked how she should start her own business, "Sarka tours". We walked across the Charles Bridge where I pointed out the statue you touch for good luck. The story behind the statue is that the King demanded to know what the Queen's confessions were from the Priest. Well the Priest would not tell the King her confessions so the King had him thrown off the Charles Bridge. So you see a statue depicting that image of a Priest being thrown off the bridge. You can not miss this statue because most tourists are touching the statue and the part is SHINY gold where the rest of the statue is dirty brown. So we ALL touched the statue. I also made sure we did it correctly where we can only make one wish and you MUST touch the statue with your LEFT HAND! A ton of people were touching it with their right hand and basically I think it's bad luck or your wish doesnt come true. This is all according to Samantha Brown so whatever she says it must be true.
Then we walked up the hill to the castle. It was nice because it was empty, no tourists, and you get to see a different aspect of the castle and the city all lit up. There of course was the soliders outside and I am still terrified of them. To refresh your memory, I was doing a "kiss pose" and the solider unfroze and shoved me a few feet back. I am scarred for life. When I was back I was walking through the first two guards trying to play it SUPER cool. Well I see the solider to the right is frozen but his eyes were following me!! And no not the hey I'm checking you out eyes but I'm watching you ALISON LAVINE! So when I would see them march through the square to switch guards, I hide in the far opposite corner. Sarka though just walks right through the changing of the guards like it aint no thing. Man that's guts.
Then Nathan wanted to watch NFL football and had a coupon for buy one beer get one beer free at the Dubliner. We enjoyed our beers and good conversation when Nathan says, "Is that the guy from Hurt Locker?" I didn't see the movie so I had no clue but I lean over the corner and FOR SURE I have seen that guy and is a celebrity. It was Jeremy Renner who was in Hurt Locker, Swat, and few other TV shows and movies. So I walked up to him and his friend and asked, "Are you from the Hurt Locker" (I didnt know his name at the time) and he was like yes and so I waved my friends it was him and we asked for a picture. He said, "why dont you all have a seat and have a few beers with me. We had beers, tequila shots, jager shots,...basically the man likes to drink. Of course, the only time I party with a celebrity I am wearing sweats, baggy t-shirt, messy hair, no make up, and tennis shoes. I met his friend/coworker who trains celebrities how to fight and also is a stunt double. He is a huge adrenaline junkie and neat to talk to him. They are here for a month shooting Mission Impossible 4. I asked if Jeremy was a bad guy but they said they cant tell me. I'm sure with a few more shots I'd get it out of him. Sarka was so hilarious because she didn't know who he was, so while Jessie and I are super shy Sarka is chatting away with Jeremy. He was totally into Sarka but also all the other women in the bar. He loves the ladies. Interesting being around celebrity because they have this demeanor that just screams I'm am so much better than you. But I must say he is a super cool guy and getting free alcohol made him alright on my list. There was a Stag party (British Bachelor Party) and some drunken men recognized him from Swat. I dont think he likes being noticed so he invited us to come along to the next bar. We went to the bar called Coyotes which is just like the movie where they dance on the bar. We got this huge pitcher full of red bull and vodka with longgggg straws. I was having a great time and telling Jessie and Nathan that we party with A list celebrities all the time here. We all couldn't believe this and how many times in a persons life can you be part of a celebrities entourage for a night! Unfortunately, I had work the next morning and left around 11:30pm. Sarka and I were on cloud nine of how awesome our day was. By far the best night in Prague yet!
The next day in the train station, they were shooting a movie and I stopped and got excited thinking it's Mission Impossible 4 and I'd see a Tom Cruise sighting or my buddy Jeremy Renner. I don't think it was Mission Impossible because they were Nazi's and dressed up during WW2 time. Mission Impossible 4 wont be out til 2012 but you know I AM GOING THE Day IT COMES OUT!
This message will self destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2,1...........................
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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