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
Friday, October 1, 2010
Venice here I come
It's time for my first vacation in Europe and I decided for my four day weekend I would head down to Venice, Italy. I left early Saturday morning to the airport in Prague. I met a nice couple from America who were retired teachers from Chico, California. As we boarded the flight, the flight attendant asked me if I spoke English. She then asked me if I would like to sit in the emergency exit row with more leg room and so I agreed. I sat in the aisle seat so I can talk to the American teachers. The flight attendant asked for me to sit by the window for take off and I can move during flight and she would save my seat. She blocked off the whole row just for me! Talk about VIP status with a full flight. It was an easy hour flight down to Venice and I hopped on the bus that takes you down to Venice. I enjoyed the bus ride because I got to see local Italy and it is beautiful. I am for sure coming back and going to explore more of Italy.
I arrived in Venice and got to my bed and breakfast. I had a nice single room and had to go down the hall to use the bathroom and shower.
I decide to venture out and explore my surroundings. The weather in Venice could not have been any better! It was warm in the 70's and the sky was very blue. I walked to San Marco Square where I became nervous because it was flooded! I was warned by others that it floods in Venice and sad that perhaps I had chosen a bad time. They have these "tables" that are placed on the ground and you walk over the flood. Of course it's a small path and people are always pushing and shoving. I stopped for some pizza and decided to shop and get lost. In Rick Steve's book and other tourists, they all tell you to get lost. Well the thing is, you get lost no matter what. There are so many twists and turns and everything looks a like. I am a visual learner and good with visual memory of finding my way around. This was visual overload and it drove me nuts that I couldn't find my way around. I did stumble upon an amazing Venetian mask shop. I purchased the most amazing mask that reminds me something Lady Gaga would wear. It is a peach color, with glitter, and has large feathers! I love it and hope I can ship it home safely. I then decided I want to find the restaurant Rick Steve's suggested and the Gelato shop that is supposedly the best Gelato in Venice. I feel I walked the whole island and could not find it. I was so close at one point on my map and had people point where to go and I still could not find the restaurant. I did find by accident the gelato shop. I know it's a little unorthodox to have ice cream before dinner but I knew I would never find this place again so I had the most amazing AMAZING gelato of my life. It was chocolate and stracietella. I gave up on finding the restaurant and just ate at an outdoor restaurant and had pasta with seafood. I kept seeing people drink this orange liquor in a wine glass thinking perhaps it's a rose wine. I asked the waiter for it and it was basically robitussum. GROSS. They had music and it was a beautiful sunset as I looked at the church across from me.
I went back to my room and had my window open to listen to the gondola's rowing by singing Italian love songs. This place is too cool.
In the middle of the night I kept hearing buzzing noises like a fly. I thought it was a fly until the next morning I saw the mosquitos had a feast last night on my arms and face! That's the only down side of my trip to Venice...the mosquitos!
San Marco square and Murano
After getting a little sample of how many tourists were in Venice when I first came in, I thought I would take Rick Steve's advice and wake up early to do all the sightseeing places. I woke up at 7am and ventured out to San Marco Square. It was a great time to take pictures since the streets were empty and the water was clear. I met three American men from San Francisco, and they asked if I could take their picture. We walked together to San Marco Square where I caught up on my baseball events since they were wearing San francisco Giants gear (the nerve). I guess my Padres have not been doing well since I left. I guess I can say perhaps I am the Padres good luck charm and actually visa vesa (I'll get into that later) I walked into the Basillica Church where a Mass was proceeding so we could not walk around the cathedral. We could walk inside but were not allowed to take any pictures. The Basillica's roof is covered in mosaic gold with events that occurred in the Bible. It had beautifully stained glass windows and the architecture was beautiful. And what made the Basillica so nice for me, no line to get in :). I then walk next door to Doge's Palace. I purchase a ticket and an audio guide that took my through the museum. Doge's Palace is so neat with the roofs that have huge paintings framed in gold. It's amazing that someone created that by hand and constructed that long ago. People can be amazing. My FAVORITE part of Doge's Palace was the prison. I love prisons for some reason and you get to walk around and explore. What made it even more creepy was I was alone since it was still early. The prison walls/ceilings had engravings of the prisoners who stayed there. There were no windows and only cement walls. There was a little circle the size of a basketball where the gaurds and give them food and check up on them. At the end of exploring the prison, you walk across the famous, "Bridge of Sighs". They call it the Bridge of Sighs because when the prisoners were being taken to prison, they got one last look of Venice and they would, you guessed it, sigh.
After my tour of Doge's Palace, the tourists came out and it was crowded so I decided to hop on the vaporetta and head to the island of glass, Murano!
Murano is a 25 minute boat ride from Venice. The weather was so perfect with sunshine and it was so warm LOVE IT. I got off and my technique with traveling in a place you do not know is to follow the tourists. I figure they know where to go. There are lots of stores selling glass along the water and you window shop. I stopped to get a bite to eat at a restaurant overlooking the canal. I had white wine with chips. Yes, that's right, chips. It is traditional here in Europe to eat fried potato chips with wine. Sarka (my czech roommate) even commented she thinks it's weird we eat potato chips with a sandwich. Here they eat potato chips with wine. So I had white wine and potato chips. I told the waiter I would like to try their special which was a pumpkin sauce in black noodles and seafood. It was delicious!!!
I continued window shopping where I saw a store with a man blowing glass. (Megan don't read these next 3 sentences) I watched him make black glass balls for a necklace he was making. I saw ornaments that were the most beautiful thing I have seen and wanted to buy one. Oops sorry Megan, just gave away your Christmas present. He didn't speak English but now that I'm an excellent guesser from my second graders always playing charades to communicate I think he was telling me he created the ornament and he looked very pleased with himself. I then continued my journey and bought myself a glass ring. Throughout Murano they have glass art sculptures. I really like Murano with it's beauty, art, and break away from tourists...well not all the tourists but the huge crowds.
I went back to Venice and enjoyed a cappicino looking at the water. I enjoyed watching the HUGE cruise ships coming in and out. I still wonder how in the world those things can float. I then called it an early night and hoping the weather would stay nice for Monday and go to Lido to the beach.
Last day in Venice
After a horrible night of sleep in the Bed and Breakfast due to the war with the evil mosquitos, I was hoping the weather would still be nice and venture out to Lido to go to the beach! I had my bikini laid out and was all set to go when, BOOOOM. Thunder storm outside and very chilly. There go my beach plans but on the up side I tried to sleep in and relax. I got up around 9am and decided to head out. My train ride was not til 9pm so I had the whole day of Venice. I decided I wouldnt let a little rain stop my trip to Lido. I get on the Vaporetto to the island Lido. It was cold but at least it stopped raining when I arrived. I walked through the town and made it to the other side of the island of it difficult to beat. The beach was not nice. There was trash all over, closed shops, and powerplants along the beach. I stayed for about ten minutes looking at shells then I was over it and wanted to head back to Venice. I took the hour vaporetta through Venice to get one last glimpse. I arrived at the train station in the afternoon just in time when the rain started up again. I counted 20 men walking around trying to sell umbrellas at the trainstation. Talk about ready on a moments notice to sell anything and everything. Which will bring me back to the San Diego Padres who were my good luck charm too. I was walking through the busy streets along the canal where you see lots of men grouped together selling knock off purses. I will not lie, I would take a peak seeing the fake Prada and Louis Vuitton. They would pass if only they learned how to spell the fashion designers name right and not have the LV's on the bag be VL. It was hilarious to watch them because they have a look out man and they have ear piece in their ear and they would all grab their purses and RUN! 1 minute later comes a police officer. So I was walking down the crowded sidewalk when I see a girl wearing a San Diego Padres hat! It was the second siting of a SD Padres hat so I decided I would turn around to stop and ask her. Once I turned around a man was one inch away from me with his eyes on my purse. We both became startled and he turned in a random direction toward the water. I was so startled I didnt chase the girl with SD hat and just gripped my purse a lot harder. Venice is known to have purse snatchers but I wore my money belt under my clothes that had my passport and money. Phew it was a close one. Now back to the train station...
I went next door to a Pizza cafe and ordered a mushroom pizza. The woman sitting next to me said loudly, "Are you American!". It's how all Americans I guess start a conversation in Europe. It was a husband and wife on vacation from Michigan. She was very friendly and I tried to give her some advice from my experience in Venice. For instance, waking up early to beat the crowds and the most amazing gelato I had there. After they left, I stayed and people watched while enjoying a cappichino. I walked back to the train station and had to get my fill of one more cone of gelato before I left. I saw they had Oreo flavor and how I miss Oreo's so I got Oreo and Chocolate...mmmm.
When I got back to the train station I met a young couple from Seattle Washington who were traveling through Europe. We were exchanging cultural differences we have experienced, our adventures, Venice, and news back home. They were on their way to Budapest then going to Prague. We exchanged emails and we are meeting up this weekend and I'll show them around Prague.
I really enjoyed my experience in Venice and proud that I could do it all by myself. I wasn't sure how traveling by yourself was but it is actually quite nice. I can do what I want when I want. I can enjoy the scenery. I start to notice you are more friendly and reach out to people more. So I learned that I can travel alone and know how to plan. Venice is absolutely a place you should see in your lifetime and don't think the Venetian in Las Vegas will cut it. To see Italian culture, beautiful Italian buildings floating on water, Gondolas, and the food of course, Venice is just an incredible place to see.
Trains are not that cool anymore
I have loved taking trains all through the Czech Republic until I decided to take an overnight train back from Venice, Italy. I waited basically all afternoon in the train station since it was raining. I met a very nice couple from Seattle, Washington who were my age and traveling through Europe for two weeks. They were waiting for their train to take them overnight to Budapest. They were telling me their experience on overnight trains and said it's not so bad but just watch your valuables.
I got on my 9pm train to Salzburg. I didn't know the trains final destination was to Vienna which meant I had to get off the train at 3am in the morning alone. I find my train cabin and it looked like it just had two couches. I was like, "hmm that's really nice". Another couple came into the cabin and I was wondering how all three of us were going to sleep here. Then 3 more people came in dropping their stuff off. I was so confused until I saw the couple take apart the "couch" and make it into three beds stacked one on top of the other. So it turned into 3 beds on each side of the cabin. And I am not sure if you would call them beds. I had to sleep on the bottom and I could not see out the window, it was cramped, it was dirty, so I would call it more like a coffin. To make matters even worse, the "couple" decided to sleep in the same TINY bed that was on top of mine! So it dipped down over me and I just wanted to shoot myself. Oh it gets better. The other two in the cabin were very...how shall I say, not aware of personal space. For instance, the girl spilled water in her backpack so she frantically tried to take everything out. While I'm still in my bed, she puts her wet stuff on my bed like it was nothing. I really didn't know how to respond to this but I didn't care at that point. She kept throwing her dirty tissues that she blew her nose with all over the room. People these days...gross.
So I didnt sleep A) I was in a coffin B) I didnt want to miss getting off the train earlier in Salzburg. It was 3:30 and I hear a knock on the door. It was pitch black and I could not open the door. I felt so bad since I woke the guy and he helped me open it...oops. The tenant was there to wake me up and he had a slice of wheat break and tea as my breakfast. Well that's nice but how am I going to eat and drink tea when my bed is a coffin and you must lay down and there is no room in the cabin. Was a nice idea but I just left it on the floor. I get off the train at 4am and realized our train was late getting in. I had 5 minutes to find the train that goes to Praha. Looking at the departures I begin to panic because I see that it's the only train going to Prague for awhile and scared I would miss it. I ran and made the train to Prague (phew!) and shared a cabin with a very nice family. A mother and her two kids from Australia. I find people are so friendly when you travel and I guess it's because they want to communicate and share as much as you do. Still didn't sleep but my goodness I had another 7 hours train ride from Salzburg to Prague. My tooshie was killing me and I was getting so restless. I finally arrived back in Prague where I looked and felt a mess. I stopped at BurgerKing and I think I inhaled the burger I was so hungry.
As far as train rides, they do not cost more than airplane flights and in fact can cost more! I guess I see lots of backpackers in the train station because you can buy a Eurorail pass and travel all over Europe which can make it worth it. But 14 hour train ride from Venice to Prague...NO THANK YOU! At least I can say I survived and did it but I think I'll be flying from now on.
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