Rome here I come!

Sarah and I will be in Rome Tuesday Feb. 22-26 :) Can't wait for the adventures and ITALIAN food to come

Prague State Opera Theater

Swan Lake Ballet

One of the best things about living in Europe is the Arts. I have the privilege to see some of the most beautiful works of art in architecture and theater while living in Prague. When I was home in San Diego, I saw the movie Black Swan and LOVED it (even tho it was terrifyingly creepy). While in the metro, I saw an advertisement for symphony concerts, ballets, and opera's at the Prague State Opera Theater. I had to take advantage of seeing a concert and saw that they were showing Swan Lake! I had to go so, I did. This past Saturday, I went on a hot date with myself to see Swan Lake. I bought my ticket online and with the few available seats left, I chose to sit in a booth. The price was right and I wanted to do a ballet in style. The theater was absolutely incredible. It's too bad America didn't pick up on this trend of extraordinary theaters. When I found my seat I felt like a QUEEN since I was right in front of the orchestra looking down on the stage. When the performance started, I instantly got goosebumps. Not only was it just like Black Swan :) but the dancers were incredible. I have never been to a ballet before and now I am a huge fan. It is best of both worlds, you get to listen to great classical music performed by a symphony while watching some of the most talented ballerina's. I had the best evening and something I will always remember. If you ever travel in Europe in winter, you MUST MUST MUST go see the arts. There is nothing in this world that will ever compare.

Mylene's Pizza

My roommate Mylene is an amazing cook. I told her that she should have her own food show on the Food Network and be a huge sensation! She makes everything from scratch and she know her spices (just like Ratatouille, the movie). ONE of my favorite dishes she makes is her pizza! She makes the dough from scratch and pizza sauce. So one afternoon I begged her to show me how to make this pizza and we had a feast of pizzas for a week. MMMmmmm I'm eating very well here in Prague thanks to Mylene. Take a look and try not to drool.

ALISON LAVINEOVA!

Training long and hard with our tennis coach Marek.

Pictures

Prague in January?!?! I brought back that Cali Sunshine!

Bringing Cali sunshine back to Prague

As you all know, I went home for Christmas and it was perfect timing. At the time, I had not seen the sun for about a couple months because the weather was cloudy and SNOWY! I couldn't wait to be back in San Diego's 72 degree and sunny weather and bust out my rainbow flip flops again.

Everything went according to schedule with my flight from Prague to San Diego. I flew early morning from Prague to Warsaw, Poland and on the way there, I met a nice girl who was in medical school here in Prague. She is from Taiwan and went to undergrad at UC Irvine. She was going to Los Angeles to visit friends and we shared the same flight from Poland to Chicago. Luckily, we sat together the whole flight from Poland to Chicago and it went smoothly.

I landed in Chicago around 4pm (after 10 hours of flying) it felt SO GREAT to be on US soil. Although now I see why the Europeans have all these stereotypes of Americans because WE ARE LOUD and we are not shy! I was at my gate to San Diego and got a Chicago dog and the lady who served me was sooo loud and odd. I guess I wasnt used to in your face customer service again and friendliness.

I got back home in San Diego and it was rainy but I didnt care because I didnt have to layer and freeze my tookish off. Aw San Diego, no where in the world quite like San Diego. Although the first week I STILL did not see the sun because a freak down pour happened which I'm sure we all remember. I just wanted to see the sun. It finally came out that weekend and my Dad and I played tennis outside. He said he can see improvement from my tennis lessons here in Prague so Thanks Marek! I went to the beach with Sophie and it was so relaxing.

I had a GREAT time seeing my family, SOPHIE! and all my friends. It was a bit weird being back but I caught back on quickly. How luxurious it is to have a car and drive from point A to point B with no waiting for trams, metros, trains, or tons of walking...YAY!

I left Jan. 1 and had the longest flight back ever. I got stuck in Frankfurt, Germany and I had all my luggage, was alone, and extremely jetlagged. I was afraid to fall asleep because I didnt want anything stolen or miss my delayed flight. I had to wait 10 hours in the airport....longest day and pretty miserable!

I am now back in Prague and it was so great to see my wonderful roommates Sarka and Mylene. It was back to the snow and cold for the first week being back and also very jetlagged which was kinda cool because I would fall asleep around 6pm and wake up at 4am before work and watch Desperate Housewives with my sister on skype. :)

I don't know if it's Global Warming but right now in Prague it is probably around 50 degrees F and ALLLLL the snow melted! I can see the ground again and I can wear less layers. Today I even just wore my rainbows and sweatshirt! Sun is shinning and blue skies, this is incredible for the middle of January. Awww this makes me so happy and already starting to think how I want to finish my months here in Europe. My sister and her boyfriend Allan are coming to Prague at the end of April for a few days. YAY! Like I said, you are welcome to come visit anytime and stay at Alison's B&B. (Bed and Beer).

Life is wonderful and happy to be here in Prague. 2011 is off to a great start.

Pictures

Christmas is here in Prague

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 :)