I find it interesting how I had all the time in the world this summer and yet had nothing to write about and I am now bursting with information and yet have little time or energy to share it. Anyway, after a week of classes I can definitely say I am getting my money's worth here. The classes are long and intensive and leave me drained but content in the realization that I am learning necessary skills for teaching. They way I look at it there are three major issues standing in my way. I don't speak Czech. I am not a teacher, and I have never been the best at knowing grammar rules. So, when I find myself in the classroom I am often teaching a subject I do not know to people who speak a language I do not know. No wonder I'm being a bit stretched here. On the plus side I am by no means alone in my position. We have history majors here, science majors, philosopher and students who don't even speak English as their first language. And yet somehow it works.
Needless to say I have been busy here. So busy in fact that I have not had time to miss home very much. I know this sounds horrible but its the honest truth. Every street corner I pass brings a new view to me as is every bit of information crammed into my cranium. A ten hour day in the classroom has been the norm rather then the exception so far and after that creating lesson plans, and reading up on whatever homework assignment thrown in front of me. This said, thoughts of Ohio have been few and far between.
The subway system closes at two in the morning here and believe it or not that has been an issue for me on two occasions now. At two o'clock in the morning yesterday I was dancing away in a club in old town Prague with about 20 0f my new TEFL classmates... A good time was had by all. We ended up at a KFC at three, waited for the subway to open up again at five and I finally got to bed at six in the morning. This is so not my M.O. By the way KFC's are not always KFC"s, and Coka-Cola is not alway Coke. And while the differences my be minor I prefer the American counterparts. Also, strangely enough in a land filled with beef there are hardly any burgers to be found here. What?
I may be heading to Munich next weekend for October fest! Why Germans celebrate October fest in late September I may never know... A group of us are heading "up"? there on Friday, staying at a Munich hostel, and coming back Sunday evening. I have absolutely no idea what to expect but its gonna be an experience. I guess thats really why I'm here. To experience the world before I have to settle done, find a job and all that fun stuff so many people my age are now trying to do. I'm just not ready for that... yet.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Greetings from the heart of Europe to the heart of it all,
I have just received word that my luggage has been found and will be returned to me in without delay. Oh happy day! I have already succumbed to the temptation of buying a new outfit in hopes that my fellow students will not think I routinely smell like a dead rodent. I now look totally ghetto in my hoody and sweat pants… word. My 50 pound bag is coming to the hotel Pivnor proper, one of the few addresses I know in Prague while I live in an apartment complex they seem to own which is about a 15 minute walk away some of which involves a fairly dramatic hill. This is going to be fun I’m sure. TAXI!!!!
Believe it or not I went clubbing last night in honor of my birthday and the fact that the only place I could watch the Buckeye’s game was an American bar called “The Drunken Monkey”. I knew this because I have finally found the rest of the people taking the course and they seem to be good folk. The beer in Prague is very good and cheaper than water. I have been reminded of this fact so often that it can no longer be doubted. I didn’t return home until five in the morning, not because of any outrageous deeds but rather because of the intricacies of the trolley system which for the longest time foiled our best attempts to find our way home. I am a stranger in a strange land.
Buckeyes Win!!!!! Revenge is sweet Miami.
These people know how to cook. The place we went to last night made a pork chop taste like world class dining. But weight watchers beware of heavy cream and cheese sauces, huge sausages, and rich stew-like soups. In America this would be a massive coronary in the making. However, for some reason I am not overly concerned. We walk everywhere here, to our classes, to the subway, to the mall. The city was seemingly built for walkers as many of the streets are inaccessible to cars entirely. So bring on the food… after hiking on cobblestones for a couple hours I could use some of those wonderful carbs and trans fats. Yummy!
Classes start in an hour… It’s good to be back in school.
Believe it or not I went clubbing last night in honor of my birthday and the fact that the only place I could watch the Buckeye’s game was an American bar called “The Drunken Monkey”. I knew this because I have finally found the rest of the people taking the course and they seem to be good folk. The beer in Prague is very good and cheaper than water. I have been reminded of this fact so often that it can no longer be doubted. I didn’t return home until five in the morning, not because of any outrageous deeds but rather because of the intricacies of the trolley system which for the longest time foiled our best attempts to find our way home. I am a stranger in a strange land.
Buckeyes Win!!!!! Revenge is sweet Miami.
These people know how to cook. The place we went to last night made a pork chop taste like world class dining. But weight watchers beware of heavy cream and cheese sauces, huge sausages, and rich stew-like soups. In America this would be a massive coronary in the making. However, for some reason I am not overly concerned. We walk everywhere here, to our classes, to the subway, to the mall. The city was seemingly built for walkers as many of the streets are inaccessible to cars entirely. So bring on the food… after hiking on cobblestones for a couple hours I could use some of those wonderful carbs and trans fats. Yummy!
Classes start in an hour… It’s good to be back in school.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Greetings from Prague
I have decided to use the same blog site for my Prague endeavors that I started as part of an intro to computing class assignment. Feel free to read my previous posts, but be warned. they are some of my adventures into the realms of creative writing and poetry. Read at your own risk.
I have reached the conclusion that everyone looks the fool when taken out of their comfort area. Take yours truly at the airport ... Tired, hungry, stinky, I was a variable mess by the time I reached Prague. Also, I had just realized that my luggage had not arrived with me... but that's beside the point. The one thing I did have was a name, "Cadez transport" This would be (hopefully) my ticket out of the airport and into a nice warm bed. Now all I had to do was find their booth among the dozens now staring me down in the terminal. But sadly, this would turn out to be easier said than done. Over an hour later and a stroll through most of the airport nothing only bereft of hope, I finally I found it... right where I started. Whatever... WELCOME TO PRAGUE!!!!!
If you are ever hope to becoming an illegal immigrant keep the Czech Republic in mind. As I exited the plane I expected the customary" "What brings you to here?" and "How long do you plan on staying?" But instead... nothing, no security at all in fact. I just waltzed right into the country without a second glance. Being from America, the country where they are known to frisk toddlers and the infirmed alike at airports I found this disconcerting and in the back of my mind I still expect to be hunted down my the airport police and asked if I have any non-native plant species on my person. I don't by the way... Just in case your wondering.
The most annoying aspect of being in a foreign country is not the language difference... Thank God for my Italian hands... Or the jet lag... Or the strange people with dogs in purses and children on leases. I can deal. II just have one issue that frustrates me now. Why can't our plugs get along? I even brought a peace offering, a costly 20 dollar adapter at Walmart, but it was no use. After I jerry-rigged the Europe adapter to the wall than put on my American adapter then stuck on the power strip I was greeted by a shower of sparks and then total darkness.... !#@%@ this is ridiculous. Even after switching the breaker I still have no power in my room or kitchen area. Boo...
A major plus for anyone planning on visiting Prague.. and me... is the fact that it is possible to live very cheaply here. I just had a nice breakfast of plums and pastry for under 2 dollars (40 crowns) and have a a fairly nice pad for the next four weeks for under 500 dollars. There is a wonderful farmer's market selling fresh produce, meats, and beer in the lobby of the mall I am sitting at and a little grocery store right down the street that has supplied me with milk and bread. What I have seen so far of this city is amazing and as I get a little more adventurous expect to venture out and see much more of it.
Right now though I have to get the theme music for Guiligan's island out of my head... I still have no phone, no lights, no motorcar... and the only way I have to be in contact with anyone is this mall... But life is good. The plums were excellent... and my cloth do not smell that bad... yet. So peace out from Prague...
Mr. MidgeMan
aka Sean Schultz
I have reached the conclusion that everyone looks the fool when taken out of their comfort area. Take yours truly at the airport ... Tired, hungry, stinky, I was a variable mess by the time I reached Prague. Also, I had just realized that my luggage had not arrived with me... but that's beside the point. The one thing I did have was a name, "Cadez transport" This would be (hopefully) my ticket out of the airport and into a nice warm bed. Now all I had to do was find their booth among the dozens now staring me down in the terminal. But sadly, this would turn out to be easier said than done. Over an hour later and a stroll through most of the airport nothing only bereft of hope, I finally I found it... right where I started. Whatever... WELCOME TO PRAGUE!!!!!
If you are ever hope to becoming an illegal immigrant keep the Czech Republic in mind. As I exited the plane I expected the customary" "What brings you to here?" and "How long do you plan on staying?" But instead... nothing, no security at all in fact. I just waltzed right into the country without a second glance. Being from America, the country where they are known to frisk toddlers and the infirmed alike at airports I found this disconcerting and in the back of my mind I still expect to be hunted down my the airport police and asked if I have any non-native plant species on my person. I don't by the way... Just in case your wondering.
The most annoying aspect of being in a foreign country is not the language difference... Thank God for my Italian hands... Or the jet lag... Or the strange people with dogs in purses and children on leases. I can deal. II just have one issue that frustrates me now. Why can't our plugs get along? I even brought a peace offering, a costly 20 dollar adapter at Walmart, but it was no use. After I jerry-rigged the Europe adapter to the wall than put on my American adapter then stuck on the power strip I was greeted by a shower of sparks and then total darkness.... !#@%@ this is ridiculous. Even after switching the breaker I still have no power in my room or kitchen area. Boo...
A major plus for anyone planning on visiting Prague.. and me... is the fact that it is possible to live very cheaply here. I just had a nice breakfast of plums and pastry for under 2 dollars (40 crowns) and have a a fairly nice pad for the next four weeks for under 500 dollars. There is a wonderful farmer's market selling fresh produce, meats, and beer in the lobby of the mall I am sitting at and a little grocery store right down the street that has supplied me with milk and bread. What I have seen so far of this city is amazing and as I get a little more adventurous expect to venture out and see much more of it.
Right now though I have to get the theme music for Guiligan's island out of my head... I still have no phone, no lights, no motorcar... and the only way I have to be in contact with anyone is this mall... But life is good. The plums were excellent... and my cloth do not smell that bad... yet. So peace out from Prague...
Mr. MidgeMan
aka Sean Schultz
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