Pros and Cons (and a random recipe)

Don't get used to this but I decided to write a second post today since I feel like so far I've given very literal happenings but not much of my impressions of Prague as a place.  I decided to do a list of pros and cons just to cover the things I am liking and the things I'm not.

Pros:

• I have always heard what a gorgeous city Prague is and people have not been exaggerating.  It truly is very beautiful and very full of history. 
• The "feel" of the city is very laid back.  I see people rushing from time to time, but overall the feel of the city is very relaxed and un-rushed.  Lots of things are closed on Sundays and the city just moves at a pace that I really enjoy.  Today I was at the park and it was full of other people just enjoying the day which is something I saw less of in the states. 
• Prague is a very walkable city.  After living in Philadelphia, one of my HUGE complaints about Houston was the people drove everywhere.  Prague is super easy to navigate by foot and very pedestrian friendly city. 
• Despite the above being true, public transportation is also amazing.  Prague has multiple modes of Public transit.  There are 3 metro lines (run underground), multiple tram lines (run above ground) and multiple bus lines.  And unlike a lot of cities, there are night trams and buses that run regularly so if you go out late, there is still no need to use a cab.  
• Potravinys: the closest thing I can think of to a potraviny is a corner store in the U.S.  However, potravinys sell a wider variety of items.  They are on almost every block and each one sells slightly different things.  Pretty much all of them sell the basics: some candy, icecream, butter, cheese, crackers, bread, lunch meat juice, milk, water, but then they each have their own unique items.  For instance, each one seems to sell slightly different produce.  The one down the street sells hard to find tortilla wraps, but the one around the corner always has these huge, amazing figs.  Another one I know of sells black beans (another hard to find item) and yet another a few blocks away sells Indian spices.  They aren't full grocery stores but they make picking up a forgotten item or grabbing fresh fruit SO easy. 
• The people here are also really great.  I'd heard a good deal that Czech people are a bit stand offish until they get to know you, but I haven't found that to be the case at all.  When I've gone out, everyone is very friendly and eager to talk and make friends.  It's been really nice to feel so welcome in a new city. 
• Prague is a really safe city as cities go.  Never fear.  I do not have a false sense of security and I still am smart about what I do and where I go.  That said, I feel safer in Prague than anywhere else I've lived other than maybe Madison.  The people I know who live here all say it's fine to walk in the better parts of the city alone at night and I've never felt unsafe day or night in the city.  
• Prague is also cheap.  Granted, it's proportional to what I'm making, but seriously, sometimes I catch myself thinking "it's only $.25.... I think I can spend a quarter on this ________." 
• Fornetti:  This is actually pretty pathetic of me to put this on my list.  Fornetti is a worldwide chain that sells little pastry puffs with various fillings.  They are mediocre most of the time and can be found in pretty much every metro stop and on tons of street corners.  The only time you should stop is when you see them sliding a hot batch into the cases.  It's equivalent to the Dunkin' Donuts Hot & Fresh sign... it is always a good decision.  My favorites are when I catch them with hot vanilla ones... it's like a little puff pastry with vanilla custard filling... the sour cherry ones are also delicious.  And they are only 5 ckz each with is about a quarter (haha, see the above point of how I justify buying these). 

Cons (as wonderful as Prague is, it does have a few draw backs): 

• The smoke/pollution: This is my number one complaint.  Prague has no fresh air.  anywhere. ever.  Seriously, the secondhand smoke here cannot be good for me, and it's everywhere, the streets, bars, restaurants, stores.  I can't get away from the smoke. 
• The graffiti:  I've heard all the social theories of graffiti as a way to reclaim space.  I've heard the artistic arguments.  Call me old fashioned but I just don't like looking at it.  
• The crowds: It's selfish of me, but I really wish I could cut the crowds in old town prague in half, at least.  The city feels so medieval and peaceful until you realize you are shoulder to shoulder with crowds of tourists all snapping photos of anything and everything.  I haven't fully explored Old Town because it feels almost like a chore to fight all the crowds. 
• The stag parties: Prague has amazing night life and is super cheap, this also means it's a popular destination for bachelor parties (think Vegas or Atlantic City).  Crowds of overly drunk men in their mid-twenties to early thirties yelling and stumbling through the streets is already getting old.  

Lastly, and totally unrelated to Prague, my dinner turned out really exceptional tonight so I figured I'd share the recipe for anyone interested in it.  Apologies that I never measure when I cook so everything is just in spoonfuls, handfuls, etc. 

Moroccan Inspired Chicken Cous-Cous with Yogurt Sauce 

3 small chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces 

3 tomatoes, diced 

1 onion, thinly sliced

small chunk of ginger, grated or finely diced 

A few handfuls of chickpeas (I used fresh but drained from a can would work)

A few handfuls of golden raisins 

A spoonful of harissa paste 

cilantro

Cous-Cous

For the yogurt sauce: 

1 medium cucumber, peeled and finely diced 

Plain yogurt (preferably greek but I used regular b/c it was way cheaper)

juice from 1/2 a lemon

dried dill 

garlic powder 

Before I started anything, I threw the raisins and chickpeas in some water to soak (wouldnt need to soak the chickpeas if you are using canned).  Once I had them soaking, I started by making the yogurt sauce.  I simply stirred together the ingredients in my desired proportions and let it sit in the fridge while I cooked so the flavors could meld a bit.  Next, I sauteed the chicken, ginger, and onions in olive oil.  Once the chicken was cooked through, I started the cous-cous according to the directions on the box and added the tomatoes to the chicken mix. Once the tomatoes started to make a juicy sauce, I drained the chickpeas, raisins, and stirred in my desired amount of harissa paste (beware, some of these pastes are really spicy but I used a more medium one).  By this time the cous-cous was ready so I fluffed it up and threw it in my big sauté pan and stirred everything together. 

Then I plated it, which a huge serving of the yogurt sauce on the side and topped it with fresh cilantro.  It was simple and really delicious.