It's been a busy and fun 2 weeks here in Prague. I actually don't remember what I did week before last (lame, I know) but starting last weekend things are pretty memorable. Last weekend (the weekend before Halloween) I was planning to go with friends to Terezin (German name Theresienstadt) which is a town, fortress, and was a concentration camp during WWII. I woke up Saturday morning to freezing cold temperatures and snow, so while I still want to see Terezin, I didn't want to be out in the cold all day. Instead, I decided to ride several tram lines around the city (trams are all above ground) and just see various areas a prague in the snow. It was really beautiful but also really cold and considering it was only Oct. 27, I wasn't really excited to already have below freezing temperatures and snow.
That night, I headed over to my friend Tamela's apartment (where I'll be moving in 2 weeks!) and a few other people were over eating pizza, quesadillas, and drinking a few beers. It was a low key, really relaxing night with friends and fun and all in all, a great night.
This past week was a LONG week at school. It seems like we had more crying and diaper blowouts than normal, and we also had a girl fall and bit through her lip. Plus, we had an extra long staff meeting on Tuesday and then on Wednesday we had to dress up for Halloween and then do an after school Halloween party that lasted until 7PM. After ELEVEN contact hours with 2-3 year olds... I was exhausted and pretty much running on empty.
On Thursday Greg arrived to visit me. I met him after work and we just came back to the apartment and made dinner and relaxed since I had to work Friday. Friday I woke up and had to head to work. Greg slept in (much needed since he's been putting in crazy long hours at school and work. He spent the day lounging and then looking for some winter clothes/shoes, but all he found was a new hoodie/sweater (though a nice one!) Then he came to pick me up from work and see the school. From there, we headed to pick up a birthday gift for my friend Larry, and then went to Larry's birthday party at our favorite local bar, Kavárna "Na Sumave", which we all refer to as "Honsa's." Greg and I split a semi-dark beer that was on special, and then a really delicious lager and then said early goodbyes and headed to dinner reservations at Las Adelitas, one of the only places in this part of Europe to get good Mexican food.
When we got there, we ordered a pitcher of margaritas and a starter of chips and guac. Then Greg got enchiladas three ways (red salsa, mole, salsa verde) and I got chicken tacos topped very simply with red onion and a bit of cheese. Everything was really good, and while not completely authentic, a really solid meal that I think we were both happy with. Ater that, we'd planned to go explore Old Town, but I was really tired (ok, so maybe I had a bit too many margaritas) and so we headed home.
On Saturday, we got up and Greg went to get us fresh bread from Paul's bakery for breakfast... I like Czech bread but Paul's is a chain that sell french bakery stuff... it's expensive but worth it when you are craving something other than traditional dark, Czech bread (with rye flour and caraway seeds). Anyway, after breakfast we headed to an outlet mall to see if we could find better deals for Greg since he was still in desperate need of winter things. We found him another pullover/hoodie, 2 long sleeve t-shirts, a pair of jeans, and even a computer mouse since his broke. All in all, it was a successful day shopping. From the mall, we headed to my new neighborhood and spent some time wandering around.
We ducked into a little bar to grab a beer and met the owner (a man from Croatia) and a guy who must have been a regular who was in there drinking. He was a dual U.S./Czech citizen who emigrated to the U.S. in 1968 to flee communism and then returned in 1995 to the Czech republic after the fall of the communist regime. He had some interesting things to say about the Czech Republic and basically told me "Don't fall in love with it here... it's still messed up and be careful." ..... Comforting words... especially since as soon as we walked out of the bar I passed a guy holding a shrink wrapped machine gun. Oh, Eastern Europe.
From the bar, Greg and I headed to Tamela's apartment so he can see where I'm moving in 2 weeks. We spent some time checking out the apartment and talking with Tamela before heading next door to an Italian place called Osteria Da Clara that came highly recommended. It was the best meal I have had in a long time and by FAR the best meal I've had in Prague. We were seated immediately and brought TAP WATER (unheard of in Europe.... everyone serves only bottled water and charge you an arm and a leg for it). Next, we ordered a carafe of chardonnay which was really, really good and some classic bruschetta as our starter. To follow, we each had a primi serving of pasta. I got a classic tuscan spaghetti topped with a few tomatoes and tossed with breadcrumbs, olive oil, and some type of seafood. Greg got a pasta dish with italian sausage and pumpkin cream sauce. Next, we split an entree... a seared tuna steak with garlic, parsley, and a bit of fresh red cabbage and citrus fruits with a side a roasted potatoes, sauteed greens, roasted eggplant, and roasted red peppers. To finish the meal off, Greg had an Italian style espresso. All of this was only the equivalent of $44 USD and everything was fresh and fantastic, the service was excellent and the atmosphere was cozy and unpretentious. Definitely my new favorite place in the city.
Anyway, after dinner we decided to wander Prague so we took the tram back to the main part of town, got off and walked through Wenceslas Square and then to Old Town Square, then along the river, and finally got home well after midnight. This morning we just got up, Greg packed, and then we headed to meet the driver he was carpooling with. When I got home, I got a text from my co-teacher saying that she has a bad cold/maybe the flu and won't be at work for at least the next 3 days. My co-teacher is pretty much my hero and keeps the kids under control so I have no idea what I'm going to do with all those kids all by myself... I seriously hope they get a sub to help me but that's questionable b/c so many people are out sick with the same things right now.... still... it'll be a long and miserable week if it's me and 12 2 year olds all by myself.
Hope all is well back home. I miss everyone!
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