I’ve been in Prague for a little more than a month, and I can’t decide if that’s an eternity or a blink of the eye. On one hand, I feel like I just got here, and I am still in the process of learning the city. Yet midterms (yay, midterms!) are creeping up, which will in a way mark the midway point. At the same time, last week feels like, well, a lot longer than a week ago. Time doesn’t really make sense to me.
Originally I decided to write a one-month summary of my time in Prague. I then realized how boring of a post that would be. So instead, I figured I’d have my pals John Lennon, TLC, and some others help tell my tale. This is my one-month mixtape:
Small Town –John Mellencamp
I’ve lived in small towns for most of my life, so living in the heart of a large city has been an adjustment. So far, so good, though. My one complaint would be the constant noise coming from the street below my second-story window, but the accessibility of, well, everything and the constant activity makes up for the noise. I’ve heard cities are typically expensive, but…
Thrift Shop – Macklemore
Prague is like one massive thrift shop in the sense that everything is so cheap. This creates a problem, however, because since everything is cheap, I buy too many unnecessary things to embrace the cheapness. So because Prague is cheap, I’m spending a lot of money. Makes sense, right?
No Scrubs — TLC
People dress too nicely in Prague, which leaves me, a scrub, trying to keep up. So many sweet shirts, and nice pants! Ugh, all I want to do is go to class in sweatpants.
You Are a Tourist – Death Cab For Cutie
That’s right, Ben Gibbard. I am indeed a tourist. Since I’ve been here for a month, I try to convince myself I’m a local – but, let’s real; I’m not. I still get all googley-eyed walking around this gorgeous city. And the Czech students in my classes sometimes remind me I am a tourist. Thanks guys!
Imagine – John Lennon
Naturally, my favorite spot in Prague is a popular tourist attraction. The John Lennon Wall just has such a sweet aura, though. Students created the wall in the 1980s as a means of protesting against the slowly dying Communist regime. They would decorate it with Lennon quotes, Beatles lyrics, and practically any message of peace. People have continued sharing their messages of peace and love, and the wall seems to transform every few weeks. I’m looking forward to making my fourth trek to the wall this weekend when a few friends visit me.
Tie Up The Tides – Quilt
Additionally, the wall embodied Prague’s underground music scene that existed during the Communist era. Communism is gone, but the music scene remains. There seems to be some cool show every night. I’ve managed to check out a few places, and have yet to leave unhappy. Quilt was my favorite random show I’ve seen here.
Taking Care of Business – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
I swear I do some productive things too. For example, I intern at Transitions Online, an online publication covering Eastern Europe and Central Asia, two or three days a week. Typically, I write a piece for the site’s daily news briefing, which I love. In addition to the work, I’ve met some interesting people from around Europe and have been exposed to a part of the city I probably wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
Save Tonight – Eagle-Eye Cherry
We get social at Transitions, too. One night, a group of us did some trivia-night event, and had a blast. I didn’t help the team too much though. My one contribution: for a name-that-tune portion I nailed Save Tonight when no one else in the group knew it. Score one for Jack.
Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
I go to school too, I promise. My favorite course thus far has been a 1960s and 1970s U.S. history course. Before registration, I knew I wanted to take some sort of American history course so I could compare it to American teachings. I pounced on this course as soon as I could, since this era is so fascinating. I hoped for a new perspective, and wow, did I find one. My ultra-traditional professor and my forward-thinking class constantly clash, which creates great discussion. In one discussion, he blamed the students for the Kent State shootings. In another discussion, he mentioned his distaste for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. So here you go professor, CSNY criticizing the government for the Kent State shootings.
Rather Be – Clear Bandit featuring Jess Glynne
Yes it’s cheesy. Yes it’s cliché. But right now, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than Prague. The past month has been incredible.
Thanks for reading!
Selfie of the week: Because I am an egotistical millennial, here is the selfie of the week:
You’re in luck… Two selfies!
The only bad part about our trip to Krakow was the eight-hour bus rides. And even they weren’t terrible.
Doug slept, though. Lame.
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