Thursday, September 20, 2012

Settling In and Starting Classes


Hi,
I can’t believe another week has already passed.  As you may have heard, the Czech Republic is currently in Prohibition.  Following the deaths of 20 people from methanol-laced alcohol sales of all hard alcohol has been banned.  Luckily I am not one to purchase street alcohol so I am healthy and safe.  

Last Friday we went on a guided tour of Prague Castle.  Though we didn’t have time to go inside any of the buildings it was fascinating to see the Presidential Palace, gardens, and St. Vitus Cathedral up close.  I look forward to visiting again to further explore these sights.  Friday night our entire CIEE program headed to the National Theatre for the opera “La Traviata”.  The building was spectacular though my seat did not lend itself for a good view of the action on stage.  Instead I kept myself occupied by listening to the Italian being sung and trying to translate it to English without looking at the Czech and English subtitle screen above the stage.  It was fun to get all dressed up and enjoy a night out on the town.
 Inside the Opera house.

 St. Vitus Cathedral within the Prague Castle
A close-up of a mural on St. Vitus Cathedral.

As I mentioned above, we started classes on Monday.  I am enrolled in Beginning Czech, Media Impact on Central Europe, Comparative European Economics, Psychology of Transition and Transformation, and my favorite: Art and Architecture of Prague.  Though I have absolutely no art background, Art and Architecture is my best class.  We have lecture on Monday and every Wednesday we go on a field trip to a spot around the city to experience what we are learning about up close.  Wednesday we went to Old Town Square.  We met outside the famous Astronomical Clock.  After watching the small show the clock performs every hour, we went inside the building that houses the clock.  
The astronomical clock in Old Town Square.
A behind the scenes view of the 12 Apostles--every hour these figurines pop out of the clock.
We explored several rooms before heading underground to original 12th century rooms.  
Heading underground into the original house frames.
We exited through a room that contained a beautiful mosaic with collages of important Czech symbols and people. Next Wednesday we head to the Jewish Quarter to explore several synagogues. 
 A mural of a lion, the CR's national animal
A mural of St. Wenceslas
Last night I visited a Czech tea room with some friends and Czech buddies.  The tea room was quite removed from town and located in a tower.  We had to remove our shoes when we entered.  We sat on the floor on pillows around a low table.  My tea was delicious—I chose a hot ginger flavor.  The atmosphere made me sleepy and by the time we stood up to leave my entire right leg had fallen asleep.  Though I enjoyed my beverage I would not recommend tea rooms to anyone with long limbs like me.

Tonight I leave for Split, Croatia.  I’m excited to travel to a new country though I am dreading the 13 hour bus ride.  That’s all for this week and I can’t wait to share tales of my trip to Croatia next week!

Katharine

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