Prague

It’s hard to have a bad day while it’s summer in Prague. Everyone is calm and pleasant, happy to be outside marveling at the tall, extravagantly-detailed, pastel-colored buildings, walking under the warm sun with the perfect amount of breeze slightly lifting sundresses. Cameras are out, lovers embrace, ice cream is in hand; it’s impossible not to feel like all is right with the universe. I am exactly where I need to be.

It was bitter sweet leaving Latin America, as I had grown accustomed to the language and late night culture. Quickly falling in love with four completely different countries and experiencing more in 6 months than I had probably experienced in my entire life, I was sad to leave and a bit nervous to come to Europe as I didn’t know what to expect. As soon as we landed and the weather transformed from winter into summer and I took a breath of fresh air, I knew that all was going to be alright. This city is what fairytales are made from, it’s not like anywhere I’ve ever been. The pace here is much slower and reserved, quite the change from Argentina. Businesses operate at regular hours, it’s generally quiet and extremely clean. I remember hearing a baby cry or a dog bark for the first time and realizing that it had been several days since I had heard any noise at all. I saw a woman spit her gum out onto the street and was appalled that a person could disrespect a city that prides itself on being spotless. Must’ve been a tourist. The transportation system is famously known throughout the world as being easy and reliable to use. The trams pass by, barely making a sound, carrying locals and tourist seamlessly throughout the city.

This month I won the jackpot with both my roommate and our apartment. Easily the nicest apartment I’ve ever lived in, when we first walked in our jaws dropped as we peered up at the high ceilings, huge open windows, and enough room for ten people. Our kitchen was fully equipped and we even had a washer. A dream place to live in a nearly perfect city. My roommate and I fell in love with our space and our neighborhood. The first day we walked around, almost in tears, winding through parks and gawking at giant gothic churches, passing ice cream shops and smiling at all the small dogs.

The icing on the cake had to be our co-working space, K10. A former Danish embassy, this mansion included a gorgeous green open lawn, where we could do yoga after work, a chef who made the most delicious healthy lunches, and décor that made you feel like a million bucks every time you came to work. Nothing about this month was negative for me. I joined a local yoga studio that had classes in English, ran along the river, and saw all the sights that Prague is known for. Before I got here, I had heard many people state that Prague was their favorite city and I can understand why. Here are a few of the highlights.
Old Town City Tour

Since Prague was the only city not to be bombed during World War II, history is found in every crevice. Original buildings, classic churches, ancient statues, and of course, the famous bridges that Prague is known for, have all been preserved and admired for centuries. I immediately did a free walking tour in Old Town and learned about this peaceful city. Surviving wars, Communism, and corrupt politics, Prague has respectively kept a peaceful profile, and it’s something you can feel when you’re here. The crime rate is extremely low, outdoor bars and music halls shut down at 10pm to keep neighborhoods quiet, farmer’s markets line the streets, everyone walks, locals live and let live. One day I went to get groceries from a supermarket across town and amongst trying to carry all my bags through the streets and on public transportation, I noticed my backpack had been open the entire time with nothing taken. That would never have been the case in Latin America.
Although Old Town is overwhelmed with tourist, winding through the tiny cobblestone streets, staring at the stunning architecture, and eating gelato, is a must do.
Bohemia Paradise

By the next weekend, I was itching for nature and organized a hike with a few friends. A local guide drove us out to Bohemia Paradise, a beautiful nature park with castles and trails, huge sandstone rock formations, and the tallest trees I’ve ever seen. Ah, heaven. Every time I go hiking, I feel like a kid again, running through the trees, trying to locate tiny animals, climbing on rocks, and searching for the highest, best viewpoint. Clean air, less people and warm sunshine, this is my happy place. We spent a day wondering the huge park, stopping for a picnic lunch, swapping stories and listening to our interesting guide share his journeys with us. I’m grateful for these outdoor adventures that I get to share with a smaller group of people. While I love being alone on the trails, I especially love sharing these open spaces and deep conversations that can only be found in the wilderness.
Local Experiences

Our city team this month was incredible, they made our stay here extra special. One of the team members took us on her everyday run through the forest. I may have invited myself to join her, as I was desperately missing trail running, but she cheerfully welcomed me and a few others to run with her. It was another perfect day outside, being active and making memories. Another unique experience was having a private screening of a movie called, Operation Anthropoid, about the WWII mission to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich that took place in Prague. Following this heart-stopping movie, we did a city tour of famous spots in the city where these events happened. Never in my life have I watched a movie about a true story, then had the opportunity to stand where it all happened. It was a humbling and emotional experience.

One Saturday our track experience was an outdoor escape around the city, similar to the Amazing Race. Divided into two teams, we had to solve clues and beat the other team to the next location. Being the competitive group that we are, naturally we all took off sprinting through the center of Prague, in the middle of the day. My favorite part was one of the clues instructed us to order 6 ice creams, take a photo, then we could get the next clue. When we got the next clue, none of us wanted to ditch our ice cream, so we continued running through the city while trying to lick ice cream before it melted. You cannot waste a good cone!
Other summer days were spent swimming in the local lake, playing sand volleyball, listening to jazz on a boat on the river, eating out every chance I could get, reading barefoot in parks, and of course, walking for miles and miles through this storybook city.
In month 7, I learned to be ok with a slower pace, living like a true Czech. While most of the remotes are whisking off to all the incredible and accessible cities in Europe, I have chosen to stay put and live in the cities in the itinerary. It was always my goal to live abroad and traveling every weekend is overwhelming and disruptive to me. I enjoy routine and staying balanced, it’s how I know to be healthy and sane, in addition to maintaining a full-time job. The long summer days make it feel like I could accomplish everything I want to do in a day, while fully immersing myself in each city. Belgrade is our next stop, while I know next to nothing about this city, I am looking forward to exploring Serbia. The Balkan Mountains await.

