Yay for birthdays!

Today was a great blessing. Waking up and going into work on your birthday is never fun, but we went ahead and went into work... However once getting there we were told to be gone by lunch and go enjoy the day. So we did. First they got me pastries and brought in oreos- REAL american OREOS! Yum! We worked until lunch and then headed out.

After dropping things at home (and a quick nap) we headed out. We went through Wenceslas Square looking for a lamp-post that is really unique, however we couldn't find it. We eventually stopped looking since we work real close to the area and can always go back. We went on the train up to Namesti Republicki and found an Apple Store, went around and saw the area, and found Bohemia Bagel. That's a great place to eat that is an American-style cafe. This place introduced the bagel to Prague (self-claimed) and also the bottomless beverages. It's a nice break, and they have a menu in english. Awesome. And they serve breakfast all day. Double awesome.



We searched for the Jewish Ghetto and found a complete different part of town. However it was fun. We saw a square which was also in Mission Impossible. (photo below)

Rounded out at the Charles Bridge by accident, and then eventually found the Jewish Ghetto. Although not your typical birthday thing to do, we went ahead and went in. There's a lot of interesting historical items there, such as a few rooms with all the Czech Jews who were killed in the Holocaust's name written on the wall. There's also a section of children's drawings that were done in concentration camps which was really neat to look at, but also very sad. We also visited the Jewish Cemetery which is a small plot of land with hundreds of headstones piled on each other. There are also many unnamed and unmarked bodies buried there as well. It was sad to see how they were treated. All in all a very humbling experience.



After touring the town we headed home, then out to dinner at a place Bryan had gone to before when he was here. This was his favorite place and we had a hard time remembering where it was (thanks Laura!) It was really good and a nice way to end a great day.

So yes, my birthday in Prague was a little different, but good all the same. Thanks for all the birthday love!

-Brittany

Cesky Krumlov & Charles Bridge

(pronounced Chesky Krumlov)



Roadtrips are always entertaining and this one proved to be nothing less. We left here quite early Saturday morning (us being Bryan, Natalie, Sharon, and myself) headed off to Cesky Krumlov. As we arrived at the office to get in the car we found Natalie driving a stick shift for relatively the first time. She had driven before but driving in the city of Prague is a different experience than anywhere else. And she's also only driven the van, so the following problem makes a little more sense: she couldn't get the car into reverse. So as we enter the parking garage we find the car diagonally parked in the middle of a three point turn, stuck. So naturally I filmed it while Bryan pushed the car. It was a good start.

So we make it Cesky Krumlov which is the second most visited city in the Czech as well as home to the second biggest castle, and one of two Baroque style theaters in the world still in existence. It was a really nice city and I would suggest googling it actually. Parts of Hostel and The Illusionist were also filmed there. The city also has a river that snakes around the city center, almost like a natural fortress. It was really awesome to watch the kayakers going around the city and even watching some wipe out when going over this small dip in the river. Entertaining.

We parked right next to the castle and then walked under a wall of the castle to get in. It was different. Although it was a castle... it didn't look anything like Cinderella's in Disney. There was one section, the tower that looked like your typical castle but the rest was mostly a serious of buildings with corridors and courtyards along the way. The castle did have a moat of sorts. However instead of the typical alligator moat you think of, this one had bears. And there were actually bears in there wondering about.



The castle had a lot of neat architecture and corridors and things that we couldn't really see but from what we did it was amazing. One interesting this is all the detail inside buildings and outside is all fresco, meaning it's painted on. They have a theater, for performing arts there that is from the Baroque period. We do not have any pictures because we were not allowed to take any, and the lighting in there was horrible. But it was really neat. This building also had the fresco paintings so everything looks 3D but it's really painted that way on a flat surface. Kinda awesome. This theater is only used three times a year since it is so old, and only one of those times is open to public. it's very small inside as well so not many people would be able to sit in there anyway. We also got to see under the stage and all the machines they used to move things on the stage during performances, etc. And they had the wind machine, rain machine, and thunder board they used to imitate storms for plays. The bad thing was they only had German tours offered that day so we joined with one so we could at least see it. Good thing was Bryan studied this theater in school (which was one reason we wanted to see it so bad) and since he studied it, he knew a lot so it wasn't a waste since everyone else in the room spoke German.



We also climbed the castle tower and saw the overview of the city, which was too beautiful. We went to town square, saw old buildings with all their historical significance, went into the old church, souvenir shops, local shops, and a basic walking tour through the whole town. One food they have here which is amazing is a "turdlo". I called it a turd-load all day because I didn't understand what was being said. Classy. It's dough baked on a cylinder and once it's done they pull it off so it's a cylinder, empty in the middle and roll in cinnamon or sugar. Delicious!



Then we tacked a hike (the tour book called easy, I would disagree) called the Stations of the Cross. It was up a hill with the stages of Jesus' death along the way. I believe at one time the the markers (which were large) had paintings of each station on them, however now are mostly gone. These lead up to the Chapel on the Hill/Mountain which overlooks the entire city and has amazing, amazing views. it's a difficult hike, but would be great for anyone able to make it!

It was a great visit and being able to see another town, or even countryside and life outside the big life of Prague was nice.

Today we went over to the Charles Bridge. Bryan went before and saw the excitement but I was eager to go as well. And since it was nice all weekend (hallelujah) we went. Charles Bridge is going from City Center over to the Castle. It's really pretty and the castle sits right on the other side. The bridge is a walking bridge only and is often lined with tourists since it's one of the most popular tourist areas. Therefore the local artists, musicians, and street performers set up there as well. There are mostly jewelry stands and then artists. They sell a lot of pictures or paintings of the Prague scenery. As well as some caricatures and then you have the musicians. it's a very fun place to go, and you actually hear mostly English while there (it's nice!) I got a necklace that I just love from there today and there were plenty of other things I would like as a souvenir as well!

For those who have seen Mission Impossible that first part was filmed in Prague. (I hadn't seen it until tonight when we watched it so i could see all the parts filmed in Prague!) **Spoiler Alert** This movie came out mid-90's but if you just haven't gotten around to watching it... I may ruin something with my next few sentences! The "embassy" in the beginning of the movie (which I think is just some performance building or something) is right by the bridge and I saw that tonight & the bridge Jim falls off of when "he's shot" is the Charles Bridge! It's a true story.



All in all, great weekend. We traveled, saw some great things, grocery shopped, cleaned the kitchen, and did laundry. All with the sun shining brightly outside. Can't beat that!




-Brittany

Cinema City

Tonight I had my first movie experience in Prague. Bryan went a few times when he was here last time however I was new to the game. Luckily Bryan had experienced movie-watching here so we did go into it knowing there were assigned seats. So I went online to see the movie time and seat choices. I had been on there the other day and struggled a bit since I don't read Czech, but today I noticed the nice option on the tippy-top corner of the web-page for viewing the site in English. It helped a little. So I went on there, found the time, looked at the seats, and reserved them online. How awesome is that? You can also pay, but if you don't want to pay first you're only requirement to guarantee your seats is to arrive 30 minutes before the movie starts. If you're late... they give those seats to whomever wants them and you're stuck with whatever is left. It's a good process I feel.

So we ordered online, picked the tickets up quite early, wondered around the mall and ate dinner. There's a restaurant in the mall you should avoid at all costs if ever in Prague. It's called Panda Fast Food instead of Panda Express. Sunday some of the girls from church said the workers were rude. More or less the workers scoffed at their Czech-speaking attempt. Tonight they did the same to Bryan. It was also rude. So we ate at KFC.

The movie was good, pretty crowded. Since there are assigned seats there are areas of the theater that are super crowded and others that are completely empty. Theoretically I guess you could move if you wanted, but our seats were really good so we did not. However everyone was cranky since the rows are so crowded and with people coming and going you have no choice but to get up and push your seat up anytime someone goes in or out. Not a huge deal, but the surrounding folks did not agree.

All in all it was a good experience. Movie was filmed in English so it played in English with Czech sub-titles which are a little distracting but Harrison Ford's action hero poses kept me entertained enough to eventually ignore them.

Tomorrow is Cesky Krumlov. Excited? You betcha!

-Brittany

You haven't lived until you see Hungarian folkloric dance.

The rain has been a bit of a downer on the mood around Prague lately. It's really hard to get excited about being up early in the morning when the rain just beckons you to stay warm in bed. And Bryan and I aren't the only ones feeling this. However today was a little nicer in the sense that it was gloomy and did sprinkle a little but, but that was about the extent. A nice break. Typically it works out that it rains in the morning.... and starts again about an hour before work is over. Go figure. But the weather eventually will improve I'm told and we'll be able to get around the city a little better. Cold rain and cold weather equal sickness which is one thing we are trying to avoid while here.

With that said.... we've spent the last few days more or less in the apartment. We ventured out to the Tesco which is similiar to the Wal-mart. However it's in a mall type setting. Somewhat similar to Forest Fair Mall (for all you Cincinnatians) minus the ferris wheel. There seemed to be a lot of interesting stores but we opted to just grocery shop the first time and then go back on a rainy day (which I'm sure we'll have more of) and explore the rest. But the Tesco... the bottom floor is food and then you go upstairs. How do you get upstairs when grocery carts are involved? Just imagine a moving ramp... like an escalator minus the steps. It was pretty entertaining. Upstairs is clothes, toiletries, and just about everything else in the world. It's a nice shopping option. However one tip for shopping abroad. Even if you are going to a country with a tremendously difficult and different language... say the Czech Republic at least think about writing out major grocery items in that language so you don't have to rely on guessing. Just some advice. Luckily for us we made mostly good guesses. However we were looking at this beef and thinking it looked really fatty. Come to find out some of their "ground beef" has pork mixed in too. So if it looks a fatty... it may just be pork... no worries..

Tonight we went to One World which was hosted by some students at the university that attend the International Church. Not only was it quite informational, it was super entertaining. Between the dancing, singing, and food we had a grand old time. Not only did we hear some awesome songs... we got the privilege to see a Hungarian guy whose passion was folkloric dance.. of the Hungarian variety. He did two dances. They looked a little unintentional at first, but I learned quickly it is an art. And then he got the props involved. Overwhelmingly impressed. It was also hilarious when the speaker was talking about differences between countries and went on and on about different things that varied. Then he went on about what was the same... one was how everyone hates America. It was meant as a joke... and we all chuckled a bit too. Well afterwards we were talking to him and he then realized that our whole row was American. And he felt so horrible. That too was entertaining. But really it was a great night and a good time to hang out with new people from all over (but that we actually could speak with!)

Friday is Indiana Jones Night. We're going to go see it. We've thought about the last two days, but opted to make it a Friday night thing. Then Saturday we are going with some friends to Cesky Krumlov. Not 100% sure what is there but we're excited to find out. We're also going to hopefully be seeing some other places... possibly even some of the areas the Chronicles of Narnia were filmed.

Things in the office are getting a little more routine as well. As we get adjusted to being here, they too are getting adjusted to just being here which makes the workflow and teamwork come along a little nicer. Although we haven't gotten too deep into any projects while waiting for equipment (more so Bryan than me) we've gotten used to the idea which is the first step. We have got some work done, but it's all in phases especially when dealing with media in which the final project was created by many people.

And one more thing... one local place sells Dr. Pepper. It's by our friend's apartment. They're bringing me a 2-liter tomorrow...and I couldn't be happier.

-Brittany

Reasons It's Different In Prague

DSC_0018, originally uploaded by **brittany**.

1. It rains a lot

2. You have to walk everywhere (like get up, get ready, and walk 25 minutes to get to work.... seriously.)

3. If you don't buy food from a restaurant you have to pay 5kc, which is about 33 cents to use the restroom. But have no fear, you get a receipt and if you then choose to buy food you get 5kc off your food purchase. It all works out I guess.

4. There's never ice in your beverages, which is good since you don't typically drink the water from here, you would want to know where your ice came from and in public that's not usually possible.

5. If you order water you'll get "water with gas" ie mineral water, or soda water.

6. You get much smaller portions. A "value meal" has a small fry and drink with the sandwich and is typically a little more expensive then at home (but cooking at home is less expensive then home... it evens out)

7. Condiments are not free! You want ketchup, fork up 5kc (33 cents). Good news is the packets are not as small as home, one packet here is about two from home.

8. You don't smile at people on the street, or really make eye contact. Not different from all parts of the US, but a lot different then the KY.

9. Everything is recycled, even in McDonald's! And don't go to the store without bringing bags or you may end up with an armful of veggies for the walk home.

With all that said. We had McDonald's yesterday. Bryan was looking for the dollar menu, which does not exist. Quite entertaining. It's just easiest to order the "Menu" with is equivalent to our value meal. This particular McDonald's was in the square which is a high tourist area, therefore they spoke a bit of English. (which you learn to be grateful for quickly). We ordered our food and hunted down a seat... which was almost impossible. We were sitting by the restroom and seriously in about a 5 minute span that McDonald's made at least 5-10 dollars on the bathroom alone! And yes, there is a bathroom attendant who stands outside with a cash register. Crazy! However the bathrooms were lit by a black-light so maybe that's worth the money.

Also, we had the most "American" version of food since we've been here. It has to be because we were in the square. We had a medium fry and medium drink (WITH ICE) and they gave us each a ketchup packet complimentary. It was a nice little touch of home.

Watching us try and find a place to put the garbage was entertaining. There wasn't just a garbage can or anything. There is a small tower where you have room to put like 10 trays. You put the tray there and someone takes it and presumably sorts the garbage. A lot different.

-Brittany

Zombie Hamsters in Austin

FILE0075
Originally uploaded by **brittany**

It seems to rain quite a bit here. Last night on the way home, and once again this morning on the way to church. Just your average torrential downpour. We did go to the English-speaking Church today which was a little different than what we're used to, but it was good. There were lots of countries represented and somehow we embodied KFC and the Kentucky Derby for the church- Go Kentucky.

Afterwards we all trekked down to the local mall food court for lunch. Prague isn't much different than America I guess. It was nice since we haven't really done the group-lunch-after-church-thing in awhile, although that's kinda what I am used to. We are really grateful to be automatically included into everything even though we've only been here a few days.

This morning at church we met some new girls who have been here for awhile. They teach English and will live here until July. It was nice talking to someone new and hearing about their experience since it's different than everyone else's we've met so far. They were also telling us of their unique experience yesterday. They were walking in Old Town and looked up and saw a zombie. Random, but nothing to be concerned with... until there were lots of zombies. Zombie brides, nurses, you name it- pretty much having a parade. Well, actually having a parade. Apparently it was Zombie Day. Who knew?

Also, GI Joe is being filmed here... we may just have to hunt that one down too.

Made our first meal tonight. The spaghetti sauce was different. We couldn't read the name/flavor, so we just went with it. It was a little...well a lot too onion-flavored for our liking. Almost tasted like Mexican-Italian, if that exists. However the pasta and homemade garlic bread was great. We're waiting for the brownies to get out of the oven for our dessert!

All in all, good first weekend, work starts tomorrow! Should be a new experience as well. I will be going to the office everyday which we were not aware of at first. It should be entertaining since Bryan will be doing lots of technical work and tomorrow my job is making name-tags. Basically I'm helping where ever needed... and that job right now is name tags, so that's what I'm doing!

Last thing to accomplish before the weekend ends.... which is in about an hour here... is to try and get on a decent sleep pattern, we aren't doing too well with that. It's not that we're going on the time from home, no we're still going to bed at the normal time we would, which means it's just really late here.... and having to get up early doesn't work so well.... but we'll adjust soon...I hope!


-Brittany

Praha

We made it here! It was a long journey, but we are here in Prague safe and sound.

We left home Monday morning quite early and drove up to my aunt’s house a few miles north of Albany, NY. We spent the first full day there, Tuesday up at Lake George and surrounding areas. It was nice and had some great views of the Adirondack foothills. Wednesday we went through Albany to see the governor's mansion, capital, and tulip festival which was nice. Then we headed down to Jersey where we had good Chinese food, caught our car (which was running late and had Nana a little scared), and headed to JFK. The driver was less then personable so we really didn't know what we were passing, but noticed a few landmarks from the car through fog.





We had to wait to check-in like an hour, but after that it only took like 20 minutes to go through security and be at our gate. Everything took off well, despite being a little tight squeeze on the plane. By the way, British Airways keeps you well fed! They served us different kinds of food constantly- snacks, dinner, breakfast, you name it! We had some delay on the landing, then the runway, then the leaving of the plane. Apparently a plane not to long before us landed and the tires exploded. That put the airport down to one runway for arrivals and departures, and basically set everything back… in total we were about 3 hours late getting into Prague. The nice thing from London to Prague was we were in the exit aisle and although there were three seats, no one else was in our row.

As far as our apartment goes, it’s amazing. We’ve got so much room, more then we really need. The family that lives here left us a book full of instructions on how to use everything like our German designed washer and dryer. German is another language I don’t speak (I’m adding to that list daily here!) The inside of the apartment is great, but one super-different thing is how you get into a building. Every building has an outside door for added security, cool right? Well ours is uber-creepy. It opens on its own once you turn the key. It moves and creaks very slowly, and has an “eye” that if you get in front of the sensor it will stop moving. It’s not too disturbing now, but the first night- I went outside, the creaking door, spot lights coming on, men laughing in another language; most intimidating thing ever! But we’re good now.

Our first full day in the city was great, we slept. Once we did get up we headed towards town which means a decent walk until we get bus passes, and on this particular day a decent walk in the rain. We ate at KFC, which was amazing because first it was good, second because one of the meal options was the “Kentucky Menu” which was of course the fried chicken option. The guy working knew we were not Czech just about as soon as Bryan started talking. It was quite entertaining. Few differences; no ice included in beverages and condiments you have to pay extra for. Pretty much made my day. We also went to the office, found out I’ll actually be working in the office more then we thought, more like everyday, so at least I’ll have something to do! We also are going to Bulgaria, and Bryan will be going to Macedonia (jealous!) Otherwise nothing too much is set in stone.

We got the chance to hang out with some people remotely our age from the office last night, which was really nice. One couple lives really close to us. And tonight we were thrown a surprise party. I’m still not sure why they are calling it a surprise since that was about the first thing we were told about when we got here. But it was good. We actually ended up on that side of town after just walking around all afternoon and just went to their house. Then on the way home, we were rained upon intensely. But we made it home without really looking at the map. Bryan was grateful I was navigating (at least I think so).

We’ve seen a lot of the city, it’s beautiful. We will get the chance to get out more soon. We’ve got to go grocery shopping soon too! There’s local small places, but the bigger stores, Tesco (British chain, like a Wal-mart, has a lot more) are a little farther way, so we haven’t made it there yet. And just for anyone concerned, there is not only an Ikea in this town, there are two! Amazing!

In other news, Bryan broke a sconce the second night we were here. The apartment is an attic therefore there is slanted ceilings on one side of the house... well Bryan stood up and above the couch is a lamp, well his big head, or shoulder, or neck, or whatever it was busted it up. I was laying in bed and groaned aloud when I heard the crash. So now on our things to do will be to replace that.

That's about it so far, we'll keep ya updated. Be sure to check out our flickr account for more photos (it seems to take forever to upload on here!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/britspit/




-Brittany

Last Night Stateside

In a little less than 24 hours we will be on the plane on the way to Prague, with a brief stop in London for some fish and chips (for Bryan). It's been an eventful last week to say the least. Bryan finished school and graduated Saturday. We packed, moved, cleaned, spent time with friends and family, and came to New York, where we currently are.

It's been a bittersweet week. Between all the next steps forward, Bryan's Grandma-ma passed away. This has hit very hard since he was quite close to her, however had been watching her suffer for sometime now. The family had the funeral today, however we had to continue on with our travel plans to ensure we get to Prague on time. His family understands this, and it is what she would have wanted, but it's still been a hard day.

We appreciate everything everyone has done so far. Please continue to stay in touch as we want to hear from everyone while we're gone. We're flying out tomorrow!! That so much for all the prayers and support.

-Brittany