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