PICKING RIGHT BACK UP…..
Christmas Market
The Christmas Market was lovely! I went with some friends from the hostel. Not going to lie, I was semi-hangry and feeling tight for time when we arrived, but after I got a wurst in me and some glühwein (also after I realized that 1900 was 7:00 and not 9:00), I was much more chill.
- Side Note: You’d think after working as a nurse for 2 years, I would have gotten a grip on the 24-hour clock by now. I still haven’t. Oh well.
One friend got this pizza-like food called Lángos. It is fried dough with ketchup and cheese. I tried it. 4/10. Pizza is better (in my opinion).
Pirvnec Beerman
After exploring the market (and since it was actually only 8:00), we decided to go to a pub to keep hanging out. There was a place nearby recommended by my walking tour, U Pivrnce. It claimed you could color on the walls, so I was sold.
The restaurant is themed after the work of Petr Urban, one of Czech Republic’s most famous painters. The main feature is Ruda Pirvnec, a cartoon character who enjoys a few (few hundred maybe) pints of beer. In the comics, Mr. Pirvnec is able to face any of life challenges through his sense of humor and passion for beer.
Morning Jog
The next morning I jogged around a little as a way to see a bit more of the city. Here are some pretty photos 🙂
After my jog, I had to do a bit of shopping. I am sick of arguing with airport people about my carabiner-clipped shoes, and I figured I would be on trains more now, so I decided (with sadness at my own lack of minimalism) that I needed a small duffle bag.
Anyways … I HATE shopping. UGH it took so long. If I were home, I would just go to Amazon and order exactly what I needed, but instead I walked store to store for probably 4 hours. It was not fun. I really wanted to sit down. There was a cute cafe close-by, and I decided to check it out.
GLOBE Cafe & Baguette Boulevard
This darling cafe in Prague is exactly what I needed. To my friends from Ohio, if you like Cafe Kareouac, this is that but also kind of cooler. It is a bookstore/cafe/restaurant/bar.
By day, people are studying, eating, reading. Every night is some activity – trivia, open mics, etc. I think If I lived in Prague, I would go there often. My chai latte was 15/10.
Want cheap and fast food in Prague? Look no further than Baguette Boulevard (it’s a chain). Most of the sandwiches are $4-6, tasty, filling, and super quick! Pre-Concert Dinner? Check.
Philharmonic Orchestra
On my walking tour, we passed this gorgeous concert hall, the Rudolfinum, built in 1884. Without much expectation, I googled to see if anything was playing while I would be there. Turns out, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra would be playing on my last evening, and although most tickets ranged from $50-150, standing room tickets were just $8. HECK YES.
Well my Baguette Boulevard was perhaps TOO FAST. Also, I am not smart sometimes. I showed up at the concert hall 1.5 hours early. I could have easily walked back to the hostel, but there was actually something going on in front of the building.
For the next hour, I watched and listened to the protest happening for Palestine. It reminded me that while I am adventuring around, people are suffering, and there is work to be done. Also, my lack of knowledge with global politics is at best ignorant and at worst dangerous. If anyone has suggestions on how they stay up to date on world news, I would be really open to hearing.
Last but not least, the music. WOW. I feel like I couldn’t have scored a better deal with this concert. The orchestra opened with Debussy, proceeded to an insane piano concerto, then closed with “Pictures at an Exhibition” (one of my all-time favorite songs). AND then, they didn’t even end. As we stood applauding, the director said something along the lines of, “Happy Holidays” and launched into “Dance of the Sugar Plum” and then…um then…
OK. So I am silly. I cannot remember the actual name of this song. BUT We ALL know it. First person to tell the actual name wins.
Regardless, look HOW CUTE the conductor is as he dances along. Should I go back to school to become a conductor? Or, maybe one day I could just be really rich and guest conduct a professional orchestra but really just wave my hands and dance while they do everything. Both options to consider.
- Side Note: I was very under-dressed for this event, but I wore the best I had. When I was packing, I worried I HAD to have nice clothes for Europe. Europe is so high fashion?! BUT…I’m not. Of course, if I had a nicer outfit, I would have used it. However, it doesn’t make sense to pack one with such limited space. So yea… I wore my fancy jeans and Norwegian sweater. I enjoyed the music. No one shooed me out of the building. All was fine:)
To add to the awesomeness, after intermission, I took an open seat in the balcony! It was probably one of the best views I could have gotten!
Gratitude Bit
When I got back to the hostel, I thought I should attempt to use the sewing kit to fix a hole in my favorite sweater. As I sat on Wiki-how, a friend of mine popped out. She told me she was kind of a professional seamstress and offered to fix it for me.
Big shoutout to Tonje (recognize the name? She is also from Norway!). She patched the hole so amazingly and probably saved me from ruining my sweater more.
Well – that’s a wrap. Goodbye Prague. More to come.
Čau,
Ashley
Creating Space 
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