After One Month, a Few Top 5's

One month ago today, I arrived in Praha.  Looking back, I was pretty clueless the first few days, and literally had zero sense of direction.  Not that I really have a clue now, but I feel like I have been here long enough to have enough information to write a few top 5 lists of differences, things I miss, etc.

One of the favorite scenes in Prague, just because it looks like a movie theater set.

Top 5 Things I Miss from USA

5) The Subway $5 Footlong:  yes, they do have Subway here, but it really doesn't taste the same.

4) People smiling on the streets:  it just doesn't really happen.  It's not that people aren't friendly or happy, they are just, well, Czech.

3) Free ketchup and tap water at restaurants:  90% of the time (the exception pretty much being Bohemian Bagel, an American style restaurant), ketchup or condiments costs more at any fast food or regular restaurant.

2) ESPN:  Eurosport in German and CNN International are just not cutting it right now.

1) English grocery stores/ Wegmans:  as mentioned in a previous post, this is pretty much the thing I always miss the most when I'm away from home (aside from people obviously)


Top 5 Things I Don't Miss from USA

5) The absence of sausage stands on the main street corners:  something about having interesting fast food available for so cheap is great.

4) Snow:  Prague has no snow right now, and Erie/Ann Arbor have a lot from what I hear.

3) Expensive nights out/ the dollar bill:  things hear are so much cheaper, from simple things like groceries to paying cover at clubs.  I haven't paid more than $6 to get into a club, and drinks are just not big city prices.

2) American music:  why don't I miss it?  Because it is everywhere here!

1) Lots of cars and noise and no trams:  with the type of public transportation available in Prague, I don't see how anyone has to drive far, ever.  Then again, people in NYC say the same thing.

*Here I would also say Michigan sports, but it is too painful to really thing about.
*Soon enough, I will also say being the U.S. for the start of baseball season.


Top 5 Things I'm Looking Forward To the Next 3 Months

5) Having conversations in Czech with native Czechs:  a lofty goal, but slowly I have to be learning something, right?

4) Family coming to visit Friday!

3) Barcelona v. Real Madrid to end spring break/ spring break in general to Amsterdam and Spain:  Yes, I'm seeing two of the top teams in the world compete in Madrid the last Sunday of spring break!  Props to my friend Jake from U-M who I'm traveling for having a dad who is a ticket broker.  This is all after starting spring break in Amsterdam with 4 out of the 5 people I'm living with next year!

2) Other traveling experiences:  fortunately, it looks like I'm going to get to a bunch of different countries and see some awesome places.

1) (Hopefully) Learning something about international people and culture:  I can already see how people think about the U.S. outside of North America, but it is always a challenge to meet local people because the city is so international.  But, this should be a great experience.