sarg's blog

NYC
Normally I take my time when I am writing a blog post. I try to gather my thoughts ahead of time as well. Depending on the assigned topic, some posts have been much easier for me to write than others. This one, right now, is definitely the hardest. I am not exactly sure how I want to conclude my experience and in that, I do not know what I want to feel, think or say.
I am grateful that my experience abroad gave me the opportunity to travel and see places that I had never been before, while I also met new people. I foreshadowed Prague being a more difficult place to adjust to but it has become a more western, consumer culture over recent years, making it easier for U.S. travelers like myself to fit in. I feel like a more independent person as well. I gained new insight into people and I know that my perspective can be considered a global one now.
Towards the end of the program I also began to realize the things and people that I miss from New York. I miss my closest friends, who have known me for a few years now. I miss the convenience of already being part of a culture and not having to think twice before I speak English in a grocery store. I especially miss being able to pick up my cell phone and call anyone to talk. Czech phones have allowed us to communicate by text messages at a relatively cheap cost, but I miss hearing my friends’ voices and how easy it is to communicate verbally. I miss being able to call my mother 10 times a day to tell her anything on my mind.
Yet I am simultaneously thankful that I was able to get to know a Czech family through tutoring Veronika, otherwise I would have felt even more detached to Czech culture than I already do by not speaking the language. I will always remember Lenka and Veronika for teaching me various things about life here and abroad. I hope to see them again one day, perhaps when Veronika is a bit older and traveling to the United States.
I hope that years from now I look back on this experience as a time in my life when I grew the most. Not only that, but when I enjoyed myself to the fullest. In Prague, I did not have an internship and felt much less responsibility than I do in New York. I felt more relaxed and was able to enjoy traveling. From here on out, I know that I will only have more obligations in my life. I want to continue travelling throughout my lifetime, but I will never have these four months back again. If I could freeze a moment of time in Prague, it would be one full of laughter with friends. But I don’t want to freeze time; I’m ready to move forward and move on.

Blog
This course is exactly what I expected from the beginning. After a few weeks, I really enjoyed blogging about the various topics that we were assigned to write about. Sometimes, I thought that I just wanted to write about one of my trips or free write, but it forced me to evaluate different aspects of my experience. Thus, looking back I appreciate the assigned posts. I did not have a problem getting the blogs in on time. At first I thought it was going to be one post a week and then it changed to every five days, which was a little bit much sometimes, especially if I was traveling when the blog was due (like now, for example, I am posting this blog early because I am going to Amsterdam for the weekend). My only suggestion is to keep up with the assigned blogs and maybe remove a few and allow for more open topics. I know that students may or may not struggle with the open topic blog, but it could also produce more creative and interesting posts as well. Overall I feel like it was a great experience that allowed me to reflect on my study abroad program in many different ways and I am grateful that now I have my thoughts and memories collected in one place on the Internet.

Beer Garden
If you are planning on studying in Prague, one of my biggest pieces of advice is to take advantage of the beautiful weather. In the springtime there are paddleboats that you can rent on the Vtlava River as well as beautiful parks to have a picnic or lay outside. One of my favorite activities recently has been hanging out with my friends here in one of the beer gardens in the park nearby. When the weather is nice, it’s more fun to be outside and there is a great view of the Prague castle.
In terms of location, the two NYU dorms, Slezka and Machova, are located in a neighborhood called Vinohrady. It’s right outside of the main part of Prague and it’s a rather small residential area. I have really appreciated living here in Machova because it is conveniently located to stores, a short walk from Wenceslas Square, and not that much further to the NYU campus and Old Town Square. However, Prague is a relatively small city and it is also easy to get around and navigate for the most part (even though I do not know how to pronounce most of the Czech street names).
One aspect of my study abroad experience that I would highly recommend is my job tutoring. If you can in someway find a family, friend or Czech student to befriend, it will teach you a lot about Czech culture. Since the people here are mostly quiet and reserved, the family that I tutor for has really shown me a side of Prague and Czech life that I would not have seen otherwise. Also, something that I did not quite take advantage of enough was our RA’s. They are a great source of information and they also can give you insight into Czech culture.

Sunny day in Old Town Square
In “On Habit,” de Botton discusses our mindset when we travel and when we are at home in a familiar place. These familiar places become habitual to us. It is a reflex for us to look at such places without taking the time to notice or appreciate the beauty that may lie within a place we consider home. However, if we take on the observant mindset that we use when traveling, then when we go back home we can embrace things and places that we may have previously taken for granted or seen a dozen times before. In a new city or country we are, “Receptive, we approach new places with humility […] We are alive to the layers of history beneath the present and take notes and photographs.” This openness is a way we can look at every place, even if it is not new. Instead of overlooking a place that has just as much history or beauty, we should take the time to soak it in.
De Botton also wrote, “We have become habituated and therefore blind to it,” about home. But, I do not feel blinded. I know that it is important to notice things that we see on a daily basis. Whether I am walking by the Empire State building on Fifth Avenue or appreciating the mountain range that my family’s house in Arizona overlooks, I have always known and believed that taking the time to notice the beauty in our habitual lives is important. I realize that I am able to do this now. In New York City, I find I am fascinated by new places, or exploring parts of the city that I have never been or that I do not know well. I also realize that I am exposed to such different places between New York City and Arizona that it allows me to reflect on the different terrains and forms of beauty that each place offers.
The other night in Prague my friend said to me, “I am definitely going to miss this moment when I am home,” and I asked him what he meant. He responded, “Being able to look out this very window at nighttime, overlooking the skyline of Prague, I’m going to miss it.” I realized then how true it was. Some things that I love about Prague, I might never be able to see again. Thus, I am happy that the recent beautiful weather has allowed me to enjoy Prague outdoors and experience new parks and places here. The sunny days have shed light on the beautiful city that I feel like I have seen to an even greater extent than I had previously.

Radio Recently I sat down with Lenka Srsnova-Colombo, the mother of the girl that I tutor in English, to interview her for my radio news journalism class. After the past two months of speaking with her, I realized that she has traveled to many places all over the world and has a fascinating life.
When she was younger she studied in Austria and learned German. Then she visited the United States without knowing a single word of English. She told me about the night when she got off the plane from the Czech Republic and she first tried to find the campus where she was living in Boston for four months and how difficult it was for her to get there. She said she got lucky enough to find a police officer who spoke a little bit of German. Aside from her journeys abroad, Lenka also lived in the Czech Republic for thirty-eight years. She has seen Prague before and after the Velvet Revolution. Now she resides in a flat in Prague with her Italian husband and daughter Veronika. She told me how little freedom her and her family had when the Communist’s were in power. And she also said that she thinks Prague right now is becoming too touristy; the city is losing its mystique nature.
Lenka expressed her opinions of many of the places she has visited when we sat down to talk about her experiences abroad. I found it surprising that one of her favorite places in the world is Asia. She loves their food and just their culture in general. I did not expect her to say that. She also loves Italy as her husband is from there, and enjoys visiting the United States. One thing I find especially interesting is when Lenka compares the United States to Prague and how differently the laws are enforced in America. This is something I happened to notice myself. Another thing I noticed after speaking with Lenka on many occasions is the number of stories she has to tell me. I love to listen to them because they are new and interesting to me. Traveling brings us these stories I think. Seeing new places and meeting new people are the most interesting stories to hear. In this way, I do not think Lenka is just an average Czech person because I think she is more worldly and open to new experiences. Even her mother does not speak a word of English, while Lenka is fluent. However, one symbol of Czech culture that she embodies is her love for Czech beer. She told me that it is the only type of beer or alcohol she will drink, and when she is traveling she is often disappointed. That along with her humble nature brings out the Czech in her.

Building off of Francouzská Francouzská. This is the block I walk on everyday to get to and from the metro station Namesti Miru. For my time here, this block is a symbol of my home. It goes uphill for a couple blocks until I reach my street called Machova. Whether the weather is sunny, raining or snowing, I know that in only a few minutes I will be home at my front door (even if it's a bit of a climb).

Since I live in a more residential neighborhood, this block offers a variety of stores. There is a children’s clothing store, a few restaurants, a “non-stop” grocery store that stays open 24-hours a day, two small produce stores and the infamous “Sports Bar,” a generic name for many bars that you can find all over Prague, a liquor store that also sells a large selection of candy, and two butchers that are called “maso” in Czech. I have walked this road so many times that I feel like I know it like the back of my hand. And similarly, it reminds me of walking home from the subway in Manhattan. There is always a path that we take that brings us this familiarity. And I am now realizing that I have found my path in Prague.

Perhaps I have taken this street for granted until I stopped to analyze it now. Now that I think about all that this block has to offer and the quaint neighborhood we live in, it seems very versatile and pleasant. Francouzská also leads us to two tram stops and a metro stop so it is very accessible. Not to mention the gothic-style church that sits in a small park at the Namesti Miru metro stop, just at the beginning of Francouzská.

I also remember when we first arrived at our dorm and explored the location around Francouzská how we thought it was so residential and I seemed a bit unsatisfied, missing the constant beat and pace of New York City. Then I realized that where we live is a quiet representation of Prague, but not the heart of the city. Yet still we are not in a suburb of Prague, but we live in this neighborhood, called Vinohrady, with many other families and people our age. Hence Francouzská really embodies a side of Prague that I considered my path towards “home.” And I know that I will appreciate many more pathways to home in the future.

Beach called "La Playa de Las Americas" on Tenerife islandShining sun, dark sand, and aqua blue water. Parasailing, dolphins, and tapas restaurants.
This encompasses the past week, which was my spring break in the Canary Islands. We spent nine days on the largest island called Tenerife. The weather was glorious and sunny everyday. I went with my friend from Prague, Kirsten, and we stayed in an apartment that overlooked the ocean and had its own pool.
During our time on the island, we sunbathed and relaxed everyday. It was interesting to observe the various tourists on the island. Apparently, we were the ONLY Americans. Most of the other people vacationing were from Scandinavia, Germany, and Great Britain, which we quickly discovered. One thing that also stood out when we first got to the beach was the European culture behind sunbathing. Women of all ages were topless and men were wearing constricting and revealing Speedos. It was an interesting sight to see at the very least.
We also set aside time for Internet usage. While we checked our email in the hotel-apartment lobby, we also took advantage of the English speaking staff. Diego adored us and we enjoyed speaking with him as well. We learned that he moved here from Uruguay when he was 24 years old with his girlfriend. Now they own a pet shop and have been here for five years. He hopes to do something grand with his life, but is not looking forward to his thirtieth birthday, which is quickly approaching. The other staff member, Jose, would greet us by saying, “Hello Americans.” On the first day he also warned us to use sunscreen because we were looking “Czech” with our extremely pale skin tone. Later on in the week when I saw him, I thanked him for warning us since we realized how strong the sun happened to be here and he also told me I was looking tan.
Since our apartment had a kitchen we mostly grocery shopped and prepared ourselves lunch and dinner, we especially loved to eat the avocados. However, we went to eat at restaurants twice. Both times, the waiters were surprised to see Americans. It was reaffirmed that not many people from the United States adventured over to Tenerife; this island was a vacation spot for Europeans. The nightlife on the island was undoubtedly catered towards the British tourists. On the streets British speaking promoters would stand outside restaurants and pubs, trying to lure us into their places. We attempted to hang out at some of these local pubs or clubs, but we found ourselves laughing at the 80’s attire (neon legwarmers) that British girls clearly thought were fashionable and trendy.
Although we did not get to interact with too many Spaniards on the island, we experienced many walks of life. We observed the strange tendencies of European vacationers and had a few laughs. But I also realized that all differences aside, many aspects reminded me of a beach vacation in the United States and the similarities quickly stood out. I saw little boys and girls playing in the sand with their parents just like I used to when I was younger. The toy bucket and shovel made me feel like a littler girl again, or perhaps it was the sand on the beach and the salt water in the ocean.

Traveler's Tales

In reading “Travelers' Tales Prague and the Czech Republic: True Stories,” one of the stories from this book led me to think about my own association with Prague. This experience has had a great impact on my life already and I feel a greater sense of independence and freedom. I also came to realize what Prague will mean to me once I leave and the stories that I will tell. I wonder which places in Prague will stand out in my memories. I often consider myself a person of detail and I predict that I will recall the small details.
In Maxim Biller’s traveler’s tale he says, “I remember everything clearly—that’s why Prague is more than a geographical location to me. It is part of my brain where my entire hatred of ideology and coercion continually renews itself, where my near-neurotic will to freedom has its unshakeable foundation.” Although I cannot say that I have lived in Prague before the Velvet Revolution, I am fascinated by the country’s progression in modern society. When there are signs of Communism left in the city, such as in the Kotva department store, I try to throw myself back to this time period. However, it is also shocking how little of this period is left and how much the city has progressed in modernity.
I find this reflection even more appropriate now that I am on spring break in the Canary Islands. Thinking about Prague now seems like “home.” It has been my home for four months. The more I think about the city, the more I am grateful for its size and how easy it has been for me to navigate. Not once have I felt overwhelmed by the environment. And lastly, my time in Prague has allowed me to develop a greater appreciation for my life in New York City. It also gave me the opportunity to explore more of the world and see different facets of life. Prague will serve as a symbol in my life as a place where I continued to learn and grow at such a transitional stage in my life.

Radost FX Cafe / Restaurant When we first arrived, my friends and I heard about a restaurant that serves amazing vegetarian brunch on the weekends in Prague. It is called Radost FX. The place is huge, as it includes a restaurant, café, lounge and even a club downstairs at night. We have also heard that it is one of the first and oldest vegetarian restaurants in Prague. Intrigued by the elegant design of the restaurant and café, we have now spent many Saturdays and Sundays indulging in the Radost brunch menu. However, we are not alone. We are always sure to find other NYU students, as well as Americans, Czechs and a diverse range of people feasting on the large portions of their weekend brunch. Similar to a meal you would see in the United States, we were shocked after our first dining experience at Radost. Not only was the food fresh and delicious, but also the plate sizes were enormous. And unlike most restaurants in Prague, the food was prepared rather quickly.
Devoured Brunch I think Radost is such an interesting experience in Prague. My friends and I love to bring visitors to Radost because we know the brunch is always a great meal, even if it’s vegetarian and American. It’s not about experiencing the Czech food at Radost, but the ambiance of the place. The only sure let down from Radost is the cloudy, cigarette smoke-filled room; without a doubt, one of the tables around you will have someone smoking a cigarette. But this is a factor you will find in every restaurant in Prague, especially in bars. I still cannot figure out how Czechs enjoy their meals with cigarette smoke looming above their plates. However, the Radost atmosphere is unforgettable and it comes as a whole package. I have yet to eat dinner there, but I am curious to try their other vegetarian cuisine.

Old Town Square
In Dean MacCannell’s “Staged Authenticity: Arrangements of Social Space in Tourist Settings” one idea that particularly struck me was, “What is being shown to tourists is not the institutional “back stage,” as Goffman defined this term. Rather, it is a staged back region, a kind of living museum for which we have no analytical terms.” In other words, a traveler’s perception of the authentic experience, may or may not be an accurate representation based on this false ‘back stage.’ Yet, I think it is natural for a traveler to seek the authentic experience, one that speaks to the day in the life of a citizen of that city or country. As a traveler and tourist myself, I want to see all of the “front” regions of a city. I want to see the tourist attractions that I have never seen in order to validate my experience in the city. But at the same time, I want to imagine what it is like to live in the city. And its this yearning to feel not like a tourist, but like an average resident of the city, where we find the six stages from front to back regions, as we try to reach the ultimate back region or authentic experience.