Golden Prague

With a minor delay, today's blog will describe how some of us spent the 1st of November. First and foremost let me point out that in Czech republic, this is not a holiday, it's a regular working day. So for the first time in my life on that day, I got up at 8:30 and slowly prepared myself physically and psychologically for a day at the university. I didn't feel like going, at all.

The mood was lifted by our professor, who greeted us all with the words: »Just look at what a beautiful, sunny day it is today! It's one of those days, when the golden Prague is indeed golden.«. So after class, the scholars of slovenistics unanimously decided that a day such as this, that would also be one of the rare beautiful days before winter, would not be wasted. The decision fell after lunch, and the destination was Vyšehrad (high castle), the location on which the princess Libuše prophesied the foundation of Prague. And as it was the 1st of November, the day of the memory of the dead, we would pay tribute to the great composers Smetana and Dvořak, who are buried there.

Near Vyšehrad metro station


Striking a pose

There is a big park in Vyšehrad (Karlachov park), we took a walk across it and marveled the exceptional view of Vltava and the city from it. We took a closer look to the neogothic church of St. Peter and Pavel and of course, the cemetery (Panteon), where all the great Czechs were buried since then 19th century.

Vltava harbor from Vyšehrad


One of the tunnels and my lovely hands :-)
The photographer has already been scolded


View to the other side


Striking another pose

We saw the graves of Smetana and Dvořak, and also of some other famous people, like Karel Čapek, Jan Neruda, Alfons Mucha ... A pleasant surprise occured on the full hour, when the bells of the church started to ring the melody of Vltava, a part of Smetana's masterpiece Ma Vlast (My Country).

But enough words, here are some photos and a short video clip.

Rotunda of St. Martin from 11th century


Fall's colours


Mr. Dvořak


Posing with Mr. Dvořak


Devils and Devil's pillars


What a beautiful day ...


Church tower


Slavin


Iztok, Breda and Alja paying their respects








The Cemetery


The Hands of ...?


Interesting concept :-)


Let me ooout!












Captured moments


Satisfied after a well spent day

Before the H5

It's about time to start contributing to this blog myself. Admittedly, I'm far too lazy to post regularly as I prefer photographs, but I promise to do my best to entertain you with words as much as with queer photos :-).

I arrived in Prague on September 22nd, about five days before my fellow bloggers. My parents provided the transport for myself and the luggage - it felt like a family trip to the seaside. After the initial problems with accommodation and introduction to my roommate (who is from Argentina), we set off to get some lunch.

My tutor Ivona finally called in the late afternoon and announced a meeting in the reception, where I met the rest of Erasmus students in her group: Roosa from Finland, Sara von Slovenia, Gautier aus Frankreich (we invented a slogan: "Nadraži Hostivař is a place to be":-)) and last but not least, my humble self. All of aforementioned I have of course met for the first time in my life, but the ice was broken by a visit to a pub. The following week (also known as the Erasmus orientation week) was really interesting – there were a lot of presentations, orientation runs, a visit to the ZOO ... Daily activities were followed (and still are) by mandatory parties over night – testing different brands of beer and other drinks included. Meeting at least 10 new people a day, remembering their names, where they are from and what they are studying is no easy task!

Other than that, adjusting to life in Prague isn't hard. The way to go (first and foremost) is to go with the flow – it's not worth it to get the day ruined by unfriendly (bordering on rude) and uncooperative (bordering on incompetent) receptionists and other officials ("No official hours!"). Get yourself a beer and a chair in the main hall and spend the evening (or night) in the company of brothers and sisters in Erasmus program.

More about studying Slovene language at the Faculty of arts on another occasion – enjoy the following photos ;-).

Sara, Ivona, Roosa

Gautier and me with first beer :-)

No, I did not meet my mum in the ZOO

Having breakfast in Kolej Hostivař

Me and a glass of French coffee

Pimp my Škoda

Ollie with his new best friend from the ZOO

Afraid of heights

Bilo kuda, Škoda svuda