It's always a transition going back and forth between the US and the Czech. This time even bigger than normal, since it was 9 months away. It was honestly a bit surreal to be back: it was all familiar and yet not. And sometimes I tend to romanticize the city in my head, at least the center with its beautiful architecture and the outskirts where I live with its easy accessibility to whatever I need.
But then there are other pieces that all too quickly come back as I'm present:
- nicely kept public lawn is not a priority. Fortunately there are lots of sidewalks and other well-worn paths, because wading through grass is a tick danger.
- smokers are seemingly everywhere
- in warm weather, it's not uncommon for people to go about their houses and gardens without pants. That's right: in their underwear. So occasionally having the door opened by a neighbor in their underwear. Or yes, that woman working in the garden next to us in her skivvies.
- living on the 6th or 7th floor of an apartment building when it's 90 degrees outside = just hot. No air conditioning in houses in this country.
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| the building in which I live right now. I'm actually staying on the 6th floor on the far right, where it's under construction. And right now there is plastic covering the front windows, which allows no air flow. Fortunately the plastic went up after the 90 degree weather had passed. |
- dogs EVERYWHERE. With a puppy who is scared of other dogs, this is more of a negative than a positive for me, as I have to be super aware of what she and the other dogs are doing. For example, on the 12 minute walk to church this evening, we crossed paths with 7 dogs and saw nearby another 5. Most of which were not on a leash.
On the other hand, there are pieces that are lovely and great:
- so many opportunities nearby to walk and run and bike outside of roads. There are parks nearby, a lovely valley, trails that easily take you into at least somewhat removed nature. Much less private property that I have to avoid.
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| walk with a friend overlooking the part of Prague I lived in in 2013-2014. It was 5 miles and we avoided roads completely: all dirt or paved trails to my doorstep |
- life which is primarily concentrated in a few kilometer area. So I also naturally get more exercise. I didn't use a form of transport until the 4th day after arriving in Prague. It's not necessary. And not "it's COVID and I'm not going out" unnecessary. It's just convenience of the way this part of Prague is structured. I walk to my Czech lesson, to meet a friend in the park, visit friends who live 2 blocks of flats away (maybe 15 minute walk), walk to my vet, church, supermarket, etc. There is a metro which saves a bit of time, but in nice weather, why not walk? I often hit close to 10,000 steps in a day without trying very hard.
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| walk to church, through the middle of one neighborhood (the neighborhood communities in our area are primarily a big oval of buildings with paths and trees, playgrounds, and preschools in the center) |
- friends and acquaintances with whom you cross paths with in the neighborhood - by chance or on purpose :)
- I can take Maggie with me almost everywhere. To church (though often I don't), to cafes and restaurants. And no one yells at me for having a dog off-leash.
- fun finds around the city: new cafes, bakeries, shops, etc. that are unique and perhaps trendy/with more Western influence (cupcakes and cookies are not Czech - that's some American influence!)
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| Coffee shop "Super Tramp" in the center of the city |
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| a randome cute (and yummy) bakery |
