Wien

The Czechs like to do things differently than we do.  I can normally adjust to this and am willing to try new things because I am in a foreign country and am trying to become more “cultured,” but this “thing” has got to go.  Once a summer the city of Prague turns off its hot water to “clean the water.”  Does this mean that all this time I was using dirty water?  I choose not to go there.  But, nevertheless, starting last Tuesday I had to shower in freezing cold water and it was miserable.  I would say the only positive thing that came out of it, other than I apparently have “clean” water now, is that when we went out and asked the waitress for tap water they couldn’t get mad and give it to us warm.  Suckers. 

With the cold water situation as it was, I was more than thrilled to leave on Thursday morning for Vienna, Austria with Laura and the rest of the Beck clan.  Laura’s parents and brother were visiting for a week and generously took me in as a Beck on their family vacation to Vienna (Wien).  We stayed in a hotel.  A hotel: a trivial thing for most people but when you’ve been in hostels, old dorms, and sleeping on Judo mats for the past 6 weeks, a hotel is literal heaven.  I believe I equated the bed to a cloud… no exaggeration.  We did venture outside the hotel walls, of course.  On Thursday evening we walked around the “ring”, as they call the street and walkway that surrounds the city center, and checked out some of the old buildings and gardens.  We ate at an authentic Austrian restaurant for dinner and once we were able to interpret the menu, it was pretty delicious.  That night Laura and I met up with the rest of the girls on our trip that were also in Vienna for the weekend.  We got off the subway to meet them at Club Couture and quickly noticed we were on Rapenstrassen* Boulevard.  After navigating our way off the boulevard we had a really fun night!

The next day we headed back to the city center for some sightseeing.  The torrential downpours, though, slightly hindered our “seeing” experience.  It was tricky, but through the rain we were still able to find St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) and climb the 345 stairs to the top of the tower.  At the top, once I stopped hyperventilating and seeing black spots, I was able to enjoy the amazing view of the city.  Props to all the old people that climbed their way to the top- wasn’t easy.  We also went inside the St. Stephen’s church, which was really beautiful.  These were, unfortunately, the only indoor activities for the day.  Most of the day we spent checking things out while we trekked through the rain, huddled underneath umbrellas and hoods, and still enjoyed the city!

That night we decided one Austrian meal was enough, and we went Italian.  All over the menu I kept seeing “rocket” and “rocketsalad” so I decided to ask the waitress was a “rocket” was.  She looked at me and said in her best German/Italian accent, “you American so you don’t know.”  On another occasion, Laura asked what kind of dressings there were for her salad and the waitress said “uhh… Italian.”  I think they were making fun of us?  I can’t really be sure.  That night we met up with the other girls again, but this time the night ended with Laura and I at a bar befriending a group of Germans.  One had worked a year in Philly, another wanted to practice his English, and the others were just fascinated by our accents.

All in all, I loved being a Beck for the weekend!  Vienna was a really cool city to visit, but I was happy to come home… to Prague.

*Rapenstrassen:  The street name assigned to any street that appears to be sketchy, somewhat abandoned, and crawling with creepy people and dark alleyways.  This street usually screams out “rape.”

Praha(hahahaha)

Ahoj!  It’s been a while!  I have been doing a lot of exploring Prague and visiting tourist sites, sprinkled in with the occasional good time.  Ever since we received our GP clothing packets we have been waiting for a time to wear our super unflattering GP polos out on the town.  Check.  Wore them to our GP goodbye dinner when we said bye to the group leaders since the lacrosse portion of our trip is now over.  Looked stunning, of course.

Like I said, I have been doing a lot of exploring… alone.  I don’t have specific hours for my internship- they vary and I do a lot of the work from home on my own time.  Consequently, I have a lot of days to myself while everyone else is in class or at work.  I have mastered the trams, metros, and city maps and have officially eaten alone for probably the first tim ever.  With the free time I have seen the John Lennon Peace Wall, the St. Charles Bridge, the Old Jewish Cemetery and Synagogue, and about every souvenir shop in Prague.

On Wednesday everyone in the program was invited to a free wine tasting.  I now have the knowledge to be snooty and picky about my wines… I don’t have the money to be, but the knowledge is all there.  After the wine tasting we went to one of the famous Prague Beer Gardens to watch USA kick France’s butt in the World Cup Semi’s.  "USA" has become a far too common chant on this trip.

On Thursday night all of the GP’s trecked it down to Old Town Prague for a classic Bar Crawl.  It started with 2 hours of open bar in an old Prague church.  There was a large Stalin head that became the focal point of many pictures by the end of the night.  A few of us also decided it was necessary to take over the DJ stand.  News: ipods and computers are not customary for Czech DJ’s… he had mixed CD’s.  I haven’t seen a mixed CD since Nam but we were workin’ them at the stand.  Sometimes you would get lucky and pop in a good one, but when it’s bad the packed bar/church/club quickly turns against you.  Tough crowd.  Needless to say we left our mark at the bar/church/club.  Literally.  There was an employee finishing a mural on the wall while we were there so naturally we snagged the paintbrush and wrote “GP” and “OSU” on the 500 year old wall.  Nice.  The rest of the crawl was a lot of fun—we rocked the “free” T-shirts that we stole from boxes in a corner and enjoyed ourselves until sunrise.

Our plans for Budapest fell through after multiple buses and trains all turned out to be booked… so we decided to kick it in Prague instead.  On Friday night I worked at the bar I am interning at for the 1^st Anniversary Party—bouncing at the door and passing out food inside.  On Saturday we spent the day the “beach”, washed off the fake sand, and began our night where I again met another bachelor party with even cooler costumes.  But, the real fun came on Sunday.  We went to the ZOO.  The Prague Zoo is the 10^th best Zoo in the world but I would argue it to be #1.  While we were there we took a single person chair lift ride up a mountain to get to the top.  I, of course, went first.  They throw you on this chair, ski lift style, say something to you in Czech about safety, and trust that you won't fall off and die.  Thankfully, I didn't.  Going up, though, was really cool.  I got an aerial view of the Zoo and could see for miles.  So, loved the Zoo trip.  Later that night we watched the World Cup Finals at Hooters. Duh.  Bad ending but it was a good game and a lot of fun.

That wraps up week 2!  See ya…

Praguelem Solved

I have now been here 4 days… so I am basically a native.  We have covered a lot of ground here in Prague already, starting with the complete takeover of floor 1 of the dorms.  When I’m not reliving my freshman year dorm experience—shout out to Steeb—I am exploring the city.  The buildings are all beautiful and very old because Prague is one of only a few cities not destroyed during WWII.  I’ve become quite the “traveler” and am actually pretty decent at navigating myself through the city via trams and metros.  I’ve gone off by myself and not gotten lost!  Points!  Of course, when I am alone it takes me 2x longer than it should to get places because I stop every 10 meters to take a picture of something… whether it is a building or a strange looking European so I can build my team (a few of us are in competition to see who can build the weirdest looking team of Czechs… I am well on my way to a victory).

My ever improving sense of direction falls short when it comes to large wooded parks.  Twice now, once with a group and once by myself, I have gotten lost on a run inside the park that is right by our dorms.  It turns out, though, that getting lost in the park is not the worst thing.  The park is huge and filled with beer gardens, bad mitten courts, people grilling out, and Czechs on rollerblades.  I do, though, have to watch my step.  It apparently is not customary for Czechs to clean up after their dogs.  The park is really pretty though and very close by.  We are really in a great location!

The night life is not too shabby either.  Last night, we ate and hung out at the bar that I will be marketing for my internship.  What began as a chilled out setting quickly turned into one of the Global Players finding herself  spot behind the bar and taking it upon herself to start making drinks and tending the bar.  She was a welcomed honorary employee for a solid 15 minutes until she was chased away by getting sprayed with water.  Whoops.  Afterward, a group of about 20 of us walked, under my directional leadership, to a 5 story club.  Each floor had different music and a different theme.  We met Scottish guys dressed in all sorts of costumes for their friend’s bachelor party and since there was a Spiderman, a Waldo, and a few other choice characters, we obviously became best friends instantaneously.  The place was PACKED.  It was so hot and everyone was dancing so much that we literally looked like we had been rained on by the end of the night with the amount of sweat we produced.  We got home at about 5:30am, in time for the sunrise.  Hands down top 10 list.

Today we went to a beach.  When I say beach, I mean fake sand next to a river… but none the less the “beach” was plentiful with speedos and ta-ta’s.  Europeans have no shame.  The “beach” had volleyball courts, restaurants, tiki bars, and tons of tables and chairs to set up around.  I was digging the aesthetics.

We are now planning a potential excursion to Budapest for next weekend!  More to come…

Bye Dresden, off to Prague-- Czech me out!

The rest of our stay in Dresden, residing in the Judo Room—aka Juditsu Suite—was a lot of fun.  We toured Dresden on Tuesday and saw all the old architecture.  It’s an extremely pretty city!  That night a group of went to the Women’s World Cup game only a 10 minute tram ride from the Juditsu Suite.  Nigeria faced off against Canada and I had one goal for the game… get a scarf.  On the walk from the tram to the game my friend and I spotted a scarf stand.  Our lack of preparation created a debacle.  We did not realize there wouldn’t be access to an ATM and we were almost fresh out of cash.  Not to worry.  The going rate was 2 scarves for 30 Euro but the gracious offer of 8 Euro, the scarf I was wearing at the time, and a lot of pestering was all we needed.  The clerk was either taken in by our charm or just straight up trying to get rid of us but we snagged 2 scarves for 4 Euro a piece… and I took back my scarf offer when I realized that there was no chance he would chase after me for it.  Inside the game was no different.  My friend and I funded 2 beers and a pretzel by a) pretending we didn’t know you couldn’t pay with a card and biting the pretzel before we tried to pay, and b) asking the security guards for money… it worked.  There was soccer too.  Nigeria won 1-0 and all 15 of us who went left the game in fresh Nigeria gear.

On Wednesday we packed it up and left for Prague.  On the way we stopped and took a tour at the Terezen concentration camp.  Many of the objects, furniture, and buildings are the original pieces from the war.  It was hard to believe some of the things the tour guide told us about how many people were forced to share such close quarters.  The camp was built on a fortress and we walked through the 500 meter tunnel system that was used by the guards.  It was very sad but a great learning experience for everyone.

Dobry Den! I am finally in Prague!  It is unbelievably refreshing to unpack my suitcase after 2 and a half weeks.  Prague is BEAUTIFUL, though I don't think I will ever fully understand the Czech Crown... confusing!  The internship will start tomorrow and I will hopefully get the public transportation system down to a science soon enough!  Had to purchase a new camera :( ... so there are not snaps from Germany but I will make sure Prague is well represented!

Na shledanou!

Blah Blog :-)

I made the inappropriate assumption that leaving Cologne, Germany would be completely ordinary so I preemptively posted a blog.  I was wrong.  On the day we were set to embark on our 7 hour bus ride to Dresden my host proposed to my roommate and I the idea of catching some of the gay pride parade before we had to leave.  We went.  At first there was a lot of dodging involved.  Dodging trannies, dodging fishnets, and dodging unique costumes.  Finally, we made it to a space where we were able to peek through a vendor's curtain to see.  I guess we eluded the "I don't belong here but I think it's funny" vibe because the drink vendor invited us into his hut.  We snagged front row seats to the parade and were given delicious drinks.  I tried to work the station but when people talked to me in German I could only reply by counting... the only German I know is 1-10.

We had to pull ourselves away to make the bus.  When I say bus, I mean a half of a bus.  Literally the short bus.  We had to pack “small bags” for Dresden so we wouldn’t’ have to haul around all of our luggage.  Everyone’s “small bags” and lacrosse equipment did not fit so nicely on the short bus.  It was quite an experience.  Add a water gun and about 3 super soaker happy meal toys and you have yourself my 7 hour bus ride.  We were thrilled to arrive in Dresden, although the accommodations were something to be desired.  Currently all 30 members of Global Players are sleeping in Judo room.  Judo is a form of karate.  We were graciously welcomed with a sleeping bag each—pillows were apparently BYOP… no one got the memo.  I can complain all I want but a bedroom that turns into a kickball court (because that is what we eventually made it into) is nothing short of awesome. #ill.

OF COURSE we celebrated the 4^th of July.  After a 4 hour lacrosse session with the Dresden lacrosse players, we brought it back to the Judo Suite and had a BBQ… naturally.  In true American style we ate hot dogs, played drinking games (in the Judo Suite), and sang the National Anthem upwards 16 times.  The Germans may or may not have been too thrilled with us, but our Independence comes only once a year and I am not about to let it pass me by without a classic “Proud to be and American” group sing-song while waiting for the tram.  Coming home that night we were disappointed to learn that the only key we were issued was in the hands of someone who was not back yet.  Solution: hoist fellow GP through the window.  Definite fail. 

Side note: People have noticed my snort.  I don’t know why I tried to hide who I am.

Bye Cologne, Smell Ya Later

On our last night in the Netherlands all the girls went out to dinner with our hosts.  After dinner at VIP (Very Italian Pizza), we hit up the Karaoke bar.  Laura and I were the first volunteers of the group to get on stage with “Ignition” by R-Kelly (none of our usual favorites were on the list).  Our hosts graced the stage later on with a Dutch song called “Inkdfaslkdstraat”… most likely.  All the while, our 8 month pregnant program director/coach was getting low on the dance floor, belly and all.  I’d say we went out with a bang. 

On Thursday we traveled to Cologne, Germany.  Hallo Germany.  We are staying with German lacrosse players and have had the chance to spread lax in Cologne.  On Friday we coached 3 different kindergarten classes—and by coach I mean we did relay races and played steal the bacon.  My teams never lost.  After taking a tour of Cologne (which was beautiful), we coached and played with a youth team for a couple hours, and ended the night playing with the Cologne women’s team for another 2 hours.  Total lax time: 7 hours.  The Cologne men’s and women’s team hosted a BBQ for us after though… not too shabby for Maggie.  Afterwards we checked out the gay pride festival that was going on this week—some very interesting characters.

On Saturday we scrimmaged with the Germans and then took off for a music festival an hour tram ride away.  Waiting for the tram, a teammate, our program director, and I were lucky enough to take part in a German bachelor party.  50 cents bought us the chance to toss a ring onto the bachelor's helmet, which had the male private part on it.  I, of course, rung it and won the grand prize... a shot and the joy of winning. #success

Once on the tram, after 35 minutes had gone by, it got too crowded and wouldn’t move.  My friend and I had to go to the bathroom… and when you gotta go you gotta go.  We ditched to group and got off, the tram left, and then so were we.  We got on the next one and by a stroke of luck got off at the right stop.  We were reunited with the group just to find that the festival was too crowded and we couldn’t go.  SURPRISE German lacrosse player who lives close by—you are having a house party tonight.  We raided German laxer Patrick’s apartment (which was the nicest apartment I have ever been in), and I of course left my camera there—so that will be coming via mail to me in Prague.  

Now off to Dresden where all 30 of us are staying in one big room.  The 4^th of July should be interesting.  USA. USA. USA.