The good and bad news

For those of you who haven't heard and for those who still care...

I have decided to stay in Prague for another year or so. I'm not sure on the exact timeframe yet, but it depends on how much money I can make at my new job, how long I can strongarm Citibank into extending my student loan forbearance, and how much I miss home as time goes on. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this has been the hardest decision of my life. It would have been so easy to go home. I have family and friends who all miss me, and a home in one of the most beautiful areas in the world (OK, so maybe I'm a little biased). I had made up my mind a couple of times to fly home, my return ticket was already purchased and I could hear it taunting me with promises of warm weather if I would only decide to go home. I have taken the harder, but ultimately the more fulfilling road. There is something about making scary, daring decisions that keeps me on my toes and seems to give life a little more clarity. And that's as far as I'm going to go on that subject since I'm waxing melodramatic.


If you don't want to know the boring details about my decision, skip this paragraph. I have rescheduled my return flight for the 7th of June with the intention of visiting home earlier if my income allows it. The only reason I don't know for sure is because my income is variable. I have taken a sales job with a company called MarcusEvans. My base pay is absolutely horrible at 11,000 Czech Crowns gross per month. That comes out to around 9,000 after taxes. You can all have a little fun and do the currency conversion on the net to find out that it's paltry. Prague may be cheap, but it's expensive if you're earning Czech wages. For the folks back home, just imagine trying to live and work in San Francisco proper on near minimum wage and you'll get an idea. The good news is with even some moderate effort/success my income can jump to around 50,000 crowns, definitely comfortable by Prague standards. In a big sales month, my income could be 100,000 crowns or more, but this is exceptional. I have to talk on the phone all day so I've become kind of an old man and I go to bed at 10 every weeknight so I can get up at 6 in the morning and exercise so my voice will be stronger. It's stressful work, but I can't tell you how gratifying it is to feel like I've actually worked hard. I haven't felt like that for three months now since my last job was a joke. I'm staying in my current run-down flat until the end of January when a room opens up in a really nice flat across the river. You're all encouraged to come and visit if you can make the flight. Prague is cheap for US vacationers and you could have a free place to stay. I'm serious, come visit me, really.


In lighter news, the Halloween party two weekends ago was a hit. Congratulations to me and my friend Kristen for brining a little USA to Prague. Props go out also to the native Czechs and other non-Halloween celebrators who put on their game faces and showed up in costumes. I'm sure they thought it all a little silly at first, but they all had fun and found out why we love this holiday. Actually, I never celebrate it at home, I just needed to show some national pride. I apologize that the pictures aren't from beautiful Prague, but hey, there are at least some beautiful people in them (unfortunately for you, I'm not in them).

Next update, I should have some pictures of Christmas lights and decorations. Yeah, it seems like the Czechs go crazy for Christmas. Big light displays are already up at the major department stores. The cafe I'm posting from is playing Stevie Ray Vaughn, too good. Until next time, I remain your faithful local traveler.

Later,

Jeremy