How did we party before?

Nightlife in Prague has few limits, at least timewise. The standard schedule for weekend nights is: Dinner and drinks sometime between 8 and 10, out to see some music or hang at a bar until 11 or 12, back to the flat to regroup before heading out to an all-night bar or club until we get to tired to dance any more. Last Friday night/Saturday morning I didn't get back to the flat until about 6 AM, parly because we wanted to catch some great pre-dawn views of the Prague skyline (sorry if the pictures are too dark, there's sometims a loss of quality when you transfer pictures to the net). I had so much fun, and then we did the same thing Saturday night only I think I got to bed by 4AM since I'm such a lightweight.

You're only limited in those hours by where you can go. There are more than a few all hours clubs, but you have to know where they are and it involves a lot of walking or waiting for a tram for a long time. It's a small price to pay. I always look at the time and laugh that I would have been sound asleep if I were in California since everything closes at 2AM. The environment is also different. I notice a less competition and intensity among partyers (sp?) and more willingness to just relax and have fun.

This Friday we invited a band that plays in a bar down the street to come hang out with us. It should be a fun time.

That's all for now. Until next time,

Jeremy

Homesick or hungry?

So here I am in an Internet cafe close to the flat, and there's a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I kept thinking I was hungry until I remembered I just ate. I realized I must be homesick. I must love all of you more that I realized. But seriously, I really want to see my family and friends right now. I want something familiar. It's a hard feeling to explain when you know that you're physically alright, but you can't seem to shake that sickening feeling like something isn't right. So that's the long way of saying I love you guys and miss you all back home. I'm doing my best to enjoy myself here, but am looking forward to the time I get to see you all again.

Posts may get a little more boring for the next few weeks as I'm settling into my work routine. They'll be only mostly hilarious from now on.

All these photos were take within a couple blocks of my flat. You'll have to rotate the last two on your own, I was sleeping when I took them.

Till next time,

Jeremy

Home away from home

I thought you might like these photos of some of my flatmates.

Can't be a tourist forever

Once again, coming to you from the center of Europe

So its Thursday and my third real day of work. My responsibilities are gradually expanding, but for the time being they include mundane things like helping employees with their English skills both verbal and written. Yesterday I helped draft a proposal for prospective clients who visited us. I will be spending a little time with each employee every week just to talk in English about any questions they have or if they have no questions I tell them about how much America kicks ass. I also surf the net a lot in search of international financial organizations to expand the global reach of the business. There are a couple technical things they want me to do regarding finance, but if you aren't asleep already, telling you about them would knock you out cold.

On the superficial end of things, the office is air-conditioned (not the norm in Prague). Pleasant working environment, but since everyone speaks Czech, it can sometimes be a little lonely. I have an easy commute, 20 minutes door to door, all on one Metro line. The business employs about 15 people, only 3 or 4 of which are men, including myself. Feel free to insert your own disgusting comments (please, I need some suggestions). Lucky for me, I look so good. Any average guy's wardrobe would have crumpled under the pressure.

So thats it today. If you guys want to know anything specific about my experience here, just ask. It will keep this thing interesting.


Till next time,

Jeremy

Familiar faces

Hello again,

I spent the last few days sightseeing with my friend Elaine and her family from the US. It was an amazing couple of days walking (a lot of walking!) around the old and new towns. Especially interesting was the Jewish quarter. We spent a few hours on a guided tour there and it was amazing to hear of the varied history, some good, some bad.

Today I visit work for the first time. It will be an informal meeting at 2PM so I can meet everyone and get my bearings. The first real day of work will be tomorrow, I'm a little nervous.

There were two parties at the flat this weekend, Friday and Saturday evenings, and we all had lots of fun. It was a sort of farewell to those few finishing their traineeships and leaving Prague. In a way I guess it was also a welcome party for me and the few of us just beginning ours. By the middle of September there are supposed to be about 24 trainees living and working here. It's an exciting environment, and very comforting on those days when you feel small and alone. Last night was sad since I won't see Elaine again for 3+ months, but coming home to the flat, there are always people awake and talking. I stayed up a little while and explained some things about America to some curious fellow trainees. It definitely made me feel better.

So that's it today. Feel free to comment on any entry as a way of staying in touch with me or if you must, drop me an email, but I may not get back to you quickly as my time is usually limited for Internet access.

Until next time,

Jeremy