Christmas Time in the City

Alright everyone,

So I promised a post and it's been a long time coming, but here you go. The Czechs go crazy for Christmas. They're also mostly agnostics and atheists. Sorry to dissapoint the idealists out there, but this is further proof that we like Christmas because we get cool stuff. But enough of that. It really is strange to see this city transform into Christmas mode. The same squares and streets look very different. Even though there are fewer tourists, moving through the tourist districs is even slower becasue now even the native Czechs are crowding in to buy their presents.

After my last update about the sucessful Halloween party, I'm sad to report that I did absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving except eat cold pasta and watch the snow from my office window. That's right, it's been snowing here. It's not enought to stick around and give you that winter wonderland feeling, it's just enough to remind me that it's freezing cold outside and why oh why did I leave California? Just kidding. I'm glad I'm here, but the measly 7 hours of cold, grey, low-angle daylight can get you kind of down.

Even thought I won't be coming home for Christmas, I will at least get to spend it with somone. I've been invited by a few Czech natives and one Slovak to spend Christmas with them. I'm kind of touched, but in a good way. Work is going well, I learn more and more everyday. Specifically, I learn to get pissed at CEO's who don't want to give me the time of day, oh well. A big bonus of my job is they really don't mind me making personal international calls, so long as I do it on my own time. So everyone who wants me to call them, send me your phone numbers now. Or if you want to wake me and my roomate up in the middle of the night, you can call the land line at my flat at + 420 257 329 885. Remember I'm 9 hours ahead of the west coast, be reasonable on time requests!

I love all you guys and hope to talk to you soon.

Untill then,

Jeremy

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