Nightlife Do's and Don'ts

The past week, I've been hitting up some of the popular clubs in Prague with my friends. I don't do this often in the States, because there's always some slick chump trying to grind up on me from behind, and that gets old fast. But I do love to dance, and the clubs here surprisingly don't disappoint. Before you attempt though, a few guidelines for my ladies:

• DO watch where you step. Some idiots slosh beer and even smash their glasses on the ground.
  
• Your guy friends will leave you in search of their own pleasures, so DO stick with at least one other girlfriend. If either one of you happens to have a dance partner, well, I'm sure he'll think two is better than one.
• DON'T dance with a guy who has an entourage. They'll inevitably want to join, and you'll find yourself in an awkward testosterone sandwich. Not fun.
  
• DON'T talk to guys who say "You're so beautiful" in broken English. You are so not the first and only. And he's a sleazeball, no excuses.
  
• If a girlfriend tries to leave with a creepy stranger, take her aside and DO ask her firmly, "Are you sure about this? Like, really, really sure?" Raise your eyebrows and gesture wildly for effect.
  
• And DON'T leave anyone behind. Friends before silly drunken hookups.
• But DO have fun! Dance!

Also, if you're planning on visiting Prague, here are some places NYU kids frequent:

• Karlovy (famous 5-story club next to the Charles Bridge)
• Chapeau Rouge (a crowd favorite, though very seedy)
  
• Mecca
• Roxy Club
  
• Radoste
• Lucerna
• Nebe
  
• M1 (tiny place though)
  
• Beer Factory (in St. Wenceslas Square)
• Cross Club

dancing building (& being touristy)

I'm crap at taking videos, but this is where I was today!

...and pictures!

lots of wedding sightings

Always smack dab in the center of Old Town Square, always the same poofy princess dress. (And this is one of the better ones.) Oh Europe!

the last few days

Yesterday, I went on a boat cruise down the Vltava river...

The night before, I had the privilege of seeing the Czech Philharmonic in the very first row! It was such an incredible experience, I'm such a music nerd and totally shouted "Bravo!" embarrassingly loudly. :D

I also visited Vyšehrad, a part of Prague with a ton of history. We saw the castle and the cemetery where the most famous Czechs rest. Each grave has its own personality. Everything was gorgeous.

And then I went dancing til 4AM in a pair of (now scuffy) heels...

***

But I have been feeling a bit homesick. There's a lot to explore here in Prague, but I miss my lovely friends and family and doing the most banal, comforting things, like sipping tea and having long talks. I'm desperate to just veg out and watch a movie with my best friends (who are all over the world now!) instead of going out all the time. Besides Kaitlin, I don't feel like I can count on anyone just yet. Tonight I curled up with the newest Jhumpa Lahiri book because I needed a mental break... I think I might actually an introvert with extroverted tendencies. Am I completely insane?

salvador dali & co.

Sometimes, I'm lucky to find so many photo-worthy shots that I have to organize my photo albums by the DAY. Here are some from yesterday (Friday): another gorgeous building from the walk to the NYU Center from my apartment at Machova St; an Indian restaurant with pretty lanterns; the Salvador Dali exhibit (I'm so happy it's in Prague! I missed it in NYC last year) and some of his incredible work.

it's a small world

Prague trams > NYC buses!

Some things New York City and Prague have in common:

1. Amazing tasting tap water (truly!). Who woulda thunk for Prague?
2. Dogs everywhere: big gangly dogs, small fluffy dogs, leashed or trodding freely alongside their owners.
3. A fantastic variety of international food. I had yummy Chinese and Italian here, and there are Indian, Thai, Japanese, and other exotic restaurants in every nook and corner.
4. Lots and lots of tourists. Since I only know very, very basic Czech, this makes me feel a bit better about being a tourist myself! But I've learned lots already in this busy first week! (Counting in Czech to the thousands, navigating the city, grocery shopping, ordering a drink...)

rainy day

...and the city is gloomy for a minute

a colorful city

I just cannot get over how stunning Prague is.

More color here!

And for my most up-to-date pictures, see my flickr account.

mail info

Darlings,

If you want to send me mail (which I love!), here's my address:

Helen Zuo
New York University in Prague
Malé náměstí 2
11000, Prague 1
Czech Republic

In the meantime, I've been stocking up on postcards.
Email me your address if you'd like one!

absinthe

Cheers!

I'm here!

I've been in Prague for less than 48 hours, and I have: eaten goulash, dumplings, duck liver, and other native foods, walked around Old Town by day, consumed ridiculously cheap and strong beer (and some rum, since I was feeling bold) at three bars, and learned two very important words (děkuji for thanks and prosím for please). I am exhausted, but here are some pictures!

pretty clouds and a first glimpse of the Czech Republic! (lots of land, few people)

an NYU building (in blue on the left), right above a bar! And some gorgeous architectural details that are prevalent in Prague -- I have yet to see an ugly building...


the beautiful view from my dorm's terrace


we drank lots of beer, which was a challenge for me... and admired beautiful architecture


in the heart of Old Town Square...


a friend checking out an eclectic "Bohemia Bagel"


"Tuzemsky" was the spiced rum I had last night (and it was yum!), and we explored Praha 1 today, the main part of Old Town. I live close by, in the Praha 2 region. On the right, I found a cute tea place! I love tea.

More to come later! Need to crash, it's past midnight and I was out all night last night!

1 more day!

My sweet friend Mishy gave me a Moleskin Prague to accompany my travels. I'm a notebook nerd, so I love this! On my last day tomorrow, I'm going to try really hard to be strict with myself and re-edit what I've packed. Again. I have one and a half suitcases full of clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and I have a feeling I should try to whittle it down to one suitcase, unless I want to look like Joey on the way back!

some fun facts and activities

1. Prague is 6 hours ahead of New York time, not bad!

2. There will be approx. 160 people in my program, which includes NYU and non-NYU students.

3. My orientation week (Aug. 31 to Sept. 6) is going to be awesome. I'm taking some intense Czech classes and a billion tours, starting with a "Jewish Prague" tour, which means visiting the famous Jewish Cemetery:

via here

4. Then there's Old Town Square...

via here

5. The Prague Castle...

via here

6. And a Kafka tour, which I hope is not as depressing as The Metamorphosis. This is where he lived from 1916 to 1917:

via here

7. Boat cruising down the Vltava River:

via here

And then, for a special evening event, I get to choose one of the following:

MONDAY: Cirque Trottola, Letni Letna
WEDNESDAY: Rusalka, National Theatre OR Jazz Concert, Jazz Dock
THURSDAY: Ice-hockey match, Tesla Arena
FRIDAY : Carmen, National Theatre OR Turandot, State Opera OR La Putyka, La Fabrika
SATURDAY: Czech Philharmonic, Rudolfinum

I'm thinking either the Cirque or Carmen at the Opera. What's your opinion? I love them all! This is going to be tough.

6 days!

I'm finding it harder and harder to sleep now that the countdown is less than one week! Lots of anxiousness and (barely) sleeping at 4am now. I've packed and repacked... and then remembered that I still have to wear clothes for the next few days... so unpacked again. Haha! I still have to buy a combination lock for my Northface backpack (doesn't hurt to be cautious!), but I can safely say I'm all done (redone, and undone) with preparations!

I'm bringing two medium sized luggage bags, and what's surprising is... I'm actually a light packer! I could fit all my things in even one suitcase, who would've thought? I guess it's one part ruthless wardrobe editing, one part practicality -- gotta make room for European purchases! -- and one part complete self-restraint. You see, I'm a nut about shoes, but I'm only bringing:

the booties

1 pair of: moccasins, flats, tennis shoes
2 pairs of: boots (flat Fryes and a wedge heel)
2 pairs of: heels (leopard pumps and vintage oxford booties)
(and flip-flops and slippers, but they don't count!)

Now if you think 7 pairs of shoes is a lot for only 3.5 months -- it's not! They're the bare essentials. But you know what? I'm very happy with this solid little number. Excess is just silly... what's the point of bringing those sexy 4-inch espadrilles I can't walk in and will only wear once or twice? (And, everything still fits in one suitcase, that is, if I wear my Fryes on the plane. Hmm.) Okay, I need to get some sleep! Can't wait to fill you in some more soon! And it won't be about shoes, I promise! :)

two weeks

I'm sorry for this silly little countdown, but I just can't help it! These past few days have passed so slowly, which is unfair because I know my 3.5 months in Europe will fly by, just like this summer. Maybe growing older somehow makes life accelerate? The last I recalled, it was still May, and I just started my internship work! Three random things I'd loved to have slowed down:

1. exploring Philadephia

at the Walnut Theatre (America's oldest theatre, founded in 1809!)

2. enjoying Rita's lemon and mango water ice.


3. riding shotgun in a car post-beach, with the windows down and hair flying


Oh, I can't wait to share more lovely experiences with you! xoxo