spaghetti rehab.: March 2011

History has never been my thing. It might be the fact that American school systems teach a slightly skewed version of Global History and usually tend to focus on only American history. [American pride is wonderful, trust me, I’m all for American patriotism and chauvinistic pride, but 6 years of American history is quite excessive. Especially when the majority of students still can’t tell you when America was founded, the date of D-Day and what the Bill of Rights is. Don’t even try to tell me I’m wrong…because I’m not. But, yeah, the weekly-outdated movies watched, War Propaganda brochures made (for easily 4 weeks straight) and the millions of flow charts constructed were completely beneficial. Go High School!]

Excuse my extraneous rant… but, unfortunately for me, my aversion to history probably isn’t due to the flaws in the education system. I even particularly loved history class…7up was always so much fun! My general abhorrence here is most likely due to the fact that I would rather major in Perez and Facebook stalking than learn about dead people with complicated names, poor hygiene and 50+ children. I guess that’s just me. However, a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Prague with my Uncle John and Aunt Sally, and got a surprisingly pleasant overdose of history. (Which I will get to later).

Me and John at the top of the Clock tower

Spoiled by my uncle, I was picked up at the Prague airport by a chauffer (THANKS AGAIN NHOJ!) They didn’t speak English and I obviously don’t speak Czech, (although get 2 gin and tonics in me and I’m pretty good at persuading you that I can….sorry to whoever has heard this lie. But I’m not that sorry) so the car ride was awkward and silent, my specialty. Which lead to the short paranoid episode in my head, convincing myself that I was getting TAKEN. I didn’t. I was safely transported to the front door of John and Sally’s amazing flat in Old Town, Prague. We immediately set out to explore. After seeing the Charles Bridge, Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square, it was certainly time for a beer. The phrase “Let’s have a beer, why not? We are in Prague!” was used abundantly by the 3 of us, and never got old.

The food in Prague is better than I could have ever expected; a necessary break from the wheels of cheese, bowls of olive oil and oversized portions of pasta consumed daily in Bologna. Ew.

Phrases I need to stop using:

1. “Let’s have (insert highly caloric Italian indulgence), why not? We are in Italy!”

Na Zdravi! Cheers to Becherovka!

In Prague I sampled things from goulash, sausages, cabbage pancakes (my favorite!), pork skewers, rice pudding, and the list goes on. Not forgetting, of course, the ‘Becherovka’, an after dinner digestive (kind of like grappa). Becherovka used to serve medical purposes; apparently some Czech drunks got a hold of it, enjoyed the effects and mass-produced. We enjoyed this Czech Republic liquor with a friend John had done some work with, Diana, and her boyfriend Guido. (An Italian. Bah, when I thought I was off the hook. Italy will never escape me. My level of Italian was quizzed at dinner…luckily I passed!) From them we learned many Czech customs; one being that in Prague you usually don’t have to ask “Can I have another beer?”. The waiter will see that you are low and immediately bring you one. Instead, if you need to terminate your beer consumption, you must tell them “Please! Don’t bring me another!” An extremely enjoyable problem to have.

So back to the history…I was fortunate enough to enjoy a private English tour guide that Nhoj found for the 3 of us. (a luxury that poor study-abroad students usually don't get to have) With her we toured the Prague Castle complex and the Jewish District. She was so knowledgeable about every aspect; I surprised even me when I found myself enjoying all of the historical details being fed to us. However, we all got to the point that our brains were fried and the only way to cure this was a pint of Pilsner. Can you blame us? Regardless, both tours were spectacular. We also learned a new way to peacefully settle arguments, established by Czechs in the 1600s. Defenestration. Look out Tucky and Megs.

I also had the opportunity to see my first opera in the Prague Opera House. Aida by Giuseppe Verdi. Not to shabby for my first opera experience, eh? While I cannot say I will be first in line for opera season tickets, I enjoyed the experience much more than I thought I would. It even came with your stereotypical Viking-esque female opera star! 1 check off my bucket list.

Enjoying the Clock Tower Chime! A-Mazing!

My Prague trip, however, would not have been complete without a trip to the top of the Astronomical clock. After seeing the bell chime (coined one of the most overrated sites in Europe), we figured we would try to get the most out of the experience and climb it so we were there when it chimed. I sit here trying to construct a sentence to capture the grandeur of the moment. Impossible. Unmemorable. Unfortunately, but as expected, we were wildly underwhelmed. The bugle boy even forgot to come out and play his part, Nhoj had to remind him. (I'm going to write a letter to Prague telling them to fire him.) But I can’t say I didn’t enjoy watching all of our fellow gringos at the bottom, stare longingly at the clock, wishing for something more grand to happen. Fools.

Things Prague should get rid of:

1. Czech Crowne—Yes, you are very cheap...but I mean, everyone should just convert to the American Dollar. No brainer.

2. Cobble stone—Ok fine, you're cute. But...not only did I ruin my boots, I almost sprained my ankles 14 times. 21^st century? Pavement appreciated.

3. People with wild hair colors—aka: fuchsia, neon green and bright blue.

But other than that, Prague you are perfect! Before I saw Prague the only thing that struck me when thinking about it was old communistic Europe. While obviously there are still slight traces of this, Prague has developed into a beautiful, busy metropolis, that—for me—takes the cake over Paris, Munich and Florence.

Thanks again to Nohj and Sally for being wonderful travel companions!

Sally, John, Me

I still have no interest in history.

Na Zdravie!

Mals

PS...Nhoj is my uncle. Not the Czech driver. Sorry to confuse you Maried.

PS: to my Hovanec Kin. Interesting fact I learned from our Czech tour guide: Slovakian and Czech are considered two different languages. However, a person speaking Slovak can easily understand a person speaking Czech. She described the two languages as American English vs. British English. Same structure, same everything; some different spellings, different vocabulary and different usage.

Maggie Mom, John, Kaysie, Jimbo, Carkie, Janie, Mom and Jeffy: Even though we were not in Slovakia, I felt a new closeness to our Slovakian heritage. When hearing the Czech language, I immediately recalled memories sitting on Maggie Mom and Grandpa John's porch at 95 Donovan Drive learning Slovakian sayings with my cousins from Grandpa.

I miss you Grandpa John, I love you!