The Travel Bug: Last thoughts & Last hello's... leading to Last goodbye's

Days Spent Abroad: 116

Hours Spent on Planes: 39
Hours Spent in Airports: 56
Hours Spent on Trains: 10
Hours Spent on Buses: 59
Countries Visited:9
Cities Visited: 12
**Thanks C. for the idea**

Life in the Czech Republic.

Only in the beginning of my blogging quests did I mention my life within Prague. I have gotten caught up in my European adventures that I haven't had time to really write what it has been like living in a city where the language is so foreign that it doesn't even matter how much you know, you will never fully understand what is really going on.

Living in a city where the people could possibly be the most unfriendly people you may ever encounter.

A city that never sleeps and drinking at 5:30am on the metro is considered socially acceptable. (Thanks Alex for starting that tradition)

A city that has a cafe' on every block, where friends meet for coffee and cake on the regular, no matter what age.

A city where pivo (beer) or even vino (wine) is cheaper than water.

A city where there are no smoking limitations and people chain smoke like it's their job.

A city full of obedient dogs that are treated like children.

A city where baby strollers can be left outside, unattended, and parents won't be seen as absolutely insane and won't go to jail for child abuse.

This cold, dreary and unfriendly city could simply be my favorite place in the entire world.

Ranking of my European Adventures:

1. Prague (No explanation needed)

2. Vienna (Gorgeous city, great friends, the entire program and The Centimeter)
3. Greece/Athens (Took a risk and went alone, absolutely beautiful, the beaches and got a tan)
4. Budapest (Beautiful city, first trip with Celia, ate duck and was adventurous)
5. Nice (Warm, Beautiful, first beach trip and got to experience southern France)
6. Munich (Was only there for 1 night at the very beginning of the program, but I met my amazing friends here.)
7. Berlin (Becca's B-day and last trip with all my friends!)
8. Moravia (First weekend, the caves, the winery and the drunken bus trip which was the funniest thing I have witnessed/been a part of...)
9. Amsterdam (Girls weekend, pretty city, reminded me of home and the American Food store)
10. Krakow (The water park, appreciating life and getting to see Auschwitz.)
11. London (First Broadway play: Wicked and rooming with Celia where we would become Besties!!)

My Nightlife in Praha:
I am going to miss...

Monday night family dinners with Celia, Becca, Sara, Sarah and Kacy... and Alex who tends to be our special guest.

Tuesday nights at Chapeau Rouge are always interesting.

Wednesday nights which are usually Erasmus events at one of the popular nightclubs.

Thursday nights at Radost... where Rihanna shot her music video to "Please don't stop this music..."

Friday nights at Lucerna are my absolute FAVORITE!

Saturday nights at Karlovy Lazne (5 story club and largest club in Central Europe) or to one of our favorite spots.

Sunday nights... procrastinating on homework & catching up on MUCH needed sleep.

Other Favorite places:
Sasazu
Roxy (on my birthday)
U Sudu
Duplex
Nebe (wish I went here more...)

Things that I will miss:
Lunch dates with the girls.

Cafe dates to do "homework".

Living in the Kolej with all my friends and knowing that they are just down the hall.

Pre-gaming in the Sara(h)s room or in Alex's room.

Dinner dates with Celia.

Walking everywhere and taking the metro.

The 51 night Tram home... even though it sometimes sucked!

McDonalds after a night of clubbing... and convincing everyone to get some, too.

Getting lost in the city and then eventually finding my way.

Speaking terrible Czech.

Hearing English and thinking it is weird...

Being surrounded by the Czech language and not knowing what is being said... love it.
(Sometimes I tried to guess what they were talking about... I'm sure I was never right.)
Not having the TV/Radio to distract me or waste my time.

Only having my computer to keep in touch with the outside world.

Drinking Pivo with Alex.

Day-drinking, taking a nap and then going out at night.

Sending text messages to the states (sissy) and knowing that they cannot respond.

Receiving mail and packages, almost weekly.

Sending postcards to the US.

Eating only rice, chicken and pasta for weeks.

Being forced to re-wear clothes.

My Vodaphone.

Having the same study habits as Becca- we like to pull allnighters!

Crashing in all of my friends room weekly.

Waking up early and going to bed late.

Drinking 3 cups of coffee by 11am.

My last week in Prague was spent studying my butt off for finals and writing papers galore but as soon as my last final was over- Wednesday at 4:30pm... it was time to enjoy the last few days in Prague.

Wednesday night we went out to Nebe for drinks. Thursday I went exploring, drank a bottle of wine while packing and then went out to Radost with all my friends. Friday I finished packing, went downtown and just wandered the streets by myself, then went to Gloria Jeans (cafe), where I just relaxed. I later met up with Alex, Celia, Sara and Sarah at Choco Cafe, the very first cafe we went to in Prague. It was bittersweet. All of us went out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Prague and then we ended the last night by all of AIFS going to a park, drinking and hanging out with everyone. It was a great way to end the best 4 months of my life.

I am going to miss SO many people here in Prague; all of AIFS but especially my amazing friends, Celia, Sara, Sarah, Becca, Alex, Tom, and Kacy.

I'm sure when I get home tomorrow I am going to be really mopey and a mess... please don't take offense to my actions... it will just be tough to say goodbye to Praha and to everyone.

By the time you have finished reading this, I will probably be back in HOT Maryland. I am not at all excited to return home, but seeing as it is happening regardless, I am more willing to except that my study abroad experience is officially over.