Mini Updates from the last few weeks

First off, apologies that this blog will be so rushed. It's about midnight and I have to get up at 5 am. However, there are a few things I've been meaning to write about that I just haven't yet.

First off, let me just comment on how amazing the people running my program are. While I may have paid close to $14,000 to be here..I am getting basically every cent of that money back. We get free cultural activities, trips, and Jana (our own personal "google" when it comes to all things Czech related.)

Through our program we are given the chance to see certain events paid for by AIFS. Two of those were the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Opera Figaro. Both were incredibly wonderful and although I don't know enough about music to critique, I do know that I enjoyed both immensely.


Philharmonic Orchestra

Meeting outside Charles University to head across the street to the Philharmonic

Zdenek ("Z") telling us all about the history of the building and the Figaro Opera

Alongside this, we also made the 5 minute trek to Staroměstské Náměstí (Old Town Square) for a free concert by Goran Bregovic. The turnout was incredible as the entire square was packed and we listened to a mix of polka sounding tangos (trust me..the description doesn't do the bizarre music justice).



My friends and I also traveled to the Jiřího z Poděbrad, Wine Festival, in Prague. It was a very interesting experience as we saw an entire square of people gathered together to celebrate wine. The baby wine that I also mentioned a few posts ago was also widely present..

And in addition, we also made the journey to český krumlov. While a truly beautiful city, it unfortunately has become a very tourist-y spot. However, sometimes a person needs to do tourist-y things in order to see the exquisite. It was by far worth the 3 some hours by train, an interesting ticket that explains nothing, and spending the train ride talking to an 80 year old woman that spoke no English at all (not to mention the absolute beauty of the town).

We hiked up the world's longest set of stairs (possibly an overexaggeration..) for this view. WORTH IT!

Chris, Jordan, and I woke up ridiculously early for the journey.



Lastly (yet probably one of the most exciting things), was my chance to spend close to 2 hours in the headquarters of Radio Free Europe. I had the opportunity to do a Q&A session with the director for Radio Free Europe in Moldova and Zachary Peterson, a Media Affairs Specialist.
If it weren't for my Czech teacher (Zuzanna), who teaches Czech to many of the people employed by RFE/RL, I would not have had the opportunity to discuss everything from the radar program to how a culture's beliefs affect what is said on RFE.
Truly an amazing experience.


Sorry for the briefness of each thing..I'm just so tired!!!!