#1. Asking another teacher about words you've heard your students say, particularly "hovna" (and other such polite terms) may cause reddening of the face.
#2. Just because it says "mleko" (milk), doesn't mean it tastes like the milk in America.
#3. Political rallies are serious here: orange tokens, cheap beer, big sausages, and women on stage singing "Pink Cadillac" in English! lol.
#4. It may be a good idea to not wear a skirt when you're on a train and the windows are down. haha.
#5. Bright red is the new black for hair color, even with 60 year old women.
#6. Your soccer coach may ask you if you'd like to smoke with him after you've just run 800 miles.
#7. Coffee doesn't exist (in the coffee shops here)... only espresso!
Yes, but all this to say:
I still love it here. I might be crazy. I might sound ridiculous. I might blend in very easily ::coughs:: And I might still crave spinach, sweet potatoes and Chik Fil-A. But I'm well on my way to learning more Czech, walking/running 2,457 miles a day, and supporting the consumption of goulash + potatoe dumplings ;)
Love,
El
ps.
Thanks for the birthday messages many of you sent! So sweet! My coworkers and I had some amazing Indian food in the neighboring town, Usti Nad Labem, and we made sure to celebrate my rising maturity in the proper manor - animal face masks, balloons, ice cream (at the pub) and going to bed super early! ha
I love it! #'s 1, 2, 5 true in Russia. Ellen, your learning is contagious ~ May you meet more learners on the road to discovery this week! As you travel together and learn from each other, may you all be amazed and awed as you find the Source of all good - together ...
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess the Czech know how to celebrate, but I'm not sure if that's what I expected! Hahaha. I like your Czech list. HA! Crazy how such strange songs come up as hits in other countries. :D
ReplyDeleteEllen,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what "hovna" means, but I'm incorporating into my daily speech next time I go to Czech.
Thanks, Carl! Appreciate the encouragement. Definitely learning nonstop here. Cool to see it's similar in Russia!
ReplyDeleteKristina, it was hilarious! And Bday wasn't typical Czech-style because I was with my English and Aussie coworkers. It was a fun change...only thing missing was a big dance partay (and you)! ;)
Jon, good call. I think it should be the first word you utter upon entering Czech - preferably to the first policeman or gov't authority you see! ha
Hahaha--I just looked up "hovna"--kids do say the darndest things. :) I think that's universal--it was the same in Spain. I miss you sooo much! Your birthday party sounded awesome! I hope you took lots of photos.
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah? Kids are crazy! Miss you too, Cate! Come visit! :)
ReplyDeleteyou can turn an espresso in to "coffee" just add hot water. Here we call it an Americano, but I have always found that not every barrista knows what that is, but if you explain it they can usually provide it. It sure beats Nescafe.
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