First week of the Czech intensive course.

On Monday our program began the two week intensive language course located in two designated buildings in the heart of the city. Going to class here is much different than my usual 10 minute wake up before class and sprint down to Feinstein for a quick 50 minute day dream session. It takes me 30 minutes to get to my class via metro. I don’t mind the transport but when you get back to your room at 5 in the morning then wake up at 8 for the 9 olcock class its not soo pleasant. So far I have learned a lot of Czech. The pronunciation is very difficult but the language itself is not too too bad. During one of our orientation meetings this one student raised her hand and asked in the most serious tone “how intense will this class be? I think im going to fail.” I could not help but chuckle a little bit. We have one test next week that should not be too bad. Im fortunate to have this enthusiastic teacher named zuzana. She might be 5 foot with bright pink hair (she s a little off her rocker). She takes us on field trips, talks about her life stories, and gives us advice on the does and don’ts during our stay.
This past weekend was our first weekend off as well. Our whole program was excited to be introduced to the night life as we strutted into the metro We went to this place called Lucerna where the theme for the night was 80s and 90s throwback. The great thing about Prague is their adaption of American music, all of the songs on the radio and newsstands are jayz riahnna and obv Justin bebbier and much more. We did not know what to expect from this place but when we arrived we felt like we were at home. If you times clubbies by 100 you would be standing in the heat of the dance floor of lucerna. There was as a huge stage in the front where anyone could have gone up and danced (Little bigger than the traditional pool table). For some reason I felt obliged to show prague my magical moves. When I got up on stage I literally started to laugh picturing myself next to Kara Cook on the stage with the muted microphone singing to hundreds of people. Needless to say I took the spot light and had a blast. It got a little interesting when the guys to my left started shedding clothes into the crowd, which was my cue to get the heck off stage. I made a pact with a couple guys that the only way we were to get home was on the metro that began running at 5 am. Steve Thomas and I thought it was a brilliant idea to stroll into a casino to kill some time. Steve sat down at the slots machine, inserted a couple coins and lost it a second later. We could not figure out how to play because all the slots were in Czech. I tried putting in 20 krown into one slot where I instantly jammed the machine, just my luck. I grabbed Thomas told him they were “closing” and we hit the road.
The following day was gorgeous, clear skies 35 degrees and sunny. I woke up at 10, took a shower, had some bfast and hit the city. I went exploring by myself for the first time and it was great. i found a bunch of little shops and cathedrals that I had not seen yet. even better, I was jamming out on my itouch to Jason mraz and thunderstruck reminiscing my jam sessions with dave castellano. The coolest building that we have come across thus far is the castle looking cathedral in old town square named Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) is one of two main squares in the city centre (the other is Wenceslas Square, 5 minutes walk away). With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches, this is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. I learned the other day that Walt Disney came to old town square in his youth and became inspired by the architecture and ultimately modeled the magic kingdom after. If you look at my pictures in my profile you will be able to see the resemblance. Day by day im getting to love prague more and more.
God bless
Tom