The Amazing Jicin Adventure!

So, I'm not the world's most social butterfly.  *waits for people who know me to stop laughing*  But in a foreign country (especially with not enough to do right now) I actually hit people up to see what they're doing.  And like, initiate activities.  I facebook friend them after meeting sooner than I ever have.  I've always had this weird trait that I don't like people who like me right off.  But if somebody kind of ignores me then I think they're cool, and I must have them.  In 3 to 8 months we will have exchanged a few casual words, shared some interests, and eventually be friends. 

That's not the formula here.  I met some people at a Christmas party, the next day we got dinner, and the next we took an overnight trip to a smaller Czech Republic town called Jicin.  Then we had many adventures (and misadventures).  And now we're probably friends fo life.  Hopefully at least, Australians are awesome.  I've already learned that the key to being a happy expat is making connections.  It's a big tough city and a lot of locals still don't like foreigners here.  Everyone who's been here a while has said the same thing.  It's an interesting crowd.  A lot of people are like me; want to live abroad, want teaching and living experience, bragging rights back home, etc.  A surprising amount are running from bad or dead-end situations.  And a lot more are just directionless idiots doing teaching as an excuse to party in Europe.  They are my greatest motivation to make it out here.

ANYway, adventures in the nature!  The Aussie is an atypical expat in that he's not an English teacher.  He's an accountant and has access to a company car.  It was really fun riding in a car after a month and a half.  It was also great to just see really really far without buildings or trams or people in the way.  The Czech countryside was really pretty all covered with snow and I'd love to see it in spring or summer.  We had a good drive and listened to good music. 

We got to Jicin, (eechin) and settled in at D's flat.  It's his hometown and he's a student in Prague.  His friend K came along as well, she's Czech but goes to school in Scotland.  We got some Czech food for lunch, I had svickova.  It's meat and dumplings in this creamy sauce with a garnish of cranberry sauce and whip cream.  Then we went to the big attraction in the area, Prachov Rocks.  It's in an area with tons of pine trees, all covered in snow right now of course.  You walk up a wide path and get closer and closer to these huge rocks jutting up out of the ground.  Then we did a slippery and narrow and treacherous hike up and up to where you can view the rocks and whole area from above.  Very cool! The way down was longer but safer.

Since it was Monday night in Jicin we had an early night in with some games and music.  The next morning we headed to the town's castle gate type thing.  D has connections and a cool lady came to open it up for us.  I don't know how she's involved or has keys exactly, but it was nice getting the VIP treatment.  We went up and up more steep steps to the top.  It was a beautiful, clear day so we could look down on the whole town and see for miles. 

Then SOMEBODY had a great idea to go up to this mountain and look at some waterfalls that would be frozen this time of year.  Which would've been cool if we'd made it.  Driving around the busy ski-mountain looking for a parking spot we drove into what definitely wasn't a road and got stuck.  And since it's the Czech Republic, nobody who could have helped us would.  (The Texan and Aussie were appalled.)  Some very nice Germans tried to get us unstuck and got stuck themselves.  Then some stupid Russians though it was a parking area and got themselves stuck as well.  Things were bleak.  And cold.  And kind of hilarious but not.  K and I were about to hop a bus when some blessed being with a tractor and chains got everybody out.  There were actually some kind Czechs who tried to push and help, but most called us stupid and told us it wasn't their problem.  Tractor man wins at life though. 

The plan had been to eat in Jicin and head home, but we made a beeline back to Prague.  Misadventures aside, it was lots of fun.  And just what I needed I think. 

....

I watched a man beat a carp to death on the street, and all my misgivings about being here floated away. 

"Jake, you get wise. You get to church."

It doesn't matter where you go.  Church people will feed you.  They will ask you about your life and they will touch your shoulder or hand.  And then they will invite you back.  Many times.   

Bratska Jednota Baptistu just happens to be on a street I now know very well and live two blocks away from.  What the hell, right?  I'm not crazy about church.  I kind of think people should keep religion to themselves and just do/believe what feels right to them.  But anyway, I was actually really excited to go once I made plans to last night.  It's been a crazy time of uncertainty and the feeding me and asking about my life and even touching my shoulder or hand was cool.  It's a really diverse group with lots of students and expats and English speaking locals.  The weirdest part was meeting a family from Texas.  They have a niece that goes to HSU and he knows Dr. McGraw from seminary. What....I mean, what?! 

After the blessed goodbyes I went to hang out with my athiest friend.  I took a long-cut through one of my favorite places in the city (so far), Riegrove Sady.  It's a park on a hill full of benches and paths and old people and people with dogs and kids on sleds these days.  There's an awesome view of the city, even awesomer at night.  There's also a beer garden there that I can't wait to drink at once it's warm enough.  Anyway, I love wandering around this park.  Saying "Dobre den" to old people, and petting happy dogs, and watching kids bust off of their sleds. 

Doing so today I kind of took a mental step back and really looked at this thing that I'm doing.  I've had one or two "what-am-I-doing-here-I-wanna-go-home" moments this past week.  Not many, but they've hit hard.  A year seems like such a long time to commit to a teaching job, but I know once I get going it'll fly by.  If I manage this I can manage anything and I'll be so proud of myself afterwords.  I just need to get through the holidays and the job-hunt.  I've met a lot of cool people here but maybe a weekly community thing would be a good support system here. 

ANYway, why am I getting introspective, this isn't the Livejournal.

For a minute there...

Haven't been too posty lately for fear of being a bummer.  It's crazy and confusing days, but I'm sticking with things.  I've never really gotten lonely or homesick but a culmunation of things has been making me so lately. 

A big change has been going from being incredibly busy with school all day to suddenly not.  I don't have to spend mornings learning methodology and then plan a lesson I'll be teaching that night.  On one hand it's really nice, but on the other I don't really know what to do with myself.  Well, yes I do, job hunt.  Which is frustrating enough when you speak the same language as people. 

It's also weird  being off from the other TEFL-ers.  We've hung out a bit but I often wonder how they're adjusting to the city and if they're on the same level as I am with the job-hunt.  I know one or two already have job offers.  I've had one intereview but haven't heard back from them yet, *fingers crossed!*. 

The main thing I need to do is to hang out with people and get out into the city.  I've met several other expats who are really cool. We've hung out, either out and about or at their places.  It's nice to just talk about stupid stuff or watch movies or whatever.  I also think in all the stress and being busy I lost sight of how cool this place is and how much there is to do in it.  I'm in PRAGUE.  It might be cold and snowy/slushy/snirty right now but it's still one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  I need to look at the cool colorful buildings now and then and forget about all the teacher-red-tape. 

I think if I stick through the transitional part of this whole thing (and find a J.O.B.) things will be great.  I really am excited to take what I learned in school into a classroom.  We had practice students but we didn't really get to know them or watch them grow or anything.  And everyone I've talked to says it is the hardest and most stressful part.  I'm just not used to this whole "difficult" thing.  It's like I'm "trying", or something.

A German, a Russian, and a Texan move in together....

...and it's not a joke, it's my life.  Like running through Wenceslas Square in the snow to catch a tram.  That kind of European thing that makes me do a mental double take.  There's also the routine grocery shopping and slipping in snow/dirt/sludge seventeen times a day and job-hunting which is No Fun At All.  It's not all a fairy tale here in Praha. 

So yeah, I'm living in a "flat share".  Which means I have my own nice big room set on a hallway with a bathroom on each end and a kitchen in the middle.  Well....a "kitchen".  One sufficient for my style of cooking eggs, pasta, and sandwiches.  It's also in a neighborhood I already know and 5 minutes from a main metro. 

Cross digs off the to-do list. 

GOT IT.

I'm TEFL certified!  I've got a fancy diploma with a seal and signatures in a snazzy blue folder and everything.  Two of our teachers took us all out for a celebratory dinner last night.

 Now I just need to get a job.  I've got a couple of leads with some schools I've heard good things about.  And some school I've heard not-so-good things about.  But I've been told not to be picky at first and to work your way up after getting some experience under your belt.  If it's a terrible situation you can leave. 

More important is finding a place to live.  I can stay in the current housing for a while but it'll be a little more expensive. I'm looking at a place today and another on Monday.  Fingers crossed!

Baby, it's cold outside.

Week 3 is over!  It was a tough one but I made it out alive.  I have three more observed-teaching sessions left as well as two one-on-one sessions I need to schedule.  It's taking a lot less time to lesson plan which is good.  The big grammar test is on Wednesday.  And Friday, granted we all pass, we're having a big party.  Looking forward to it.  Pivo!

After class yesterday I completely stopped thinking about TEFL, (it's okay our teacher told us to for a bit).  Hung out and watched The Social Network, which was very very good.  I felt like I hadn't sat down and watched a movie in years. 

I'm going to look at three different flat-shares tomorrow.  Two are in the neighborhood I'm in now, which I really like.  One is east of here and farther from the center of the city, but the price is good and the girls seem nice.  I've been told to figure out my housing situation before jobs, even though I'm going to start sending CV's out this weekend too.   Lots to do, but exciting times!

I think it's stopped snowing for a while, but there's still snow everywhere.  Apparently there are places where the snow doesn't melt off after a day.  Why?  Because it's 11 degrees outside!  Last night it got down to 3.  3 degrees Fahrenheit.  It's really not so bad, even for this Texas girl. There's no wind to cut through your clothes, it's just cold.  So with long-johns, jeans, a couple of shirts, a fleece pullover, a peacoat, scarf, hat, and gloves, I'm golden.