Slowing my life down by grabbing a beer in a pub.

As my time draws near to a close here in Prague. (I am plagued with finals currently).  I am running checklists constantly in my head.

Did I see everything I wanted to?
Did I do everything I could to integrate myself into this culture?

Will I have regrets about things I did or didn’t do?

My friend Devi and at a Pub on Saturday night. 

Overall I feel very content with how I spent my time here. I didn’t travel to other countries at all while classes were in session, but I don’t think I regret that.  I spent my weekend exploring the city that has no end.  Daily, I found myself in different hangouts, in new areas that I would have missed had I left on the weekends.  And for that reason, I answer, yes, I did everything I could to integrate myself into Czech culture these last 4 weeks. 

And that folks, is a superb feeling. 

I also didn’t party hard here.  I must admit I drank almost daily at some times (a beer here, a beer there….but no crazy stories of blackout parties), but to be fair, that is also part of the culture J It’s not uncommon to have a beer around 10 am.  In fact, in their free time, most Czechs do go grab a beer.  The culture is relaxed somewhat, in that it is so normal to spend a couple hours in a pub enjoying life, and having pride in the oh so delicious Czech beer. 

Willis and I attending a Jazz festival at Old Town Square.
It was free, and the beer was still cheaper than water! 

It even looks pretty, doesn't it? :)
This is at the jazz festival last week. 

Drinking American beer from here on out will be such a let down.  I know that’s something I will miss most.  Not just the taste, but the culture surrounding drinking a beer.  In America, most college students drink to get drunk (and most Americans on this trip did just that quite often).  But here, I’ve really learned to enjoy the beer, enjoy the people I’m with in that moment, and to enjoy where my life is at this point.

I will forever be thankful that I got the opportunity to live in Prague – itf only for a short while.  I have no doubt that I will be waiting on the day when I can return (perhaps for a full semester?? – eh Mom and Dad?) J

Our Czech class went out to celebrate the end of finals! It was such a relaxing
afternoon, and a fun way to say goodbye to classmates.
I probably spent 3 hours there with friends, just laughing, eating,
drinking a couple beers, and smoking a cigarette.  Yes, I was still
in the middle of finals week. And yes, I have gobs of papers to write.
But when in Prague....do as the the Czechs would!
 Tell me, is that a normal thing to do on Tuesday afternoon
in America? Nope. Not for hours on end.  And not to just relax.
We would be too busy trying to get ahead in life,
too many things to do to waste time enjoying life! 

My life has certainly slowed down a few paces, and I’ve learned to let go of the oh so famous American stereotype of “I must do this, I must get that done now, I must schedule my day by the hour so as to get the most done.” 

Instead, I’ve adopted the Czech lifestyle – “It will get done, stop worrying, and order another beer! Because you find beer like this anywhere else in the world!”

And that's the truth. 

Best,

Cass