marching to the beat of gypsy feet

Trekking from Wincelas Square to Old Town Square with the gypsies today proved to be a remarkable feat.  Previously, my view of gypsies stemmed from my grandmother’s warning that their fake babydolls would guilt me into giving them money and then they’d pick my pockets in return for my kindness.  Needless to say, it was kind of skewed.

Unlike the fake-babydoll-carrying-swaddling-clothes gypsies of Italy, the Romani gypsy parade was a fantastical celebration of gypsy culture in Prague. Decked to the nines in makeup, bells, bangles and flowy clothing of all sorts, the gypsies twirled and whirled their way through town. Supported by family, friends, photographers and fanny-packed bystanders, gypsies young and old strutted their stuff down the cobblestone streets. Representing all ethnicities, from Indian to Hispanic, the gypsies marched in support of their homelands.

Never before have I feared being trampled, but kneeling down trying to capture a photo of gypsy feet can really change a person's mind on those types of things. Elbowing and wedging my way to the front of the crowds, I felt similarly to that 'N Sync concert I went to in middle school. It's interesting how some points in your life connect to vastly different experiences you've had. 

Because the parade was moving so swiftly, it was almost as if the crowd was doing a tango with the each gypsy tribe, circling and dispersing, constantly in flux. Winding around corners, down the narrow streets, the parade hustled and bustled with colorful life.  For some of the younger girls, it seemed as though this were their big ballet recital, posing and twirling all lipsticked and smiley. 

I was thoroughly impressed by the dedication of each tribe to their performance. I took this picture because I wanted to capture both the landmark of Prague and the contrast of the colorful gypsy. In addition, I wanted to illustrate the movement and chaos that ensued during the parade. I think this photo depicts the parade to a tee. 

the end of the line.

We ventured to the Billa (grocery store) this morning to stock our pantry in case of emergencies, like last night. We got lots of delicious cheeses and breads, in addition to our cheap czech toiletries. I filled a basket and spent 400 CZK (like 22 dollars...sweet!). Then we came home and took a nap, since we're all still recovering from jetlag.

Around seven or so, we decided to go out to dinner for our first real meal. We went to a place called Pilsner something-er-other. It's still up-in-the-air if Pilsner sign just indicates that they serve it, or if thats the name...because theyre everywhere. And we, of course, drank a signature Pilsner - for .5 Liters it was 39 CZK ( about 2 dollars ...also sweet!) They had English menus but we still ordered our food hesitantly. I got gnocchi with salmon and cream sauce - basically what it sounds like with a few fish bones for flavor. My roommates for the "farmers special" which came with potato dumplings - sliced potato, potato pancakes - fried potato slices, bread - like an american dumpling, pork and cabbage - sweet sauerkraut. And then my other roommate got herb trout and french fries - lucky her, she got the whole fish...eyeball included.

Important things to know: All the Czech food appears to be very hearty -- Meat, potatoes, and gravy. Smoking is allowed inside. Beer is really, really cheap and dogs can ride the tram, and go inside restaurants.

After dinner we came back to the apartment for a bit, then headed out to go exploring. We took the tram down to where we thought the Old Town Square was, but it wasn't. We drank out of an awesome public water fountain, and then everyone decided to go back to the apartments. This is where it gets good.

Jules and I didn't want to go back, so we figured we'd explore for a bit more, then take the same tram back before midnight (when they close). So around 11:15 pm, we opted to get on the tram to ensure we made it back on time. So we headed down to the station, and hopped on...the wrong way. Realizing after a couple miles that we were heading away from the city, we figured - oh well theres still 30 minutes, surely it turns around and we'll still get to where we need to go - wrong. WRONG.

At what we thought might be the last stop, we peeked our heads out and the tram drivers waved the "cut-off" sign at us -- i.e. get off the tram. NOW. its closed.

The blue dot is where we live, the red dot is where we were.  On foot. 

So there Jules and I were, in literally, the middle of nowhere. There was a tram stop and thats it. It was the end of the line. We were completely panicked with nothing and no one in sight. We tried to devise a plan: Ok - we'll walk along the tracks and we'll get back to somewhere familiar...well that might have worked, except the tram takes its own overpass that i doubt it would be safe to walk on. second plan, text mom and get the address and our teachers phone number - maybe we can call a cab - oh wait - we dont know where we are or how to dial a czech phone number. Third plan, even though its after midnight, lets wait at this stop and hope a tram that passes, picks us up - oh my, there is a god and it did! - we got back to the city. not home, but atleast there were lights.

We looked at the tram map while riding it alone at 12:30 and picked a stop near the metro. The tram is a trolley car, the metro is a subway...from what I've gathered. There's also busses and taxis - Czechs are big on public transport. So we get off where the tram runs over the metro...too bad the tram is underground, and just because you can see it on a map, doesnt mean you can get on it. We walked around that area for a couple minutes and spotted a gas station that was open, asked the attendant if she spoke english - no, of course not. Then we saw a bar, the diviest of dives, with three helpful men.

This is how the conversation went:
- Do you speak English?
- leetle beet
- Metro?
- i said leetle beet
- (Czech words from other guy explaining that i meant the metro)
- oh, red blue or yellow?? A, B or C?
- um red?
- red blue or yellow?
- (other guy chimes in) - um tram 18?
- other guy 2 - 18, 24, 17, 6

As I'm sure you can see, the conversation was going places, just not back to our house. They were trying their very best to use their 'leetle beet' of english and we said thank you -- they actually said you're welcome once they figured out how to say it -- and headed back to gas station.

My guardian angel had my back and put a cab at the gas station! We showed him the address (thanks mom!) and you'll never believe it, he took us there! (and played Britney Spears on the ride) So for only 200 CZK (11 dollars) we made it home...safe and sound.

Now that I've mastered the door, we walked right in. Completely ready to kiss everything in our apartment and so grateful we made it home alive.

Things I learned today:
Fish come with bones and eyeballs.
Trams don't run in circles.
Program your address into your phone.
Bring your phone.
Stun guns make you feel really safe when you walk alone on railroad tracks in the middle of the night in a foreign country.
Stun guns don't make you feel really safe when you realize you're walking alone on railroad tracks in the middle of the night in a foreign country and if someone actually attacked you, your stun gun might seem like a girl-punch.
Not all taxi drivers are scary and rip you off.
Don't leave home without a map.
Learn a couple Czech words.

Side note - just like my Italian washing machine, the Czech washing machine also sounds like its going to take flight any minute.

Let the blogging begin.

After my Orlando flight getting delayed, flying to JFK with every single person who had previously been at Disney world, sprinting to my Paris flight and then sitting in the plane for an hour and a half before taking off, I finally made it to Paris.

Aerial View of the Beaches of Normandy

The difference between Europe and the U.S.

Bonjour Paris! (You can see the Eiffel Tower in the foggy distance if you squint)

I have an eight or so hour layover there before I fly to prague. One might think that thats plenty of time...until you've been to Charles de Gaulle. After I walked all over the airport at least five times, stopping at every single information desk and getting different directions, I've finally identified the gate that I think my flight will leave from. Because I'm so early, I can't check my bag yet, which means I got to carry it around on all those inter-airport journeys. In addition, you can't go into the bathroom with luggage, and you can't leave your luggage unattended. Meaning I couldn't go to the bathroom. I had big plans to brush my teeth/freshen up/etc, but was just continuously denied from the bathroom by a large metal pole.

Finally, I decided to venture into the handicap stall. I don't recommend that because apparently, it's not acceptable. The dirty French looks I got were more than memorable.

French Handicapped Bathroom

On a positive note, I think, many people have just started talking to me in French. I'm going to take that as a compliment and just think that it's because they think I'm french.

I had my first baguette of the summer, and it was delicious.

Currently, I'm looking forward To checking this bag, taking a nap and making it to Prague before the end of the world hits.