First day of school!

I'm so excited that the next step in our journey is underway... :)

Today we showed up "really early" according to our teacher (apparently in Prague, 15 minutes is much to early to arrive somewhere), laptops and backpacks in tow. After a quick orientation session and then a break, we did our first teaching methodology workshop - well, a shortened version of one. Then lunch (which was mostly just walking around the few blocks near the school to see where the cheapest food was).

After lunch, another teacher (and former student of the school) took us on a tram/walking tour of Praha, including Prague Castle which I had still not walked around in. I also saw some of Malestranska ("small quarter") and a bit more of Novemestro ("new town"). When we were done with the tour, we all had dinner together at a restaurant across the street from the school (Scot drank 2 liters of beer). All in all, a packed and exciting day!

Since I'm totally exhausted, that's all for now. More details soon, I promise!

- Nova.

P.S. I think I've found my place - it's a flat right by the Old Town Square, cheap, furnished, and my roomates are international 20-somethings. Yay! I move in Wednesday of this week...

Starbucks.

<-- Today's weather. The Vltava River is the longest in the Czech Republic; it neatly lines the perimeter of Praha's city center.

Since Tuesday, we've been coming in to town as early as we can get out the door (usually around noon), and bunkering down at the Starbucks in the Old Town Square. Unfortunately, Starbucks is the only place we've found with a reliable Wi-Fi connection so far, so we've been thoroughly abusing it as much as possible. Inside, its like a space/time vacuum. Tuesday we spent seven hours here. Yesterday it was about four. Today, we are at six and counting...

We've been working on our first grammar assigment. Suffice it to say, we are slowly losing our minds... I already knew that English was one of the most difficult languages in the world to dissect and learn, but this is nearly torture for a native-speaker!! I'm almost brain-dead at the moment.

More later, after stab myself in the eye with a green plastic straw...

- Nova.

Pics!

One week down...

It's officially been one week since we left home! Already, it feels like we've been here longer -- I'm starting to feel that its "my" city now. I'll take you on a little tour!

Above is "Prague Castle" (yes, that's what it's called by locals and tourists). This seems to be the pride and joy of Praha, and we have been told multiple times that we really must take a tour inside. Interestingly enough, Scot and I haven't gone on any tours at all yet. We've mostly just been exploring on our own. :)

On the right are some desserts... Folks here seem to like lots of yogurt/puddings/goulash/mushy-saucy stuff. It's funny how something like texture and consistency can have a 'cultural' feel. For some reason these looked particularly yummy and I had to take a picture. (Look Scott, chocolate mousse!)

Left is a poster for the Franz Kafka exhibit -- one of my favorite writers of all time. Praha is where he was born and also where he spent his last days, dying of tuberculosis. His grave is also in this city... I would love to visit it. This is the door of the building he died in, near the Old Town Square. They have regular tour of his old apartment, as well as a year-round exhibit in his honor.

On the right is one of my favorite pieces of archi-tecture: The Old Town Hall clock. It was built in 1410, and was then re-built with a few improvements by Master Hanus in 1490. This picture doesn't do the detail justice... it's magnificent. In its entirety, the thing is about 3-stories high.

And a parting thought on the mini-tour: everything in this city is ornate, beautiful, delicate, cherished. Even the most run-down looking buildings have remnants of detailed, hand-carved door frames, or sculpted plaster trim lining the top floor before the roof begins. Even the lamp posts have an ornamented, gothic feel. I am especially in love with the gold inlay and accents on the darker towers -- in the sunlight it has an incredibly striking effect. I'm sure some of my infatuation is coming from experiencing this place for the first time and being on sensory overload, but it's truly gorgeous. That's not to say I don't equally love Seattle's sky/city/buildings/water... You all know I'm a northwest-enthusiast. :)

But there is something to be said about Europeans' appreciation of beauty, in everything. Everything seems to have been thought about for a long time before executed. This is a very purposeful place. For me it's comforting, grounding... This journey has shaken up everything for me -- everything I thought was concrete in my life is suddenly being put into focus under a new, constantly-moving lens. Few things seem solid. I'm sure I sound totally insane at this point, but hopefully some of you can make sense of that.

We miss everyone so much, and are sending tons of love over the ether...

- Nova.

Internet-Blues.

...Hey folks, just wanted to post a quickie. The internet at the house keeps going out periodically for some reason, so Scot and I found a Starbucks in town that has free Wi-Fi. Though I don't have time to post much, I just wanted to say that we are doing great and are continually being blown away by this amazing city.

A trip to the grocery store yesterday was a fun adventure (we only bought things with pictures on them so we wouldn't end up with any mystery-food), and today Scot was finally able to get the ever-elusive electric converter (not to be confused with the cheaper and much easier to find electric adapter). Every day we have been traming into town as early as we can, walking around until our feet are too sore to go much further, and traming home in the evening. So far, so good. :)

Big hugs to everyone back home...

- Nova.

Doors.

This door-post is just for you, Kimmy. :) These are some of my fav's...

- Nova.

Tram-tastic.

So today we went on quite the adventure! We got lost a total of 6 times, but managed to find our way through the city and even get home early. We got on the wrong tram 3 times, and walked in circles a few more... All in all, a good "exploring" day. At least I'm now intimately familiar with our map! And to top it off, it was raining today, Seattle-style; it started out as drizzle, got heavier and lighter throughout the day, and cast that familiar gray shadow over the city. Beautiful.

We also found our school (across the street from the main Muzeum), a few great shopping areas, a super hip lounge/cafe/dance club with the most vegetarian options I've seen in a restaurant so far (though their free Wi-Fi was awful), and a post office... among other things. We already have a few places in mind to return to tomorrow to spend a proper hour or two browsing, since we had such a tight schedule today.

Scot even managed to muster up some courage to give a CD to the bartender at the lounge/cafe/dance club, explaining through broken-English that he would like to play his music there. ;)

I can't believe how beautiful it is here. Everywhere you look are these ancient, elegant buildings that look like they've been in a time capsule that was opened just now for your viewing pleasure. The city is filled with old trims, statues, detailed woodwork... I'm in love with all of the doors (I have a ridiculous amount of door-pictures already!) and the gold-tips on the spires. Lots of colors too, but muted, pale colors that suit central Europe (like a washed out version of the bright houses and city-buildings in Mexico or the Caribbean). Today my camera's battery died and I have to find a charger because I thought it took AA batteries (didn't check before we left, like a total dork) and didn't pack one.

Tonight is our hosts' last night here before they fly out in the morning, so I'm sure something fun for dinner will be afoot. Last night we spent about 5 hours(!) in a beer garden with their friends as a small farewell/congrats celebration. It was really great to meet other teachers too, especially folks that work at an International School (which is totally my dream-place of employment).

We know so many of you would love it here. Sending love over the ether...

- Nova.

Since the video isn't ready yet...

- Nova.


(p.s. I love my camera - thank you Scott.)

Prague: Full Day #1.

Europe is just as I remembered it and more... The red tiled-roofs, the Gothic architecture in town, quaint quietly-green hills, and of course the miniature appliances and weird-looking outlets. :) Everything is simpler yet richer... More 'full' but not as indulgent (as what we are used to in America). It feels like my true 'home' - not necessarily Prague specifically, but being in central/eastern Europe and the dichotomous feeling of detailed simplicity I get here.

I love looking in the compact-refridgerator and seeing Czech labels on the condiments. :)

The house we are staying in is in a little village about a 15-minute tram from the center of town, so its nice and quiet here. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are little mini-parks. It's rather zen-like; a sort of Euro-spiritual retreat! Lol. This is also the "American-sect" of Prague -- lots of English speaking folks around here (or so we've been told, we haven't actually had a chance to walk around this neighborhood yet). We are going to take off here in a bit and do a little exploring by foot... Tram-exploring starts tomorrow.

Lots of love to our friends and family back home... And keep an eye out for our travel-video that will be posted as soon as Scot's done editing it. ;)

- Nova.

In Prague!

Ok guys, we made it safe and sound to Prague and are here settling in with my friends whose house we're sitting. More later as we are headed out the door to dinner, just wanted to let everyone know we got here! :)

- Nova.

We're alive!

Not that traveling is particularly life-threatening... Mostly, we are just celebrating the functionality of our bodies after sitting in airport seats for nearly 13 hours.

After the last couple of heart-breaking goodbyes, Scot and I were dropped off at the airport at about 5:15am (2 hours before our departure time) only to find the longest line I have ever seen at those counters in my life. Instant mini-panic for me - great, we are going to miss our first plane and it will only make everything else worse - but no, we just got in line and it moved fairly quickly. The guy helping us out didn't even weigh our checked bags (which I had been feeling paranoid about not weighing ourselves). After we got through security we had a little time to breathe before our first departure of this trek... And we made a little video for you which is not uploading right now for some reason, but I will put it in later.

Then we got onto the plane and flew far far away... to Newark! We checked in with Dave & Anna once we'd eaten a bit (it was their 30 year anniversary yesterday), and then got on the next plane. It was only a 3-hour layover in Newark so it went by fairly fast. Now came the exciting part! The first international flight on the journey... And Scot's first flight to Europe. :)

After a long over-night flight, interrupted by kids screaming, hot kosher meals, and an appearance in the Mile High Club, we landed in France... And also the worst airport I think I've ever been in. Not easy to find information, people are mean and nasty, and you have to go through security like four times just to get to your gate. The restrooms (which are about the only easy to find services in the entire building) only have two stalls each. And their internet connection leaves something to be desired...

But we do have *THREE* videos to upload onto this blog, as soon as I have unlimited-internet access. Paying for the internet sucks! I'm so spoiled... Lol!

- Nova.

In about 4 hours,

we are getting on a plane. We are getting on a plane and leaving everything we know...

This weekend has been filled with goodbyes, alcohol, tears, hugs, cleaning, the gradual loss of keys, food, music, love, hookah-smoking, packing and re-packing, gifts, dancing, and promises made to each other and friends/family. Today was also Scot's birthday (23rd!) -- we tried to find some time to celebrate together amidst the day-before-take-off-preparations.

Thank you to all of our dear friends and family who have supported us through this decision and have helped us prepare with positive reinforcement and undying support. Both Scot and I have been receiving a lot of love over the past few days... It's a really special feeling to witness in a short span of time, and in a very deep and meaningful way, how many people care about you. In a morbid kind of tangent, it's almost like witnessing your funeral, but it being a happy occasion... I feel that few people truly get to experience the kind of support Scot and I have been bombarded with over the last three days. Its overwhelming and humbling. Thank you.

That said, I promise to post a few party-pics from my funk party and from the house party as soon as my head stops spinning (I'm guessing that will be Paris). :)

About 4 hours 'til take-off. Let the games begin...

- Nova.

*5* days...

Well, it seems we are already counting down the hours (about 84)!! So far, we are nearly ready to go - I've gotten almost everything into storage, we saw an amazing show on Monday that helped give us a a mental/emotional boost (pic on the left), and we are cleaning out the fridge. :)

Tonight is the funk-themed party at Heavens nightclub in Pioneer Square -- if you want to stop by, make sure you're in funk-gear!

Tomorrow night is the super-huge-mega going-away party at Unsound America headquarters on Beacon Hill. Hopefully everyone already has this in their calendars and will come by to wish us a fabulous Bon Voyage! If you need directions, just give either of us a call.

That's all for now, until my head stops spinning... :P

- Nova.

10 days.

One of the last trips up to Scot's parents' beach house in Stanwood, WA. -->

I'm realizing that a fair number of you out there know that I'm Scot-napping Scot and taking off to Prague, but aren't really sure what I'm going to do from there... So here is the plan I concocted in January (just insert Scot alongside for most of this).

Step 1: Get to Prague! We fly out on June 16th (don't miss my funk-themed going away party at Heavens on June 12th, or our super-huge-massive-joint-going away party at Unsound America HQ on June 13th!) and arrive the next day in the afternoon. Then we will have about 10 days of complete freedom to hang in the city and check things out.

Step 2: Find a place to stay. My American friends we are staying with for the first few days are actually engaged, and are returning to the U.S. for about 4 weeks to get married(!). They fly out from Prague just a few days after we arrive, so we get to house-sit for them for them for about a month. After they return, Scot and I will find our own places.

Step 3: Get a job. Though I have plenty of marketable skills and an extensive resume here in Seattle, it may not translate (no pun intended) so well in the Czech Republic when looking for work. I am neither fluent in Czech, nor have I ever been to Prague before or have any business connections there. So I've decided to enroll in a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification course. There are a variety of ways to get this certification - you can do it online, in your hometown/country, or abroad, anywhere in the world - and native English speakers are the most sought after for filling teaching-English positions. This particular one is located in Prague, and they promise to help us find our own housing near the end of the course, and also guarantee job placement (which means they help you get interviews around the city or even potentially employ you at their school). They also give you a crash-course in Czech, a tour of the city, and the chance to make a few friends that speak English so you don't feel completely isolated in a new city.

Step 4: Settle in. After I have a job and my own apartment, I'll buy furniture, dishes, put up art on the walls... and settle in for as long as I possibly can (or for as long as I can keep getting my visa renewed or perhaps even get citizenship, though I'm not entirely sure what the process is like for that). I'm hoping around 5+ years.

Step 5: Pursue passions! Scot is hoping to continue with his electronica music projects and make it big (Seattle just isn't the greatest place to promote the kind of music he does/is into, but Central Europe is perfect!). I'm hoping to do some dancing (and maybe some miming) and revive my dormant-artist self that has been in hibernation for the last couple of years. He and I have also been talking recently about doing a collabortaive music/dance installation piece/series to include in his live performances...

Thoughts? I've done my best to see any potential holes in this plan and have been trying to get as much of my basic needs taken care of as quickly/thoroughly as possible... I would welcome anyone's feedback. :)

- Nova.

We are so damn adorable...

2 weeks from today!

<-- Munchkin-feet and Monster-feet.

Two weeks from today, about 5 hours earlier than now (7am), Scot and I will boarding a plane at Sea-Tac, bleary-eyed and already dreading having to drag our ridiculously heavy luggage through another two airports. Sounds marvelous! :)

Nah, just kidding. I'm feeling very positive today... Last night I got a lot of packing/cleaning/sorting done (thanks to the help of amazingly supportive friends) and this morning I woke up feeling lighter. Hopefully Scoty is feeling a little lighter today too (his car was broken into yesterday). A rough couple of days, emotionally speaking, for us both. But honestly, I'm starting to get impatient. It's like I just want to get this darn thing over with! It's almost starting to lag... and yet in the same vein, it's coming on too fast. How does that happen?

- Nova.

Packing procrastination...

As most of you know, I've been slowly packing up everything at my ex's place over the past few months... which, interpreted into reality, means that I have been coming over to his place to hang out with my kitty and watch his cable TV a lot! LOL!

So, now as our flight-date is rapidly approaching, I'm freaking out a little (of course, it's what I do best). At the moment, I'm perhaps a quarter or third done with what I need to do at Scott's place. I'm hoping to get rid of enough stuff to only need a 5 x 5 storage unit, which would of course be the cheapest option available while I'm abroad. If anyone knows of cheap storage in Seattle (i.e. less than $60/month for a 5 x 5), please pass along the info!

Of course Scot (not to be confused with Scott, my ex; the current Scot has one "t") has hardly anything to worry about storing or taking. Why is it always so easy for the guys?!? Us girls accumulate so much crap!! Sheesh!

- Nova.