Prague!

Okay...so here is my first real post since arriving in Europe. I feel like I have been over here more than two days! A bunch of the girls from the tour were on the same flight from JFK as me, and we landed around 10:30 am. Two of the Czech partners picked us up from the airport around 11 am and we headed to the hotel. That day we had a practice at 1:00 pm so we just went up to our rooms and hung out for the hour or so before we had to leave. Our hotel is quite different from those that you would find in the states. To begin with, it starts on level 0 and works its way up. I was am in room 303 A so that it is up four flights of stairs which was not feasible with all the luggage I had. However, the elevator really only fit one person so it took a while for everyone to get into their rooms. Each "room" has two smaller, separate rooms each with their own key. Yes, an actual key! Not a credit-card key! They share a bathroom and a common area. The shower and sink are together in one room and there is what I consider a toilet closet. Each room has 3 twin beds, bedside tables, a small couch, and a wardrobe. They are actually pretty nice, but the beds definitely are not as comfortable as home!

Our first practice was fairly easy and consisted of a lot of the same "team" drills we did at LSU. With that being said, it was not like a typical practice at LSU, but I knew most of the competitive drills we did. Everyone was a little jet-lagged and it was hard getting used to new setters and new players surrounding you. One thing that surprised me was that they do not have water fountains here. You must bring your own bottle or drink from the sink! After practice we went out to dinner and had goulash soup and chicken with ham and cheese. It was kinda of funny because when they asked us what we wanted to drink, some of us asked for water. The waitress replied, "Coca-cola or beer." They didn't even sell water! The next day, I was lucky enough to get the early practice. There were 13 of us in that practice and we again did a lot of competitive drills and played a lot. The girls in my group were good so it was fun to play against them. When we got back to the hotel, we quickly showered and then went out sightseeing as a group. However, first we had to get lunch. I had pork neck, saurkraut, and mashed potatoes. It was super good! We then visited the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. By the time we got the Castle and Bridge it was dark, but they were still beautiful. We met up with everyone for dinner at an Italian restaurant after.

Today we were split into 4 teams that will play in different locations around Prague. I was again lucky and was placed in the group that was leaving at 5:15 pm which meant that I had all day to see Prague again. We went back to the Castle and Bridge while the sun was out so we could get some good pictures. Although it was went back to the same places, we went a different route so we saw more of the city. We ate at an authentic Czech restaurant where I had Old Prague onion soup  and chicken goulash, both of which were pretty tasty. After lunch we visited the Clock Tower and then headed back to the hotel. Here are a few pictures I took over the past few days...

In front of the Cathedral in the center of the Prague Castle

 The Cathedral at night

 Another view of the Cathedral at night

 View of the Charles Bridge with the Prague Castle in the background

 Picture taken while on the Charles Bridge of the Prague Castle

 Typical Prague street

 View of Prague taken from the top of the Prague Castle

 Cathedral at Prague Castle during the day

 Clock Tower in Old Town Prague

Overall, Prague was a BEAUTIFUL city. In the past few days, I have walked more than I have in the previous month! However, it was not too tiring because you were surrounded by beautiful buildings everywhere. Hope you enjoy the pictures! (And it is even prettier in person!) Off to Vienna tomorrow!