back in the old town again

So after an unexpected and unfortunate trip back to the USA, I returned to Prague yesterday with a renewed sense of focus and motivation. Immediately upon my arrival at JFK, and then again at Ruzyne, I noted the stark contrast between the American (granted, it was New York) and Czech way of life. The tension and hectic-ness associated with living in the NYC (and DC, too) area is pretty astounding when placed side-by-side with the ease of Prague. Rarely is a car horn heard here. Rarely do you hear people - even little children - talk above a natural volume. It took all of two or three minutes of my first conversation when back here to realize that the volume of my voice was decibels too high. It is immeasurably easier to speak - and be heard - when speaking in a normal volume of voice.

Welcome back to serenity.

So I've found, and am currently sitting in, a bar which not only has NFL and MLB playoffs on TV, an English menu, but it has buffalo wings AND free wireless internet. AND waitresses who speak English. Ahhhhhh. I think I've found my new home away from home (away from home, ...).

Many a family friend and member asked me during my brief visit to the USA about my thoughts of Prague. Naturally, my thoughts on the city were the same that I've posted here. When asked about my place here, and how long my stay here might last, I had a less-canned, and less-sure, answer. While, even with my limited hours of real teaching, I can safely say teaching is definitely for me. Teaching English, however, may grow unexciting. But like I said, I've only had a handful of hours in front of students, so we'll see how my opinions morph as I gain more experience.

My condolences to all Sawx fans out there. May the Spankees be next in line to start their winter vacations.

And that's all the news fit to print on this sunny Sunday in Praha.