Czech Day

Just came back from seeing Beauty in Trouble. It just made me more excited for my trip. I love those little "slice of life" movies and this was fantastic because I got to see how people in the Czech Republic live, where they live, what they wear, what they eat whatEVER. It really was awesome and I'm so glad I saw it.

I'm glad I've been trying out the Czech language too. I recognized some of the words, not all of them but the smaller ones, greetings and "yes" "no" and such. I think I'm good at pronunciation, I need to start writing the shit down to retain and remember it. I'd love to become fluent, this is going to be my first opportunity to really see if I have what it takes as a linguist.

Today was a very Czech filled day actually. I started off finishing the first chapter of Kafka's America, required reading. Sucks, btw, but it's only the beginning, hopefully it'll get better. Then I read some Czech news on Praguepost.com and read about a gallery showing photos from Prague Spring, as well as how America wants to put a missle radar system in CZ...needless to say it's not going to happen thank god. They have also instituted a public littering law and public drinking around schools and child influenced places. I thought it was public drinking as a whole but it's not, thank fuck...public drinking is a fave of mine.

Thank god the drugs are still lawful.

Then I read all about the Velvet Revolution and how crazy that was, and then also about the Czech National Revival. And then I saw the movie.

I <3 knowledge.

I've also ordered this kick ass messenger bag. It's got a separate laptop compartment in the back, the part that is against your body, so when I open it people won't see my $1400 laptop. It's also supposed to be smaller and better looking than most laptop bags and it's gotten great reviews. I'm excited to get it. I love new things!

I got the black one, but I kind of wish I had gotten the green one. The black one is good to use in case I go to like a formal place or some shit, I don't know. It's less conspicuous as well.

I also received my hanging toiletry kit and I'm waiting for my cheapo MP3 player to come. One of the great things about traveling is buying my new travel things. It makes me feel more organized or prepared, for some reason. But as with all things, you can never really be prepared enough.

Fifty days left...

FREEEEEEEE

Due to the fact that all of my wisdom teeth have been removed, I have been forced to sit on my couch and do nothing for five days...but I am doing SOMETHING all the time

I've been researching free/discounted things to do abroad...because I am poor, and the dollar sucks, and my favorite flavor is free...so far, Prague is the best place to do free things...at least every major museum has one day a month with free admission...and the one I will be spending the most time in, the museum of decorative arts, is open every Tuesday from 5-7 for FREEEEE

Even if the museums aren't free though, admissions to them are extremely cheap...talking like, under $10 cheap...sweet

But what about the other countries you will be taking a gander at on your *cringe* Contiki tour?

Well I've applied for this ICOM membership card that will hopefully prove to be beneficial in the long run...apparently, this card grants access to many museums all around the world, namely Italy and France...plus I don't have to que up...the only drawback is that I'd have to pay dues, but I may get a good deal, depending...and if i can, that would save me SO much money dude

but this has gotten me excited for my trip(s)...i just hope my money pans out all right...i feel like i'm spending more than i'm making...true? perhaps...i guess we'll see

Two Months Till Liftoff

In exactly two months, I will begin my research in Prague.

I have no idea what to expect. The program does a good job of keeping me in suspense as far as my home stay, "class" schedule and workload is concerned. As well as other aspects of the journey.

An avid blogger to begin with, check back here often for updates and happenings of my life abroad. I also hope to post pictures, but who knows what my internet connection is going to be so don't get your hopes up.

It's going to be cold.

Hella cold.

Not as cold as Russia, which would have been another choice.

But colder than India, my second choice.

My goal is to conduct some sort of preliminary research regarding Fashion and Culture of Post Communistic Czech Republic. Fancy title for a project that is actually pretty simplistic. Basically, I plan on interviewing the hell out of the Czech people on their opinions of dress, fashion design and execution, and how it has affected their lives in the Post Communistic era. I hope to interview some designers, as well as attend the fall version of Prague's fashion week, and also get to work with the Museum of Decorative Arts.

I have no idea how many of them speak english well enough for me to make it worthwhile.

But that is the beauty of a life in Anthropology- as long as you record what you've discovered, make some objective conclusions and try your hardest, you will be accepted by your academic peers-

For the most part.

Don't you wish your major was "hot" like mine?