The only thing better than being abroad might be having a week off of school abroad. It was seriously a game changer to be able to travel uninterrupted instead of worrying about arriving home in time for class. My fall break extravaganza included trips to Prague, Amsterdam and Copenhagen which were three cities I was dying to see! And luckily, I got to see some fun people along the way!
Prague
The first day I arrived in Prague it was fairly cold and rainy, but I got to see Laura's apartments and meet her flatmates. We attempted to buy an air mattress ( and then found out it was a child sized one, so sad) We then walked through Old Town, which was right around the corner from Laura's apartment. While we were walking, we happened upon the Prague Astronomical Clock on the hour, when it goes off.
We went to dinner with some other girls from Emory in Prague, and later went out to the Prague clubs. The one we went to only played 80s/90s American music, and was so fun!
After, I had to try a Tridlnik, which is a Prague speciality. They bake them on the street in giant pits by wrapping them around metal sticks, and they taste like a hollow churro. The best is when you add nutella!!
After, I had to try a Tridlnik, which is a Prague speciality. They bake them on the street in giant pits by wrapping them around metal sticks, and they taste like a hollow churro. The best is when you add nutella!!
Day 2
On the second day, Laura's parents arrived in Prague and we met them for brunch at Cafe Savoy. I got some real American breakfast which was so amazingly delicious! We then walked the area nearby, which included both the John Lennon Wall and the Prague baby statues.
After taking enough photos to last forever, we walked all of the way up to Prague Castle. This is the largest castle in Europe, and it basically encompasses a giant town inside, as well as a church and rooms for all of the royalty.
From the castle, which was perched on a hill above town, you could really see everything. I can only imagine on a clearer day how amazing and complete this view would be!
Needless to say, we were pretty tired after having climbed tons of steps to the castle and then coming all of the way back down. I completely understand why Europeans are so fit; they have step master machines everywhere (in the form of real stairs!).
At night, Prague was hosting a light show for the weekend that lit up different buildings and squares around the city. Some of them transformed buildings into looking like they were crumbling, while others were scary stories and still some were dance performances. This giant netting changed color, and while was the fastest of the stops on the route if you were going to see them all, took the best photos!
Needless to say, we were pretty tired after having climbed tons of steps to the castle and then coming all of the way back down. I completely understand why Europeans are so fit; they have step master machines everywhere (in the form of real stairs!).
At night, Prague was hosting a light show for the weekend that lit up different buildings and squares around the city. Some of them transformed buildings into looking like they were crumbling, while others were scary stories and still some were dance performances. This giant netting changed color, and while was the fastest of the stops on the route if you were going to see them all, took the best photos!
Day 3
We woke up early and walked to Laura's parents hotel in the cold to make the trip out to Terezin, a concentration camp about an hour away from Prague. This was the most intense thing I've done since I've been abroad, and I don't know if I can accurately describe it.
The only photo I took at the camp was of the sign "Arbeit Macht Frei", which translated means that work will make you free. I've seen this infamous phrase on photos of Auschiwitz, but Terezin is one of the places where it exists as well. Terezin is also unique because it was not destroyed as the Americans advanced, rather it existed before the war and it still exists to this day. It was built by the holy roman emperor as a prison and was seen as a convenient town that already had the fortifications to turn into a camp. We learned that it was primarily used as a transit camp as well.
The only photo I took at the camp was of the sign "Arbeit Macht Frei", which translated means that work will make you free. I've seen this infamous phrase on photos of Auschiwitz, but Terezin is one of the places where it exists as well. Terezin is also unique because it was not destroyed as the Americans advanced, rather it existed before the war and it still exists to this day. It was built by the holy roman emperor as a prison and was seen as a convenient town that already had the fortifications to turn into a camp. We learned that it was primarily used as a transit camp as well.
After our visit, we were pretty tired but decided to explore Old Town Square again. We stumbled upon the Andy Warhol exhibit that I had wanted to check out (It's in Prague because Andy's mom was from the region!). They had all of the classic pieces on display, including his Marilyn, Campbell's soup, and flowers. There were also some that I hadn't seen before, including Warhol Absolut bottles and school supplies. The entire exhibit had his quotes on the wall, and you could also make your own screen-printed shirt (which we didn't do).
Day 4
I think this was the first time I've ever been able to spend more than three days in a city. On the last day, I stayed with Allie at her dorm once she returned from her weekend trip to Rome (What a coincidence!!). Her area was really different from Laura's and just as beautiful. We went to lunch at a little restaurant on the hill above her apartment, which included a church with some amazing stained glass and an old cemetery. The entire area was a park and it was so nice to enjoy fall there!
Then, it was on to my next adventure – Amsterdam!
Ciao,
Alyssa
Ciao,
Alyssa