To start the day, we went to Klementium- also know as the National Library today. It used to be a University and students are still able to use one of the libraries to study although the University is no longer in session. There is a chapel of mirrors which sounds way cooler than it really is. I mean the mirrors a few and far between but they play off of each other and add a certain coolness to the chapel that would be lost without them. Mozart played the organ here. Albert Einstein also taught at the University here and that is sort of neat. After that we went to the library which features a number of globes, both celestial and terrestrial. They were gorgeous and I want all of them for my non-existent apartment. From there we went up the astronomical tower which was probably my favorite part. We got to see all the old tools they used to measure the days and all that jazz that is over my head. It was really cool. Michelle illegally snuck pictures (ahem- Mike and Peggy!!!) so I will add them when she sends them to me. The tour guide was young and really nice and told Katelyn and I some nice places to visit if we had time. We all agreed that Prague is such a tourist destination that it is hard to find the locals in the mess. Apparently the locals hide from us and even use streets without names so that we can't find them. I actually think that is really cool. From the tower we could see a metronome statue that marked the spot that a Stalin statue once stood. It symbolizes the peoples' desire to never have that kind of rule again. We had a nice view of the Mala Strana (Little Old Quarter) as well, with its sweet, quiet streets and colorful buildings and parks.
From here we went to the market. Nothing special. Just people trying to rip tourists off with their "Handmade in Prague" shit.
We headed for the train station around 1 so that we could catch our 2 pm train to Berlin. When we got to the platform, it was pretty full. This is also a hop-on train where you don't need reservation, so obviously we didn't get them because we didn't want to spend the money. What ended up happening however is that for four and a half hours, we stood outside the bathroom in the tiny loading zone of the train with 9 other people who couldn't find seats. Apparently there was a German holiday Thursday and everyone and their mother, brother, godsister, and the like jumped the tracks to Prague. I sort of liked this change up. Keeping me on my toes- literally haha- I got to meet a few people and chat with them about the sites and their stories. Plus, the view was absolutely gorgeous! We got to see an 11th century castle on the cliffs of a small river town. I loved it. When I come back, I will definitely visit Dresden and other beautiful German towns. If I had had a seat, I wouldn't have made new friends or gotten to see the sights. It really wasn't that bad besides the drunken yelling men who kept stumbling to the bathroom for a good ole train vom. Mmm.
When we made it to Berlin we went straight to the apartment after getting pretzels with butter in them for dinner in the U station.
Also I would like to take this time to discuss a few things. First of all, I am convinced all Europeans have good shoes. Never in my life have I seen so many fashionable people with wonderful taste in shoes. Blue suede for starters. Perfectly tasteful for all. Also, we are all expert public transportation navigators. Knock on wood, we haven't messed up at all in an city. It also occurs to me how accessible their systems are. They are simple and efficient and I cannot complain. Also they seem to be very affordable for locals and appear to be the main form of transportation, along with biking. I think I would like to live in a city that has an excellent public transportation system in place. My main reason would be that you can multitask. How many times have you been driving and thought, "I wish I could finish that article I was reading at breakfast," or "I need to look this or that up," or "I should call/text/email so and so?" It is a great place to get some little things done and make the most of your time. I mean obviously I think we should not work every moment but it could even be the perfect time to grab a book and get educated with some great linterature.
Now is the time during the trip where people start to get a little burnt out. I think it is perfectly understandable. We are doing 12-16 hour days and it is exhausting. We daily have information overload and the stresses that come with traveling in a foreign place. When I reflect on all of this I don't feel burnt out. I am extremely thankful that I can travel. I am constantly excited by the day's activities or the next destination that I don't have time to think about how sweet home is. Don't get me wrong, there is no place like home, but I really am at home doing this. I have adopted the motto, "home is where my head rests." I think I could do this forever. There is nothing better than meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new foods. I could never get sick of experiencing the lives of people all around the world. Yes, there are things I miss about the U.S. and Birmingham and my friends and family, but there is also something really rewarding in traveling while I can.
So why even say all of this? You guessed it, I am second guessing my plan (if you can even call it that). I mean how do you know what you want to do for the rest of your life? Its too hard to choose something today when I don't know what tomorrow holds. I think I would be happy working in Higher Education, or Architecture, or Fundraising or Marketing or any number of things that I have looked into and even a few I haven't. The problem is, I think I would be happIEST if my work involved travel; involved new things daily; involved new people and experiences; involved planes, trains and automobiles; involved mistakes and mishaps; language barriers and street food; daily walking and exploring; research and writing. So what in the hell am I supposed to do? Why can't I settle? Why am I even asking myself this question when I know one thing about myself- I don't ever settle. Okay maybe on small things and battles that aren't worth fighting but in the stars, I never settle. That was sooooo corny. But seriously, I cannot be expected to settle down with some safe job in a place that I know like the back of my hand, can I? I just don't think it is for me. And right now I don't know what is, but I do know what isn't. So do I try this teaching aborad thing again? Do I move on to other things? Do I do as my mother and my new European friends suggest and become a travel journalist? WHAT THE F@$& DO I DO? I have tried to read some articles on my phone about journalism but its sort of discouraging. They say it's like every man's dream job, which I personally would agree with until I start thinking about all those people who get tired of traveling after a few weeks. They say it's really hard to get your foot in the door. They say a lot of shit that doesn't make me feel like an amature blog writer like myself would be able to get a job. So thats good right? I'm supposed to find a niche. What the hell is my niche going to be? How do I choose and would I be able to go outside of that once I did? Like some people focus on nightlife and some people history; behind the scenes; local hot spots; yadda yadda. But those aren't good enough apparently. I need something better, different, catchier. Where does it stop? When is t good enough? So I have some options beyond this I guess. I can work for a travel guide book company, or a travel agency or a tour company So much to learn and literally so little time.
I don't want to go home. I like it here, I like this time in my life (because hey, who wouldn't?). I like this experience. And with no job prospects on the horizon, what do I need to go home for right now anyway? I wonder what my parents are thinking. Mom and dad, feel free to chime in! Like when they found out about the trip and when they put me on the plane, what were they thinking would happen? Hannah said it best the other day, "Jane, this is a life changing trip. You are not going to come home the same person as you left." But she is right. I can already feel the change. I mean I guess it is not a change as much as it is a beast unleashed. But the point is, did my parents know that I wouldn't be the same after? Did they think, "Oh lord, she isn't going to come home is she?" I just wonder. Like does everyone around me know what I will choose before I do? This is me saying I don't think I am ready to come home. I want to stay here and learn some more before I journey across the ocean again. If any wealthy person is out there reading this and you want to fund my shinanigans, feel free.
No comments:
Post a Comment