The Return of the Internet!

Finally! After over a week, our internet has returned to Pod Karlovem 12. It's amazing how dependent we all are on the internet, and how after one week without it, we were all going crazy!

So much to write about! I guess I'll leave the craziness of week one out, and summarize by saying that Prague is crazy. In the best way possible. Most nights that first week started early, and ended around 4 am. Then we had to wake up at 8:50-9:30 for Czech classes and other orientation shenanigans. The week was a blast, but I have to say, the rest I've been getting only slightly more of lately is welcome.

This past week we had our first Intensive Czech classes. This language is impossible! But I'm amazed that after only a week, we actually do all know some basic Czech. Class is utterly exhausting, starting at 9:30 and going till about 3:00. But at least now we all don't sound like the arrogant Americans we once did, wandering around saying "Hi" instead of "Dobry den".

This weekend was amazing. Friday night we went to Lucerna, just like last week. This is everyone's favorite club, and the 80's 90's retro music is a very welcome blast from the past. Despite Ata and my promises to ourselves to be home on the early side, I didn't make it home till 4 am, where I immediately crashed. We had to wake up at a disgusting 7:30 am! to make it to Kutna Hora. Yet despite the extreme exhaustion each of us were feeling, the trip was fun. We went to a church decorated with over 12,000 human bones! The picture above is the chandelier from the church. I guess we know now: die in Prague, and you may end up as decoration!!

Saturday night was uneventful, as Ata and I decided to frequent the local McDonalds to get some wifi. We walked up the stairs, and sitting in the McDonalds was every girl from Pod Karlovem. Within the hour, the boys arrived as well. After three hours of skype and facebook, we headed home to make a midnight dinner before sleeping "early". Best. Decision. Ever. The 9 hours was needed.

Sunday we woke up early to explore the Jewish quarter. By far one of the most moving things I've experienced in Prague. One of the synagogues, the Pinkas Synagogue, has the names of the 80,000 Jewish victims from Bohemia and Moravia during the Holocaust written on every wall. The above photo shows just one wall. The 80,000 names are overwhelming to see, and I found myself crying as I wandered the synagogue. The Jewish quarter consists of 5 synagogues,  the Old Cemetery, and the Ceremonial Hall. We visited all but one of the synagogues, which we'll have to go back to visit another time. After the synagogue we found some of our friends and visited one of Prague's open markets. Ata and I bought some cheese that was absolutely phenomenal. As is the case often here, we had no idea what we were buying, but the cheese was delicious, so no regrets.

Later on Sunday we went with our Czech roommate, Jana, and her boyfriend to the Poland vs. Bulgaria volleyball game. Wow are Polish fans nuts!! Watching the fans was more entertaining than the game itself! To Ata's dismay, Bulgaria won, but we had a fantastic Czech meal after the game which more than made up for it. To end the night, we met up with some CIEE kids at the Drunken Monkey, a bar that makes you feel as if you're back at home in America. NFL on tv and a ruit tournament going on as we sat and listened to American music. A perfect way to end the weekend!

Well, this was long enough. I'll write more soon. Hopefully we keep our internet!!!