When Discovering New Places, New Cultures, It's Best Done With Locals

Last Saturday we ate breakfast and then set out on an adventure called Czech Day.  It was Czech Day because we did as Czechs do; hop on a train or bus in the morning that is heading out of town, explore and have lunch, then come back to Prague by evening.  This is a chance to enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, see a new place or re-visit an old one, and most importantly, spend time together with loved ones.  Our destination was Kutná Hora, and we were not alone.  We had our friend/guide/comedian Eva showing us the way.  She was with us last week as we first started discovering the city of Prague and having her around has made our experiences more authentic.  Her insight for Prague and passion about her Czech heritage gave us a better understanding of local life and made us feel right at home.  Many people may imagine a European tour that includes a guide with a bright flag leading the group from the tour bus to the hotspots and back to the hotel.  With Eva it was different; it was real, it was fun, it will bring us back to Prague like a boomerang (as she reminded us often).  

Along with her, all the locals that have showed us around have been full of enthusiasm and excitement.  We went to the Prague Zoo, which is the 4th best in the world, with Teresa from CIEE.   She knows everything one would need to know about the zoo and has a lot of love for animals.  When we went out on the Vltava river for fun on the paddle boats, Kristinka, our university student leader, brought along fellow Czech students to give the American students more opportunity to interact with locals their age.  During the dry needle printing activity we were reminded of their pride at the Art & Design Institute, as it is the only place in Prague with the capacity to produce this style of art, and they were more than happy to share this skill with us.  Just yesterday we went to the Invisible Exhibition where locals, that are legally blind, lead us through pitch black rooms imitating a kitchen, grocery store, cafe, even a tool shed and nature park with sculptures that the students were able to identify without being able to see.  We definitely tested our other senses.  The students and I were really touched by this experience, not only because we gained a new perspective and/or appreciation, but we shared in this experience with people that walked out of the exhibit and stayed in darkness, while we could now see again.  With this I wanted to highlight that not only are we discovering a lot through our extra-curricular activities, but we are gaining more by the people who have shown us around with joy and pride for their country and their culture.  They have taken us in and showed us how life really is here in Czech Replublic. Dekuju!  We are off tomorrow for an overnight excursion to Cesky Krumlov.  More to come when we return.

The students always find a way to have fun!