Pre-Departure Post

Hey all!

First, a brief introduction: my name is Stephen, I am currently a junior at the University of Madison in Wisconsin studying History and Economics and for the next four months I will be living and traveling in Europe. In order to keep in touch in one manner or another, I have created this blog. In the broadest of terms, I hope this blog will allow me to document my travels through vignettes and short anecdotes, keep those interested up-to-date, and, of course, to post pictures!

I know I'm not in Prague yet, but I couldn't wait to get this blog underway. Since I don't have anything to post about a flight or my first impressions about Prague, I'll start with what I know: spending a week in Madison before traveling the world was a brilliant idea! I get to see friends, have a little fun, and practice a little with my camera, what could be better?

The weather was beautiful here today, so Alex W., Shelby and I went to lounge on Bascom Hill. Even in summer, it's good to learn things and today I found out that Yoga is an embarrassing activity to do in public - not for myself of course, but for the friends you happen to be with. Consider this a fair warning to all.

Yoga on Bascom - Courtesy of Alex & Shelby

When the sun started to disappear, we retreated to the comforts of the apartment to meet up with Alex G. and when our stomachs started rumbling and we could ignore them no longer we went out for a gourmet meal... at Chipotle. It was delicious. More importantly however, we had our first "family" dinner in the new apartment, all seated around the breakfast table. Replete with satiating food and hearty laughs, I deem it a serious success.

Of course, it's not all fun and games in Mad-town right now, I am thinking about what it'll be like to live in another and quite literally foreign country for the coming months. As with any worthwhile endeavor, this intellectual exercise into the unknown can leave me uncertain at times and with questions like: What will Prague be like? Have I awoken some dormant skill with foreign languages during my two year hiatus from them? What will classes be like? Where am I going to live?

These and many more questions fly through my head at an unnerving pace so that sometimes I have to distract myself with other things - luckily I finally picked up the Count of Monte Cristo and all 1,500 pages of that have helped to transport me to a land of suspense and uncertainty entirely foreign to my own.

Today, however, Dumas was unnecessary, because my flatmate messaged me! I know where I'm living (or have a general idea)! It looks like a very nice building equidistant (Hi Alex the math major) from Old Town Square and Vyšehrad (where my classes will be). It's hard to tell, because I'm looking at a map online and not actually walking it, but I don't think I'm more than a mile from either place which is exciting because I love to walk and would prefer walking to class every morning to class than having to take the tram - how else am I going to keep my shapely figure? Certainly not by working out!

Back to the important stuff! My flatmate's name is Miroslav and we will also be living with another American. From Miroslav's email it looks like it will just be the three of us and that's all I know for now. I might find out a few more details in the next few days, but personally, I think a little mystery adds to the magic of the trip!

I think that about wraps up this verbose introduction. Please check back and let me know if there's something you want to hear more about! I'll do my best to keep you all updated.