Czech-ing Prague Out: Round II

"Well, that was uneventful" - On realizing that her champagne was a screw off top during our picnic in the park in Bruges, Belgium

 When you travel with someone you learn absolutely everything about that person.  Living with a roommate in college you may have some insight to the intricacies and intimacies of someone’s life, but I truly believe that you don’t know someone fully until you travel with them.

If that is true, which I wholeheartedly believe that it is (and would love to hear feedback of those believing otherwise), then traveling for extended periods of time with an individual allows for you to get to know that person better than you ever thought possible.

"I wonder if you could swim in that water if you jumped.  How deep do you think it is?" - On gauging if you would survive a fall off the cliff in Aran Island, Ireland

Of all of the observations, discussions, situations, and moments of adversity that Jennifer and I have shared, one insight about my sister that I have learned is that she is extremely laidback when traveling and even if her life depended on it she would not care to plan anything. 

Shooting guns in Phnom Penh, Cambodia - this was NOT my idea

Imagine arriving into a European city with no checklists, no preplanned list of “must sees” or “must dos”, no reservations, no maps, no restaurant guides or food stall recommendations.  Nothing.  If you’ve been following along you know I’m not an avid pre-planner, but no food recommendations?  She can’t be related to me.

Gedy driving us on his scooter in Bali, Indonesia - this may have been my idea...

Trip Advisor is a website that only recently joined her browser history at my aggressive insistence, and if you asked her who Fodor is, she would probably comment that he is a head of state in a country somewhere in Eastern Europe.

As irritating as I originally felt that this trait might be, it has turned into quite a well-needed new perspective for me.

"Your hair is blonder than mine, let me see what it would look like on me..." - Brought to you by my curiosity and too much time on trains in Vietnam

I am crafting this blog update from a dark, questionably smelling hostel common room in the Czech Republic after a rather short, but thorough day of exploring Prague.  We arrived early yesterday morning (in one of the most fragile states we have ever found ourselves in - see my Belgium post for a more comprehensive explanation; coming soon).  After resting for most of the day yesterday, we began our exploration.

Jennifer with her newest accessory in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

I visited this beautiful city a few years ago, and it was my first trip completely alone.  I studied abroad in Argentina without knowing a soul, but with classes and a university social calendar to rely on, wonderful friendships and great memories came easily. 

"I don't know if I would like Irish coffee...I'll take one, please" - On stepping out of her alcohol comfort zone and honoring her heritage

Prague was the first city in which I had to force myself through awkward bunkmate introductions, hostel happy hour chats, and even weasel my way into groups of pre-existing travel buddies to explore the city and meet new friends.  Don’t get me wrong, much of my exploration was done alone on that trip and accomplished with little more than a hostel-provided brochure including a shoddy map and a few major checkpoints: The Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, the Old Town Square. 

"I don't really know how to shotgun a beer" & then figuring it out in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

I ended my time in Prague feeling exhilarated and independent, and in those short days realized a crucial fact about myself that I will never forget and that has shaped my life since then: not only can I travel alone, but I can have a great time doing it. 

If someone didn’t want to visit Paraguay, no problem!  But I do. 

Oh, Cambodia sounds like a shithole, you say?  Well, it probably is & I can’t wait to see it!

Ukraine is the armpit of the world?  I’ll let you know when I get back!

But first, let me take a selfie!

All of the places that I thought would have to wait until I could find a travel buddy were now on my radar, and the feeling was incredible.  No waiting for vacation days to align or crossing my fingers for similar interests when we arrive at the destination – the world was my oyster, and I’m happy to report that it still is (except I don’t really like oysters, and I love the world…whatever.)

"I think it's ripping my earring out.  Nikki! These are my real pearls that I just got in Saigon!" - On being a monkey whisperer in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

As I mentioned in a previous post, revisiting a city or country is always a bittersweet personal experience for me.  A bit of the exhilarating “newness” is gone, but it is usually replaced with great memories and, depending on the time elapsed, some recommendations – usually food and drink related. 

I always enjoy reflecting on a few personal questions, as well: what phase of life was I in at that time?  What has changed for me since I last visited?  What was my favorite experience or memory?  What museum or part of the city did I enjoy?

Last time, I was in a job that I strongly disliked (my first job out of college), and I was thrilled to be able to take some time off and relax.  I visited a handful of museums during my time here, my favorite being the Mucha Museum.  I had a blast clubbing and going to beer gardens with hostel friends, and simply enjoying the August weather.  I could go on for a while about that trip.

Straight chillin in her spot in Padang Padang, Bali, Indonesia

Traveling with Jennifer has afforded me the interesting perspective of not worrying about museums, historical sites, built-up Trip Advisor experiences, or arguably unnecessary or unauthentic tourist traps. 

When I asked her recently if she wanted to see a Michelangelo sculpture (one of the only ones located outside of Rome), her immediate response was “I saw that picture on a postcard, let’s find something more entertaining.”  At the beginning of our travels, I was shocked by responses such as this, but I think that long term traveling with an attitude like this has been a stroke of luck for me.

Pushing her fashion limits in Vietnam

No 7 A.M. wake up calls, no mind numbing tours of sites or museums that we are “supposed” to be interested in, no disappointment when an itinerary goes unfinished, and more time to relax and soak up the parts of the city that we want to explore.  One of the best parts is a completely open itinerary to meet new people.  The two of us could easily sit in a café or restaurant for two hours before one of us suggests the bill, we have loved reading many new books on the road, and to imagine how many conversations we have had that turned into friendships would be outrageous.  Suffice to say, a lot.

"I always think Guinness is going to taste like a milkshake, and it never does..." - On her constant disappointment with Guinness in Dublin, Ireland

When I asked her today if she wanted to visit the MuchaMuseum, her honest and immediate answer was (a not surprising) “not really”.  When we watched the clock strike 3 o’clock in the Old Town Square, her reaction to the infamous Astrological Clock’s was a frown and a “that’s all?”

I would draw the line if there was an exhibit I was dying to see or a part of town I wanted to visit, but if that was the case she would wholeheartedly join me; she just is not inclined to explore that side of the city on her own. 

Branching out to Hong Kong alone and then coordinating the perfect catch up with a high school friend

This blog post being written, we have had an incredible journey this summer because she is open to everything, but not set on anything, which is the entire point of traveling.  I can barely believe that our joint travels will be over in less than seven days.

This previously-vegan, non-beer drinking sister of mine freely consumed an entire plate of carpaccio last night at dinner while sipping my Pilsner Urquell pint.  If you know her, that is a BIG deal.  I could not be more proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and opening herself to new experiences, while simultaneously opening my eyes.  

Who is this creature, you ask?  Well, friends, she’s the best travel buddy a girl could ask for! 

In all of her splendor!  Taken in Hanoi, Vienam

We might not see every museum or landmark, but I don’t think that’s where the best memories are ever made.

So, in conclusion, we are in Prague and I'll let you know how Belgium was soon enough.  Spoiler alert: we had a blast!  Anyone surprised?  Until then, this is a shout out to my summer travel buddy, Jennifer, and if you haven't seen it already, take a quick look at one of our summer videos.  Enjoy...we sure have.

Yep. We did it all.