Observations From a Foreigner.

I've been here almost a week now and want to record my initial impressions before they fade away.

This is a big City! Even though the numbers are 1.2 million or something, it looks bigger. I am out in Prague 9 (the Old Town is Prague 1) and I see tons of commuters and lots of traffic so I really get the sense of a busy metropolis. (I'll only be in this district until I finish my course.)

The people are tall! Yes, after 22 years of being in the land of short people, stature really stands out for me. I am no longer staring over a sea of heads but rather staring into an ocean of backs! How refreshing!

Everyone smokes! I guess the United Rep. never got the news, but I am amazed at how many people I see lighting up. Especialy women, which could also explain my next observation: all the women are thin. (By the way, my computer is automatically translating any Czech words I use, so "United Rep." was not my first choice, but it will do.)

Speaking of the women, I'd been told they are the most gorgeous in the world and I have no problem believing that since I have seen many, many stauesque blondes with fabulous bodies and any one of them could be on the cover of a fashion magazine. Yowzer!

Hair coloring is popular but not in the traditionl sense. I see a fair amount of women featuring slashes of pink and the cuts are much more avant guarde than anything you'd ever see in Mexico!

The Metro is easy to use. The first time I was left to take the metro on my own I was a bit freaked since they are crowded and they move FAST! Now that I have been on them a half a dozen times and get what the procedure is, it does not seem difficult and in fact, I actually enjoyed the last couple of runs. It made me feel like I had accomplished something. Czech that off the list!

Ok. So, I know I will have many more observations as the weeks unfold, but that's a warmer upper. I have to skedaddle off to school and I have an appointment with "Just the job finding expert." I wanted to see what she recommends before I take the plunge. Ciao!