Our small island paradise on Paros does get a bit tedious during the winter. The weather is usually better than most other places we could go yet it is not good for getting out and around with our motor scooters. More importantly our area becomes like a ghost town. There are very few people so most tavernas and shops close up. Even most of the expats choose this time to visit their home countries. So, through the summer we had been mulling over where we would go “off island” for the winter.
One night in August over dinner, Michael casually said, “What would you think of spending the entire winter in Prague – IF we can find an apartment that we can afford, that is”. Oh boy! That was music to my ears!
So in August the research started. And we looked at lots and lots and lots of apartments on the internet. We even got the idea of putting a notice on Craig’s List that we wanted an apartment. We listed the areas we would accept, the price we could pay, and what we needed. Amazingly, the majority of people who answered had addresses in Nigeria! Very suspect to say the least! So we ditched that idea and found a respectable agency to work through.
Most agencies would not work with us yet as they were still busy with summer. We thought if we could catch an early bird with a worm, we would be ahead of the game. But no. So lots of anxiety there. Would we find one, or would we not?
In the meantime, Michael did research on flights and found a fantastic bargain going to Berlin! (That is close to Prague). We snatched it. Then I did research on what to do in Berlin. Since we were going to be there we want to spend a few days seeing The Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate and the Pergamon Museum plus some other sites. Eat some good German food! Drink German beer and German wines!
Then Michael researched how to get to Prague from Berlin and found several trains most taking about 4 hours. So now all we need is the apartment! We each said our silent prayers….
Then one day in October, God delivered! A Prague estate agent offered exactly what we wanted…and in the area (Vinohrady) we wanted. It is in a lovely old baroque type building. It has a separate bedroom, a big functional kitchen, washer and dryer and even a dishwasher. The Metro and tram lines are very near. A park across the street. Shopping nearby. Fast broadband! And while the price was on the upper end of the rate we felt we could afford, we couldn’t answer “Yes!” fast enough!
Now it is a definite GO! Our dream is becoming REALITY! A hotel in Berlin was found; we made our train reservations. We both spent hours on the internet pouring over the Prague web sites, photos and maps. We found some great links that we will put on our sidebar.
Also we started more research of what the months of January and February would be like. We know December is cold, but how much colder would it get? Then we started thinking of winter clothes to take. Reality suddenly became a slight nightmare for me! Most of my winter clothing for northern climes were left in Portland, Oregon on a previous visit. However, the Czechs do have central heating (something we lack on Paros, I might add!), so all I really needed was outside gear. We started lists. And more lists. Lists of lists.
Coats, hats, mittens, boots, scarves. Good clothes, walking clothes. What to take, what to leave. …how could we get along without this, or that, or those? And I found myself thinking, “Here I go, from Greek speaking to Czech speaking”! Do I really want to do this? Suddenly going for three months seemed a very long time. But I know this is exactly what I want to do. Enjoy culture in a beautiful lovely city. Experience music concerts (the choices are mind boggling), eat in a multitude of ethnic restaurants, drink fantastic Czech beer, take long walks in parks, look at amazing architecture dating back to the 1500’s. Also Russian communist architecture which yet abounds. Visit The Castle. Meet locals and try to converse with them. (We have been practicing Czech and can now speak a few phrases). Buy and cook Czech foods. (I imagine I will be in the markets a long time figuring out labels!) And I have been blogging with an American lady who moved to Prague and we plan to meet for coffee, so I even have a future coffee date! I think this entire experience is going to be lots of fun.
What is not so much fun is the actual packing. EasyJet has very strict rules. And costly if you do not abide the weight and measurements allowed. I have packed, repacked, and repacked yet again. I suppose I shall continue to do this right up to the day we leave!