Sunday, June 7

Sunday was a day of travel. Having woken up and packed much far more effectively than the previous day the group was off to the other train station in Prague to start the journey back to Bremen. Despite the long trip ahead of us, spirits were high within the group. The first leg of the journey took us through more of the beautiful Czech countryside we had observed the previous day. As we approached the Czech-German boarder we discussed the history of the area, specifically during World War 2. It was hard to imagine a time in when the beautiful green mountains we saw were a point of such contention, especially considering how we were able to breeze across the border, with no sign of change other than the language on the signs, and an old, abandoned border control station. We also got to see some beautiful manmade scenery. The castles of the Saxony sat on mountain tops looking over rivers. It was at this point that I think we all became excited to get to Dresden. Finally arriving in Dresden we were greeted with a rather unexpected site, a gay pride celebration, Christopher Street Day, in what is known as a very conservative city. With all our presumptions already questioned, we continued along our way to the old city, most of it rebuilt, to gaze at some of Germany's most handsome buildings. The buildings in Dresden exceeded expectations, but one could not help but be saddened by all of the other buildings that were never rebuilt, those that were lost. The stark contrast between the old city and the surrounding, post-war Eastern Bloc style architecture created a sad, lonely beauty for the older buildings. We continued on our way through Germany, from east to west, and south to north. The highlight of the remainder of our trip, other than the size of the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, was Stephens impromptu knitting lesson from a fellow train passenger. Finally entering Bremen, after a long day of travel, and a long weekend of great experiences, we had one last Döner before heading our separate ways.  

Saturday, June 6

On Saturday morning we woke up to the sounds of Stephen getting home from his adventure the night before. Having decided to stay at the club where he had made several new friends, Stephen had proceeded to get lost, and dance for money during his late night excursion. Unsure of what the day held for us, having only been told that we were going to the countryside, the gang prepared for the day. Unfortunately we did not get ready quite fast enough. It was only by speed walking through the city, and eventually sprinting through the train station, that we made it to our train, and even then only by the skin of our teeth. At this point we were all, except for Rostia, still uncertain where we were actually going. After a train ride through a gradually less urban landscape we got off at a rather nondescript train station. At this train station, as I was told it is with most stations in the Czech Republic, there was a small pub, and here we stopped for a beer. We all enjoyed our beers and after relaxing for a while in the shade of the pub’s patio we continued on down a woodland path. This short path brought us to another small local establishment; this one situated by the side of a beautiful river nestled between the hills. Bathers swam in the river, sunned themselves on the riverbank, and enjoyed food and beer on what was a perfect day. Despite our lack of proper swimwear we decided to go for a dip ourselves, diving into the cool refreshing water. After some time enjoying the water, we grabbed a beer and continued on our way. To cross the river we employed the help of a gentleman who lived on the river. He rowed us across the river in his little boat in two groups. The first group, in which I was taken, made the journey with little incident, however the second group was left alone with some troublesome children, and their departure from the shore was greeted with a hail of mud. Despite the children's attempt to spoil the experience, I think all of us would agree that the rustic charm of the old ferryman taking us across the river was an unexpected highlight of the day. After making it to the other side safely, and mostly mud-free, the ferryman walked us to the street, we thanked him and went on our way. We spent the rest of the day hiking on trails that ran through the woods alongside the river. To me, and most of the group, this was a joy, the beautiful natural scenery was pleasant to observe, and the fresh air and shade provided the ideal place to spend one of the hottest days I have experienced in a while. One member of our group had a slightly different experience with the hike however. As you may recall at the beginning of the day we were unsure of what lay in store, and due to this Pelin had worn shoes with high heels. This made her trek through the Czech hillside a little more arduous, but I hope she still enjoyed it overall. A day that began as a bit of a mystery turned out to be a wonderful surprise. I don’t thin anyone in the group expected to have such a nice day out of the city when we planned this trip.

Friday, 5th June

Oh what a morning! The hangover wasn’t that terrible but the stomach was still full of beer. Everyone tried to guess how many liters he or she had but most of them struggled to remember. The good thing was that the breakfast at the hostel was included so it was possible to have some food before changing the accommodation. I would really recommend that place but I can’t remember the name. Anyway we packed our stuff together and went to the hostel where we couldn’t sleep the day before. Our program that day wasn’t strict what I always appreciate because it’s just stress to rush around without having a break or short moment to rest a little bit. Our first meeting was at the faculty for social-science of the Charles University. We walked along the river and enjoyed the best whether of the year so far. The building of social-science is located next to the riverside. We arrived after a 20 minute walk and entered the building at the front where the compulsory doorman opened for us. The presentation started in time and the presenter was the coordinator of the international office of social-science. First of all I was quite impressed of his English because he talked fluently and just sometimes I could hear an accent. He had a diploma in American literature and was originally from Prague. After his part we could ask questions and I was curious of what he is going to say about the Metropolitan University. He said that a lot of profs from the MUP made their diploma at the Charles University and when they applied for a job and didn’t get accepted, they applied for the MUP. So in his opinion the MUP is place for people who are not good enough for the Charles University. He didn’t said that but for me it sounded a little bit like that. Anyway he was really nice and told us a lot about the programs but as well about being student in Prague in general. After everyone got a brochure we walked through the historic city center “Old Town” searching the way to the next station for that day. That station was the “UMPRUM”, the “Academy of Art, Architecture & Design in Prague”. To visit this kind of Uni seemed to me a little bit strange but retrospectively was it a great experience. The two women who showed us the academy said that it’s a shame that we didn’t come a week later because the students prepared their final exhibition. But it was still nice to see how the students are working in their different arts. The whole building was a kind of work of art. Everywhere was paint, old sculptures, leftovers of former exhibitions and art in any possible form. When I walked through the ateliers I realized that no chair in that building looks like the other. We left the “UMPRUM” after almost two hours and I think that everyone was inspired in some way. Now was time for a break in a park at the riverside before we started our city-walk-program. This walk was organized by Pelin and me. Pelin started with the “Old Town” where she told us something about the Tyn Church, the Old Town Hall, the Kinsky Palace etc. At that time it was very hot already and the city was crowded by tourist. I can’t imagine how it is to live in a beautiful city like Prague which you can’t enjoy because of a million tourists. We left old town after and crossed the Charles Bridge to enter “Mala Strana” or “Lesser Town”. I held short presentations in different place there to give a little overview over the history of that quarter. Everyone needed a rest and after visiting the John Lennon memorial wall we got back to the hostel to take a shower and a nap.  

For that evening we planned to go to the riverside and go partying all together. It was a kind of fair with tents and outdoor bars. So it was definitely a cool place to hang around, drink a cold beer or cocktail and having a good time. The night was mild and in the breeze we could cool our burned skin. I really liked it there but at midnight they closed the bars and we needed another place. Michael showed us a bar where they played music while producing the music-video on the wall. We danced the whole night to rock and pop of the 8o’s and 90’s, it was great !

Thursday. 4th June

     Prague!, a historic city. A city stuffed full with theaters, museums, art, beautiful old buildings and bars which sell hectoliters of beer. When I decided to sign up for the seminar, Prague maybe was the main reason to join this group of Erasmus and German students. Well, I guess I’m not the only one who was convinced by that reason.    

     On Thursday the 4^th June everyone you wanted to go on the Prague-trip  came to the airport in Bremen. Michael our lecturer made a good deal so that we had to pay really just a little amount of money for the flight with Ryan Air. We were 7 students (two Germans) and Michael. The flight was almost less than 50 min long, so we landed pretty early at the Prague airport. The good thing was that Michael was there before several times, so he knew the way and which buses and trams we had to take. Everybody was excited to explore the city, especially the nightlife! But business before pleasure… . Our first station was the private Metropolitan University of Prague in a district 20 minutes from the city center. Two women who worked for the international office welcomed us and hold a presentation about how the things are going on in this uni. They showed us charts and tables which included numbers of incoming and outgoing students. Furthermore we find out that this place of higher education is pretty young. It was founded in the year of 2001. But for me the really interesting thing was the fact that the Metropolitan and the old established Charles University of Prague didn’t seemed to have the best relationship! Next day we could hear the other side what was interesting because it was definitely the same kind opinion but just from another point of view. But I will talk about that later. As I said, they welcomed us and provided cookies, coffee and tea so we felt comfortable! Some of us asked thought-out questions like “By the way, what is your wifi-password?” No no I’m just joking! We had a nice conversation with the two women about higher education, the international programs like Erasmus and as well about their own life story. What I have to add is or rather what I really appreciated is that the whole school is wheelchair accessible! However this is something I can’t say for the rest of the city. The traditional trams are inaccessible for physically disabled people. In the end we spend one and a half hour at the metropolitan and had a good time. So far so good but now it was time for having a beer! On our way to the uni we passed a bar with divine prices (1 Euro for half liter of beer!!!)  and it was just around the corner. Michael invited us and we could finally enjoy our first beer in the Czech Republic! It was delicious and everybody seemed to be satisfied. But unfortunately we had a problem with the hostel later on. These incompetent ****** overbooked the rooms so we had to find a hostel for that night. Luckily we could find something right across the street but it was still annoying because on the next day we had to change the accommodation again. That evening we cooked a meal together and everyone was helping which was cool because we didn`t know pretty good before but nevertheless we worked as a clockwork. But we were not finished for that evening! Michael reserved a table at “The Pub” so it was time to drink some more beer that night! Special thing about THIS Pub was, that we had our own tap on the table so we didn’t had to order. On top they had a screen on the wall which showed the beer- consumption of every table in the bar. Sooo challenge accepted ;). Anyhow we spend the rest of the night at that place and Rostia a friend of Michael who lives in Prague joined us. I guess  everyone slept like a baby in that night !