Meg's Code: July 2015

Most of my first week in Prague updates have been on Instagram (link here if you wanna see different photos or to follow me). Based on feedback there, this post is framed in the same manner. It's organization and info is little different than my typical post.

A few stats from my first week in Praha...

17,040 steps on average/day
Coming from Mumbai where I rode everywhere and considering this isn't a workout, I feel great about my daily step average. Using public transport, preparing for my apartment move and doing a bit of sightseeing encourages a lot of steps. Before I moved to Prague, I was curious about how living here would impact my daily movement so I joined the fitness tracker club (mine's a Garmin) and do feel that sense of satisfaction others raved of when I walk more than the previous day. I'm loving the ease of getting around here. It's one of the reasons Prague felt like it would be a good fit for me.

Gotta love Google maps & easy navigable public transport

Bus station timetables are posted and easy to read

Glad I've got comfy shoes for these streets.

3+1 = my apartment
In Prague apartments are rented and sold by the number of rooms. My new apartment is a 3+1 which means 2 bedrooms, 1 living room and a separate kitchen. When you read the apartment ads it's like a new code with things like 2+kk, 2+1, etc. I found a great place for me. Great neighborhood, rigth across from a large park with a beer garden, close to public transport and a farmer's market. Inside it has some old charm, great lighting and a modern kitchen. I'll get the keys later today and share pics soon.

By apartment building's door

My new street with some cloudy skies

??? liters of pivo
That's how beer is ordered in the Czech Republic, so don't think I'm suddenly drinking the whole day away. The Pilsner's cold and delicious. It's also cheap! It's only about 80 cents (USD) for half a liter. It doesn't fill you up (no carbonation) and is the perfect thing to have at the end of the day while catching up with new friends and colleagues.

Beer and bowling at my hotel

1 Free Tour
Since this is my first time here, I had to play tourist for a day. I took a advantage of a 3-hour free tour. It's organized by a company who's guides wages are based on tips. It was a great way to see some of the city and get oriented. I didn't go photo crazy either during the tour nor with my sharing here, just took some of those things I found interesting and/or beautiful.

Church of Saint Ludmilla

David Cerny's UnUtero; A pregnant woman who's womb you can climb into

The medieval astronomical clock at Old Town Hall

Old Town Square

20 tourists
I'd read and heard that sunrise and sunset over the Charles Bridge are the best times to visit. I had tried mid-day earlier this week and hated the crowds so decided to get up early yesterday and try it out. Now sunrise here is at 5:27 am with it being summer, so I didn't arise that early but made it to the bridge by 7:30 and at the most I only saw about 20 tourists. The peace made the area even more enchanting.