So, since I last wrote on this blog I have turned 23. Madness. To all those interested, I feel no different, and not at all daunted by the fact that I am now only 2 years from the big 25 (Stef, 17 days and counting, oh that’s made me feel instantly better). The week leading up to my birthday weekend we made great strides in becoming more part of the university. As well as getting our student cards, we were introduced to Martina, a fellow Drawing Atelier (Studio) student. She was very kind as to show us around the studios and to show us where our tutor’s office is. Josef Danek, our tutor, is at the moment in Leeds, how ironic, I know, however he will be returning in a week. We also, after much chasing around after a certain Erasmus coordinator, Marketa, managed to get our travel cards. It has come as much of a relief for me, as up until this point I was becoming tired of getting tram tickets, and was travelling as what they call here, a black rider. I know it all sounds very dramatic. But it was annoying to worry all the time about getting caught.
So it was a week of organising and planning. Oh, we went to a party on the Wednesday evening at our Czech friend Lena’s flat. It was her boyfriend Filip’s birthday. It was an interesting experience because Kirstie and I were the only un-Czech people there. It was fine at first but then when more people arrived and there was less reason to struggle with English and talk to Kirstie and I, we did feel a little awkward. These events do make me more and more determined to learn Czech, because I really want to become friends with these people. They are very into the art scene of Brno and they just seem interesting.
The days leading up to Ellen’s arrival seemed to drag on for ages. The Saturday when she was due, was so difficult to fill, I was just too excited. Then it dawned on me, that Ellen doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to making flights. So my excitement was quickly replaced by dread. But Ellen did not disappoint, and with an early arrival Ellen was in the Czech Republic!!! It was so great to see her, for the obvious reason that it was, well, Ellen, but also because I was so desperate to see a familiar face. And also, with the last few weeks spent exclusively with Kirstie, I think Kirstie and I both were pleased to have someone else to talk to.
The first Evening Ellen was here, Kirstie and I took her to a traditional Czech hospoda (pub) for some Czech grub. I think Ellen liked the cuisine, to be honest I don’t think anyone could dislike Czech food; it is just wholesome and plentiful. We needed the energy because the following day we were on the early bus to PRAHA. It was so nice to see all my Prague friends again. My Austrian friend Daniel was kind enough to put us up for the two nights we were there. Therefore more money to sepnd, eating, drinking and café-ing around Prague. And I don’t think Ellen and I could say that we didn’t take full advantage of the extra cash. We had such a fun packed few days, that it really felt like we had spent more like a week there.
At the stroke of midnight, the moment I turned 23, there was a ring at Daniel’s doorbell and I was greeted by two singing Germans (Johannes and Feli), a mountain of home made muffins (chocolate, apple and cinnamon) and a burning candle. It was the nicest surprise. I was so touched that they had thought to do such a nice thing! That morning I opened all my cards, thank you very much mum and dad for the kind donation to the birthday party fund, and ate as many muffins as my stomach to take.
That evening, I had a little party at a friend’s flat. Lots of people I didn’t expect to see were there. It was such a nice evening of chatting and drinking. All in all I had a lovely birthday, and I think the cream on the cake was that Ellen was here to spend it with me.
Talking of cakes, I had another birthday get together in Prague. This was a lot more low key with only Honza and Lena as our guests. But Kirstie and I spent all day preparing for it. Kirstie made a cake. It had the most amazing ingredients, and we both thought that it was going to be the best cake ever! But sadly the oven did not work its magic, and the cake didn’t rise as much as I think it should. The cake was pretty heavy, but still delicious. Must take a smaller slice next time. So that evening really concluded my birthday celebrations. It was so nice to sit and chat to Honza and Lena, both of whom are very much involved in the Czech art scene. Honza being a art lecturer and Lena just being one of those great people who is always creating something.
P.S Unbelievable Ellen and I almost missed her bus to the airport. The girl is seriously jinxed!
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