Hi everyone!
To start off, to everyone who said they are nervous but excited about flying and being abroad, I’m definitely in the same boat! But we’ve got this.
After our predeparture meeting, I felt more familiar with you all and got a much better feel for our daily agenda!
I’ve worked closely with Valley Forge National Park over the past year, and have gained such a fascination with learning about any sort of history. And Prague is certainly very historical, even just based on pictures!
As a long-term intern at a DMO, I’m super excited to connect with Czechia’s DMO, too, and gain some inspiration to bring back to my team! It won’t be the same as Philly, but I would expect much of their tourism messaging to drive home similar themes of history and architecture.
Like Jess’s point about ancestry, I have recently discovered familial roots close by in Slovakia and Hungary. Though it’s not Czechia, it is very close to all of the countries that my ancestors are from. I can sense that the feeling of “WOW, this is close to where my family came from”.
I’ve talked to so many friends and colleagues, and a few of my coworkers game me advice.
Though I’m going to briefly visit Paris before, I’m so glad that the first European city I’ll REALLY explore will be one that I’m not familiar with. That makes it so much more special.
Paris is beautiful. It’s a must-see city. Got it.
But Prague…it’s going to be so different and eye-opening!
I was told that Prague is largely still untouched compared to other European cities who had to rebuild infrastructure, tourism, and more after World War II.
There was a short bit mentioned in the beginning of Overbooked, about how Prague is a magical city and that you just have to “open the door” (pg. 29).
I’ve created a small list of basic words and phrases I’ll probably need – from greetings, manners, and of course the word for bathroom.
I’ve also been listening to a lot of newer Czech music. If anyone is curious, Viktor Sheen is a cool artist to start with.
Bon voyage! See you all soon, friends!
-Liv