While most of the group traveled to Prague that day, (travel day). I happened to be already in Prague, so I actually had a chance to spend some time with my cousin. It was so nice to catch up and explore this city together since she has lived there for a year. I also got to have my first really delicious bowl of traditional Czech goulash which was rich and comforting, I also had my first czech Beer which was good. After lunch we went to the Pilsner Urquell, The original beer experience that was a hands on beer experience in the famous brewing culture of the Czech Republic. Knowing the history and craft that goes into making Czech beer and even trying different types of there beer was one of the things that really made me appreciate the traditions of this country even more. There are so many traditions I didn’t even know about, such as there love for beer and rich foods.
My first official day in Prague started with settling in and meeting the rest of the group at our hotel. Though I had come a few days early to explore on my own, this was the day things really started to come together. After the orientation meeting, we kicked things off with a guided tour of Old Town with our tour guide Petr, this was a perfect introduction to the city of Prague.
Walking through Old Town felt like stepping into another world. All the streets were cobblestone streets, lined with Gothic and and very historic architecture, making it so unique because i have not experienced this and this was unlike anything I’ve seen in cities like Miami, where I live. At the heart of it all was the Astronomical Clock, this was a stunning piece of craftsmanship that’s was made to look like art but still worked as a functional timepiece. This was the one thing on my bucket list I had too see, and it made all my expectations. We got to watch its moving figures during the hour was mesmerizing and felt like a small glimpse into Prague’s rich history.
After the tour our day ended with a traditional Czech cuisine group dinner with our whole class. This was an excellent way to wind down, try new dishes, and bond with our new classmates. We had duck and dumplings which is a very popular meal in Prague. The meal was very typical for Czech culture because is was filling and full full of flavor. We also spent alot of time there because its common in places like this to socialize and enjoy there time and meal together. Compared with the American experience, where fast service is often the norm, the Czech way felt slow and social so we don’t just enjoy the food but also the conversations.
Even though it’s only the first day, life in Prague already feels very different from the U.S. Everything here from the architecture to the food and how people interact with each other has a sense of history and tradition which is something that we do not see everyday. I am so excited to keep exploring these differences and to learn more about how they shape leadership and hospitality in this amazing city. As for now just grateful for this experience and the memories and friends i am already starting to make.