Location: Dresden, Germany

Week 14: Finally Found a Paternoster Elevator & A Day in Dresden

Monday, November 27th

When we went to the Cirk la Putyka performance, Jana introduced us to her friend, Blanka, that works at a high school with graphic design classes. She invited me to speak to her students and I went after my classes. I was a little nervous because I hadn't done anything like it before, but it went well. They showed me some of their work and I was able to give them advice about the different fields they were interested in. They asked where in America I'm from; I hesitated and said, "...Ohio...(?)" They laughed and one girl said, "I'm so sorry for you," which was hilarious because Ohio's reputation is more prolific than I thought. Then, Blanka introduced me to the graphic design teacher and he invited me to speak to his classes the next day. 

Afterwards, I went to the Wenceslas Square Christmas Market and the restaurant with the fire potato soup from the first week and my birthday. I had Euros to get rid of and they take Euros, so I thought it would be nice until I realized two days later I could've used those Euros lol we'll come back to it

Christmas music at Wenceslas Square

Again, the soup was fire. I also got hot chocolate because I had Euros to spend (or so I thought). Then it was time to head to the Reduta Jazz Club for their Michael Jackson in Jazz performance. The venue was really cool and the musicians were amazing. The Reduta is a famous jazz club (for those into that kinda thing) and Bill Clinton has played saxophone there. It might've been because I went alone or had already had a long day, but the performance felt a little long -- no matter, I soaked up every second of jazz.

Dinner

Entrance to Reduta

Inside Reduta

Tuesday, November 28th

I went back to the high school to speak to two graphic design classes. The first class was with first-year students just getting into design, so I spoke with them about the different things you can do in the field. I had a 90 minute break between classes. I spent the first 45 with the graphic design teacher and it was really interesting to discuss the differences in Czech and American school systems.

During the second half of the break, Blanka took me to get tea and cake at a nearby restaurant. I didn't want cake at first, but she insisted and I'm glad she did because it was the best chocolate cake I think I've ever had in my entire life. It had a brownie consistency and wasn't too sweet or dry or moist. 

I spoke to the second class, which was with photography students, and then went back to the dorms where I reached Licorise in Candy Crush. I don't know what that means, but it looks like my cat. It also really started snowing this day. 

Licorise

Snow

Wednesday, November 29th

I did a takeover of Cleveland State's Center for International Services & Program's Instagram Stories, so, instead of writing about my day, I'll include the takeover below!


I do need to include something about the paternoster elevator because that was really exciting for me. Riding in a paternoster elevator was on my Prague bucket list, but the most accessible one is currently closed. Jana told me about one at the Czech Technical University and I ventured out in the snow uphill both ways to reach it. I wanted to ride over the top or bottom, but I didn't want to get in trouble so I respected the elevator's boundaries.

Thursday, November 30th

In art history, we went back to the National Gallery Prague's Trade Fair Palace and visited the modern and contemporary art galleries. I love modern art I could go on and on about it

That afternoon I went to Krymska Street, which found its way on my bucket list for some reason (I think one of my professor's mentioned it in class). I'm sure it would have been cool if there was a street fair or something, but it was just like any other old street on this particular day.

Clouds look cool

Krymska Street

I then rode the 22 to the end because I wanted to play sudoku, but not at the dorm or in a cafe or something, and then I stopped by the Namesti Miru Christmas Market for some hot cider. 

Christmas Market, again

Friday, December 1st

We had our ECES-organized trip to Dresden for the opening weekend of their Christmas markets. This is when I realized that I needed Euros and getting that potato soup earlier in the week was a grave mistake. 

It was about a 2-hour drive from Prague. We had a short walking tour, walked up to the dome of a church for a really cool view of the city, and then had five hours to explore on our own. 

I went on the hunt for a currency exchange place, but couldn't find one so I accepted the ATM fee. I got a hot chocolate for the souvenir mug, vegetarian bratwurst which was good but not as good as the one in Vienna, and then walked around. I think I went to all but the medieval Christmas market, which costs money to enter. I was good to leave around 2pm, but I had to fill my time so walked in circles until it was time to meet for the bus.

I came across a middle-aged man dressed as an angel and spent the last of my Euros on candied nuts.

When we got back to Prague, I was feeling antsy and decided to walk down through the castle where I almost wiped out like twice a minute, especially going down the stairs. After the first set, I resorted to gripping the handrail for dear life and sliding down which ended up being really fun until the handrail detached from the wall at one point and gave me the fright of my life.