Lordy--I may be moving to Prague for a few months!

[blondeatlast]

Hubby just finished a project for DHL and the loved him so much that Monday he's off to Seattle to work on another one for them. After that...

(gulp)

it may be Prague. Once my son is out of school we may be going there. Prague is one of the few places in Europe I've ever really had a desire to see (my only experience with it being the INXS video); my tastes run to the more exotic and sandy and warm beaches! Does the sun ever shine there--I mean, I'm a near lifelong Phoenician; BIG difference!

But living there? It's hard to even consider it, somehow. Anyone ever had to move out of the country for work for a while, especially with a family?

Looking forward to it, at the same time, a little scared.

Edit: stupid typo.

[burythehatchet]

1. I did it several times in my career and my only regret was

that I was too young when I did it. There is no greater gift that you can give your children than the experience of living in a different culture. Go for it with gusto and the right mindset and you will cherish the time forever. Good luck.

[hippiechick]

2. Take Me, Take Me !!!!

I could ... uh ... carry your bags or something.
Do your laundry ? Cook (eew, maybe not ...) ?


LUCKY, LUCKY YOU !!!!


:hippie:

[blondeatlast]

5. Hmm, cooking--I hope the food is good.

I'm adventurous; but still...I have no idea what Czechs and Slovaks actually eat?!

[trotsky]

11. Not much different from Germans-Polish

Meat (sausage), sauerkraut are pretty standard "native" fare. But of course with the influx of tourists and foreigners, you can get virtually any food you want.

[Fenris]

3. 'my only experience with it being the INXS video'

You owe me a new monitor!

It must be really early. :hangover:

[blondeatlast]

7. So sorry! Um, the check's in, um the mail, yeah.

From Prague!

[Richardo]

4. S'posed to be a beautiful city...how long would you be there?

You've also seen Prague standing in as Vienna in "Amadeus".

[supernova]

6. Prague is Beautiful!

I wish I could go back. It was hardly touched by WW2 so most of what you see there in terms of architecture and public art is original, not reconstructions.

Prague is quintessentially Old World in feel and atmosphere. But it's very modern too. Don't worry if you don't speak Chzech. People speak English and German. And since the mid 80s there's tons of American ex pats over there.

Oh I envy you your adventure!

[trotsky]

8. Prague is the most gorgeous European city I've visited.

Granted, I haven't been to many, but I've been to Berlin, Frankfurt, Vienna, Zurich, rural France, Basel, Budapest, Munich, Rome, Florence, and Naples. Prague beat them all, hands down. Simply magnificent architechture (sidenote: Prague is one of the few European cities that escaped serious damage in WW2), great transit system, all sorts of things to explore.

I was there in the dead of winter (mid January) and it was still lovely. You will enjoy your time there, guaranteed.

[FoolishMoon]

9. Ex-pat

I know how you feel...sorta.

I didn't "have" to move, I mostly chose to move overseas (but after a few months of unemployment.) I don't have family (except for grown-up bro's and sis's) so that was not a consideration. But I have enjoyed it. You certainly gain a new perspective on things, and see the US as others do. That's sometimes a good thing, sometimes bad. I am in Thailand now (yes sandy beaches and sun.)But Prague sounds great--everybody I know who's been there has loved it. Being of Czech extraction it has always been a place I wanted to see.

Best part of living in Thailand? Very little coverage of Curious George and his scary band of Republicans.

Good luck!

[livetohike]

10. My sister loved it!

Several years ago my sister interviewed with Radio Free Europe in Prague. She loved it there and said she would move there in a minute. Unfortunately, she didn't get the job, but she plans on returning for a vacation one day.

Also, a cousin lived/taught there for six months and he enjoyed his stay.

I would love to go, too!

[TreasonousBastard]

12. No sandy beaches, and the food sucks...

but Prague is one of the great cities of the world.

Everyone speaks English(almost)and the city is steeped in incredible history. It's several cities, actually, and one of the greatest places to just wander around in. Don't worry about dragging the family around there-- you'll find that almost all Europeans are actually more family friendly than here once you figure it out.

Shopping probably isn't the bargain it was when I was there a while ago, but the Czechs are incredibly competant and inventive craftspeople and engineers. Under old USSR, the Russians went to the Czechs when they needed stuff that actually worked. Everyone is hypnotized by the stores.

And the Czechs invented beer.

Prague is a hop away from Vienna, and if you want beaches, head for Romania. Romanian resorts are becoming among the more popular in Europe.

Italy, Greece, France and Spain aren't that far away, and they have beaches, too. Great ones. Germany doesn't have beaches, but it's a great place to wander around in. Rothenberg-ob-Tauber is one of my favorite hidden tourist traps.

Food may still be the problem, although the influx of foreigners amy have helped. Historically, there is no "Czech cuisine." Food, for the Czechs, seems to be simply something you shove down your throat to avoid starvation between drinking bouts.

[Superfly]

13. Make sure you hit U Fleku

the brewery....great beer, only sell it at the restaurant.

[Superfly]

14. U Fleku...a must see in the summer...

[GOPisEvil]

15. Man...I need a job that allows me to move to Prague...

Sounds like loads of fun, and a great way to experience another culture.

Enjoy!

The best I ever got was a week in El Paso...

[TreasonousBastard]

19. Is that worse...

than the three days I got in Pittsburgh?

[GOPisEvil]

20. Eh...it was in the spring at least. The weather was nice.

El Paso isn't the worst place on earth, I guess, but it's FAR from the best place on earth. Hell, I'd have rather been sent to Dallas or Houston. At least there's more stuff to do there.

The joys of state government employment. :D

[sarahbellum]

16. i'd love to be in your place. am officially jealous.

[LynzM]

17. Prague is beautiful!

Granted, I didn't live there, but it's one of the only cities we bothered to do an overnight trip to twice in our 9 months in Germany. It is absolutely gorgeous, and if you love music, there are about 17 cheap, wonderful, inventive concerts every night! I loved it, and would love to go back.

I 100% agree that one of the best things you can do for your kids is allow them to experience and live in a foreign culture. They will learn more doing that than any textbook can teach. It really opens your eyes to the world outside our little US bubble, and that 'old' has a different meaning in other parts of the world than it does here.

Good luck to you, I am jealous, I'll admit! Have fun!! :bounce:

[fudge stripe cookays]

18. Yep, Jealous here too...it's supposed to be the "new Paris"

as far as a thriving art scene, incredible bohemian (literally) culture, etc.

I met a Canadian friend over the internet who moved over as an expat (with Czech family roots); he met his wife, has beautiful kids, and has a neat life working for a magazine. One of his uncles or cousins made a really popular Czech indie film several years ago, and I think he cameos in it. I cannot remember the name of it!

Haven't heard from him in awhile. :(

[SoCalDem]

21. My son LOVED Prague

When he went to college in Florence, he wandered all over Europe.. Budapest was his favorite , then Prague..

Of course he has a soft spot in his heart forever for Florence..

Lucky you :)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. A chance to live overseas?

DO IT!

It doesn't really matter what country it is. Living in another culture will open you up intellectually and emotionally in ways that you never dreamed possible. You will have some incredible down times as culture shock hits, but coping with that is an enriching and useful experience in the end, too.

You will be a different person when you come back

I taught for seven years at a college that sent dozens of students on study abroad programs in six countries every year. Attending the "debriefing" sessions afterward, I never encountered even one student who regrettted going. Almost all of them rated the experience of living in Europe, Asia, or Latin America as the high point of their lives so far.

[blondeatlast]

23. Update (4:40 AZ time)--time to get a passport!

Looks like it's gonna happen...

I've never been out of the country except for Canada and shopping day trips to Nogales.

Yeegadz--but I am looking very forward to it!

[Kellanved]

24. yay

Congrats, Prague is a great city, getting an apartment might take some work though. And the beer is among the best. :toast:

[blondeatlast]

28. Hubby's employer is handling that for us!

Even handling our flights to join him!

[wickerwoman]

25. Prague has great weather. I was there for six weeks last May/June.

It only rained two days and the rest were sunny, breezy and in the mid 70s. I got a great tan.

You can get a decent one or two bedroom apartment near the city center for maybe $500 or $600 a month. They have the best public transportation system in the world. You can ride trams all day for 20 cents.

You'll love it and so will your kids- they have great parks and every other building is a work of art.

Good luck. PM me if you have any questions (I've lived out of the US most of my professional life- in Ireland, Germany and currently China.)

[Rhiannon12866]

26. Sounds exciting and educational

Think of all the people you will meet and experiences you will have! Seize the day! Plus it's not permanent. I say, congratulations and have an exciting and great time.:-)

[oneighty]

27. Mozart

Perhaps you will meet his ghost, see and hear his music.

Have fun.

180

[blondeatlast]

29. Ah, yes, I can hope.

A side trip to Vienna will be de rigeur.

[Teddy_Salad]

30. The best beer in the world!

Prague is absolutely beautiful.

Was there for a few weeks during my "young and irresponsible" days, when I was young and irresponsible, backpacking through Europe.

Friendly people, awesome history, beautiful buildings but best of all.......the best beer anywhere in the world!

Prague is up there with the likes of Venice, Florence and Edinburgh in my "most beautiful cities in the world" list.