It was within seconds of landing into Prague that I knew this would be a magical place. Even after spending 4 weeks in near perfect weather with a vibrant sea inches away from the workspace in Split.  I was eager to explore new territories in city-life with a rich history and an abundance of architectural inspiration. Although the weather was a bit chilly with a side of gray skies, it didn’t seem to alter my mood or any of the other remotes for that matter. We were all so inspired by the hustle and bustle, a refreshing crispness in the air and overall positive vibes around us. Even for myself, being from a small town with very little experience in a city environment, I felt a sense of calm and comfort within the boundaries of Prague.

The ACTs of Inspiration:

Architecture-
Down every street and every alley there is much to be seen for architectural inspiration.
Many of the streets are made of cobblestone. Which sends my mind into a craze thinking of just how long that took to lay by hand.
While each building is budded against one another with precision, it doesn’t deter from the uniqueness in shape, color, and style each possesses. I found myself, so often, stopping at a crossroads staring down a one-point perspective street in awe of the overall scene, before diving deep into the MANY unique details. (I was only honked at a handful of times) It was a reminder to, yes, see the overall picture for what it is, but to also take the time to dig into the ornate details that the designer and builder spent so much time crafting. Home to the John Lennon wall, Prague Castle (the largest castle in the world) and the Estates Theatre (a Neoclassic style building where 2 of Mozart’s operas were performed), there was no shortage of inspiration from the city founded in the 6^th century.

Culture-
I came to the realization VERY quickly that we Americans are a bit loud and obnoxious at times. Especially in areas of transportation and coffee shop environments. You will find the locals sitting quietly holding onto their personal space, either reading a book/newspaper or enjoying the few moments of silence before heading to their respective 9-5s. It was quite refreshing, honestly. I took a page from them and spent my mornings on the tram or on my walk to a local coffee shop, reflecting and gathering my thoughts for a day of productivity.

Tradition-
Since we arrived in November, it was within the first week that we started to see all the local businesses and city landmarks start to dress things up in Holiday decorations. The Christmas Market was a 2-minute walk from my apartment and the smell of freshly baked pastries and mulled wine filled my nose with each closing step. It was heartwarming to be a part of a community that celebrates local traditions and love, no matter our respective religions or beliefs. Regular trips to the city center were made to check out the local markets, the lights, the music and of course the DELICIOUS Czech foods. My heart left a little bit happier and my pants…a little tighter. 😊

I arrived in Lisbon a few days ago feeling refreshed and ready to explore new acts of inspiration within Portugal. I keep asking myself before leaving for the next destination, “how does it get any better than that?” But here I am, already in awe of my surroundings. I think this may be my favorite yet!…(until next month)

-D