I'm still in good standing with the Czechs. My long-term residency visa and work permit were extended today. (I still find it puzzling how a year qualifies as “long-term”, but hey, one knows better than to argue with immigration....)
Of course, this also means I have decided to stay an extra year. It's a two-way thing.
Prague has been good for me, and even though I can find things (the weather!) to gripe about I am content and at ease here.
Cauky.
Brrr. We have a cold week ahead. It was in the 40s today. At this rate I doubt there will be a transition into Fall at all. I'm not happy. Winter gear should stay hidden until late October, but clearly this is not going to be the case for this year. Looks like winter might be a long one.
Weather I can't control, but two things perked me up today:
A new toy! My co-worker returned from a visit to home (US) and brought back an Ipod Shuffle as I requested. See picture. So pretty. It's for my running or walking, however my “training” turns out.
I feel a bit decadent about the Shuffle since I already have a regular-size Ipod. But my 30G model has been/is cumbersome to run with. Not to mention that a while ago the back-and-forth motion of the velcro-ed arm band when I ran left a quarter-size bruise below my armpit. It broke skin and the area stung like heck for days whenever I showered. I couldn't imagine an entire winter of that.
The second item is for my attempt to be a swimmer. “The Miracle Swimmer” DVD from Transpersonal Swimming Institute. (The rest of the DVD's title goes: “Learn to be in control in water, shallow and deep: Prevent panic”.) I'm more interested in the deep aspect because this is where I “lose it”. I cling to the wall and refuse to let go.
Five swimming classes have drilled stroke techniques into me. But none have helped my fear of deep water. Then in March an article in the NYTimes about the TSI approach caught my interest, and when I enrolled in my swim class a week ago I decided to order a TSI DVD. It wasn't cheap (about $50 plus S&H), but if it gets me over my fear it'll be worth every penny. I'll report back in another post.
Ay, winter is here. If not, it sure feels like it.
Last night, I went out to Old Town square with Namesake to see the annual Prague Night races. The temperature was 47F. I wore a sweater and a jacket, and casual sneakers for the first time since April. I felt under-dressed. Namesake wore even less. We shivered as we watched runners cross the finish line for the 5k women's race.
Two thoughts occurred to me:
One, The winner came in at under 15 minutes. Other runners quickly followed. Earlier that morning I had gone for my first outdoor run. Correction: my first outdoor “walk”. These women were sprinting. What I am still doing is a slowww motion jog.
Second, It's only September and in the 40s, and I'm fully clothed and cold. What is it going to feel like in January in the single digits or below and wearing less?
Why these two thoughts? Yours truly is “training” to run the half-marathon in March 2009.
Namesake offered a consolation re the first point: Don't worry, you're not trying to break any world records. Sure, but at my current rate I will probably need all three hours to finish.
On the second, she pretty much thought I was insane.
Over brunch at Savoy this afternoon, my friend Ci shook her head and with her delicious Argentinian accent summed it all up: “I don't know why you want to do this thing when you could be inside, in the pub drinking.”
(Bartender-Runners for the Hilton Bartenders' Race)
Items SisterDoctor sent from New York arrived safely yesterday. When my company's reception desk called to tell me I had a package I was so thrilled I did a victory dance. Yay! (I live a “get pleasure out of any moment you can find” lifestyle....)
What did I get?
A blue-tooth headset for Skype – I was tired of not having mobility during calls.
Replacement Koss earbuds for my Ipod – I think these buds are just awesome; they mold to your ears, and are a great value at under $20.
Reads I didn't have time to pick up on my last trip. Books are pricey here and you don't get a wide selection.
Alavert – Allergies were kicking my behind most of July-August. The supply I bought from New York in May is nearly gone. Could I have gone to the pharmacy here? Yup, but I trust what I know until it stops working....
Mail – Unfortunately, nothing from NYState Lotto stating that there is an unclaimed winning with my name attached to it.
Coaster Tea Biscuits (Nigeria) – I asked for “a few”. I expected my sister to throw in four or five packs—she sent 19! But most didn't survive the trip intact.
24-7 Skincare Set – My third win from Lucky Magazine! I enter the online drawings monthly. First win: eight shampoos and conditioners from Alberto VO5. Second win: a pair of jeans. What I really want to win is a shopping spree. C'mon Lucky!
Levi's Mid-Rise, Straight Leg 552 – My alternative to skinny jeans. Gives me a narrow look without the indignities—muffin top and loss of circulation—of the typical skinny jeans. They fit pretty well now, but I'm picking up my gym routine again and a few pounds will definitely melt off. What then?
Anyhoos, getting a package made me feel like a kid again—boarding school and getting contraband care packages from my mom through teachers who lived in our neighborhood. The experience has me thinking I should arrange to get packages every couple of months. It's a nice change to the routine. Next time, include more food items. Top on the list: Lemon Curd from Trader Joe's. (I discovered Lemon Curd in Amsterdam; now I'm addicted.) Yum!
After years of indecision, I finally got inked—with henna. During a night stroll through San Antonio. A little reptile on my left arm. The tattoo artist was a sweet hunk called Joachim. He wanted to charge me 15 Euros. That wasn't so sweet to me.
Me: For this itty bitty gecko? I don't think so.
Joachim: Okay, 12 Euros. A really good deal because the design is intricate and takes more time to do....
Hmm mm.... I looked over at other designs, trying to imagine the finished product on my skin, wondering why for years I hesitated about getting marked. I've pointed to the difficulty of settling on a design or choosing a location or the effect of time on the skin and thus the tattoo. Other times it's been me looking ahead—30 years and staring at an inky blotch on my body and maybe thinking, “What was that all about?....”
I remember getting my navel pierced in college and for a while being mesmerized by stainless steel hanging out of my flesh. Of course, the novelty faded and eventually it seemed as natural/mundane as having ten fingers. Until recently when I began to feel a soreness around the ring, and wondered if it was time to part ways with this memento from my youth.
A ring you can remove. A tattoo, not so easy. But I'm still enticed by the thought of getting one. After abandoning braids it took about two years of twisting my hair before I committed to dreadlocks. And I don't regret the decision. Staring at the henna hunk's sketches got me thinking: Exploring tattoos via henna could provide gradual steps to getting one permanently. Or perhaps I don't even need to ever make a commitment—just experience tattoos vicariously.
Joachim: Okay, if you don't want to pay more then choose something else, like these (pointing to a group of big blocky tribal tattoos). The gecko will fade sooner anyways because it takes less ink....
Bingo. I looked at him, all smiles.
Me: Less ink, less money. 10 Euros.
Joachim: (Laughing) God, you're worse than the Italians!
He got me later though.
Me (to Darcie): After all these years, I'm getting a tattoo....
Joachim: (Smirking) Yeah, and it's fake!
Touche.
Growing up in Nigeria, I watched my mom, grandmother and female relatives bargain with abandon. Everything—big or small—was negotiable. Bargaining was a verbal dance, a stroking of egos, a careful mix of petulance and flirtation. Executed well, both sides walked away satisfied—the buyer kept more of her money, and the seller still made a profit and got entertained on what might have been a slow market day. Because of those early experiences I think today I have a fair sense of when, where and how I can cut corners. I love getting a deal. Who doesn't? Rent, credit card interest rates, gym memberships, etc. But oddly sometimes the small items provide the most satisfying victories. What do you think?
The first evening in Ibiza. After waking from a long nap I joined MadameD on the beach five minutes away. (Ahhh, such conveniences....) I grabbed a nearby beach chair. Since I showed up at 5:30p with only an hour and a half left before the chaises got packed away I expected to pay less money. Imagine my indignation when CabanaMan came around and wanted to charge me full price: 6 Euros. I protested.
Cabana Man: I'm sorry, but this is not my policy. I would let you stay but my boss is over there watching.
Me: Really? Point him out to me. I want to talk to him because this policy is kinda unfair. I'm only going to be here for one hour and I don't think I should pay full price.
CM: Yeah, I know, but he's really busy right now and I have to pack everything by seven.
Me: Ok, but I don't want to pay 6 Euros. Let me go talk to your boss. Which one is he?
CM: Uhhhh, he doesn't like to talk to customers. He gets angry if I send people to him.
Me: (Yeah right.) I thought you said he was busy.
CM: Yeah, he is but he also doesn't like to be bothered. He gets mad at me if customers come to him... Look, I'm just trying to do my job.
Me: I know and I admire you for that. But there are other empty chairs all over the place. How about you go pick up those chairs and when you're done you can come back for mine. See?
He paused, looked around, and to my surprise, walked away. Feeling proud of myself I settled back into the chair and figured that I had just bought myself a free hour.
Until 6:05pm....
CM: Umm, I really need to pick up that chair.
Me: (Drats!) You're done already? Are you sure you got all the chairs? (I looked around. He had...) You're fast!
CM: Yes, so it's after six, I have to take your chair.
Me: But I thought you said till seven. Why are you changing the time now?... My friend has paid for her chair, and she has it till seven, right? So come back when she leaves and you can have my chair too. (Darcie, by the way, was snorkeling during this exchange.)
CM: But you didn't pay and I have to take your chair. That guy over there (another CabanaMan nearby) is staying till seven. You can ask him for one of his chairs. He's my friend, he's a real nice guy.
Me: Ohhh, ok.... Weeell, since he's yourrr friend why don't youuu ask him for me?
CM: Just go and ask him. He's nice.
Me: (Whining.) Why are you being so difficult?
CM: I'm not difficult. I just want to do my job. You see that beach all the way over there? I still have to go there to pick up chairs. I've been working since 7 this morning, almost 12 hours. I just want to get out of here.
Me: Really? That's a long day. You must be sooo tired.... Believe me, I don't want to make things hard for you. But why don't you just come back at seven when you have to take my friend's chair, then you can get mine and everyone's happy....
CabanaMan looked around helplessly. At this point, I knew it was only a matter of buttering him up. But how?....
Me: You have such nice teeth.
CabanaMan shook his head. Why today? Why this woman?....
Me: Yes, you do! They're realllly white. Are they natural or do you bleach them?
CM: No, I don't bleach.
Me: That's great! Let me take a picture of you. Can I take a picture of you?
I reached for my camera.
CM: I need to take your chair.
By now, there was not much force behind the words. I could tell he had given up and I was going to keep my 6 Euros. I snapped his picture.
Me: Cool. Here, take one of me....
I handed him my camera. He obliged.
CM: It's a nice picture.
Me: Wow, this is a great shot! Are you a photographer? Do you do photography? 'Cause you've got skills, you know.
I saw a smile. Yes!
CM: Okay, let's make a deal. You tell me how long you'll be here for and I'll come back at that time to take the chair.
Me: (Bingo!) 6:50.
...6:50pm
MadameD and I packed our things. I glanced over across the sand and waved at CabanaMan. He smiled back. I think he enjoyed our dance too.
Ahoj. Summer is over—I wore a sweater yesterday, a blazer today. Will I need my leather jacket tomorrow? Did summer ever start at all? Prague was unusually cool and wet this year.
Disconnecting and taking an eight-day break to Ibiza gave me plenty of time to think. Maybe too much time actually. Because I returned with a list of “changes” to implement.
Uhh, isn't it a bit late in the year for resolutions? BFF asked over the weekend.
I say not at all. Returning from Marianske Lazne around this same time last year, I resolved to opt out of my dramatic dalliance with Jan. And look how well I turned out! Of course, I was inches away from psychotic in the first weeks, but hey, what do they say about change? The first ten days are the hardest....
Ibiza renewed my commitment to master swimming—five (yes, five) previous attempts notwithstanding. The waters looked sooo inviting, it was a shame not being able to dive in; but I suck at drowning.
So, where to swim in Prague?
Every other week I discover something cool about Holesovice, my new neighborhood. For example, I live less than ten minutes away from Vystaviste, an exhibition arena that also has sporting facilities, including a 25-meter pool. I eagerly went online to find pool hours to plan a schedule for practice.
Well, even better news awaited me.
Browsing through the site—used Google's translator 'cause my Czech ain't where it needs to be for the task—I discovered the link for a Czech swimming school that offers classes for adults!
Don't laugh. Actually, it's okay if you do. But I think the universe is telling me this is my time to finally get my fins.
I subscribe to about 25 blog feeds, including First 30 Days—a site about positive living. My Google reader was swamped from my time away. I skimmed a few entries from all the various sites, trashed about 90%. One entry I skimmed was from 30Days and featured a podcast with Tim Ferris, the 4-hour work week guru. Curious, I listened to the podcast, then checked out his blog where I found this entry: "Total Immersion: How I Learned to Swim Effortlessly in 10 Days and You Can Too".
A pool minutes away from my apartment, a swimming school with instructors who speak English (I've already called), and reference materials? I'm reading too much into this. I know. But humor me. I'm in a good mood and feeling optimistic. Classes start next week.
Addendum - Sharing something else I stumbled on. Looking for swimming pools anywhere in the world? Try this link.
(I'm undecided about extending my Flickr pro account, so for now I'm posting pictures directly on the blog....)
Formantera – Two hours away by ferry. Pristine beaches, clear waters. You can wade out far and still feel the bottom, which was important because yours truly is a fake swimmer. 
Cala Bossa – Loved the name, loved the mesmerizing emerald waters even more. Just thirty minutes from San Antonio. 
A lazy "train" excursion to Santa Ines, a small village in the mountains. On the way, we passed vineyards, citrus groves, almond trees, and fig trees so low hanging you could extend an arm to grab their fruits, which a few passengers did. I sat next to a Brit and his 11-year-old son who was super impressed to learn about the perks of staying in a three-star hotel: “Wow, you have a pool?! We're staying in a hostel; all we have is a jacuzzi and it doesn't even work....”
D'Alta Vila, Ibiza Town.
MadameD with cornrows! And getting a taste of what millions of black women endure in the name of beauty. Ahh, I remember those days, the tightness, the soreness, the headaches. I gave her two Advil tablets afterwards.
Television
Last days of the Olympics. Usain Bolt was something else, wasn't he?
A reminder of why television can be a bad thing – MTV's X-Factor.
On the other hand, The Daily Show, International Edition.
Start of the DNC.
Catching an outdoor Flamenco show. Very electrifying and sexy. Not so sexy: whenever the male dancers twirled, their hair—an odd curly mullet 'do—dripped sweat in all directions.
Friendships.
Low Point
Although weather forecasts predicted sun throughout our stay, on at least three days, the mornings and early afternoons were ominously overcast. We ended up canceling a snorkeling trip because of the iffy weather. Oddly, the skies always cleared up by evening.
WTF?
We paid half-board (breakfast and dinner) only to discover at dinner that even non-alcholic drinks—water, juice, soda—were not free. Grrrr.
Fireworks going off at about 12:10am right behind our hotel on Sunday. It's unclear what the occasion was but the display was deafening (ear plugs were ineffectual) and went on for 15 minutes. I thought to myself: This is what a war zone must sound like....
Friendships.
