Blog of the month December 2008
Empty Nest Expat
My name is Karen. I'm an American and moved to Prague from Estes Park, Colorado few weeks ago.
I live in Prague on the Yellow line near the Luziny metro stop. I'm staying in student housing for the first month and will find my own apartment in December. My building is a panelky (former Soviet housing) so it's a real education for an American. I am planning to stay in Prague as long as it makes me happy. I think that's going to be awhile!
Have you ever lived abroad before?
I've never lived abroad before but have visited 49 American states (Alaska awaits) and 12 foreign countries.
Why did you choose to live in Prague?
I read a book by Rolf Potts called "Vagabonding" that had all sorts of ideas for anyone interested in living and working abroad. He really gave me the blueprint for how to start a life over here with his suggestion of teaching English. My background has always involved the printed word, from publishing to librarianship, so that was an easy fit.
I have had a passion for the Czech Republic ever since 1989 when I watched the Velvet Revolution on TV.
I started to get to know Czechs and found their ability to pull off their revolution non-violently, their
quick readaptation to capitalism, and their high level of culture exciting. It's fantastic to be here
and experience it firsthand!
How is the cultural shock?
Actually there is no culture shock because I read expat blogs that I found in Expat Blog Directory before I came!
They prepared me for what Prague would be like.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
My family, of course. I want my children, both of them college students, to know though that every year counts and not to waste them in unconscious living. There's something about seeing a new place with fresh eyes that constantly makes me appreciate the abundance around us. I hope I am an example for them.
I moved the day after the election so I miss the excitement connected with my new President. I enjoyed hearing his "commitment to excellence" every day during the election.
When did you start your blog?
I started my blog to help myself focus on the goal of downsizing after twenty years of parenting and simultaneously moving to a foreign country.
I knew nothing about moving and living abroad when I started. Downsizing and shedding possessions is a huge emotional journey.
The blog really helped me pivot quickly so I
use these years before potential grandchildren are born to maximum use. It focused me on what I am gaining
not what I am giving up.
Did you make new friends with your blog?
I've made fantastic new friends through my blog and hope to organize a English-language blogger meet-up in Prague.
Michael Caroe Andersen, a Danish entrepreneur who was Expat Blog Directory's October 2007 blogger-of-the-month invited me to join
him and his friends on a trip out to SAPA, the Vietnamese "city" south of Prague. It was a blast!
I've also just enjoyed Thanksgiving with Sher, another Prague blogger from Expat Blog Directory, who moved to Prague to marry a Czech. She too went through the same downsizing process I did to come here so we have a ton in common. I felt like I had a Prague welcoming committee all through blogging!
When did you register on expat-blog.com?
I registered right away because I knew that I would make friends and contacts who would teach me about my new home.
Any 'memories of an expat' you would like to share with other bloggers?
I loved going to the Vietnamese market and learning about "snakebite vodka" and eating duck fetuses. I had no idea that anyone in the world ate fertilized eggs. Apparently, there's a real art to eating it on just the right day to maximize the experience. Who knew?
I haven't had any bad experiences. The Czechs are incredible.
