Prague-versary!

Today marks my 1-year Prague-versary!  I really can't believe it.  Living in Europe has been such an incredible experience and I wish didn't have to end.  I've been debating long and hard about whether to stay or to go back to the U.S.  If I'm being honest with myself, I really wish I was staying. If it weren't for the people I left behind in the States, I would be studying for my citizenship exam rather than writing in this blog.  95% of what I love about life finds a better manifestation in Europe than anywhere in the U.S.  Unfortunately, in the end I have to ask myself: what is home?  Is it the place or the people?  If I leave Prague I'll regret leaving the place, but if I stay I'll regret leaving people back home.  As great a relationship as I have with Prague, I have a much better relationship with my friends and family stateside.  And Prague is an easy friend to maintain.  It might be 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years until I get back, but when I do- we'll just pick up right where we left off.

Wait for me, darling.

So then.  Upward and onward right?  Look back for stability but keep your nose pointed forward.  I love the culture of Europe and if I can't live in it forever then I'll bring it back with me. I'll be damned if I'm going to resign myself to a life of hot wings, corn beer and football.  

Ever since I worked on a farm last summer I have had an idea mulling around in my head.  If the institution for doing what I want in the U.S. doesn't exist then why not build one?  What kind of institution would this be?  Well, in short- a farm.  But that is such an over-simplification of things that I almost hate saying it.  What I want to create is more like an estate- an estate on which many different things are done, produced, created- the farm is only the foundation- the glue that holds it all together.  The farm of course feeds the people who live and work there.  But it also supplies the restaurant with fantastic-quality ingredients, provides a natural backdrop for agrotourists (hikers, bikers, campers, or people simply looking to relax for a few days away from the maelstrom of urban or suburban living), and provides land and resources for the creation of art.  

Unfortunately, all this probably sounds a lot more idyllic than economically sound.  I agree.  There's a missing piece between the ideal and a viable business model that I haven't found.  But that piece exists because I've seen the ideal working and this summer I intend to find that piece. 

How?

HarvestMoon 2015.

3/23/2015

In the meantime here's a few Prague-versary pictures.  I hope you are all well!

 Český Krumlov from the Hrad.

The Christmas market in Old Town Square.

Charles Bridge after the first snowfall.

Palackeho Most.  My Bridge.  I walk over this bridge almost every day.

More Christmas market festivities.  Veselé Vánoce!

Karlův Most at dawn.

Kampa at 4am.  I am shocked at how steady this shot is given the fact that I do not remember taking it.