Goodbye my Prague

Before arriving to this place, I new 2 things about Prague. First, that this is the place where beer gets cheaper than water. I wish I liked beer. And the second, that Prague is a beautiful city. To me saying about a city that it is beautiful with no further concrete examples, it is like saying...he is a good boy. A quite shallow compliment. Incomplete.

So, I am taking my time now to explain the reasons behind my Prague being beautiful, but also to say my goodbyes to you and my thanks to you.

Prague introduced me to many wonderful people.

 A couple of weeks after arriving here I got a message on Facebook from a unknown girl called Stela. She seemed very friendly, wanting to meet me and even invited me to a Toastmasters meeting. I was obviously pleased with the invite, but I wasn't too keen about cooking at 7 in the morning.. She explained to me what Toastmasters is about. And I was eager to join.

I don't think I ever thanked for introducing me to a completely new world, to so many wonderful people and to this great knowledge I acquired here. But I thank her today. 

I had a very attentive, helpful and dedicated mentor, Lukas. He was always inspiring me with his initiative, confidence, energy. And I was shocked that he offered me his own free time to meet on a Saturday morning and discuss my goals. I did not manage to reach my goal of having 10 speeches in 5 months. But, it does not feel like a failure after learning from so many people, getting constant feedback. Thank you for the great help you always offered me, Lukas.

Karine, every single time when I was on the stage she would approach me after the meeting and I can only imagine how busy she is, but she would approach me and would always offer me a mirror. Not a physical mirror, she would explain to me how my gestures look from the side, which part of my body failed in bringing forward the message, she also knew how to praise and she did...it felt good being praised by such a powerful and intellignet woman. Thank you, Karine.

Anezka, I got to know Anezka during our voice trainings that I immensely enjoyed and learnt a lot of things that I didnt event know that they could be learnt, and I learnt much more than voice training from her. I also learnt that being expressive and theatrical is beautiful and interesting. Sometimes, I was listening to the energy of you voice, the intensity of your emotions and this would inspire me to put more color in my expression. Thank you, Anezka.

A couple of days after my arrival to Prague I met Willy, almost accidentally ...online. I was searching for a Tango partner. He proved to be distinct personality, designing corsets and driving roller blades at a neck breaking speed...and a diligent and persistent tango dancer. You obviously noticed that he is special, not only when he talks about paper, computers or sawing...but also when preparing a dinner table. He makes amazing origami decoration from a plain napkin...he has a very rich inner world. I admire him for his capacity to learn new things all the time. I thank him for being a good friend and for inspiring me to learn...again and again..new things.

Beside, public speaking, Prague taught me how to swim breast stroke style, she brought to a next level in Tango, she offered a fantastic piano teacher who taught me how to feel music, she offered me operas and ballet, castles and churches...She introduced me to Milan Kundera and to cosy tea rooms, but above all...she introduced me to wonderful people, to you all. Thank you for making this place so purposeful.

I will miss Prague...because all of you made this place so special to me.

Irina,
Prague January 2014