Erasmusblogs

         It is marvellous to be definitely settled, to have eventually found a nice, comfortable place. It is an indescribable moment when you take the keys of your newly found apartment, or when you put your name on the letter box, or specially when you realize that you have a washing machine for yourself. Those living in a hall of residence know perfectly well what I’m talking about.

         In my former hall of residence you could consider yourself lucky if you got the laundry room keys. Very lucky if when returning the keys you were not overcharged. And touched by the hand of God if the washing machine worked properly; I mean washing, instead of just wetting you clothes. Damn, how many times I had to take my soaked clothes and wash them by hand in the bathroom. And later to hang them in the shower and ask my mate not to bath today. I thought there was a drying room, but when I asked for the key at reception, they informed me that such room didn’t exist. "Oh yes," I insisted, "I’ve seen it. It’s in building number…" No way. The woman shaked her head. "No drying room." Ok, ok. I come back upstairs and see the room. A big poster on the door reads, Drying Room. I fold my arms, stare fixedly at the door and mutter, "You, liar."

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         In November I finally got a flat. One day I find an ad on the net, "Space Age Gargantuan flat to share in Dejvicka." "Kitsch, huge rooms." Cool. "Well-situated." Cool. "Open-House Venue on Thursday. Everyone invited." Cool. I’m there on time. Hey, this is the hugest flat I’ve ever seen in Prague. Some people are seeing the flat, and there is still a long list to come, as usual. The room offered is comparatively small; the desk table is amazing, though. From the window you can see the top of the Sparta Football Stadium. The room is an attic, by the way. I like it. Two guys live here (only two in this palace, I can’t believe it), Ben and Daniel, English and Northamerican. We chat for a while, have a beer and that’s all by now.

         Two days later they invite me to have a coffee and a talk. Nice evening. Then they invite me again to go with them next day, Sunday evening, to watch La Traviata at National Theatre. This Sunday is that tricky autumn day when the time officially changes; clocks are put back one hour. I forget it, and I arrive one hour earlier to the theatre. There is a yard beside the ticket office where the kids skate. So I wait there chain-smoking and watching the skaters up and down. I enjoy when they fall, I must admit. Well, Ben and Daniel arrive and I tell them about my mistake, which I soon regret -I wouldn’t give a place in my flat to somebody who can’t tell what time it is. Let’s go to the opera. We are not particularly fond of BelCanto, but the show is amusing, it only costs 1 euro and you are comfortably sitting in a warm, charming place.

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         To find a flat in Prague is not easy. To find a huge confortable inexpensive flat is almost impossible. I tried it hard in October and first week of November. I have succeeded, but only after many frustrated attempts. For instance…
         I get a meeting with a Polish girl to see her flat. She and a Czech girl are looking for a third mate. "Ripska, 25" she messages me. That evening I go to Jiriho z Podebrad area, and look for the street. It’s not as easy to find as I thought. I take out my map, but it’s so windy today, that the paper flutters like a flag and I can hardly keep it in my hands. I ask people, or rather I block their way and show them my cell phone with the address. Some ignore me, some say "No idea." Finally a shabby youngster points me in the right direction.

         The meeting is at 20.00; I’m there half an hour earlier, so I decide to go to a cafe near to kill time. Two girls are looking at the prices on the door. They speak English. Good news, I think. I say some silly remark and they cry out, "Oh you speak English, thanks God." We come in, sit together and drink something. They are students from the States in their year off. "From Minnesota. Never go there. Europe’s so cute." They are cool and pretty. Really pretty. "We’ve been travelling round Europe. Been to France, Italy and Switzerland." They need a cheap hostel for tomorrow night. "Yeah, I have some experience in not finding any place to be." At 20.00 I wave goodbye, wish them good luck and phone my Polish girl.

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