My second week abroad has been full of new adventures, lots of walking, and my first trip outside of Prague Between spending a day at Prague Zoo, exploring Vienna with my group, and continuing to enjoy life in Prague, this week was definitely one to remember.
One of the highlights of my week was visiting Prague Zoo. Before coming to Prague, I had heard that it was one of the best zoos in Europe, and after spending the day there, I can definitely understand why.
The zoo itself was huge, and there was so much to see. Throughout the day, I got to see penguins, polar bears, tigers, lions, elephants, and many other animals. One of my favorite parts of the zoo was taking the chair lift. Not only was it a fun experience, but it also gave us amazing views of the zoo and the surrounding area.
Some of the animals at Prague Zoo
The view from the chair lift
Between the animals, the views, and spending time with friends, Prague Zoo ended up being one of my favorite experiences so far.
This weekend, a group of friends and I traveled to Vienna. While the trip was amazing, it definitely got off to a stressful start.
Our train was scheduled to leave at 6:00 a.m., so we woke up around 4:00 a.m. to get ready and make our way to the station. Unfortunately, we ended up running a little behind schedule and didn't arrive at the train station until like ten minutes before departure. At that point, everyone was rushing so we wouldn't miss the train. Luckily, we made it on board just in time.
After all that stress, the train ride itself was very relaxing. The journey was smooth, comfortable, and gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery before arriving in Vienna.
Once we arrived, we checked into our hostel. At about $15 per night, it was definitely budget-friendly. It seemed a little sketchy at first, but overall it felt safe and worked perfectly for a weekend trip.
After getting settled, we somehow ended up spending nearly five hours playing cards. We played Presidents and Euchre before heading out to grab dinner. Later that evening, we visited an 80s-themed radio bar, which was a fun way to spend the night and experience a different side of the city.
The next morning, we grabbed breakfast and set out to explore Vienna. By the end of the day, we had walked over twelve miles trying to see as much of the city as possible.
During our sightseeing, we visited the Austrian Parliament Building, Belvedere Palace, Votive Church, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, and the Royal Gardens. Each location had its own unique architecture and history, and it was interesting to compare Vienna to Prague. While both cities are beautiful, they each have their own distinct character.
Exploring Vienna's landmarks
Back in Prague, I've started taking evening walks whenever I have some free time. The city feels completely different at night. The crowds are smaller, the streets are quieter, and the warm yellow lights reflecting off the buildings create a beautiful atmosphere.
I've really enjoyed these walks because they give me a chance to slow down and appreciate the city beyond the major tourist attractions. Some of my favorite photos so far have actually been taken during these nighttime walks.
This week was packed with memorable experiences, from seeing animals at Prague Zoo to exploring Vienna with my group. One of the best parts of studying abroad has been how easy it is to experience new places and create memories with the people around me.
Next weekend, I'll be traveling to London to meet up with some of my friends from high school. I'm excited to reconnect with familiar faces while exploring another new city, and I'm looking forward to sharing those experiences in my next blog post!
Industrial Operations Engineering
