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After a busy summer season, it was all about staying put in September. Zero journey plans, simply having fun with the very best of my adopted metropolis for one of many nicest months of the yr.
However regardless of being restricted to a small geographic space, this month wasn’t about enjoyable. I spent your complete month consumed with DRIVING LESSONS.
Let’s check out September 2023!
![Kate and Charlie taking a smiling selfie in sunglasses, each holding a frozen mango margarita, with a street festival in the background.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Kat-and-Charlie-with-mango-margaritas-1024x768.jpeg)
Locations Visited
![Kate standing holding a sign reading "Kate's first day of Czech Driving School. I am 39 years old. My teacher's name is Honza? Probably Honza. I want to be retired when I grow up."](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Kate-First-Day-of-Driving-School-739x1024.jpeg)
Highlights
This month was all about one factor: driving. Lastly, I started the method of getting my Czech license — and studying to drive a handbook car (aka stick shift) for the primary time ever!
Whereas many international residents can alternate their licenses for a Czech license, Individuals can not — so I needed to undergo the entire driving faculty course of. It includes 28 hours of driving (actually, 28 45-minute classes), beginning with 5 on a driving simulator for those who’ve by no means pushed a handbook earlier than, and 5 concept lessons.
I went to Autoškola Horázný, and your complete factor price me 39,300 CZK ($1,685 USD): 34,900 CZK ($1,496 USD) for an intensive course (with double classes, accomplished in 4-6 weeks somewhat than three months), together with driving check with translator; 600 CZK ($26 USD) for the medical certificates; 700 CZK ($30 USD) for the speculation check; 3000 CZK ($129) for a translator for the speculation check; and I took so many follow assessments I needed to fork out an additional 100 CZK ($4) for an extra 100.
Driving faculty in English prices about double what it prices in Czech, regardless of the place you go.
It might appear overkill, however I’m SO glad I did this. The Czech driving system may be very totally different from the American driving system — plenty of guidelines about important roads vs. minor roads, when to offer approach, velocity limits for various sorts of zones, and guidelines for driving amongst trams.
Now that I do know what I do know, driving within the Czech Republic with out figuring out the foundations appears remarkably reckless!
I’ll have extra of an replace after my driving assessments in October.
![Kate standing in an old-fashioned library with a crenellated ceiling painted with angelic frescoes. There are old books on the stacks behind her. She wears a long magenta skirt and a black top.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Kate-at-the-Strahov-Library-Prague-1024x768.jpeg)
Taking a personal tour of the Strahov Library. The Strahov Library in Prague is without doubt one of the most stunning libraries I’ve ever seen — it’s straight out of Magnificence and the Beast.
In case you purchase an everyday ticket to the Strahov Library, you possibly can solely poke your head in and take photographs. In case you shell out for a personal tour, nonetheless, you possibly can truly stroll by the library, take plenty of photographs and movies, and be taught a ton out of your information. They’ve books relationship again to the ninth century!
You can book a private tour here. It’s expensive, however price it. There’s a terrific brewery throughout from the library, too!
A splendidly shocking night of Romani delicacies. Have you learnt something about Romani delicacies? I knew nothing. So when a Romani chef placed on a night of meals of his individuals, my foodie mates and I jumped on the likelihood to attempt one thing new.
And we have been BLOWN AWAY by the meals. It began with a bitter cabbage and mushroom soup that was bursting with dimensions of taste. We then moved on to potato purée wrapped in gut casing — type of like a near-vegetarian sausage. The primary course was big rabbit and potato ravioli in cream sauce. And we completed with buttery potato gnocchi served with plums and ice cream.
On prime of that, each dish was accompanied by a boozy kombucha. General, my mates and I agreed that it was one of the crucial great culinary experiences we’ve had in fairly a while.
A number of meals festivals and enjoyable with mates. Prague’s hotter months are filled with meals festivals, and September isn’t any exception. One in every of my favorites was Americke Fest, an enormous avenue occasion with a ton of Latin American meals and drinks! And, in fact, the annual Prague sizzling canine consuming contest at Mr. Scorching Canine, together with a burčak competition on the Botanical Gardens and a Karlín avenue occasion.
Charlie and I are thrilled {that a} Neapolitan pizzeria has opened in our neighborhood — a brand new department of San Carlo, a Prague chain we like. We tried just a few new spots — Funwari for Japanese-style pancakes, Gao Den for Vietnamese fusion, Sandwich Rodeo for American classics.
And evenings at two of my favorite restaurants in Prague — Aromi as a result of truffle season has begun they usually do a FAB truffle pasta, and Kantyna for one more butcher’s dinner (Dinner off the Bone).
Charlie and I additionally did a really touristy factor and took a sundown river cruise in Prague! So good….
New furnishings! I obtained a cupboard to carry my footwear and equipment, as my one tiny European armoire is exploding. Sure, IKEA as soon as once more (the furnishings pickings are slim within the Czech Republic) however it’s NICE IKEA and I’ll change out the knobs quickly. It has doorways which can be glass on prime and wooden on the underside.
Spending plenty of time with my kittens. After a lot time away this summer season, it’s been SO good to be with them each single day, rubbing their furry faces and giving them plenty of kisses.
![A gothic church set on a big park with a fountain in the middle of the grass.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Karlinske-Namesti-Prague-1024x768.jpeg)
Challenges
Murray has began pooping exterior the litter field once more. He obtained SO GOOD for awhile, and now he’s regressed. He’s nonetheless peeing inside it, although.
We’re going to attempt some new litter to see if that helps; truthfully, I can’t keep in mind what stopped him final time.
I spent September wrapped up in anxiousness over my driving check. It was so exhausting to not fear about it.
That, and it took up an annoying period of time and the commute was a ache (whereas most of Prague is super-easy to get round, the driving faculty is by JZP, an space that’s both a ten minute stroll, 5 minute bus, 14 minute stroll or a 32-minute steep uphill stroll from my dwelling — I’d take the bus there and stroll again).
I don’t care, although — I knew it could be a tricky, intense month-plus, and would somewhat get it over with before stretch it to the same old three months. (As soon as once more, I’m grateful to be self-employed and work my very own hours; it made taking all these classes far simpler. I don’t know how 9-to-5ers do it, particularly within the winter when it’s darkish.)
![Lewis the gray tabby cat with a white belly and white paws, stretching out languidly on the bed and sticking his tongue out.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Lewis-Looking-Sexy-1024x768.jpeg)
Weblog Posts of the Month
16 Fun Things to Do in Sorrento, Italy — Sorrento is maybe the most effective day journey bases in Europe, from the place you possibly can go to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, and extra. Right here’s a information to the city.
A Detailed Guide to Perast, Montenegro — I completely cherished spending my thirty ninth birthday on this tiny city on the Adriatic. You must add it to your itinerary for positive.
Montenegro Travel Guide — Wish to journey to Montenegro, however don’t know the place to start? Begin right here. It’s filled with all types of suggestions from my previous a number of visits.
30 Fun and Interesting Things to Do in Montenegro — The very best of Montenegro, in a single huge submit!
Most Fashionable Reel on Instagram
Dubrovnik’s Walls: Worth the Cost? was a enjoyable reel to place collectively. Have you learnt JUST how costly the partitions have gotten through the years? It went from the equal of $7.16 in 2007 to $37.77 in 2023!!
I obtained to lookup a long time of pricing data and apply that towards the Croatian inflation charge too. (It will price the equal of $10.68 if merely adjusted for inflation immediately, which reveals you simply how nuts it’s develop into.)
For extra enjoyable reels and stay updates from my travels, follow me on Instagram at @adventurouskate.
![Kate taking a mirror selfie wearing a sheer nude-colored long-sleeved top with tiny black polka dots over a black corset, as well as black shorts. She's inside so wearing her fuzzy purple slippers and Murray the cat hangs out by her feet.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Kate-Sheer-Polka-Dot-Top-Corset-Rome-Shorts-768x1024.jpg)
Style Discover of the Month
I noticed a reel on Instagram the place @andreasfashiongalaxy featured a sheer long-sleeved polka-dot prime worn beneath a strappy black costume. It’s a terrific little video on find out how to make an attractive costume extra wearable, in methods apart from throwing a blazer or cardigan on prime.
“OMG I NEED that sheer polka dot prime!” I commented. And he or she replied that it was just a few seasons outdated from Topshop, and perhaps I may discover it secondhand someplace.
I took to the web, and what are you aware — I discovered it on eBay. One fast bid later, it was mine. And it’s all the pieces I hoped it could be. A beautiful pinky beige with tiny black dots.
I wore it out to dinner at Aromi, on prime of an H&M x Mugler corset and my favourite black wool Rome Shorts by Sézane. Ideally, it ought to be worn over a tank prime somewhat than a corset (got my eye on this one), a belt with an actual gold buckle, and I’d love some polka-dot tights for fall!
What I Watched This Month
The Diplomat. Charlie and I selected this Netflix political thriller at random in the future, and it’s turned out to be a enjoyable watch. Mainly, Keri Russell is a high-level diplomat in Afghanistan who is because of return to Kabul till she is abruptly chosen to be ambassador to the UK as an alternative, which is reeling from a terrorist assault on a navy ship.
However what makes this totally different? Her husband is a former ambassador, additionally high-level around the globe. And he’s a complete narcissist — tremendous charming and affable, however he can’t stand not being the focal point, so he retains attempting to be concerned within the secret happenings of various governments. Good things.
Beneath Deck replace: This month we watched a collection in actual time for the primary time: Beneath Deck Down Underneath, Season 2. We weren’t going to observe it, however this season has been within the information loads: one crew member tried to sexually assault one other crew member, and it was stopped by the producers.
That predator was fired promptly, together with one other crew member. It’s introduced up quite a lot of questions on actuality TV, the place so many reveals ply contestants with alcohol and conditions like these can so simply occur.
Past the terrible stuff, it was truly optimistic seeing how properly Captain Jason and Chief Stew Aesha dealt with the state of affairs. They set a superb instance that others ought to observe. Jason is my favourite of the captains and an enormous a part of that’s how he manages his crew, each in good occasions and dangerous. And the solid is gorgeous this season, and many of the company are laid-back and funky.
![Murray the gray tabby cat with a big white belly, twisted on his back on Kate's office chair, offering his belly up for rubs.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chief-Furry-Officer-Murray-Bear-1024x768.jpeg)
What I Learn This Month
Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar with Derek Dillard and Craig Borlase (2023) — Jill was the mannequin youngster of the Duggar household. She was probably the most religious, the best-behaved, and her father’s favourite daughter. Till she and her husband started questioning Jim Bob’s monetary domination of the household — and he reduce them off. That is the Duggar memoir that tells the ugly reality behind the scenes.
WELL, YOU KNOW I HAD THIS ONE PRE-ORDERED. The Duggars have been a morbid fascination of mine ever since their first TV particular; immediately I’m one of many many DuggarsSnark members on Reddit. Yeah, it’s a bizarre interest, however we additionally helped increase some huge cash for the Kids’s Security Heart of Arkansas, serving to youngster victims of sexual abuse within the Duggars’ area.
I didn’t know if Jill would spill something substantial on this ebook — and YES. She did, and the ebook was SO price it. The overarching theme of the ebook was Jill’s relationship along with her mother and father and her father particularly, and the impression of rising up on actuality TV however not being compensated for what she gave the community. She doesn’t speak about her brother Josh’s abuse (which in fact is her proper) however shares quite a lot of anger on the abuse experiences changing into public.
Among the many revelations within the ebook? Jill was contractually sure to point out her labor and supply on TV. Her second youngster’s start was, as many people suspected on the time, traumatic — she had a uterine rupture and wanted a direct c-section with no anesthesia (JESUS CHRIST).
And Jill’s sister-in-law Anna as soon as gave start on the bathroom and informed the producers she didn’t authorize them to air that footage. They aired it, then later determined to take away it for re-runs, however stored it in all of the flashback sequences.
There’s a second from Jill’s childhood once they have been on the seashore of their modest swimwear (basically clothes over wetsuits) and her being terrified that the boys would see ladies in bikinis and would go to hell for his or her ideas. As a result of the Duggars all the time educate that it’s the ladies that defraud the lads.
And most delightedly, Jill alleges that Jim Bob has dedicated felony tax fraud. (Within the phrases of Iago the parrot, “I’M GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK FROM NOT SURPRISE!”) Not solely did he pocket all the truth TV cash whereas telling his youngsters, “It’s a ministry,” he additionally informed the IRS he paid the children cash he by no means paid them they usually didn’t discover out till they obtained an enormous tax invoice. Oh MAN, if the IRS take Jim Bob down, that might be SWEET.
![Oxford England, with layers of gothic church steeples and stone buildings, underneath a partly cloudy sky.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Oxford-England-1024x683.jpg)
Coming Up in October 2023
This month will probably be quiet, for probably the most half, and spent virtually totally in Prague. I’m very looking forward to much more Prague time! I really feel like I’m nonetheless recovering from the summer season!
However Charlie and I will probably be spending an extended weekend within the UK for our good friend’s annual bonfire occasion exterior London. Recently we’ve been visiting a brand new vacation spot in England for just a few days earlier than the bonfire. Final yr was Brighton; this yr we’re doing Oxford! I’m desperate to lastly go to this college city that may be a fashionable day journey from London.
Past that, I hope I can slot in a day journey or two someplace new within the Czech Republic earlier than the top of the month. I do know I hold saying that…however now that driving lessons are almost completed, there’s precise time for that!
Arising subsequent…my driver’s check. Ship me all the nice vibes!
![Six friends posing arm-in-arm in Belgrade, including Kate and her friend Leah in the middle.](https://www.adventurouskate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Belgrade-Friends-and-Leah-1024x768.jpg)
In Memoriam
It’s all the time heart-wrenching to say goodbye to a good friend from the world of journey running a blog. This one particularly hurts.
I met Leah in Kotor in 2015. We grabbed a drink as running a blog colleagues however ended the night as mates; just a few days later, I employed her to work for me. You’ll be able to nonetheless see her stunning work scattered all through my web site immediately.
On her weblog, The Sweetest Way, Leah informed tales with unflinching honesty. She shared the truth of digital nomad life with humor and humility. However her best power was her pictures. Mushy, stunning, all the time inventive.
Leah moved to Maui to construct her pictures enterprise. After years of nomadic life, she felt known as to place down roots on the island she had cherished since childhood. We misplaced contact just a few years in the past, when she gave up social media.
This month I realized that Leah is on the official listing of lacking individuals in Maui following the devastating fireplace in Lahaina.
Leah, you didn’t deserve this. You deserved mild and pleasure and an extended, pleased life. I hope you’ve discovered the peace you looked for on this world. I hope your family members are in a position to obtain closure and finally discover pleasure of their recollections.
I’ll always remember you.
This is a story Leah wrote that has always stayed with me, about working into a bunch of Syrian refugees on a prepare in Macedonia. Please take the time to learn it.
And please keep up a correspondence with your pals who quit social media. Not everybody who goes offline is in a superb place.
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