haonowshaokao

A much better day today. I was woken up at 8.30 with a poke on the cheek from a three-year old Croatian kid, while lying on a sofa downstairs at the Clown and Bard hostel. The mother of the boy offered me a cup of coffee but I declined and escaped down the hill.
Halfway to the tram stop I heard what I imagined to be a hundred-strong crowd chanting “we are the mods.” As I turned the corner I saw that my guess had been pretty accurate, I’d just got mods confused with thugs. A few panicked town police lined the sides of the road while the skinheads processed up the hill toward me.
As interesting as they looked, walking past them was probably not the best idea, so I changed direction and headed for Lipanska. As I exited the potraviny with bread and potato salad ten police cars and five old school police vans sped past toward the mob.
It was hot, so I thought I would come to Old Town to eat breakfast ‘al fresco’ with a cup of coffee taken free from a malfunctioning machine on Jindriska. That done, I had a much-needed shave in the toilets at McDonald’s. I could easily have done it at one of the friends houses I’ve been staying at, but I thought hey, why not go for the complete homeless lifestyle. Bumped into Russian Saša on the way out and pretended to be embarrassed to be caught “having breakfast” there.
Today is Easter Sunday, so I’ve been walking around looking at the ‘old time’ metalworking and snack making. It’s become easy to forget what a beautiful city this is, but today it is at least a little sunny and everything looks amazing. I’m going to wander around some more across the Charles Bridge and pretend to be a backpacker before I go to meet with Chelsea at 3.

Another day of fuck all. Sitting in my living room, the Blind Eye. Feeling lethargic, un-talkative, tired. Only ate some crisps so far today, should get something else. I’ll survive. I don’t think I can say I am truly homeless when there are parents in England and 1890 crowns in my pocket but this is still a pretty low ebb. A lot of people are to be thanked for taking care of me this past few weeks, though I don’t always feel as grateful as I should. Yesterday I was still tired and wired from Wednesday and attempted to sleep on a sofa in the disused back room of the Blind Eye, crashing and burning on free alcohol acquired too early from dumb English tourists. Michelle had taken my place already and I was forced to nap on the chair nearby.
Later, after a herna bar and a long tram ride I made it back to Chrissy’s place for a further ten hours kip. Sleep is to be taken wherever it is free, ditto food. I must economise.

Feeling better today. Had an actual proper bed to myself instead of a floor for once, which was great of course, then ate lots of chlebicky and set off fully recovered. This last week has been completely insane and I’m glad it is over.
The remainder of yesterday was spent semi-asleep at the clown and the eye. I’m trying not to get a reputation, but tonight should be the last ‘homeless’ night. I’d never heard of couchsurfing until I got here, now I seem to be the main exponent.
I’m going now to call Miriam, who I hope has also had a good sleep up in Norway.

Feeling bad, very bad.
Last night was goodbye to Miriam, one of my favorite people. I got very drunk and very sad before somebody stared handed around something we all shouldn’t have taken, something I swore never to do again.
We did have to stay up until the morning so I could take her to the Airport though.
The herna bar was OK, the trip to the Airport was not. I was very tired and very sad, but unable to sleep, which is lucky as I have no house for another 2 nights yet.

Ah well, would type more, too tired to focus on screen properly. Will go and find a friend’s house to crash in for the daytime. Thank god this insane week is nearly over and I can go back to doing normal things. Like sleeping.

Another day of departure. This time Russ made the decision to leave Prague, probably correctly too. It was very sad, especially as this time there was no “I’m sure you’ll be back soon.”
Another new era begins. I am beginning to tire of new eras.
Today I will go to an interview at David Holis, teach a lesson, then go to Miriam’s farewell party. Ah well.

Extended goings on for Russ’s leaving are taking place, most of them involving beer, becharovka, slivovice and the Blind Eye. I’ve run out of money again, but get paid in a couple of hours so can start spending it again.
The other event of note was very very late on Saturday night, when Jacques found out about (read) the edited print version of this blog, which focusses in on his insanity quite a bit. Don’t think I’m particularly welcome at that house in the near future…

It’s been a good couple of days. I’ve been attempting to mess around with various women, notably some younger English girl from the next county to me. Don’t think that’s going anywhere particularly, since she leaves tomorrow and I don’t even have a house to take her to.
Things may be about to change, though. I just met a guy called Martin who wants me to move into his spare room on the outskirts and teach him English twice a week, paying the nominal rent of 2500 a month. Sweet deal.
In the meantime though, last night was another on a friends sofa. Much like Hamish I am starting to get used to this vaguely ridiculous lifestyle, though he is escaping the game too, and in a similar fashion. Maybe this is one of the great shifts in Prague circles, moving out of Zizkov and all.
Many people are leaving Prague entirely now, too. This weekend is going to be a long farewell party for Russ, who returns to the UK on Tuesday. Without him here I don’t have any English friends anymore, I may even start adopting words like “washroom” and “zuccini.” I already say “Foozball,” just for convenience sake. Who gives a shit, though, really?

The sun is out so I’m being active for a change.
Might have a house lined up but we will see.