Dateline: March 3rd, 2023

Two milestones, actually.

The first milestone is that I now have a cell phone service plan with a European provider, so I am no longer at the mercy of my prepaid sim card. The other milestone was far more important in the grand scheme of things, and tasted much better as well.

What you see before is my first meal that I ordered and paid for entirely with my use of the Czech language. No translation apps. No spurts of me stumbling and fumbling in Czech before I finally asked the server if they spoke a word of English. I could read the menu. I spoke with perfect pronunciation, courtesy of the many people here in Prague who have helped me practice my “ř,” a skill that took months to master (In case you’re wondering, ř is pronounced by simultaneously rolling your tongue with the Spanish “rr”sound, while also pushing your tongue to the roof of your mouth to make the “zuh” sound in pleasure.) As is nearly always this case in Prague restaurants, the food was fantastic, but I really that I had earned something with every bite. It made the food taste so much better in ways that I previously hadn’t though possible.

When I was done eating, I placed my knife and fork neatly parallel on the plate, as is the traditional Czech custom. The server asked me if I wanted another Pivo, and I said I would pay, as well as add a spropitné (gratuity) of 20 crowns for service. The server’s pupils dilated like saucer plates. “Tip is not included,” she said in English, as she pointed to the bottom of the bill which stated the same in plain print. “Ja vim,” (I know) I said. Then reiterated again, in Czech, that I would like her to add 20 crowns to my bill for her service. She smiled and obliged.

With a “hezky den” and a “na shledenou,” I was out the door, and into Vítězné náměstí, or “Circle Square” as the locals call it. Another week was over, and I had achieved another milestone. I reflected on what had just happened, and looked to the setting sun with anticipation of the milestones yet to come.