One of the first things that I was told upon arrival to Prague was that Czechs love to stare. I have witnessed this firsthand numerous times, especially on the busy metros and street corners. Usually these stares turn into staring contests that I always seem to lose.

This photo was taken while I was walking down Wenceslas Square. At the beginning of the program, I was as scared to stare back at strangers as I was to get close to strangers and take their photo. Even though I still hesitate sometimes to get close enough to get the perfect shot, I’ve definitely gotten better and being inconspicuous and waiting for the perfect moment to jump in. While my primary focus in photography is portraiture, the lessons I’ve learned about proximity and spontaneity from street photography will definitely influence my artistic decisions in the future. By taking photos of non-posed subjects, I’ve been able to gain a new perspective on composition and aesthetic decisions such as framing in camera. Since I was rarely able to pose the subjects in the photos I’ve taken on this trip, I had to stylize my photos through camera angles and what I chose to include in the frame. Although I’m sad to leave, I’m excited to go home and put what I’ve learned here to use.  

One of the biggest innovations of the 19^th century in Prague is the creation of the underground sewer system. Sewage was a big issue in Central European towns as solid and liquid waste would often flood the streets and cause major sanitation issues. Although the sewers alleviated these issues, they also brought misfortune to those who had to perform manual labor underground to maintain the facility. Many of the workers had to live onsite, and many contracted Cholera due to the poor working conditions and biohazardous materials found in the sewers.

 Nowadays, the Old Town Sewers serve as an architectural monument and are not currently in use. They have been made famous by several films such as Mission Impossible and Les Miserables, which had scenes that were filmed in the sewers. One of the most challenging parts of the underground tour was walking through the long underground tunnels, avoiding the calcium deposits and rust that had accumulated at the bottom. I could only imagine what it would have been like to be a worker in the sewers back in the day, as the unused pathways were still wet and slippery. Although the sewers aren’t the first place you’d want to go when you visit Prague, I really enjoyed our visit today and the short relief from the summer heat we got underground.

If there’s one thing that I learned on this trip, it’s to pause and take the time to notice what’s going on around you. Before coming to Prague, I’ve never attempted street photography before. This experience has allowed me to constantly seek out interesting interactions happening at every moment.

Last night on Charles bridge, so much was going on that it was difficult to seek out what anyone was doing. Amongst all the craziness, I noticed one tourist trying to take a photo of the beautiful nighttime view from the bridge. Even while everyone else was rushing past him, he stayed there to get the perfect shot. Sometimes amidst the rush, it’s the ones who take the time to appreciate their surroundings that stand out amongst the rest. I tried to capture this fleeting moment using a long exposure to embody the feeling of time stopping.

Shortly after this photo was taken, the fellow photographer joined the crowd and disappeared off to the next adventure. I stayed for a while after to appreciate the breathtaking view that he had just captured and felt a little melancholy that soon I wouldn’t be able to see sights like this again.

In China, pre-wedding photo shoots are a huge deal. In recent years, this pre-wedding ritual has become a billion-dollar industry, with Chinese couples wanting to create portraits straight out of a fairytale. These pictures are usually taken months to years in advance of the actual wedding, and most couples are willing to go to the extreme to get the perfect shot.

While most couples take their photos near home, the emerging upper class in China have started to travel to other countries just to have their photos taken. Prague is one of the best candidates for these pictures, with its beautiful castles and historic districts. Old Town Square and Charles Bridge are the most popular locations, especially in the early hours of the day. I happened to walk into the city early in the morning on a cloudy day, so there were not as many couples out as there usually are. One couple however did strike me as the bride was wearing a red dress instead of the traditional white gown. I observed for a while as the bride and groom repeated the same poses numerous times at the command of the photographer. Trying not to get in their way, I took a few shots as they walked down the bridge and wondered if I’d see their photos one day online.

As Americans, we are so used to having everything available at our fingertips. Most Americans own their own cars and are able to transport themselves on a whim to wherever they desire. One of the most stark contrasts to life back at home that I experienced when I first arrived to Prague was the abundance of public transportation. In fact, none of the local friends that I have made here even own a car.

With the prevalence of public transportation comes the side effect of waiting. With so many people hopping on and off trams every day, it is inevitable that some trips may take longer, especially taking into account transfers. I still have not mastered the tram schedule yet. But thankfully the waits are never too long as trams and metros here come frequently and are extremely punctual.

I don’t think I would trade the convenience of being able to hop on the metro and avoid traffic hour for the freedom to drive myself, but sometimes I do miss blasting music in the car and having the ability to go to the drive-through at McDonalds. With each comes their own pros and cons, and I know that once I go back home I’ll miss the 11 bus that comes right in front of our flat.

Texas is known for being a warm and inviting state, famous for its southern hospitality. While Texans extend their kindness to strangers, Czechs seem to hold off on such interactions. What I have noticed however is that Czechs really value those who are close to them and aren’t afraid to show it in public.

Everywhere you go in the city, couples can be seen kissing on the street or snuggling up at the beer garden. Families are always seen together, with moms and dads holding hands with their children. It seems as though almost everyone out and about is a couple or part of a family unit and ready to show their love to everyone, and it makes me wonder if public displays of affection are the norm here.

I saw this group of women while walking to the Letna Beer Garden, and immediately noticed them for their matching attire. They seemed to be at a family outing and were watching their children playing nearby. Unlike many of the families around them, they were not actively playing with their children, but I could tell by the looks on their faces how happy they were to be there. I didn’t know who they were but I wished that their fleeting moment of happiness could last forever.

Thousands of visitors come from around the world each year to Prague for the historical architecture. Even though most of the city is surrounded by buildings that were built many years ago, there are still some areas of contemporary architecture.

The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art is one of such places. Located in the trendy Holešovice district, the museum used to serve a different purpose as a factory building. The space also serves to provide more background on contemporary architecture in the country. Inside, there is currently an exhibit on Eva Jiřičná, a pioneer of Czech modern architecture and a permanent installation entitled Airship Gulliver. The Airship is shaped like a giant blimp and serves to connect early twentieth century design with modern art. The structure was built by Martin Rajniš, who worked on the project for more than two years. The photos of the impressive work of art do not do it justice. At the museum, visitors are allowed to climb up and experience the Airship from the inside. The intricate woodwork of the ship casts beautiful shadows on the inside of the vessel that create a mesmerizing experience.

Yesterday one of the biggest public events hosted by the Czech Philharmonic took place in Hradčany Square. The free event was put on by People In Need, a non-profit organization that assists with human rights issues around the world. Before and during the concert, donations were taken to benefit the cause.

Thousands of tourists and locals alike flooded the Square. Unlike the last mass gathering I attended (which was the protest at Wenceslas Square), the audience here were packed like sardines and it was difficult to move from one spot to another as everyone wanted to get as close to the front as possible. Even from far away, I was able to enjoy the vast array of music that was performed. The orchestras played covers of popular movie themes like Star Wars and theme songs from Harry Potter, as well as more traditional classical music.

While I was leaving the concert, I saw this mother and daughter make their way through the crowd. They seemed as though they were unaware of the concert being held today and were just trying to get to the Prague Castle. Even so, the girl seemed mesmerized by all the sights and sounds all around.

Historically, the ethnic majority in the Czech Republic has consistently been predominantly Czech, with most citizen identifying as either Czech or Slovak. Unbeknownst to many however, the Czech Republic actually has the third largest Vietnamese population in all of Europe. Vietnamese immigration to Czechoslovakia began during Communist rule, when the government invited hopeful families with the promise of jobs. Years later, the Vietnamese population continues to grow at an increasing rate.

Tony, Marcy and Haru are a group of Czech students who I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with last night. Tony and Haru were both born in Vietnam and immigrated here when they were very young, while Marcy was born in the Czech Republic. As a first-generation Asian American minority, I related a lot to their stories. Even though we come from different cultures and live thousands of miles apart, we still shared the same experiences with struggling to juggle traditional family values while assimilating to the local culture. Popular fads that have become standard in Asian American culture such as boba tea, k-pop boybands, and even Facebook meme groups are commonplace here in Prague as well. Sitting in the restaurant yesterday, I felt as though I could be back at home.

During the day, Charles Bridge is lined with street vendors, caricature artists, and tons of tourists gathering with their selfie sticks armed and ready. At night, the bridge becomes calmer as couples go for a moonlit stroll and vendors come to count their earnings for the day.

While walking down the bridge tonight, I saw flames out of the corner of my eye. The source of the fire was soon revealed to be from a street performer whose specialty was best seen after sunset. The performer had with him two chains which he lit aflame and his partner who occasionally joined in to gather applause form the audience. Due to the dangerous nature of his act, each performance only lasted a few minutes as the fire would burn out. Unlike the other street artists commonly found in the Square who dress up in costumes or pretend to be statues, this power couple seemed to really enjoy what they were doing and seemed like they were having the time of their lives.