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May is typically my favorite month in Prague, and this year was particularly rewarding. Friends from various parts of the globe came together to join in a celebration that Charlie and I hosted.
Let’s explore what made May so special!
Places Explored
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Kraków and Oświęcim, Poland
Memorable Moments
Hosting a major anniversary-birthday bash. This month, Charlie and I essentially organized a grand celebration for our two-year anniversary and Charlie’s birthday.
Friends and family traveled from around the world, and we essentially recreated our wedding reception in the same venue, Arthur’s Pub in Prague! The atmosphere was intimate, the food was delicious, and the cake was exceptional, with some leftovers (as usual).
Overall, it was fantastic to gather so many loved ones in one place once more, especially with my mom and her friends visiting for a full ten days!
This celebration had a unique atmosphere compared to the wedding reception — it was an absolute blast! Late into the night, everyone gathered in the bar’s lounge area, where Viktor, the bartender, kept the drinks flowing with his frothy cocktails and didn’t even share what he was concocting!
In the end, we wrapped up the night at 3:00 AM! I’m thrilled we could host a memorable event for our friends. We’re already considering planning another party in three years…
A delightful afternoon tea at the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons in Prague was one of four locations serving a special The White Lotus-themed afternoon tea! My friend Klara and I enjoyed it together, courtesy of The Four Seasons.
This was undoubtedly the most gorgeous afternoon tea I’ve experienced, featuring dishes inspired by Thai cuisine. I even created an Instagram Reel about it — you can check it out here.
A fun trip to Poland kicks off. My friend Cailin and I planned a three-day journey to Kraków that covered both May and June, and I’m focusing on the May experiences here.
One of the standout moments was riding in Premium Class on the Leo Express. This train is quite the hidden treasure in Central Europe. The Premium Class compartment is small—just six seats!—and boasts large comfy chairs with ample space, along with plenty of snacks and beverages. The ride from Prague to Kraków, which is unusual, costs only about $70!
On our first day in Kraków, we went to Auschwitz. Visiting this place was difficult but profoundly significant, and I’m thankful we had the opportunity. I’ll share more about it in a future post.
Espresso cups. I recently came across a set of six unblemished Le Creuset espresso cups in a rainbow of colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple—on Vinted. I purchased the set for about $30, while they usually retail for around $80.
Those cups were incredibly worth it during the month when my friends were visiting—each time a friend came over for a macchiato, I would ask for their favorite color, and their faces would light up with joy when I handed them a coffee in a cheerful red, yellow, or purple cup.
And oddly, my little Murray Bear has developed an obsession with drones. Where did this sudden interest come from? This is a cat that gets frightened by almost everything—we can’t even keep a self-cleaning litter box because it scares him too much.
Yet, he adores his dad’s drone. He must be right beside it whenever it’s out. He even naps next to it and stays close for hours.
What’s surprising is that when the drone takes off, he isn’t afraid at all! He just watches it intently. What’s going on with you, Murray?
Difficulties
This month’s weather was truly dismal. Typically, May is the most beautiful month in Prague, which is why we chose to have our wedding in late May 2023.
Two years ago, the weather was absolutely ideal. We enjoyed lovely spring temperatures and clear blue skies with fluffy clouds—perfect for being outdoors constantly. We were so fortunate then.
This year’s weather? Extremely cold and rainy for much of the month. I felt bad for our friends visiting Prague for the first time, as they were expecting lovely weather but found themselves in chilly conditions. The day after the celebration, May 26, was so cold that I had to wear my heavy wool winter coat over a merino wool cardigan!
This year, we seemed to go directly from winter to a short week of spring in April, then back to winter, and suddenly into summer. But then again, that’s kind of the norm in Massachusetts every year, so I suppose I’m accustomed to it.
A terrible experience our first night in Poland. We checked into our hotel around midnight and had an early wake-up at 6:00 AM for our Auschwitz tour. I was so filled with excitement and anxiety that I couldn’t sleep at all.
Around 3:00 AM, a group of four very inebriated Australians in their sixties started loudly arguing in the hallway and wouldn’t quiet down. I couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out of my room to tell them, “You need to be quiet.“
It turned out that was not the right move, as one of the women began to shout, “Don’t use that language! She swore at me! Did you all hear her? She swore!”
Eventually, they returned to their rooms, and I spoke with the night staff and the following day’s team. Surprisingly, two days later, I bumped into the two men from the group, and they apologized to me.
Top Instagram Reel and TikTok
My most popular Instagram Reel in May focused on the distinction between expats and immigrants. There’s a lot of chatter about how white people only refer to themselves as expats, but that’s not entirely true — you all know I consider myself an immigrant in the Czech Republic.
The main difference between expats and immigrants lies in their intentions to stay long-term. If you’re interested, you can check it out on Instagram.
@adventurouskate 🇧🇹 Tips for Tiger’s Nest Bhutan 🇧🇹 Hiking to Tiger’s Nest, or Paro Taktsang, is the must-do activity in Bhutan — nearly everyone who visits takes a photo here! Before I embarked, I was apprehensive about the difficulty, especially since I struggle with high altitudes. In short, I worried unnecessarily — it’s a moderate hike, scheduled for your last day so you’re acclimatized, and the views at the summit are rewarding. More tips on the trek can be found in this video, thanks to Bhutan Travel Center for hosting me. #bhutan #tigersnest #himalayas #iamatraveler #wanderlusting #travelblogger ♬ original sound – AdventurousKate
Additionally, my most watched TikTok in May highlighted the experience of hiking to Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan. It unexpectedly went viral on Bhutanese TikTok! You can view it on TikTok.
For more travel content, follow me on Instagram at @adventurouskate or on TikTok at @adventurouskate.
What I Watched This Month
And Just Like That Season Three has kicked off, and I’m among the many Sex and the City fans who are not enjoying the show at this point.
How can it be this bad? Honestly, I believe the fans could write a better script by now. They should trim down the extra characters, stick to three main storylines per episode, feature more quirky dating plots (like Miranda and the nun!), include a brunch or dinner among the three main characters in each episode discussing their adventures, correct the messy editing, and remove Aidan from the picture. Problem solved.
My Music Listening for This Month
This month, I’m diving into all 500 of Rolling Stone‘s Greatest Albums of All Time, and I’m loving every minute of it! I’m thrilled to be discovering new artists and exploring albums I’ve somehow missed out on until now!
In May, I checked out albums 372 through 341. I’ve officially gone through over 150 albums! Here are some highlights:
Top Discovery: AM by Arctic Monkeys. I recall all the buzz they generated when they first debuted, with some saying they were the best new British band since The Beatles (that’s some serious praise!). I never took the time to listen to them, but I definitely should have!
This album is a fantastic blend of pop and rock, featuring superb songwriting, vocals, and instrumentation. It’s a gem that I know I’ll be revisiting frequently.
Other Great Discoveries: Sour by Olivia Rodrigo, All Things Must Pass by George Harrison, Madvillainy by Madvillain, Never Too Much by Luther Vandross.
Favorite Album Revisit: Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder. I’m a massive Stevie fan, and this is my personal favorite album of his. It marked the moment when he had full creative control. The tracks vary greatly but are all exceptional; while they may not be as polished as his later works, you can sense the potential in each one. My all-time favorite track from him is “Superwoman.”
Stevie’s iconic trio of albums that won the Album of the Year Grammy three out of four years (Innervisions, Fulfillingness’ First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life) often steal the spotlight. But if you’re looking to uncover a lesser-known yet superb album, give Music of My Mind a listen!
Top Songs: “Superwoman” by Stevie Wonder; “Mayonaise” by Smashing Pumpkins; “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys; “She’s a Super Lady” by Luther Vandross; “Investigative Reports” by GZA feat. Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and U-God; “Since I Lost My Baby” by The Temptations.
Check Out the Playlist: I’m putting together a Spotify playlist featuring one favorite song from each of the 500 albums. You can listen to it here.
Lowlight of the Month: “Germ Free Adolescents” by X-Ray Specs. That track really grated on my nerves. After all these listens, I’ve realized that I’m not a fan of the quirky and overly cute pop rock from the late 70s and early 80s. This trend seems to fit snugly into the New Wave genre…sorry not sorry, Gen-X!
Random Thoughts on Music: I’m documenting all the albums in a spreadsheet, and sometimes it’s tricky to define the “genre.” For Stevie Wonder, I’m simply putting “Stevie.” Categorizing him as pop feels limiting; R&B doesn’t quite capture him, and there’s also a gospel influence that creates something unique.
Which other artists do you think deserve their own genre? I feel that Fiona Apple is another example.
I was 14 when The Slim Shady LP dropped during the TRL craze, and that was quite the time to first experience Eminem. I listened to that album nonstop and then completely shifted gears. I’m surprised by how much I remember, down to every word of “Guilty Conscience” and the odd interlude “Ken Kanniff.”
Looking Ahead to June 2025
Quite a bit of what’s happening in June has already occurred! It’s been a whirlwind of activity, which is why I’m posting this May recap later than planned!
Cailin and I continued our adventure in Kraków for a few days, and right after I returned, Charlie and I hopped on a flight to Greece. We spent three amazing nights in Athens before heading to the beautiful island of Crete for an entire week.
Just three and a half days after returning, I jetted off to Paris for a whirlwind two-day, one-night visit to see Beyoncé live in concert — and I’m so glad I attended the right Paris show. Miley Cyrus made a surprise appearance, and together they performed their duet “II Most Wanted” for the very first time!
Following the concert, I took the train to London, where we celebrated my father-in-law’s 80th birthday with lots of joyful festivities.
Between May 21 and June 23, I had exactly one day at home without hosting out-of-town guests. It’s been a blast, but as an introvert, I’m definitely craving some downtime.
Do you have any summer plans? Feel free to share!
