To celebrate our wonderful, unique and diverse membership, IWAP is profiling one member each month. We’re asking members the same questions that will hopefully let us – and you – get to know them better. Each month we will profile a different member, selected at random, with the answers they provided along with their photo. Polly Story-Lebl is April’s selection.
Where are you from?
I was born in Livingston, Montana and grew up on a 5th generation family ranch. It’s one of the oldest ranches in Montana and is only about 30 miles from Yellowstone Park. I spent about 20 years in San Diego, California during my working and childrearing life, but have just recently moved our stuff back to the ranch to make it our USA residence when we are there.
What brought you to Prague?
About 7 years ago, my Czech husband and I decided to move to Prague after our last kid went away to University. We have lived part time in Prague during those years, but now we are making Prague the place we spend most of our time.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I really like exploring different places and hiking or walking new cities. One of our hobbies is to geocache while we travel as it takes us off the beaten path and gives us a little information on the area sometimes. Last summer we also got into canoeing on the various rivers in the Czech Republic. We love to bike too, as long as we get out of the city and we take our time meandering along the river.
What are your favorite things to do in Prague? What surprised you the most about Prague?
My favorite thing to do in Prague is walking the city with friends. I especially love the beer gardens and watching all the silly dogs running around without their leash. I think what surprised me so much is how quickly Prague felt like a small town to me once I got to know the expat groups around town. It’s so fun when I meet people that I know in the street or a restaurant.
What is your favorite aspect of being an IWAP member?
My first two years in Prague I didn’t know about IWAP, so it was a person that I met in a book club that suggested I try it. I don’t regret the two years being fully immersed in the Czech culture with Czech friends and family, but it was a bit lonely when my language was too simple to have deeper conversations. So when I joined the group, my life in Prague really changed. My husband no longer had to be my constant companion and caretaker. I learned to really find out there were great restaurants to go to that weren’t his stinky ol’ pub. Now I enjoy having access to both the expat world balanced with the Czech friends and family.
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
My biggest goal is to take more Czech classes now that I’ll be back to some routine and hopefully improve to basic conversation and confidence. And as every year, to try to be more active and fit!!!!
