Sara recently (about 20 minutes ago, actually; the catalyst for this post) said that more people have been speaking Czech to her recently. When we first move to Prague, people generally assumed that we are Americans--or at least non-Czech speaking--and just launched into English when we entered a bar or store or whatever. Alternately, we were ignored and relied on mutual pantomiming for communication.
She mentioned that now, Czechs seem to labor under the impression (reasonable, I suppose) that we should know Czech. I thought on this, and thought that while once, store owners and tour operators would harass me to buy or sign up, now they leave me alone--pointedly, I might add.
I mused that after a while, people start to look like they belong in their adopted city. Time passes, and as a person's surroundings become familiar, they carry themselves with an air of belonging. Other locals sort of get this and treat them as a local. Think about it. You know a visitor when you see one, but most people are local, and you probably pay them no attention. If someone who looks more or less like they belong opens their mouth and a different language comes out, you're surprised.
Does this mean Sara and I are now locals? Are we...home?