In February 2003 I went on a trip with our band to Europe. Unfortunately both my parents came on the trip as chaperones. It was like a family vacation. Needless to say, I was upset. We toured Germany, Austria, and finally the Czech Republic. We stayed in Prague in the Czech Republic. The part of Prague we were in was one of the crummiest places I have ever seen. The buildings were falling apart, we witnessed a robbery across the street from our hotel, and I guess there had recently been some flooding in Prague, because everything was really trashed and our tour leaders told us that it wasn't healthy to drink the water there. On our second day in Prague we got free time to roam around the city and do whatever. My friend and I took full advantage of this.
At A Glance Author xgurl3eb Contact xgurl3eb@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist random Czech man Studio some mini mall in Prague Location Prague, Czech Republic My best friend and I had been discussing getting something pierced for quite a while. She was going to do her nose and I had decided on a Monroe (a piercing above your lip, it looks like a beauty mark). Another friend of ours decided he wanted to get a labret piercing. I casually mentioned the idea to my parents; needless to say they were not pleased with the idea. I didn't get a flat out "NO," but I got a headshake from my dad, and my mom didn't even acknowledge the question. I decided to do it anyway. On our first day in Prague we had seen this piercing shop in a little mall. During our free time on the second day we went back. I was the only one who was 18, so they made me go first.
I was so nervous. I had this feeling in my stomach like I was either really happy or I was going to throw up. It was uber scary because the guy piercing me didn't really even speak English. I pointed out the stud I wanted and he took me in the back and sat me in a big chair. Then he put on gloves and put a dot of marker on my lip and looked at me questioningly as if asking "This place is where you want it right?" I nodded. I had a totally sick feeling in my stomach. I was so nervous; I just knew that it was going to hurt a lot. Then he put a wooden Popsicle stick looking thing under my lip. At this point I closed my eyes refused to open them, and waited for it to be over. I felt a little prick/pinching feeling as the needle went through my lip. Then there was some more pain as he put the stud through. After that he screwed the ball onto the end. I opened my eyes (which I admit had a few tears in them from nerves) and there was this small silver ball above and to the right of my lip. It was a little red, but it looked really cool. I was really happy with it. The pain was nothing compared to what I had been imagining. All it was was a little prick (like getting your ears pierced), and then some pressure as he screws the ball onto the end. I was so relieved that it wasn't bad. After I was done, he told me to go buy some antibacterial soap and some mouthwash. My friend who wanted the labret went in next and came out, happy with his. My other friend who wanted her nose done chickened out.
For the next hour we wandered around Prague looking for a pharmacy to buy antibacterial soap and mouthwash. We finally found some. We both downed some Advil to keep down swelling and then headed back to our meeting place. When we got back to the busses, my parents saw and freaked out. I cried for the next hour as we rode the busses home, I was so mad at them for making such a big deal. They had said that I had "ruined my face." I really didn't agree, I liked how it looked. They made me go find the band director and apologize to him for ruining the trip because I didn't tell anyone I was getting a piercing. He really didn't care. He was glad I had enjoyed myself. The remainder of the trip my friend and I were known as "the kids who got pierced in Prague." For the next few weeks I was completely anal about caring for it. I used soap two or three times a day, I used mouthwash after I ate (even in the cafeteria at school), I really was nervous about infection, so I m ade sure I took care of it. Every time it got red, sore, swollen, or leaked a little bit of anything, I got really nervous. Luckily I never seemed to get an infection. Because of my neurotic cleaning habits, it healed nicely and I don't regret it at all. It is an experience I will never forget (and neither will my parents). I would completely recommend getting a piercing at least once in your life, it's fun, and removable in case you don't want it forever.