Český Krumlov, enchanting indeed.

I spent the weekend in a quaint Czech town called Český Krumlov. My friends Kelly and Todd are visiting from Colorado. They had both been to Prague before so we decided to make a weekend trip to this magical little place. The Vltava river twists its way through the cobblestone streets that was once the seat of the Schwartzenbergs. I took lots of photos but my favorites are of doors in old brick walls. I will post a few for you here.

I came across an interesting series of articles about the Czech mentality. They are quite fascinating and enlightening. You may find them interesting as well as it will give you an idea of the differences in ideologies of Czechs and Americans. After reading the 1st article, be sure to scroll down all the way to the bottom for the links to the rest of the series. http://prague.tv/articles/zine/czech-mentality-1

It's good to be home.

I'm finally back in Prague and so much has happened already! Our flights were fraught with delays but fortunately, we arrived only 20 minutes later than scheduled. I realized during the flight that I did not have the key to my building. I arrived at my front step hoping my sub-letter was home, which she was not. After several failed attempts of ringing my neighbors' bells and telling them in my broken Czech that I didn't not have my key, one kind soul had pity on me and buzzed the front door open. I slept on the couch that first night as it was the sub-letter's last night in Prague. I didn't care, I was just happy to be home.

Kafka would be proud.

The next morning, I rose early and headed to the Ministry of the Interior's office for my area of Prague to announce myself and register my visa. My friend, Tereza, met me there and acted as a translator. After waiting for almost 3 hours, we were told that I was (yet again) at the wrong office. I had researched this for hours and all the information I was able to find said we were at the right place but why should I be surprised that it's not. So we headed off to the Foreign Police, where we waited for a mere 2 minutes before we were seen. The police officer searched my passport several times over and grumbled to himself then would look at me for an answer. I kept asking Tereza what he was saying but she had no idea since it was all mumbles. He finally asked where my passport was stamped. I was afraid of this. I didn't realize until after I was pass the passport control in Frankfurt, that he didn't stamp my passport. You can't go back to passport control once you are through. Fortunately, I had my plane ticket with me to show to the police officer. He said it was a good thing I had it, otherwise it wouldn't have been good for me (not sure what that meant and glad I didn't find out.) He also told me to demand a stamp next time. HA!

Strange days, indeed!

Several people have stayed in my flat while I was gone. There was a group from YWAM who stayed about a month, a couple of ESI teachers were here over Easter and a sub-letter for July and August. I have found some of my things in interesting places but also, some things that aren't mine at all. Some of them were a lovely find while others are a bit strange. Here's a list in no particular order:

1. A bottle of Tokaji wine! Thanks to Erin and Maria. There was a lovely little card that went with the wine that I found a day or two later.

2. A dried piece of moldy bread in the pantry.

3. A million fruit flies courtesy of the watermelon left on the counter.

4. Several packages of dried-up cheese in the fridge (what a waste!).

5. My dishes on the highest shelves possible which I cannot reach.

6. My Dallas Cowboys to-go coffee cup in the bathroom under the sink sans lid. I have yet to locate the lid.

7. A ginormous jar of Nutella. Yum!

8. An almost empty, smaller jar of generic nutella.

9. A plastic bag filled with small, dried shrimp. EW!

10. Various and a sundry seasoning packets with Asian characters on them.

11. A refrigerator full of food that I have to throw out.

12. Two very LARGE spiders who seem to live on despite how much hairspray is sprayed on them.

Regardless of the above list, I am glad to be back in the city I love doing what I love doing. Home is home, no matter what.

I know that a blog post is egregiously overdue and I apologize in advance for the shortness of this one. The past few months have been interesting, to say the least. I am finally feeling I am back where I belong or on the right track, rather. We have just completed the first week of the four week new teacher training. I, along with the Regional Director, am responsible for preparing the new teachers for their upcoming adventure. It's exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I love getting to know the new teachers and sharing my heart for Central Europe. However, training is jam-packed with activities starting at 8:00 am and lasting until about 10:00 pm. Please pray for stamina and strength for the next 3 weeks and for times of rest. Also, pray for me as I begin a new fundraising campaign for this year.

Visa status update: Stagnant. I have to wait until the Czech Consulate receives an official rejection letter until I can reapply. The Consulate General and his assistant went over my file with my boss and said it was a perfect file and they don't understand why I was rejected. I am gathering all the needed paperwork so I can file my new app immediately after this famous rejection letter arrives.

I have been really homesick and missing Prague the last few days. I am in a state of limbo. I have been going back and forth between two friends' houses. I am working everyday and focusing on what is going on with my organization in Central Europe. Right now, my heart is there but I can't be. And it sucks!

Here's what I miss:
1. The castle, Charles Bridge...really all of that amazing, old architecture that gives you a sense of history. I am in awe everyday when I walk amongst those buildings, I feel as if I am touching a part of history. The little town I lived in before, Cheb, is celebrating its 950th year as a municipality this year. Yes, almost 1000 years! Unbelievable!
2. My friends, Americans, Czechs and few other nationalities. Czechs protect themselves emotionally and don't let their guard down or make new friends easily. I was just really feeling like I was settling into my community in Prague when I had to leave, was just beginning to break through some of those tough outer-shells to make friends.
3. My church in Prague. Don't get me wrong, it has been wonderful to be home and spend time with my CCC family here in Arlington. They are a wonderful support and I couldn't do what I do in Prague without them. But there is something special about worshiping with folks from all over the world. I can't even describe it.
4. Cafes. I love long, deep conversations and there is no place better for them than over a strong cup of coffee at a cafe. Europe has that down and it one of my most favorite things to do!
5. Beer. I know, I can get good beer here. But I can get a 1/2 liter of great beer there for about $1.25. You can't beat that! And Czechs are known for their beer.
6. Public transportation and a great train system. I hate driving!
7. I definitely have a healthier life-style there. I don't eat out very often and never eat fast food. I have to walk much more than I do here.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Texas! I just feel I am torn between two worlds right now and Prague is where I should be. Thanks for letting me vent! Now someone needs to make me laugh because I'm pretty sad.

Oh jet lag, how I hate you.

I should be in bed already but jet lag has struck again. It has been a bear this time around and I am really tired of it. But I wanted to give you a little taste of the perfection that this day has brought, barring the aforementioned jet lag.

I had a late lunch with Tereza, who I met in Texarkana this past winter. She was an exchange student whose host mom happened to be an old friend of mine. She was so excited when she heard I was moving to Prague. Do you know how rare it is to meet a Czech who has been to Texas, needless to say Texarkana? I think Tereza and I have a special connection and I can't wait to spend more time with her.

After lunch, I met up with a former student. I haven't seen her since I left in 2006. She's in university now and we had a nice evening together. She went with me to look at a flat. Then we had dinner. We had a really good talk about things going on in her life and that was exciting. I'm so glad I can reconnect with former students.

Then, when I was walking to the flat from the tram stop, I came upon two hedgehogs! They were so cute, rooting around, sniffing for something. I hope they find what they were looking for. I watched them until I couldn't see them anymore. I love hedgehogs. This first week has been filled with a lot of my favorite things about the Czech Republic. I've only had really one frustrating moment, actually 40 minutes of frustration but it is so small in comparison to the great things that have been happening.

Getting Settled In

I arrived in Prague Friday afternoon after a really long travel day. The flight from LAX to Frankfurt was quite noisy. For some reason, many people thought they should stand in the aisles and talk loudly while people were trying to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't get much. Then we had to run to get our connecting flight. I was literally one the last ones to board. Thanks to Shelly for helping me with my carry on! The flight attendants were not very helpful and told me I had too much stuff. I told her I was moving to Europe, so of course I would have the max allowed. Thank goodness it was a very short flight because I was dripping in sweat and had to hold my backpack in my lap. But I am in Prague and that is all that matters!

I am slowly settling in. I don't want to get too settled because I will be moving into my own flat soon. Just have to find one first. I have been impressed with my Czech skills. I was able to buy credits for my phone pretty easily. The only problem is that I don't seem to have a signal here in the flat. I have a few errands to run tomorrow. I'm buying a metro pass and I need to pick up my insurance papers. I'm also having lunch with Kelly tomorrow. Yea!

I'm going to run for now. Need to fix some lunch and finish organizing a few things. I miss y'all but I so excited to be here!