Lwendt

So, here's the actual Prague posting...a beautiful city by day and night. So, pictures came first on this city—the city is one history lesson after another and visually exciting no matter which direction one looked. We began the day with a lunch at a traditional restaurant followed by a guided tour in the downtown area—a tour on the way to the castle passing several small castles which were places nobles would come for the hunting season). Walks up a hill to catch a glimpse of a mini-eiffel tower and a quick immersion into the bustling tourists also here to see the city. I can’t quite imagine this city in the heart of tourist season since sidewalks were overflowing with tourists in the middle of fall. Our first evening was a dinner with a renowned author—Arnost Lustig ... read more

Sunshine and laid back would be the first few words that come to mind to describe this fast moving city of 3.2 million. Well, laid back except for the driving--round-about's are everywhere and admittedly I never fully got my bearings. Our host had arranged a van for most of our trip so we were simply grateful we survived and arrived everywhere in one piece! Travels from Berlin were fairly smooth. Our flight was delayed due to an air traffic controller strike in Spain, not France though that has become the running joke since France has been in full protest mode during our travels. While waiting, I took a stab at a car racing game on my fellow traveler's ipad and, turns out I stink at driving an i-pad. Sean better be driving when I get home! ... read more

European Union all day long.....Today was our last day in Brussels and the final stage in our indoctrination into the Euro-perspective. Our morning began with a gentle, yet direct reminder from our fanstatistic city coordinator, Christina that our group had some work to do in the punctuality department. (Right and for everyone who knows me....so far I am not one of the "late" ones. Yet!) With that behind us and our own group organization needing a few moments to recalibrate, we welcomed our first speaker John Richardson, Senior Transatlantic Fellow and former Official at the European Commission. He painted an overview of the EU challenge, namely to bind regions with different economic interests and different national identities. Mr. Richardson had spent some time in the states so was able to do some compare/contrast as he went ... read more

After a decent night's sleep to reorient ourselves to the time zone we are now in, we started the morning with a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels. Admittedly, guided tour/museum first thing in the morning while still orienting to the time may sound sleepy yet the tour has made me a believer in guided tours! Our guide, an art expert who clearly knows this museum's fine works, steered us through the collection. At one point, she spent about twenty minutes describing a Bosch painting. I could have listened for another hour for the painting itself was complex with political and social themes of its time. In fact, she mentioned that she had briefed Michael Palin for two and a half hours and I'm sure the painting had some influence on Monty ... read more

Well, let's start today off with a proud mom moment....As I left off last night....today is Sean's 16th birthday which is pretty darn hard to believe! Jesuit played Beaverton tonight and he had a goal and an assist on Jesuit's way to a 4-1 victory! What a great bday present to himself, competitor that he is. Ok, on to travel news....I visited with Sen. Merkley's Senate HELP staff to advocate for the Calling for 211 Act. See picture at Capitol Hill. Thanks to the Senator and staff for their support! Then....the fellowship really began. At 2:30, we met as a group of 15 fellows from all over the country to meet each other, learn more about the program and to review our itinerary. A couple of unique things about the German Marshall Fund of the US: ... read more