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Published: March 31st 2008
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sun through the clouds.
The skyline walking towards my house in the distance. Today, after I departed with Maoria on the metro I walked up the first set of stairs where I encountered two men selling cheeses of various sorts. Next, I encountered a woman pushing a large baby stroller (with a baby in it) and I saw from my peripheral vision she was in a quandary due to the fact that she could not in any imagination get that baby carriage up the next set of stairs. Being the kind person that I am, (and curious), I made eye-contact with the woman and she smiled and shook her head "yes". I assumed this meant she needed help because I did not ask her any question in which she would even need to reply yes. So I used all my strength and with this dark headed woman, I lifted that baby carriage so high and we started to climb the stairs. The poor baby in the carriage was staring at me- probably somewhat confused, probably somewhat hungry (because all babies are) and by george we made it up those stairs! She thanked me twice saying in czech "thank you very much"- we departed and met again and she continued to thank me. I told
Megan, Eric, and Molly
Fairfield people, meet my study abroad friends. This is us at the concert. her I don't charge for my services but if she would like to do my taxes next tax season she could- but she just stared at me because she "seemingly" did not understand english.
Today and this whole past weekend was really beautiful- I of course am referring to the weather. On Saturday I traveled to Divoka Sharka which was a very luscious and beautiful and large park on the outskirts of Prauge (it took (Alice, Liz, Hannah and myself) about an hour by metro and tram) to get to the park. My muscles, especially my groinds, were aching because the day before, Madeline and I went on a run by the river! This weekend was all about being outside in the fresh open land of the Czech Republic. At the park, we brought some food and had an array of options that included, but were not limited to bananas (my new favorite; I already ate two today. I hope too many aren't bad for you- potassium overload), strawberries (still not a fan), cottage cheese and bread (also my doing), more bread, green grapes of luscious size, and or course ginger cookies! By the way, my host father just
Frantisek!
Madeline's host brother. Madeline helped write some of the lyrics (to the songs) came into my room and brought me a package of "brownie cookies" that are prepared in the "famous American Style" but are made in Germany. I never thought I would see the day- I have been searching for such my entire life.
At the park we had lovely discussion and Liz and I watched Hannah and Alice play frisbee. They are quite the athletes. I am really just saying that because they are going to read this blog. I am just kidding- they are probably not going to read this blog. Alice and Hannah- if you read this blog, wink twice the next time you see me at school but not on the street. Liz, unfortunately, placed her hand on the bare grass to which she quickly removed it because something pinched/stung her. I tried to squeeze whatever was in her hand out- but that just caused the damn thing to swell up. Then someone suggested putting mud on the little hole in her hand- she did- and I think it got better for the most part.
I called my Tatinka (father) for his birthday yesterday- well we "Skyped" each other. Do you know what skype is? Well...
Exhausted after our run.
Madeline and I (in her homestay room) after our long run. skype is set up like AIM instant messenger and allows two or more individuals, or pairs, to connect with one another via microphones located into their computer, or with headsets. You are able to talk just as if you were on the phone and in special cases, if you have a webcam, or like me a video camera, we can see one another. In my parents case, I cannot see them, however, they can see me.
My friends from Fairfield (Megan and Eric) came to visit last thursday night and it was absolutely lovely to see them. They actually came Wednesday night and on that night Denise and I cooked dinner at her apartment then went to Bordo Club where Madeline's host brother, Frantisek, was playing in a Ska band. I had never heard of Ska before, but apparently a lot of my friends used to be into ska in high school and such. Frantisek's band was so good and had us all dancing. During the concert I received a call on my cell phone from Kaleigh, one of my best friends at Fairfield University. Although we did not have much time to meet up, Denise and I were
able to contact her long enough to be able to meet her for twenty minutes in Wensclas Square. It was absolutely precious to run into her arms on such a cold night! It was so good to see her- she looks great- and is studying abroad in Ireland. Unfortunately she was leaving early the next day- and I had to go catch the metro- so we parted ways and will see each other in due time. in due time.
The next night Denise and I went out to dinner at a local Czech restaurant blizko (close to) Denise's apartment. Denise and I split fried cheese and broccoli and cheese while the other two got meat dishes. Megan ordered chicken with ham and peaches on it- it was weird but tasted good. I didn't eat the peaches though. Then, for desert, Denise and I ordered sweet cream pancakes and I asked for the fruit to be on the side, however, inside the pancake was strawberry ice cream. Although I am improving in the food department, I cannot each such. Afterwards, we went to our friend Katie's apartment and out after that. It was such a fun night and it was
sad to see Megan and Eric leave. They did not even go to bed that night because they had a 7:00AM flight and had to be at the airport so early.
I guess on Friday night, if I remember correctly, Madeline, Liz, Molly (and her friend Marlene) went to this modern theater where we saw a very, I repeat very interesting performance called Silence at the Divadlo (theater) Alfredvoře. It was an "attempt to meditate in motion. The stage is silent while the audience have headphones and listen to four different performance soundtracks created by found different alternative musicians. Minimalist dance on a silent stage and immediate sound through headphones. Silence shows the tension between continuous encounters, misses and the synthesis of music and motion." It was pretty intense and afterwards we went to a free music show at Anděl. This was pretty cool and after Alice arrived, she directed us to this basement car garage where a whole music festival was set up- filled with dark beer, cool colored lamps, and lots of indie/hippie people. The band that we saw perform consisted of eleven! people ranging in ages, playing all different instruments. I did not understand many of the songs but I think one was about being hungry. It was really fun.
My host mother went on a vacation this week so it is just my host father, brother and myself. Jara is cooking as I type actually. I wonder what we will have. I walked home and took the metro with Maoria this evening- it is strange because we changed out watches back yesterday and due to that fact, it is still light out when I get home- which is not usually the case.
Last night Madeline graced me with her prescense because we had to watch three movies for our Practical Analysis: Directing class. These movies included: Mouchette, The Celebration, and Nights of Caliberia. We could not find them too easily and had to search the internet/go to FAMU early to watch it in the videoteka library. Madeline stayed for dinner and we did something special! Madeline, myself, and my host parents went in the backyard, where there was a fire (we burnt our Christmas tree), and we cooked sausages, salami, and weeners on the fire! I love weeners! It was delicious, there is nothing I have ever tried like it. The table was also adorned with lovely cheese platters and olives along with ketchup which was consumed on the sausages. It was like a wide hot dog. And if you know me- you know I love my wide hot dogs. Today was the last day of my brothers 7 day fast and he did it. I was pretty amazed. He wanted to clean his system. Yay food.
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Aunt Darlene
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WOW!!!
what a trip--I am laughing with you--did you find any little chech men yet to fit in the hole? find us one too!