Blogs from Czech Republic, Europe - page 286

This evening there was a Valentine party for everyone here at the seminary. For the last weeks people have opened their door to find a small package lying on the floor, or a note, a postcard, or a short letter taped to their door ... or ... someone has knocked on the door and when it is opened have handed a present or card saying, “This is from your secret neighbor.” Everyone was given a secret neighbor to whom to give small presents and/or encouraging messages. It was lots of fun. At the Valentine party each person was introduced to their secret neighbor. Before the secret neighbor was revealed each person was asked, “Who do you think your secret neighbor is?” Surprisingly several people guessed correctly and several people knew. I found it interesting how many ... read more

We kept the library open again this Saturday. It was the last day of the Intensive schedule and many of the students who are part time students will return home with tons of homework and a lot of reading to do. They were busy today returning library materials, making copies of things they will need for home study and getting in the last few moments of precious library study time. We are very delighted with the caliber of student who is attracted to this seminary. They are certainly the ‘cream of the crop’ of students from Eastern Europe and a few other countries. Most of them are not merely bi-lingual but multi-lingual. It is hard for an American living in such a mono-lingual country to imagine folks who speak 3, 4, 5 different languages and speak ... read more

After chapel this morning we donned out sweaters and coats so we would not freeze while we were downtown. We had several tasks we needed to do while on our outing. After only a short wait of two or three minutes Bus #116 pulled up. This is the one that made the unexpected turn last week, putting us off the bus at the end of his run at an unexpected location. "Maybe he will go the same place this morning," Nancy said. "If so I can go to the little pharmacy." "What do you need," I asked. "Some hydrogen-peroxide and Robitusson." "Robitusson? You don't have a cold." "That's right," Nancy said, "but Kasha does and I told her I would buy her some if I found it." Kasha is a young woman from Poland. Sure enough, ... read more

Another bright sunny, cold day in Prague. The cold set me to thinking about what life must have been like here several thousand years ago when the area was inhabited by different tribes. My guess is that in winter most the people, except for hunters, kept close to the fires that surely were kept going all the time. We worked in the library all day today processing books. We are putting in as many hours this week as possible. Once this week, the last of the intensive weeks, is over student workers will return to the library and we will not have such ready access to the computers. Students working in the library are on work scholarships and have to put in their hours so they can keep their scholarships. Honza, the young man who is ... read more

We’ve just returned from another hour’s walk around the area on and near campus. The outside temperature has definitely taken a nose dive. We each had on almost all the clothes we own and were quite comfortable but it is really cold. We first walked up the steep hill that is outside our room windows. We wanted to see what was on top of the hill. Surprise! There is a nice play area carved out of the flat area on top of the hill. The flat area looks like a human effort not a natural feature of the land. Someone has built a very nice playground for children with slides, swings, etc. Then there is a good sized volleyball court. There is also a nice are barbecue grill. We were tempted to ride down the hill ... read more