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Just Give Me a Reason- Pink
Good Life- OneRepublic
Saturday, August 24, 2013
8/24/13- And Then There Was One
Well, this is it. This is my last day. It actually came.
Joly, Ling and Omar left yesterday. Joly for home, Ling for Germany and Omar for France.
Joly, Ling and Omar left yesterday. Joly for home, Ling for Germany and Omar for France.
As I sit here in CrossCafe, atop the tallest skyscraper in the city, looking over all of Pilsen, I can see memories encapsulated in buildings. Pilsen tower/church, where we climbed the endless amount of steps to see the city in which we would be living at the beginning of the summer. Angliskke Navreji Tram Stop, where we finally found David after an hour of confusion. The synagogue the ice cream store, the square.... I truly love this place.
I'm actually glad that I have this day of solitary relaxation and reflection before going home tomorrow. This morning, I ran from Slovany to Bory and back just soaking in all of the places that I may never see again one last time.
I'm actually glad that I have this day of solitary relaxation and reflection before going home tomorrow. This morning, I ran from Slovany to Bory and back just soaking in all of the places that I may never see again one last time.
How do I even begin to describe this summer?
It was... unreal. A few months ago, traveling the world was only a distant dream. With Peru in March, I thought I was lucky enough. But now, after only 8 weeks, I can add the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Hungry, Germany, and Austria to that list. How many people, let alone beginning sophomores, can say that?
As I return back to real life, I just want to take the time to remember this feeling. This feeling of knowing that I am blessed. Of feeling confident, unstoppable, and unwritten. I am 18 years old and the possibilities that the world has to offer are limitless. I just need to have the strength to actively grab hold of my life and steer it in the direction that I want it to go.
This summer I've met so many amazing people, seen breathtaking places, lost 10lbs, and surprised myself daily. I've learned to lead people both older and younger than me through teaching, increased my confidence by making decisions and sticking to them, and learned that anything, anything, is possible.
6 months ago, if someone had told me that I would have a summer like this, I would have laughed. Openly. And here it is, already over. Although I am glad to go home to the friends and family that I have missed so much, there is no question that I will miss the freedom that Europe has given me.
It was... unreal. A few months ago, traveling the world was only a distant dream. With Peru in March, I thought I was lucky enough. But now, after only 8 weeks, I can add the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Hungry, Germany, and Austria to that list. How many people, let alone beginning sophomores, can say that?
As I return back to real life, I just want to take the time to remember this feeling. This feeling of knowing that I am blessed. Of feeling confident, unstoppable, and unwritten. I am 18 years old and the possibilities that the world has to offer are limitless. I just need to have the strength to actively grab hold of my life and steer it in the direction that I want it to go.
This summer I've met so many amazing people, seen breathtaking places, lost 10lbs, and surprised myself daily. I've learned to lead people both older and younger than me through teaching, increased my confidence by making decisions and sticking to them, and learned that anything, anything, is possible.
6 months ago, if someone had told me that I would have a summer like this, I would have laughed. Openly. And here it is, already over. Although I am glad to go home to the friends and family that I have missed so much, there is no question that I will miss the freedom that Europe has given me.
One thing's for sure: Europe will always have a special place in my heart. This is the place where I had the opportunity to explore myself, and my desires while exploring the world. I have no question that this summer will shape the remainder of my youth and my life.
Thank you, Pilsen. Miluji tě.
Thank you, Pilsen. Miluji tě.
8/12/13
David visited today! He followed
through on his promise and came to Pilsen. I can never get tired of that guy.
As today was the first day of class, we were able to end 15 minutes early and book it down to the bus station to meet David when his bus came. The only problem was that he never got off the bus. From 1-1:50 we searched all over Pilsen for him only to find out that his phone was out of credits and he was stranded at Angliskke Navrejy.
As today was the first day of class, we were able to end 15 minutes early and book it down to the bus station to meet David when his bus came. The only problem was that he never got off the bus. From 1-1:50 we searched all over Pilsen for him only to find out that his phone was out of credits and he was stranded at Angliskke Navrejy.
When we found him, it was the
biggest relief ever. Joly, Omar, Ling and I had sleepily planned the
“Best-Of-Pilsen Day” after our arrival back home and wanted to make sure that
David got one of the best days ever. Sadly, we had to cut the brewery off of
our list after the bus mix-up.
Still, the day was great. After we picked up David, we went to our favorite ice cream place followed immediately by the best Indian restaurant in town. Following, we went home to change and chill for a bit then took the bus up to the lake. It was really relaxing until a strange fog began to spread all over the water and we decided that it would be best to stick as close to shore as possible. Finally, we went to Delish for dinner then took David back to the bus station to catch the Student Agency back to Prague. Simple pleasures but the best ones today. It’s hard to believe that I may never see him again. I may never see a lot of the friends I’ve made here ever again. Still, I’m glad they’re in my life and that they were able to open my eyes so much this summer. Even if our lines never cross again, they have had an infinite effect on my life by changing my path as I changed theirs.
Still, the day was great. After we picked up David, we went to our favorite ice cream place followed immediately by the best Indian restaurant in town. Following, we went home to change and chill for a bit then took the bus up to the lake. It was really relaxing until a strange fog began to spread all over the water and we decided that it would be best to stick as close to shore as possible. Finally, we went to Delish for dinner then took David back to the bus station to catch the Student Agency back to Prague. Simple pleasures but the best ones today. It’s hard to believe that I may never see him again. I may never see a lot of the friends I’ve made here ever again. Still, I’m glad they’re in my life and that they were able to open my eyes so much this summer. Even if our lines never cross again, they have had an infinite effect on my life by changing my path as I changed theirs.
Love always,
Sowa
Sowa
8/11/13
With an ending this perfect, I can scarcely describe my love
for this weekend. Vienna. The city of music. Beauty manifest in architecture
and gardens. A place thriving with history and legends.
I think Vienna has officially topped the list of my favorite cities. Like in Prague, we got to blindly explore and see the parts that we wanted to. Like in Budapest, Vienna was full of somewhat hidden surprises around each corner. I can’t even count the number of times I walked into a church or opera house or palace and thought I was walking into a painting. Before Vienna, I thought places that beautiful only existed in story books.
I think Vienna has officially topped the list of my favorite cities. Like in Prague, we got to blindly explore and see the parts that we wanted to. Like in Budapest, Vienna was full of somewhat hidden surprises around each corner. I can’t even count the number of times I walked into a church or opera house or palace and thought I was walking into a painting. Before Vienna, I thought places that beautiful only existed in story books.
When we
arrived on Friday, it was raining and so well just called it a night and stayed
in our hostel. Saturday morning, we woke up to a really nice, all-included
breakfast and marked the map for our self-guided tour.
On the
list:
-
The Ringstrasse
-
Heldenplatz (Heroes’ Square)
-
Volksgarten
-
Parliament
-
Burgtheater
-
City Hall (where there was a film festival!)
-
Main University
-
Votvkirche
-
Berggasse/ Freud’s House
-
Danube Canal
-
Graben
-
Steffl
-
Mozart’s House
-
Opera House
-
Schonbrunn Palace
And for once, we actually checked
off everything!
But these beautiful sights are not
what made me love Vienna so much, although they clearly helped. Vienna went
above and beyond to become my number one. Saturday, after we finished our
walking adventure, we decided to go to a Mozart concert and hear the music that
the city is so famous for. As far as decisions go, it was one of the best. The
program featured all of Beethoven’s best-known symphonies and operas. At the
end of the concert, the conductor even got the audience involved in keeping
rhythm for the last song. Visual and auditory beauty was enough to make the
evening perfect.
Of course, however, Vienna had more
to offer. Directly after the concert, we made a last minute decision to go
check out the ferris wheel that we had seen from the bus station when we first
arrived. And that ferris wheel? It turned out to be a FULL THEME PARK.
The turnover was amazing. There we were, still in our high buns and dresses from the concert, sprinting from ride to ride and dancing to the music all over the park. Lucie, Joly, Omar and I rode the trippiest ride ever called ‘Extasty’. If that’s what drugs are like, I get why they’re dangerous now. After, we went on the classic swings ride but amplified. In Wien, the swings were 117m above the ground and let you see the Vienna skyline while basically flying around in the air. Breathtaking.
Honestly? My writing sucks right now. I can’t do Vienna or this past weekend justice. But let’s just say, it feels good to end on top.
Love always,
Sowa
The turnover was amazing. There we were, still in our high buns and dresses from the concert, sprinting from ride to ride and dancing to the music all over the park. Lucie, Joly, Omar and I rode the trippiest ride ever called ‘Extasty’. If that’s what drugs are like, I get why they’re dangerous now. After, we went on the classic swings ride but amplified. In Wien, the swings were 117m above the ground and let you see the Vienna skyline while basically flying around in the air. Breathtaking.
Honestly? My writing sucks right now. I can’t do Vienna or this past weekend justice. But let’s just say, it feels good to end on top.
Love always,
Sowa
8/8/13
We actually had a good class trip
for once! Today we went to Domaclizce instead of class. Originally, we were
meant to go on Saturday for the festival that they will be having but after
deciding that Vienna was the more attractive option, we convinced AIESEC Pilsen
to change the date.
After the Karlovy Vary and Cesky
Krumlov fiascos, I wasn’t expecting much. Joly’s buddy Maggie was leading.
And, well? I was wrong. Even though we didn’t do much, today was a perfect way to find down term 3. Once the bus dropped us off, we climbed the tower to get a better view of the city and find things to do. There were so many stairs but fighting our exhaustion together was fun. After, we headed to the “castle”/ museum. At first, I attempted to read a few of the English captions but eventually, we all met up and decided that it was more fun to play pranks and take silly pictures around the museum. Veronica, Jakub, Adam and I broke into the museum’s tower (the door was open so I’m still not sure if it was allowed or not) and saw more of the city. Probably one of the more amusing museum visits I’ve been on.
After we headed to lunch and , after hopping from restaurant to restaurant trying to decide where would be a good place to eat, chilled there talking and laughing for an hour or two. Earlier in the day, from the tower, we saw a sort of fair being set up pretty close by so we went on a journey to find it. Though we were successful in locating where the fair would be, we discovered that it wouldn’t start up until 4pm. Our bus was to leave 20 minutes following that. Still, we chilled on the trampolines for a while. When we were finally kicked out, we went to the nearby playground.
And, well? I was wrong. Even though we didn’t do much, today was a perfect way to find down term 3. Once the bus dropped us off, we climbed the tower to get a better view of the city and find things to do. There were so many stairs but fighting our exhaustion together was fun. After, we headed to the “castle”/ museum. At first, I attempted to read a few of the English captions but eventually, we all met up and decided that it was more fun to play pranks and take silly pictures around the museum. Veronica, Jakub, Adam and I broke into the museum’s tower (the door was open so I’m still not sure if it was allowed or not) and saw more of the city. Probably one of the more amusing museum visits I’ve been on.
After we headed to lunch and , after hopping from restaurant to restaurant trying to decide where would be a good place to eat, chilled there talking and laughing for an hour or two. Earlier in the day, from the tower, we saw a sort of fair being set up pretty close by so we went on a journey to find it. Though we were successful in locating where the fair would be, we discovered that it wouldn’t start up until 4pm. Our bus was to leave 20 minutes following that. Still, we chilled on the trampolines for a while. When we were finally kicked out, we went to the nearby playground.
This was the part of the day that
made today so much fun. We all went crazy running around and playing with the
see-saw, swings, spinning wheel, castle, etc. I felt like I was 5 in the best
way possible. Even the parents who were there with their kids were laughing
with us. Set to Omar’s music, it was the perfect summer day.
Eventually we left but not without one last strawberry/lemon ice cream. On the bus ride home, we played Zoo and made fun of each other’s faces in pictures. I really underestimated this group! Tomorrow’s the last day and I really think it’s going to be great. Then Vienna! This summer is really winding down fast. I feel so blessed to have been able to come here but now I’m a bit worried about coming home. I get the feeling that I will be psychologically incapable of staying still. I guess we’ll see!
Love always,
Sowa
Eventually we left but not without one last strawberry/lemon ice cream. On the bus ride home, we played Zoo and made fun of each other’s faces in pictures. I really underestimated this group! Tomorrow’s the last day and I really think it’s going to be great. Then Vienna! This summer is really winding down fast. I feel so blessed to have been able to come here but now I’m a bit worried about coming home. I get the feeling that I will be psychologically incapable of staying still. I guess we’ll see!
Love always,
Sowa
8/7/13
An ordinary Wednesday turned
extraordinary.
I love it when perfectly random days like today happen. So as usual, we started off the day with class from 10-1. Well actually my day started earlier with a 3 mile run. Yeah. I run now. And I like it. Picking up good habits for once!
Anyway, back to the day. Class ended and Joly, Ling, and I were deciding what to do for lunch. (Omar went to play squash with Jakub to celebrate the last day of Ramadan). The problem was that one of our good friends Jrka had invited us out to lunch at an Indian restaurant and I was out of money.
So we went our separate ways. Joly and Ling out with Jirka and me back home to make rice and watch Project X (a movie recommended by Honza and Jakub).
After lunch, I left for the exchange office to get some Euros for Vienna this weekend. As timing would have it, I ran into Ling, Joly, and Jirka walking back to the square after lunch. A quick wave and I continued to the office.
Strangely enough, on my way back home I decided to stop for ice cream and ran into them again. Joly looked distraught. Apparently, this could be the last time we would see Jirka. He is leaving for a 3 week badminton camp this weekend and coming back to Pilsen after we’ve all returned to our respective countries.
My heart broke. I’m terrible at goodbyes. Especially with people as wonderful as Jirka.
I love it when perfectly random days like today happen. So as usual, we started off the day with class from 10-1. Well actually my day started earlier with a 3 mile run. Yeah. I run now. And I like it. Picking up good habits for once!
Anyway, back to the day. Class ended and Joly, Ling, and I were deciding what to do for lunch. (Omar went to play squash with Jakub to celebrate the last day of Ramadan). The problem was that one of our good friends Jrka had invited us out to lunch at an Indian restaurant and I was out of money.
So we went our separate ways. Joly and Ling out with Jirka and me back home to make rice and watch Project X (a movie recommended by Honza and Jakub).
After lunch, I left for the exchange office to get some Euros for Vienna this weekend. As timing would have it, I ran into Ling, Joly, and Jirka walking back to the square after lunch. A quick wave and I continued to the office.
Strangely enough, on my way back home I decided to stop for ice cream and ran into them again. Joly looked distraught. Apparently, this could be the last time we would see Jirka. He is leaving for a 3 week badminton camp this weekend and coming back to Pilsen after we’ve all returned to our respective countries.
My heart broke. I’m terrible at goodbyes. Especially with people as wonderful as Jirka.
Let me first explain the ray of
sunshine that is Jirka Louda. Jirka is one of our students from term two (aka
the greatest group of students you will ever meet). During class, he and Omar
were the only two guys so we all liked to harass him. Still, he kept everyone
smiling and laughing with his constant jokes and smiles that encompassed his
entire face. He smiles so much that I can’t even picture him with a straight
face when I think of him. Even after his session ended, we continued to hang
out. He comes to our flat to chill, we meet up for lunch, we’ve gone boating,
clubbing, etc. Basically he’s amazing and has transitioned from a student to
one of our best friends here.
And saying goodbye to best friends… well it just sucks.
So obviously my next reaction was to try to plan as much time with him as possible before he leaves. We all got ice cream together and I asked if he wanted to come chill at our flat for the day. He couldn’t come since he was going to visit his grandfather.
And saying goodbye to best friends… well it just sucks.
So obviously my next reaction was to try to plan as much time with him as possible before he leaves. We all got ice cream together and I asked if he wanted to come chill at our flat for the day. He couldn’t come since he was going to visit his grandfather.
Jokingly, we asked if we could come
too. It was kind of a face off of dares. But Jirka, sweetheart that he is,
called his granddad to ask. And he said yes.
Ling, Joly
and I thought it was somewhat of a joke at first but as we got closer to Mr.
Louda’s apartment building, I got increasingly more nervous. Even if we are
just friends, I wanted his family to like me. People who raised such a great
guy must be worth getting to know.
After a quick stop to pick up cake for our visit, we rang the doorbell.
After a quick stop to pick up cake for our visit, we rang the doorbell.
Grandpa
Louda was just as great as his grandson. Despite the fact that we were being
strange and visiting him on a whim, he welcomed us into his home with open arms
and plenty of stories. I was impressed with how good his English was despite
how much he kept on insisting that it was bad. Jirka was so cute trying to make
sure everyone was comfortable by getting us chairs and tea while simultaneously
translating when his grandfather couldn’t quite come up with the word that he
needed. It was one of those relationships where you can tell even just from a
glance that they are extremely close.
First, Grandpa Louda started by showing us his postcards. 264. He was so well travelled! He could speak Czech, German, French, and English with confidence even at his 85 years. What most impressed me was the fact that he had taught himself English by reading his giant collection of National Geographic magazines. As the afternoon progressed, we heard stories of his late wife with whom he had studied medicine with in his youth. Their love continues long after she’s been gone and it made me happy to see how warm his voice became when he spoke of her or looked at her old pictures.
After we finished talking about travel (he made sure to emphasize that we should continue to travel in our youth because it truly expands your mind) Grandpa Louda said he wanted to show us something “very, very special”. He came back clutching two manila envelopes and opened them to reveal some of his most precious belongings. There, we got to see Grandpa Louda as both a child and as a handsome young man with his wife at his side. They looked so blissful together. He also showed us several pictures of Jirka and his brother Honza growing up over the years. The whole situation was adorable. Jirka even said that his granddad had never shown him the pictures until we came yesterday.
First, Grandpa Louda started by showing us his postcards. 264. He was so well travelled! He could speak Czech, German, French, and English with confidence even at his 85 years. What most impressed me was the fact that he had taught himself English by reading his giant collection of National Geographic magazines. As the afternoon progressed, we heard stories of his late wife with whom he had studied medicine with in his youth. Their love continues long after she’s been gone and it made me happy to see how warm his voice became when he spoke of her or looked at her old pictures.
After we finished talking about travel (he made sure to emphasize that we should continue to travel in our youth because it truly expands your mind) Grandpa Louda said he wanted to show us something “very, very special”. He came back clutching two manila envelopes and opened them to reveal some of his most precious belongings. There, we got to see Grandpa Louda as both a child and as a handsome young man with his wife at his side. They looked so blissful together. He also showed us several pictures of Jirka and his brother Honza growing up over the years. The whole situation was adorable. Jirka even said that his granddad had never shown him the pictures until we came yesterday.
There’s
something about people opening up their past to you that makes you feel
infinitely closer. For the 3 or 4 hours that we were there, I felt so honored
to be considered trustworthy enough to momentarily peek into the private life
of the Louda family.
The experience solidified the fact
that friends are family. Chosen members.
Unless we open ourselves up, we cannot truly know one another.
Grandpa Louda left us with one final note: “Study, study study! Study as much as you can before age 35. You will be thankful the rest of your life.”
I am so thankful that I got to get closer to Jirka and his family. The entire visit, I couldn’t stop smiling as two very different generations shared their stories and laughed together. This is one of those moments that I think I will hold dear in my heart forever. This summer, travelling has really opened my mind but I thank Jirka for opening my heart to true friendship. I’m really going to miss him.
Love always,
Sowa
Grandpa Louda left us with one final note: “Study, study study! Study as much as you can before age 35. You will be thankful the rest of your life.”
I am so thankful that I got to get closer to Jirka and his family. The entire visit, I couldn’t stop smiling as two very different generations shared their stories and laughed together. This is one of those moments that I think I will hold dear in my heart forever. This summer, travelling has really opened my mind but I thank Jirka for opening my heart to true friendship. I’m really going to miss him.
Love always,
Sowa
8/4/13
Bread of God. That’s how Juan
described the saintly goodness of the hostel owner this morning. AHH I’M SO
THANKFUL TO HIM RIGHT NOW.
So this morning, none of us felt
right trying to sneak out of the hostel without paying so we went to the front
desk together to try and explain our desperate situation. The guy was so
amazingly kind. He basically only spoke German and so we communicated via
Google Translate. In the end, he just decided that we were to be considered
“guests of Kelly” and didn’t charge us anything. He had every right to and we
were entirely ready to pay. But this man was heaven sent.
After checking out, we headed to our
8:30 appointment at Refichstag or the German Parliament. There we went on an
audio tour of the buildings around Berlin and left feeling both productive and knowledgeable.
Later, after finding out that the church
was closed until 12 and thusly we could neither climb it nor see the cathedral,
we headed to the Olympic Stadium.
It was pretty darn awesome! Since the Berlin Olympics are long over, there were barely any tourists there and we got to go down to the front row of seats and pretend to be millionaires. We also got to see a glimpse of the Olympic swimming pool and see some really talented and attractive divers in action.
For our last stop, we went to the
Berlin Palace and sat by its beautiful gardens. I felt like princess Jasmine
sitting in the midst of flowers and birds by the fountain staring at the palace
in the distance.
Europe man.
I still feel so blessed and can’t believe that I only have 3 weeks left here. We said our goodbyes to Kelly and Juan and Juan left us with gifts from Peru. I got earrings and Aji sauce! Hopefully it will survive in my suitcase on the way home and Peru trip people and I can have a reunion featuring that sauce. God has placed some truly amazing people in my life this summer and I can’t wait to see what else he has planned for me.
Love always,
Sowa
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