It's a beautiful day, once again, in my neighorhood. During the week we had huge rainstorms, very cool weather, and generally difficult days for walking around, especially with my ankle still wrapped. I've become pretty good at wrapping and then cling wrapping! It's improving steadily, for which I'm very grateful. I'm also getting very good at slowing down my already slower-than-it-used-to-be pace! I must say that the past few months have given ample opportunity to notice changes in myself, something I've paid very little attention to over the years.
There's way too much else to pay attention to, however, and this has been a week of totally disconnected reading which has given perspective and even more interest to the places I go and things I see. One book, Foreigners in Prague, written by a Czech couple with wonderful Czech phrases and word choices, tells of visits by some who are very familiar to me -- Beethoven, Mozart, Edison, Einstein -- and others -- 17th/18th century artists, writers, alchemists (!) -- who are new and interesting. In addition, these are not the usual stories. What a great new view, found by accident at a "discount" bookshop by the tram stop.
My great excitement and joy was a weekend with Dasa and Thomas at her home in Zahorany. The weekend before was a reunion at the airport (wrapped ankle and all). What a great time. I had no idea how much I was longing for their arrival until they walked out the customs door. I was focusing way too low for Thomas's face -- how much he's grown since Christmas. His smile for each of us and his zipping in and out of English and Czech for multiple conversations were amazing.
Then the whole weekend together. What a great time, including a joint birthday party for her mom's 70th and Thomas's 4th, beautiful cake, candles, and his insistence on singing "Happy Birthday" and all. Got to make those beautiful Czech open faced sandwiches with Dasa for the guests who joined us, in and out Saturday afternoon. It also meant I was able to see some folks I've known over the years there. Mornings with Thomas, talking and playing with trucks/trains in his bedroom and one bedtime ritual together were long to be remembered times also. Then there was a morning at Uncle's small farm. Oh my -- what four year old wouldn't love that adventure! And what Granne wouldn't love to watch!!
I've made a couple adjustments to my teaching schedule for Thursday and Friday -- they'll be down for those days with me. Last summer he visited the zoo -- listed as 5th best in the world (I'm impressed, and will visit it on my own later). This week it will be Petrin, Charles Bridge, and perhaps Vysehrad, since it has a great playground as well an ancient church still holding mass and the graves of famous Czechs. I'm certainly hoping for sun. We already cancelled one day's visit because of storms. Whatever we do, being with them will be wonderful, fill up some of those gaps I was hardly conscious of till I saw their faces.
How blessed I am, what great gifts I've been given. Each new surprise and every reminder prompts another "thank you".
Time to be moving on, together, I trust. The computer problems continue, and I once again am enjoying the hospitality of Andy's laundromat. By the way, you can find Andy's, Petrin, Karlov Most (Charles Bridge), and Vysehrad on line with simple Google searches! Since laundry is a regular part of life, we'll catch up next week!
Till then, wishing you joyous and peaceful traveling. . . .
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Silence is . . .
definitely not golden. But at least it isn't the sign of something amiss!
In this case silence is caused by even more computer problems. First it was over three weeks of lost internet connections. That was remedied, thank goodness, and then the whole computer decided it doesn't know me. Can you imagine it -- your own computer, something that feels as close as your skin, or an appendage, or even, in some cases and at least for me, your brain -- refusing to acknowledge you when you try to say good morning. How dare it!
This is just a quick opportunity to touch base, to let you know that all is certainly well, that my love of life in Prague has only deepened. I'm enjoying my summer classes/students/schedule. (I would enjoy it even more if there weren't so many cancellations. That is, however, a fact of life here. Did you know that four weeks is the mandated holiday allotment here? And they do enjoy it!) Overall, though, this is a very nice change and I look forward to the next month also.
It has been difficult to say farewell to new friends, some returning to the States for grad school, for retirement, or for another type of work. Others will be going to different countries; this is a way of life for them. In some cases the goodbye is temporary -- they are taking summer holiday (a few to earn enough money to be able to afford this job!) and will be returning in September/October.
Then there is the real enjoyment and excitement - - Dasa and Thomas arrived two weeks ago. It is wonderful to have a phone conversation be a local call! How exciting to watch Thomas speak to one grandmother (babicka) in Czech and instantly switch to English with the other. What a joy it is to be listening to his stories, his descriptions of visits to castles, and playing trucks and trains with him again. And what a great weekend we had together. Of course, there was plenty of terrific Czech food, a fun visit with Dasa's aunt and uncle. A highlight of that time was watching Thomas enjoy their family "farm": geese, tractor, plow, chickens, bunnies, lots of fruits and vegetables, all the great things city boys miss! Our weather's been weird -- that's the most used word to describe it. Cold, rainy, then colder with heavier rain.
Dasa, Thomas, and Zdenek, her older brother, were coming to Prague today. While I taught they were going to go up Petrin, I believe. It is a tower built to resemble the Eiffel Tower, 60 metres high, 299 steps to climb, and on a really clear day it is said you can see the highest peak in the Republic 150 kilometers away. Then we were going to explore the Charles Bridge (Karlov Most) together and do whatever else looked like fun. Because of a really stormy forecast, we canceled/postponed the visit last night. By noon today -- you guessed it -- the sun was shining and I was feeling awful! Fortunately for my spirits, we just had another harsh downpour and more is obviously on the way. And I know I'll see them, even if only briefly, several more times.
Prague is dressed in her summer finery -- lush green "frames" for the baroque facades supplied by interesting trees, flowers hanging over balcony railings and sweeping nearer the street each time I pass, open windows with lace curtains (it's the standard here) blowing in the breezes to a wonderful rhythm they all seem to catch at the same time, tantalizing garden gates now open to find the same breezes. And I must not forget the chickens (and snails) on my Friday trek. Each is getting fatter. (It's obvious what the chickens are eating -- I stopped to watch their peck-peck-peck. It is less obvious for the snails. Whatever their diet, they do grow!)
I've had some enjoyable evenings out -- Pub Night once again with colleagues, a regular occurrence at StJ, several quiet evenings of great conversation with different colleagues over some good Czech beer, an interesting but unsuccessful book hunt, and the promise of more of these times to come.
And Prague is receiving her spring/summer allotment of tourists with her usual grace and calm. It seems that each time I go out there are more people to wait for, walk around, stand still behind, or generally find a way to move through. I frequently think how grateful I am that I am not a tourist this time. It is such a peaceful feeling to be able to enjoy daily routines in this setting without a rush to see everything at once. And yes, I must get myself moved out and around again. That's the next post, I'm sure.
For now, all is well here. I wish the same for you.
In this case silence is caused by even more computer problems. First it was over three weeks of lost internet connections. That was remedied, thank goodness, and then the whole computer decided it doesn't know me. Can you imagine it -- your own computer, something that feels as close as your skin, or an appendage, or even, in some cases and at least for me, your brain -- refusing to acknowledge you when you try to say good morning. How dare it!
This is just a quick opportunity to touch base, to let you know that all is certainly well, that my love of life in Prague has only deepened. I'm enjoying my summer classes/students/schedule. (I would enjoy it even more if there weren't so many cancellations. That is, however, a fact of life here. Did you know that four weeks is the mandated holiday allotment here? And they do enjoy it!) Overall, though, this is a very nice change and I look forward to the next month also.
It has been difficult to say farewell to new friends, some returning to the States for grad school, for retirement, or for another type of work. Others will be going to different countries; this is a way of life for them. In some cases the goodbye is temporary -- they are taking summer holiday (a few to earn enough money to be able to afford this job!) and will be returning in September/October.
Then there is the real enjoyment and excitement - - Dasa and Thomas arrived two weeks ago. It is wonderful to have a phone conversation be a local call! How exciting to watch Thomas speak to one grandmother (babicka) in Czech and instantly switch to English with the other. What a joy it is to be listening to his stories, his descriptions of visits to castles, and playing trucks and trains with him again. And what a great weekend we had together. Of course, there was plenty of terrific Czech food, a fun visit with Dasa's aunt and uncle. A highlight of that time was watching Thomas enjoy their family "farm": geese, tractor, plow, chickens, bunnies, lots of fruits and vegetables, all the great things city boys miss! Our weather's been weird -- that's the most used word to describe it. Cold, rainy, then colder with heavier rain.
Dasa, Thomas, and Zdenek, her older brother, were coming to Prague today. While I taught they were going to go up Petrin, I believe. It is a tower built to resemble the Eiffel Tower, 60 metres high, 299 steps to climb, and on a really clear day it is said you can see the highest peak in the Republic 150 kilometers away. Then we were going to explore the Charles Bridge (Karlov Most) together and do whatever else looked like fun. Because of a really stormy forecast, we canceled/postponed the visit last night. By noon today -- you guessed it -- the sun was shining and I was feeling awful! Fortunately for my spirits, we just had another harsh downpour and more is obviously on the way. And I know I'll see them, even if only briefly, several more times.
Prague is dressed in her summer finery -- lush green "frames" for the baroque facades supplied by interesting trees, flowers hanging over balcony railings and sweeping nearer the street each time I pass, open windows with lace curtains (it's the standard here) blowing in the breezes to a wonderful rhythm they all seem to catch at the same time, tantalizing garden gates now open to find the same breezes. And I must not forget the chickens (and snails) on my Friday trek. Each is getting fatter. (It's obvious what the chickens are eating -- I stopped to watch their peck-peck-peck. It is less obvious for the snails. Whatever their diet, they do grow!)
I've had some enjoyable evenings out -- Pub Night once again with colleagues, a regular occurrence at StJ, several quiet evenings of great conversation with different colleagues over some good Czech beer, an interesting but unsuccessful book hunt, and the promise of more of these times to come.
And Prague is receiving her spring/summer allotment of tourists with her usual grace and calm. It seems that each time I go out there are more people to wait for, walk around, stand still behind, or generally find a way to move through. I frequently think how grateful I am that I am not a tourist this time. It is such a peaceful feeling to be able to enjoy daily routines in this setting without a rush to see everything at once. And yes, I must get myself moved out and around again. That's the next post, I'm sure.
For now, all is well here. I wish the same for you.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The more things change. . .
What a wild couple of weeks! Lots of ups and downs -- most annoying was that my internet connection was perpetually down. It spends days down and minutes up, and I'm sure we're not finished with this yet! For almost three weeks now it has been unavailable for days/weeks at a time, then returning -- perhaps -- in 30-minute spurts at random times. Reminds me of inserting coins for heat in Great Britain.
One of the things I remember very clearly from an article discussing Culture Shock sent to me as I finished my certification was, I believe, Step 3: Becoming annoyed at things which don't work as you expect. And of course my mental response was that I wouldn't let it happen to me. Frankly, I'd been annoyed enough (mostly quietly and usually only to myself) at things in Durham that I wondered how that could possibly be a problem. Well -- take away my connection and I quickly find out! It is a lifeline for me mentally and emotionally. My family is on the other end, wherever they may be at any time. My friends are around, even when we're not in constant contact. And, of course, it is my connection with information I need from StJ as well as an opportunity to research topics needed for teaching.
This object lesson in the importance of connection and communication has reminded me over and over of my incredible, wonderful grandmother -- homesteading twice in Oklahoma as it was opened for settlers. (Never mind the people who were already living there. And, by the way, some Czechs mentioned our past with the Indians just this week. What could I say . . . ?) What a difference in my choices and hers. My goodness, I can actually see Alexander as we talk on Skype. Almost no one is very far away, when I have a connection, that is.
And an up? I now have all of my visa completed! Hooray. We were notified the processing was complete, and one of the young women from the StJ office made the trip to Vienna to pick them up at the Embassy for Kim and me. I believe I'd already mentioned we couldn't leave the country then return in fewer than 90 days unless it was complete and in our hand. After she received them, we had three days to get a stamp from the Foreign (aka Alien) Police. Of course, they were closed on one of those days, and we had to save the other in case something went wrong. There are lots of stories about how much can go wrong and how awful the day at the FP can be. So at 4:45 a.m. Monday we joined a great hoarde of non-Czechs, some of whom had slept there overnight to be at the front of the line, which at that point was a long distance from where we stood. What chaos. There were even several imitations of a military-style regimentation from a couple people who had obviously taken money from a long list of people on the promise that they would be put at the front of the line. Fortunately, there were others who helped us stand our ground. Actually, just describing the people in my immediate vicinity and the varieties of humanity, humour, and helpful/lessness would take many pages. Police arrived to keep order about 6:30 and the doors opened an hour later. The crush was unbelievable, even with what small semblance of order had been restored. With all the right paperwork -- and StJ made sure everything was in order -- groups of 20 or so entered at one time to receive a number. Sort of a deli counter without food! All the numbers for the day had been given out before 11!
To make a long story with lots of twists, turns, and very interesting people short - - - in only eight hours I was out of there, new visa firmly affixed to my passport. And my words to the young woman who joined us from StJ (just in case we needed any translation) were, "I believe I've waited 18 years for this." It was, indeed, a happy moment. I've been "legal" since arriving, taking required steps at the right time. It's just that now it is all together in one very important place. What a wonderful moment.
I've also learned about hospitals and medical insurance recently. Proof of medical insurance is required for the visa. It took one very long morning, lots of running around, and a significant amount of money to get that completed. The man who did my paperwork was a delight to work with -- gave great explanations and went out of his way to make it all work just right.
You guessed it -- only a week later I needed it. My foot (what else do I need more than my feet for all this running around, huh!) was really severely injured when a woman knocked me off balance and then hit my weight-bearing leg with her little pull cart. Oh my it hurt. One more shortened story -- StJ gave me all the right information, checked out the insurance process, got everything in line for the hospital, where I had to go to the Foreign Office. (There's that word again!) Apparently this hospital is especially good at dealing with EU and other non-Czech speaking folks. I cannot believe how smoothly it all went, almost no waiting, extremely helpful and solicitous people, a great woman doctor who gave good information and instructions. Could not have been better, including the fact that their English was great and they took care of insurance coverage without having to go through reimbursement! Nothing was broken, though it still doesn't work right. I came out with one heck of a wrap that I'm to wear for five days. And I can get around quite well. I am SO blessed. So you and I continue to travel on together.
Oh yes, other changes. This is the time of the year for saying goodbye to new friends and colleagues. Over the past several weeks colleagues who had become new friends have left for other, not necessarily greener pastures. A couple to grad school, a couple to continue their retirement, some looking for another country they want to visit. And yes, there are empty spaces even though our differing schedules meant that we didn't see each other regularly. Certainly the hiring process is in full swing, and there will be other new faces in the fall. But I feel fortunate to have met some really lovely people and gotten to know them even for a short time.
The leave taking and summer break for the client companies combine to bring about a lot of schedule changes. I'm so grateful that the Client Managers have given me some great new people to work with and many of my regular students/companies are continuing through the summer. I just have to get the different routes and times changed mentally. Oh, yes -- this is a right turn, not a left turn today!
As for change - - - it is indeed the constant. Even when the schedule and the days look as though they will be the same or very similar, something wonderful happens. Here it is a new week -- wonder what it will bring!
Travel in peace and with joy - - -
One of the things I remember very clearly from an article discussing Culture Shock sent to me as I finished my certification was, I believe, Step 3: Becoming annoyed at things which don't work as you expect. And of course my mental response was that I wouldn't let it happen to me. Frankly, I'd been annoyed enough (mostly quietly and usually only to myself) at things in Durham that I wondered how that could possibly be a problem. Well -- take away my connection and I quickly find out! It is a lifeline for me mentally and emotionally. My family is on the other end, wherever they may be at any time. My friends are around, even when we're not in constant contact. And, of course, it is my connection with information I need from StJ as well as an opportunity to research topics needed for teaching.
This object lesson in the importance of connection and communication has reminded me over and over of my incredible, wonderful grandmother -- homesteading twice in Oklahoma as it was opened for settlers. (Never mind the people who were already living there. And, by the way, some Czechs mentioned our past with the Indians just this week. What could I say . . . ?) What a difference in my choices and hers. My goodness, I can actually see Alexander as we talk on Skype. Almost no one is very far away, when I have a connection, that is.
And an up? I now have all of my visa completed! Hooray. We were notified the processing was complete, and one of the young women from the StJ office made the trip to Vienna to pick them up at the Embassy for Kim and me. I believe I'd already mentioned we couldn't leave the country then return in fewer than 90 days unless it was complete and in our hand. After she received them, we had three days to get a stamp from the Foreign (aka Alien) Police. Of course, they were closed on one of those days, and we had to save the other in case something went wrong. There are lots of stories about how much can go wrong and how awful the day at the FP can be. So at 4:45 a.m. Monday we joined a great hoarde of non-Czechs, some of whom had slept there overnight to be at the front of the line, which at that point was a long distance from where we stood. What chaos. There were even several imitations of a military-style regimentation from a couple people who had obviously taken money from a long list of people on the promise that they would be put at the front of the line. Fortunately, there were others who helped us stand our ground. Actually, just describing the people in my immediate vicinity and the varieties of humanity, humour, and helpful/lessness would take many pages. Police arrived to keep order about 6:30 and the doors opened an hour later. The crush was unbelievable, even with what small semblance of order had been restored. With all the right paperwork -- and StJ made sure everything was in order -- groups of 20 or so entered at one time to receive a number. Sort of a deli counter without food! All the numbers for the day had been given out before 11!
To make a long story with lots of twists, turns, and very interesting people short - - - in only eight hours I was out of there, new visa firmly affixed to my passport. And my words to the young woman who joined us from StJ (just in case we needed any translation) were, "I believe I've waited 18 years for this." It was, indeed, a happy moment. I've been "legal" since arriving, taking required steps at the right time. It's just that now it is all together in one very important place. What a wonderful moment.
I've also learned about hospitals and medical insurance recently. Proof of medical insurance is required for the visa. It took one very long morning, lots of running around, and a significant amount of money to get that completed. The man who did my paperwork was a delight to work with -- gave great explanations and went out of his way to make it all work just right.
You guessed it -- only a week later I needed it. My foot (what else do I need more than my feet for all this running around, huh!) was really severely injured when a woman knocked me off balance and then hit my weight-bearing leg with her little pull cart. Oh my it hurt. One more shortened story -- StJ gave me all the right information, checked out the insurance process, got everything in line for the hospital, where I had to go to the Foreign Office. (There's that word again!) Apparently this hospital is especially good at dealing with EU and other non-Czech speaking folks. I cannot believe how smoothly it all went, almost no waiting, extremely helpful and solicitous people, a great woman doctor who gave good information and instructions. Could not have been better, including the fact that their English was great and they took care of insurance coverage without having to go through reimbursement! Nothing was broken, though it still doesn't work right. I came out with one heck of a wrap that I'm to wear for five days. And I can get around quite well. I am SO blessed. So you and I continue to travel on together.
Oh yes, other changes. This is the time of the year for saying goodbye to new friends and colleagues. Over the past several weeks colleagues who had become new friends have left for other, not necessarily greener pastures. A couple to grad school, a couple to continue their retirement, some looking for another country they want to visit. And yes, there are empty spaces even though our differing schedules meant that we didn't see each other regularly. Certainly the hiring process is in full swing, and there will be other new faces in the fall. But I feel fortunate to have met some really lovely people and gotten to know them even for a short time.
The leave taking and summer break for the client companies combine to bring about a lot of schedule changes. I'm so grateful that the Client Managers have given me some great new people to work with and many of my regular students/companies are continuing through the summer. I just have to get the different routes and times changed mentally. Oh, yes -- this is a right turn, not a left turn today!
As for change - - - it is indeed the constant. Even when the schedule and the days look as though they will be the same or very similar, something wonderful happens. Here it is a new week -- wonder what it will bring!
Travel in peace and with joy - - -
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