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.