Time's A Flyin'
Wow, I can’t believe it has been almost two weeks since I
last posted! Time is really starting to go by fast, and it is unbelievable that
my program is already over halfway done!
Upon returning from Spring Break, I have finally had some
time to lay-low. The past two weeks have been a time to relax, regroup, and
enjoy PRAGUE!! It has also been a time to actually do some school work. And by
school work, I really mean continuing creating my costume. I’m going to wait
until I am completely finished before I post pictures. I apologize if the
suspense is difficult to bear ;)
As I am now in the second half of my time here, I have
realized that somewhere along the way, I have completely adjusted to life in
Prague. Grocery shopping is no longer the most stressful thing on the planet, I
don’t find it odd to be living out of a suitcase anymore, and walking on
cobblestone is no longer mission impossible! I now know Prague’s public transportation
like it is the back of my hand, and I can order off a menu without being
completely awkward and totally clueless. It’s crazy to look back and see how I
have adapted to this once terribly different lifestyle. By no means am I saying
that I am a pro at living in Prague. I
still can’t pronounce “thank you” or “goodbye” properly in Czech, but I have
definitely come along way since I first got here!
I have also spent some of my time hanging out with the
one…and the only…BRIANA FALDUTI!! She is one of my best friends from high
school, and I am so lucky to have her in Prague with me! She is studying here
in a different program through UNC, and I always am so happy to spend time with
her! She makes this place feel a little more like home J This is us at the Lennon Wall
before heading to dinner…
On Friday, our studio class took a day trip to Jablonec,
which is a beautiful mountain town about two hours outside of
Prague. We took a tour of the famous
Detoa factory, which is known for their production of wooden toys. The Czech
Republic is also known for their glass beads, so we spent the rest of our time
looking in glass museums and bead shops. Surprisingly, it was actually a really
fun day-museums and all!
A couple days later, our class took another trip to a
factory where costumes are hand crafted for the Czech National Theatre
Productions. They were in the process of
creating costumes for Sleeping Beauty Ballet, which debuts next week. The
quality of the costumes was amazing, which made me want to completely restart
the one I am making! The outfits were beautiful, with some costing more than
$30,000. Holy smokes!
Last weekend, we enjoyed the first sunny and warm day in
Prague! It has been weeks since the sun has been here, so I welcomed it with
great joy! I took advantage of it as best I could, and spent more of my time
strolling the streets and shopping at various outside markets!f I am beginning to love Prague more and more!!
HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY KIMBERLY!!
And then we went to KRAKOW!
This past weekend, my traveler in crime, Kimberly, and I
went to Krakow, Poland. We began our journey with an overnight train that took
us straight from Prague to Krakow.
Kimberly jokes that I can sleep anywhere, but I think trains
might be my greatest sleeping location! The rocking of the train had me sound
asleep by 9pm (unheard of for me) and the next thing I knew, we had arrived in
Krakow! In the early morning, a thick layer of fog covered the city, which is
exactly what I think of when I think of Poland.
Krakow is a very beautiful city, and as the fog lifted, the
gorgeous buildings were revealed!
We roamed the streets and made our way to the Jewish
Quarter.
We then went to the Jewish Ghetto.
Afterwards, we went to Schindler’s Factory and toured the
inside. It was so interesting and makes me want to re-watch Schindler’s List.
We then saw other parts of the city, had a Polish dinner,
and then hit the hay!
Auschwitz
Yesterday morning we woke up early to take a tour of
Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration/death camp. It is difficult for me to express
my feelings and this experience in words. In short, it was haunting and very
overwhelming, but I am glad for the experience and for the opportunity to learn
more about this tragic time in history. Here are some of the pictures that I
was able to take:
Though there was no happy ending at the end of this tour, hope can still be found. These lyrics kept running through my mind while I was there:
"There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day, when the burdens of this place, will be no more. We'll see Jesus face to face." -Jeremy Camp
Though the tour took most of the day, we were still able to
get some last sight seeing in before we had to board our train home.
(I have countless pics of strange little figures all around Krakow! He was my Favorite.)
(The coolest door I have ever seen!)
This is probably the prettiest castle I have seen up to date, and
definitely the fiercest fire breathing dragon I have ever had to fight!!
I am yet again so thankful for another flawless weekend in
an enchanting city!!
This looks like it was a great trip! Very fun! I have a few questions, I hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are thinking of taking the train from Prague to Krakow like you did. Did you book a first-class ticket to get the sleeper area in the photo? Was there room to keep your luggage locked up with you in the compartment? Could you lock the compartment behind you if you left and went to have dinner on the train?
Thanks!