Lots to tell...

The past few days have been a whirlwind and I feel like I am finally settling in. My homesickness has ceased as Prague becomes my temporary home. I am learning the routine of daily life and soon I will know my way around the city. Today was the first day of school, and it felt nice to be in a setting I am familiar with- school. After a very busy weekend of traveling it's time to explore Prague. Before I give you my first impressions of Prague, let me first recap a bit on my weekend...

Saturday: we drove about an hour through the most amazing countryside/forest road I have ever seen to the national park in Moravia. The view was stunning. It's funny because Christie and I both noted that ancient architecture is incredible and the churches we have visited have been awesome, but nothing can take our breath away like God's creation. Pure and simple. When one thinks of the Czech Republic, one doesn't often think of the forest or beautiful countryside that surrounds the cities... but I must say that the beauty I found myself surrounded by on Saturday was the highlight of my weekend. After our trip to the caves, we went to a family-owned wine cellar and had a fantastic dinner followed by some wine tasting. The scene was lovely. For our listening pleasure, a Czech string quartet (well something like that) played during dinner and we enjoyed an assortment of wines. We tasted 7 wines... I think they were supposed to be really good, and I truly wish I enjoyed the taste of wine- but I'm not there yet and I only liked two of the wines. We were able to purchase some for only 2 dollars each in American money, and I lovingly bought a bottle of both red and white wine for my parents... um but one of them broke so you only get white wine - sorry mom and dad.

Sunday: Most of us were exhausted but we endured the stops at a battlefield and the place where Mendel grew his peas (remember biology and genetics?). We saw some statues. We were tired. It was time to go home. Once we got home, however, Christie and two other girls and I decided we needed to familiarize ourselves with Prague since we hadn't even seen the town all that much. We took the metro to our school and took a lovely stroll on the Charles Bridge. The Charles Bridge needs to be an entire entry all its own, it wouldn't do it justice to squeeze it into this already extensive blog. Basically, it's amazing. Yep. More on that later for sure. We ate at a really great Chinese cafe and ate ice cream. Then we walked back to our dorm and called it a night. All in all, pretty great.

Monday: Happy 4th! In honor of the fact that it is the 4th of July, I thought it would be appropriate to try my first beer ever in the land that is famous for its beer. So I ordered beer at a restaurant. Wierd. Umm well, it tasted ok. I'm sorry this is a let down for those of you who don't still have a couple months until the 21st birthday, but I didn't like it all that much. I feel as if that is blasphemous here, but I'll be honest- it's a taste I haven't acquired. Many people love the beer here though. After the beer (oh we had class today also. it was sort of boring and long) we went to the grocery market. Funny story: I got asked out by a black grocery clerk who spoke spanish. We conversed in Spanish because that was the language most common to us. It was just crazy! He asked if I had "tiempo para discoteca" Hahaha! I nervously laughed and said "lo siento pero gracias no" or something to that effect. Well, the awkwardness continues even in foreign countries. Aside from that, I stocked up on pb&j for cheap lunch and dinners.

One last thing... since my arrival to Prague, I have not yet discovered any coffee shops with the coffee I like. Yes I am not only a coffee snob, but also a coffee fluf drinker. I prefer a nonfat caramel macchiato or mocha to the latte or espresso (I know.. spoiled American baby written all over that, but I'm sorry it's just me). However. This is not the case in Prague (As of yet). Every coffee shop has a bar attached to it, and very rarely are flavored drinks served. Today I found a coffee shop that sold an iced mocha with whip cream. When I asked for skim milk, the barista looked at me like I was nuts and handed me a drink overflowing with whip cream and whole milk. It was pretty dang good though, I must say... more on coffee later as I explore the hot places in Prague. Not a Starbucks in sight (it's for the best I know)....

Ok so there is the very long update... I won't be updating like this everyday, but I thought the past few days were important so I typed them up in itinerary form. Next time I will just write about important things and sights and smells...
Blog entries to come:
Charles Bridge
What God is teaching me, doing in me, and doing through me
Christie and Annie prayer sessions/adventures
Food & Drink
People in my program
Observed Culture
Religious life
Consumerism in Prague v. America
and more... I just haven't thought that far yet because I'm still barely a week into the program.
Missing you all and loving you much...

ps. Check out my link to Christie Tedmon's xanga, she has great things to say and fills in a lot where I leave out. She's terrific.