quick update

I'm officially all messed up with the time change.

I had a plan, oh yes...a great plan. I would drop my things off at the hotel, orient myself, and set off to see what I could see. To orient myself, I needed maps. Ok, I'll look at maps. I could stand up and look at maps, or...I could....lay down right here on the bed and look at maps. Ah, yes...stretch out a little after being cramped on an airplane for the past 10 hours. Ok, here's the hotel...there's the bridge...and the...castle....and...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So much for that plan.

I was a little gracious with myself though, because I didn't sleep at all the night before I left, and just a little off and on during the flight. I slept until about 9 at night (Czech time), then got up and showered and dressed and went for a walk. I stayed around the hotel, but saw a lot. The Powder Gate is just down the street, which is huge and gorgeous, even more so all lit up at night. I walked around the Republic Square, saw a street flautist playing Love Me Tender plus a bunch of other really old and beautiful buildings. I hadn't eaten since breakfast on the plane, so I went to a little mini-mart next to the hotel in search of something to eat. I ended up with mini chocoloate-filled croissants, Coke Zero, water, and best of all, a chicken nugget sandwich with mystery thousand-islandish like sauce. It was a good, strange meal and I followed it with some good, strong decaf coffee. Now, I'm not sure if I'll sleep. I'm going to try.

Tomorrow, sight-seeing and picture-taking and who knows what all. I'll being hanging out with some friends at some point in the afternoon, which will be really nice after 36 hours of strangers and a language that I don't understand at all.

Here are a few more pictures from my stroll tonight.

Not sure what this is, but it's pretty. There are restaurants on the bottom, but I think it may be a theater on the inside?

I found Chopin in a dark alley...

The Powder Gate

another shot of the Powder Gate

arriving

I'm here! Here are a few bad pictures taken from the taxi.

And just a couple at the hotel.

almost

I think I way overpacked, but it's comforting...small thing to be in control of when so much is out of my control while I travel. I just hope it's not over 50 pounds...

I had convinced myself that I could make it just checking 1 bag, but today I convinced myself I needed to check 2, and I was right. The big one is almost entirely clothes, the smaller one is various and sundry things for teaching, plus a bunch of books. Heavy books. Eek.

I've been in contact with some missionaries in the Czech Republic, and feel so much more secure knowing that they'll be there and that I'll get to hang out with them and get the inside scoop on the work going on there. I didn't know this til today, but the Czech Republic is considered the most atheistic country in Europe, and the third most atheistic country in the world. That was startling to me - I had no idea. So I think that will be a very interesting contrast, considering that here we're in the Bible belt and most people at least believe God exists. I'm intrigued to see the type of work going on these countries and how these missionaries are impacting this dark, dark place with the light of Christ. Hoping that I'll be able to play a part in that, however small, during my short time there this month.

It may not be worth it at this point to sleep. Probably not because I think it might just make me sleepier and maybe ill. And that way I won't have to re-do my hair or make my bed. Sweet!

best laid plans

This is probably about the 12th time I've sat down in Starbucks with my Prague travel book with every intention of planning my 3 days there. And this is the 12th time since I've been in Starbucks today that I've glanced knowingly at that poor neglected book. I feel overwhelmed about planning that part of my journey, because the time will be short and the sights to see/things to do will be many. I can't decide if I want to just feel it out when I get there, or if I want to go ahead and plan every minute and be gracious with myself when I blow 81% of those plans to get intentionally distracted by a million beautiful and mysterious things I could never have planned for.

My brain still hasn't dumped the files from "dream" to "reality" with this whole trip. Maybe that's why I'm having trouble planning well. But I do know that this time next week, I'll be in the thick of it, and hopefully enjoying myself completely, because the following Monday the nose goes to the grindstone and coursework begins. I'm excited for and intimidated by the challenge, yet I know it'll be good for me in a myriad of ways.

I've been in contact with a Youth with a Mission group there, and hope to be able to plug in with them some, but still don't have any concrete info on that. I don't have any idea what the spiritual climate of Pilsen is like, but I think I'm about to get a crash course. Definitely coveting prayers for that aspect especially.

Ok, well...4 1/2 days and counting til take-off. Stayed tuned, and keep Czeching it out peeps.