Aug 2006

I flew all night to get to Brussels. That was fun, sort of. I couldn't sleep. It's just so uncomfortable on a plane! But it was my first trans-Atlantic flight, and I must say, it was very cool to get to watch movies on the plane.
I met a guy from Belgium who said I would love Prague. It was good he was there, because I needed him to help me navigate the airport in Brussels. Because once I got there, I was like, "yeah, this is not in English anymore." But it wasn't too bad. I found my gate, I flew to Prague! It was a short flight, thankfully, but the plane bounced on the landing. I was like, "I'm gonna die!" but I got here safely.
My first day in Prague was interesting. They drive crazy here! For the second time, I was sure I was going to die. They all sort of do their own thing and I can't make sense out of any of the streets. Fortunately, I wasn't driving, but our van was bouncing wildly down the narrow, cobbled, downhill streets, with cars parked up over the curb on both sides.
Our apartment is nice, as yet unfurnished because they just bought it Tuesday night. They were still working on painting when we got there.
I fell into bed and slept for so long, and let me just say, the beds here are amazing, with huge soft pillows and down comforters. They really know how to sleep here.
Our first day involved getting to know the school and getting information, plus learning the metro station and trams. We got lost on the trams, and that was a little frustrating, since all the signs are in Czech and all the people speak Czech, but all 12 of us were together, and it was a lot of fun. For us, anyway. We were probably way too loud. Oh well. People are very quiet here. I haven't quite figured that out.
We have found some great restaurants and some great stores. I've gotten a few pictures, but as yet I don't have access to internet in my apartment. That's where the pictures are still, so I'll put them up here when I get the chance.
In the meantime, Prague really is gorgeous! I can't believe these buildings really exist!

Well, I'm flying out Tuesday morning. I'm scared and excited, and I know there are so many people and things I'm going to miss so much. I've done all my shopping, done all my laundry, done everything I can think of. I hope I haven't forgotten everything. Keep me in your prayers. My next post will be from Prague...

I recently got my flight itinerary for my trip to Prague. I fly out from Atlanta on August 22. I think it's at about 11 a.m., which is really good. I have to admit I was a little worried I'd be flying out at, oh, 6 in the morning or something, and I would hate that. But 11 is good. So I fly from the Atlanta airport to the airport in Newark, NJ. That's where I take an overnight trip across the Atlantic and end up with a layover in...Brussels! Belgium: that will be the first European country I will ever visit. I don't know how long my layover is, but I fly to Prague after that. I assume they'll meet me there and take me to my apartment/hotel, where I will sleep off the 6-hour-different jetlag.
On my return flight, which will probably be the first of July, I'll have a layover in Milan. That's exciting too, because it's Italy! But by then, I may have gotten the opportunity to visit Italy already...
In the meantime, it's certainly exciting. Now if I can just figure out how to pack my life into two suitcases.