Hills and Valleys

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions! It's been a week of wonderful highs, and difficult lows. 

I spent the first couple days of the week religiously checking my mom's blog, waiting for updates from my family, and impatiently grumbling about the time difference because I only get to talk to my family in the afternoons and evenings. 

(One small victory: I'm finally a legal resident, and the visa process is officially over! I've paid my dues, paid more processing fees, signed more papers, had more pictures taken, been fingerprinted, and all for a small card that says that they guess I can stay here for a while. Joy.)

On Wednesday, though, things started to get a little crazy. I'll back up a little bit....

Near the beginning of the semester, I dropped a four day hiking class because I basically decided I was too much of a wimp to do it, and also it was going to be cold. And we all know how much I adore the cold. 

So anyway, I dropped that, and it's a good thing, because a couple weeks later, I was invited to go on my new branch's temple trip to Switzerland, on the same weekend!

Just so you understand how exciting this was for me: I didn't think I was going to get the chance to go to the temple during my time here, because both the Frieberg and Frankfurt temples are closed for renovation during the whole time I'm in Europe. The next closest is Bern, Switzerland, and it's so expensive to try to go there, and it would have just been complicated. So I was absolutely thrilled. Like, jumping up and down squealing kind of excited. And that doesn't happen very often.

A little while later, we find out about Charlie's cancer, and it so happens that both of his major surgeries were on days that I was in the temple. I can't even express how much comfort and peace this brought me. Sitting in the celestial room, I was really able to put things into perspective and better come to grips with the fact that the Lord is in control. He is watching over me, my family, and my brother. He knows our challenges, pains, and struggles, and He knows what He is doing. Handing it all over to Him is really hard, especially for me, but it truly does result in so much peace. And I'm incredibly grateful for that. 

So anyway, since I left my recommend at home, Wednesday turned into a full length travel day. I left at 6 am to go to Prague to meet with the mission president for an interview, and got a blessing while we were at it. (So wonderful, by the way. Don't get me started on my gratitude for priesthood blessings.) The interview was 20 minutes, and I headed right back to Brno for the 2 1/2 hour bus ride back.

Bus ride between Prague and Brno

Once back in Brno, I finished packing, had a nice nap, and got to the church to get on the bus to Switzerland. We drove all night and made it there at about 8:45 on Thursday morning.

This is where things get really hard for me. At that point, I was tired, worried, and anxious. A couple people had talked to me, some more than others, but the language barrier is so real. My branch is wonderful and welcoming, but I felt awkward, out of place, and dumb. Everyone was speaking in a language I didn't understand, and while someone was usually willing to translate for me, I didn't like to ask. On top of all that, I was constantly obsessing about my family, Charlie's surgery, and I felt incredibly far away from home. So as the group of girls waited for baptisms in a quiet room, I completely lost it. In front of everyone. One of the girls I had talked to knew what was going on at home and did her best to comfort me, but it took a while to get myself under control. I actually felt a little bit cheated! This was supposed to be a wonderful trip, and peaceful, and all I was feeling was upset! I just wanted to go back to Brno, or better yet, home. But, after lunch (food always helps), some very friendly people, some kind temple workers, and a lovely session, I felt much better. The temple was beautiful, and I really was able to feel the peace and joy that comes from being there.

After being at the temple for most of the next day, we also took a trip to Bern. I really loved it there; it's a beautiful city, and I wish we could have spent more time there. We drove all that night to come back home. 

Overlooking Bern, Switzerland

Area in Bern where they have a bear park.

Astronomical Clock in Bern, Switzerland

Fountain

I'm so glad I was able to go. I met so many wonderful people, and even managed to learn a little Czech. 

I'm so grateful for people who aren't afraid to cross the language barrier and cultural differences in order to help someone like me who doesn't know what she's doing. It really means the world.

Rachel and Andrea

Rachel and Zdenek

We had this great CzEnglish conversation going on!

Drahomira and Rachel

Life As I Know It

I know that looking at my life here, it seems like a grand adventure. I get to be in Europe! I get to travel all over the place! I get to live here! And yes, all of that is very exciting. And it's an amazing experience. But that's definitely not all my life is here. I still have ups and downs, I still get stressed, worried, upset, and life goes on as normal. I'm still a college student, and I still need my mommy most of the time. Totally willing to admit that.
Many of you have also heard about what has been going on at home with my little brother, Charlie. They found a tumor in his sinus, and he has been hospitalized for the past couple of days, and will probably be there for a while. It's been amazing to watch people come together with their love and support and prayers. I have many of my friends and much of my family to thank for helping me cope with the changes, even while I'm here across the world. Technology is amazing these days; I have been able to talk face to face with my brother, and keep in contact with my parents on a daily basis. I am so thankful for this. Even while all of this is happening, life continues.
This post is to show you how regular life is here in Brno. People ask me what I spend most of my time doing here. The honest answer? I probably spend most of my time on a tram, getting somewhere else.

Waiting at the tram stop.  Story of my life.

There are good and bad things about this. They have an incredibly efficient transportation system, and you're never really waiting around for a tram or bus for more than 5 minutes, except on weekends and late at night. It's also nice that I'm not driving, because I can take the time to do things like read, study, or just try to stay upright (if I'm standing, which happens a lot). 

You do have to leave to get places very early, to account for time walking to the stop, tram ride, switching trams, then walking to your destination. It can take a while, but I'm getting used to the amount we walk here. And I'm even starting to enjoy it. 

Life is also so much slower here. Since most people rely on the public transportation, it's kind of just an "enjoy the ride" attitude. And it bleeds into other things: meals at restaurants take forever, you spend more time chatting with people, and life is just generally more relaxed. I'm learning to enjoy it. 

You also learn to make sure you do as much as possible while you're in town, because it's such a long process to get there and back. Which isn't that different from life at home, since we live 30 minutes away from Logan, but still. Also, anything you do in town (grocery shopping, laundry, post office, etc), you have to be able and willing to carry on and off of trams and up a lovely hill to our dorms. This hill has curtailed many a grocery shopping spree, or the urge to leave everything to the last minute.

My normal dinners.  They're not all exciting, believe me.  

I spend a lot of time doing this.  Planning lessons, making lists, studying, etc.

This was the very first ice cream (milkshake) I had since arriving in Brno.  4 weeks ago. Best. Thing. Every.

The typical "European misty morning" stereotype is totally true.  It's very misty here on most mornings, even into the afternoon sometimes.

I feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of the city. Although sometimes I'll feel like I'm really beginning to know how to get around, then I'll get a glimpse of the whole city. It honestly is huge, and I only see a little bit of it.

The view from the top of Petrov, the most recognizable cathedral in Brno.

Another view from Petrov, on the other side.  The city is ringed by hills, which makes it (sort of) a valley.

Stair leading up Petrov.

They have a lot of interesting stories about Brno, legends and tales and such. 

This is the "dragon" of Brno. . .yes, I know it's a crocodile.

And this man that they "encased" in the wall for being a traitor to the city.  Kind a Han Solo thing going on there.  Also a little creepy.

You might not notice it unless someone pointed it out to you.  Also unless you read the plaque, which is in Czech, of course.

A little bit of the Castle Spilberk

The view from Spilberk at night

I miss a lot of things about home. I really miss my clarinet, and sometimes I make all sorts of vain promises to myself about practicing every day when I get home to make myself feel better. It was especially poignant when I heard someone in the other dorm building practicing the flute, and also when I walked past this brass ensemble playing in front of the tram station.

I miss making music.

My branch here has been so kind and welcoming. I get to go to the Bern Switzerland Temple with the youth group this week, and I'm incredibly excited about that. I was also invited to a beautiful wedding on the first sunday that I was there. It was so much fun! It's a good reminder that I have a family wherever I go, even when we don't speak the same language.

The wedding was lovely.  And it had some traditions that I had never heard of, like the bride breaking a plate and having to clean it up with the groom. And, also people throwing money, then the bride and groom trying to sweep up as much as possible.  Whoever gets the most, they say will be in charge of the family finances. 

Fun at the wedding, making friends in the branch.  This is me, Vilem, and my friend, Charlie, who went with me to the wedding.

It's cold here right now.  Really cold.  But when you need ice cream, you just need ice cream, and kudos to the roommate who will go and get it with you.

Then eat it with you.

Way out by the Sports Building is very pretty, especially as the leaves are starting to change.

It is truly beautiful here, and I'm really starting to love it. I love my friends, I'm enjoying my classes, and just appreciating the wonderful opportunity I have to be here. Sometimes it's really hard. And I miss my family, especially right now as everyone is adjusting and pulling together for Charlie. It's hard to be across the world, away from them. But I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be, and I definitely intend to try and enjoy it. I appreciate everyone who has helped me to feel close to home, even with the miles between us.

Things I Learned in Amsterdam

Amsterdam! City of....lots of not super great things, but also Belgian waffles. And a whole ton of Nutella. And that could almost make up for it. 

Literally, the waffles were heaven. 

So! Here is a nice list of the things I learned while in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Central Station

1. Take everything you've ever heard about the millions of bikers in the city. Multiply it by 8. 

Bikers. And bikes lining the streets. So. Many. Bikes

2. Bikers count pedestrian points. It's extra if they hit you while you're  looking at a map. They have unlimited points if they knock you into a canal.

3. Speaking of canals, it's probably not a good idea to get too close. The sides don't have ladders, and as we mentioned, bikers are vicious. As a fun fact: they pull out an average of 10,000 bikes from the canals there every year. That's 27 bikes per day, if they did it daily. 

4. Coffee shops don't actually sell coffee. 

5. Marijuana isn't actually technically legal there, despite popular belief, but it's lucrative for the government, so.....

6. You will get bothered by the police much quicker for drinking in the streets than by smoking marijuana anywhere. Drinking in the streets is a big no-no. 

Not that I ever had a problem with drinking in the streets. Or anywhere, for that matter.... Something about not drinking kind of takes care of that problem.....

The outdoor market.

The fish portion of an outdoor market. The place where we stayed was right on the street of the outdoor market, and even when it was down, you could tell where the fish vendors had been by the smell.

7. If you ask someone if they speak English, they will probably look at you like, "What, do you think I live under a rock? Obviously I speak English, because do you see any tourists trying to speak Dutch?" 

8. They say that Dutch is one of the hardest languages to learn. This isn't because it's actually a hard language, on the contrary. It's just because no one needs to learn it. Everyone there speaks English. 

9. When the waiter says he's only willing to split the check seven ways if everyone gives him a kiss, he means it. 

This is indeed the waiter I refer to.

10. They're serious about their cheese. 

 

11. Life on the weekends doesn't really actually start until late. If it starts at all. We practically had the city to ourselves all morning. 

12. Just eat the waffles. Every chance you get. I don't know what they do to them, or what they put in their Nutella, but it's heaven. And they're serious about their Nutella.

This about sums up Amsterdam. They try to be cool, but they just can't get over their Nutella addiction.

Heaven!

I told you.  Obsessed.

13. Getting up or down any of the flights of stairs requires all the concentration you've ever had. Not to be attempted when you're tired, drunk, or in a hurry. Seriously. The stairs there are out to get you.  

14. Souvenir shops: if you don't know what it is, don't ask. You probably don't want to know. 

15. As far as food goes, remember: #itsnotcaloriesitsculture. 

16. Probably the best thing I learned: search out the good. There are plenty of unpleasant things in the city, just like in life. If we focus on them, that's all we see. Take the chance too look at the scenic, and enjoy the little things that make life fun. It will make the experience so much better. 

The Anne Frank house was very touching.

 

This is the church that Anne Frank, in her diary, mentioned hearing the bells of.

 

We fit 8 people into an apartment meant for one. Score. Although apparently we weren't even the largest group that had ever stayed with our kind host.

#faultinourstarsbench
#stillhaventreadit
#sothisprobablywasntasemotionalasitshouldhavebeen

Everyone on the bench. You can't even see it. I'm pretty sure the local girl we asked to take the picture thought we were crazy Americans. Which we are. So....

Holland is, of course, known for its bulbs and flowers.

Friends and Food!

Canal Ride

I Amsterdam.  Haha.