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.