August 27–September 2, 2008, Number 198
Packing Up
Well this is it for me and Prague, and I must say I am going to miss her so much. I love this apartment, and the city that surrounds it. I leave tomorrow morning at 7 for the airport with Jim, one of the other participants for Dublin, for the night and then off to Edinburgh to meet my parents the following day. This week has been an absolute whirlwind. I finished all of my papers accordingly and turned them in to gain credits for the classes. We were expected to present our topics and our research found for my politics class and instead of doing it in class our teacher offered a very great substituted. He proposed that we all join him in his apartment that overlooked Old Town Square and have a few drinks while we presented our ideas in a more informal setting. Of course we jumped at the idea. It was wonderful; we brought a gift for our host, the one thing that could be found in the Czech Republic that is completely American, Jack Daniels. He in turn offered us homemade brandy, an array of wines, and beer all while his wife prepared an unending array of appetizers. It was wonderful and so truly representative of the Czech Culture.
My Art and Architecture teacher didn’t have anything as fun planned for our final. It was of course an easy exam, since she never sets out to confuse us. She just wants us to know the material and what it means to the culture. I am finding more and more that while we Americans are criticizing our culture and the beliefs that it was founded on, constantly questioning and pushing the envelope, it is refreshing to see so many people embrace their culture and want to share it with the world. Here we are seeking out other cultures to model ourselves after while every country I have visited accepts there own and shares it even more willingly.
One thing I was excited to do was go on the end of the season boat trip up and down the river that separates Prague. It is a trip provided by the school, which comes with both drinks and dinner. It was a great ending for an excellent summer. We spent the night floating up and down the river seeing all of the views of Prague that we have not yet gotten to see which was hard to find. This river is the life of Prague and its core centers around it while all good views of the city are of it. The dinner on the boat was interesting to say the least, a mix of sushi and fried cauliflower while dessert was vodka cakes. I have always noticed that desserts made with alcohol often loose that alcohol flavor and only have much of the sweetness remaining but I can firmly say that is not the case with vodka. If anything, it makes it a little more pungent and stings the nostrils. I guess I am trying to say I am not so much a fan. All of the professors accompanied us on the trip and it was so nice to see Juri again in a relaxed setting. He was one of the best professors I have had just based on his pure passion for the topic and his want to relay it to us.
I have already said goodbye to everyone that counts and am close to done packing for my early morning flight. I only have a few odds and ends. Now that I have to think about it I am really going to miss this place. I know I talked of how much I loved it while I was here but always in the back of my mind was my longing to be home. I still want to see the states and my family more than anything but I know that I will come back to Prague. It is a matter of time; I love all that she has to offer and was truly charmed by the city. Although it is the summer I am going back to in Houghton that will make leaving worth it. The summers in Houghton make the winters worth it. Well, I should finish packing before I get really sappy. Then next time we talk I will be hanging out with my parents around the castles of Scotland and then very soon from the comfort of Houghton!!
- Laurilee
- Michigan Technological University
- 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295
- 906-487-1885