everywhere the sunlight is out

Last night was lovely. When we were walking up the hill over the Vltava, the moon was just rising enormous and red over the Prague skyline. This city is so beautiful at night, with the buildings lit and a dark sky full of stars overhead.

But I'm ahead of myself. We hopped on a boat for a three hour ride up and down the river through the city. Carol brought a bowl of homemade salsa, with jalapenos she carried from New Mexico! If I closed my eyes, I could almost pretend I was at the lake. We also ate these fantastic fresh cherries Leigh soaked in rum. Oh I'm going to miss the fruit here, the berries taste so wild.

Almost the entire group was there, including Jitka and Otto. We had such a grand time drinking and taking photos, watching the sun go down and the gorgeous buildings. I spent a lot of time talking with Otto, Carol, Arnold and Jitka. Several people played dominos and there was much and happiness. Otto's daughter Justina was with us also. She speaks English and Czech in this clear, lovely voice. I have a great photo of Otto and Justina sitting together that I will have to send to him when I get my prints.

Afterwards we walked to the other side of the Vltava, up the hill near the Metronome. On the way I walked with Justina and was more than a little freaked out when she started playing with the enormous spiders living of the bridges. These spiders are creepy but not dangerous I suppose since she was grabbing them. Eeek. They scared me anyways.

We hung out and watched the moon rise over the city at an outdoor pub. The kids ran around and it reminded me of being ten during my parents' summer parties, of that world long gone. I was happy last night, talking and smoking. I shared out the last of my Nat Shermans, and Otto liked them so much I may have to start mailing them to the Czech Republic. (Hi Otto if you're reading this) Finally met Pavlina also, who is one of the most beautiful women I've seen. I would really like to come back and spend more time with them, because they seem like such wonderful people.

Lisa is yelling at me, so I have to go now. More updates later.

so much sunshine

I've gotten quite a tan just walking around, which drives some of my friends crazy. My skin just likes to change colors, what can I do. Summer is on, and it's rather warm today. I can't wait to go simming again. Sunday afternoon...

But what was I saying about last night.. I forget. It was a wonderful goodbye party. How sad that the UT program is coming to an end. I understand that Hana is tired of dealing with all the hassle, no one else wants to take it on, and a certain coordinator at Charles totally fell through on us. What a pity. This was the greatest academic/personal experience I've had in years. I feel like I've learned so much.

This afternoon I took Lisa, Jenny and Molly back to that used bookstore near the Infant of Prague cathedral to look for Bibles in Czech. Lisa bought a beautiful one from 1923, an enormous leatherbound tome. Jenny got a handful of 1920s postcards. I found two old prayerbooks in Czech, and saw a million more books that I wanted. The guy behind the counter was different, a younger man. I asked for the books in Czech, and he asked where I was from. When Lisa and I mentioned we were studying Czech in Texas, he laughed. "Why?" was all he could say. Nemuzu zit bez cestinu I replied. I can't live without Czech. I think he thought we were crazier than the average American.

I bought some wonderful wooden cats, one for me and one for my mother. Also a World War II Russian pocket watch. It winds up! Russian watches are wonderful things.

My suitcase is stuffed. As is another bag I'm carrying the books in, and my backpack. Lord I hope they let me on the plane tomorrow with all this luggage. I don't even want to think about how much it weighs.

I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow. As much as I couldn't believe I was really coming here six weeks ago.

It's been six weeks since I drove my car. I wonder if I remember how to shift still. I wonder how I will go back to driving everywhere.