Summer's End

Well, that's it!

I can't believe that summer has ended. The past three months have really been crazy. Cayman Islands, summer work in Washington, road trip to Wisconsin, Grenada, Estonia, Germany, Austria, and now here I am! I'll be processing the events of this year for a long time.

I got to explore Prague on Friday and Saturday. Prague is quickly moving to the front of my list of favorite cities. It is so beautiful, and each time I go I discover something different. I hate walking with a map in my hand, so I usually wander aimlessly. The city is a maze of cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards, and there is something unique at every turn. "Just a little further," I am always thinking as I walk. I think I could live there for years and continue to stumble across new cafes, gardens, and chapels. 

Today I went to church at the school. I spent the service wishing I understood Czech and trying to think Godly thoughts. Afterwards I met the pastor (Petr - prounced Pet-er, not Peet-er). He told me he didn't think I could possibly be Melanie because I looked like I understood Czech during the service. Guess I'm a good faker! He gave me a sheet of notes for the service (English version) to look over at home. Very kind! 

This church definitely needs our prayers. During the summer, they only have church every other Sunday because attendance is so low. When my dad and I went two weeks ago, we were the only ones that showed up. There were maybe twenty people in attendance today. There is definitely an opportunity for growth!

In other news, I really need to get serious about learning Czech. No more excuses...if my students are learning English, I need to put forth some effort towards learning their language. I'm going to regret saying this publicly...now you'll hold me accountable! :)

Happy Labor Day weekend to all you Americans!

I Spy...McDonald's.

Vienna!

I'm really getting used to my nomadic lifestyle over here. I may be in shock when I start having a normal schedule on Monday. (You're all feeling sorry for me, I can tell.)

I spent the past two days in Vienna. I left early on Tuesday and arrived in the afternoon. The bus ride was so nice that I almost didn't want to get off; they had TV screens, so I watched a solid 4 hours of Friends. Nothing beats a productive afternoon!

This was my first time staying in a hostel, and my place set the bar really high. Great location, fun atmosphere, super friendly staff (and less than 15 euro a night - yay). After checking in on Tuesday, I put on my running clothes and ran/walked around the city for a few hours. When I got back I met my roommate, a really sweet woman named Elisa from Milan. We walked around the city for a few hours that night, spending a bit of time at a film festival and exploring the city center. Having been to Vienna before, she was my personal tour guide. I happily let her take control of orienteering. :)

I was exhausted after that, and we both passed out in our surprisingly comfy beds. We were the only people that night in our four-bed dorm. I went for a short run the next morning and basically let my nose lead the way. There are SO many bakeries and adorable cafes, and I could smell fresh bread and pastries the whole time. Elisa and I had breakfast with our new roommate Daniella when I got back. She was a girl my age from Berlin, and she was a lot of fun to talk to.

After that, Elisa and I took to the city again. We spent about four hours together before going our separate ways. She told me to let her know if I'm ever in Italy and need a place to stay. (That's for you and me, Eri!) I explored some more famous spots in the city (my favorite was Shonbrunn Palace and the gardens surrounding it) until the evening. Then I headed back to the hostel and spent some time talking to a guy from Vancouver, Canada - practically my neighbor!

Overall, Vienna was a really great experience. The people that I met there are SO friendly. Also, the public transportation was extremely easy. I wasn't sure that I would really appreciate Vienna (I'm not particularly artsy or musical), but I would definitely recommend a visit if you're ever in Europe.

In other news, I met with two of my professors today via Skype, along with some of the teachers here at the school. It will get pretty busy in the coming weeks, but I know that God will get me through each day. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers!

The Gloriette

Settling In

As the title suggests, I am really starting to feel at home here. I am finally saying (extremely basic) Czech phrases with some confidence: dekuji (thank you), hello (dobry den), and good-bye (na shledanou); I can take the tram without fumbling with my pass; and I don't even get creeped out at night by myself. Impressive, huh?

Yesterday I spent most of the day with Linda, a teacher at the school and my neighbor. I will actually be working with Linda quite a bit when the school year rolls around next week. She is really funny and sweet, so I feel very blessed! I also spent some time with Danny and Nikol, my other neighbors. Danny is from Montana, and I will also be working with him for much of my time here. Nikol is his wife and a kindergarten teacher at the school. They are a lot of fun, and they have been really inviting. Emmy - Nikol is also four months pregnant. And in the Czech Republic, they get 2-4 years of PAID maternity leave. Insanity! Welcome to socialism, I guess.

Today was a teacher meeting/work day at the school. I sat in on the meeting with the English teachers (there are five), and among other things, we discussed my role in the coming weeks. The plan is for me to observe for two weeks, teach full-time for two weeks, and teach part-time for my final two weeks. I will be rotating between Linda and Danny's rooms. I'm still not sure what to expect, but I'm excited!

Tomorrow I am going to Vienna. I was hoping to go to Budapest, but the bus was full. Hopefully another time! It's wonderful how cheap travel via bus is here, especially for students. I hope to take advantage of this many times throughout the next couple months!

I finally posted pictures on Facebook, so you can check that out if you wish. It was fun for me to look back at the events and wonderful memories of the past couple weeks. Thanks for reading, and hope you all are doing well!

Above: Two Americans trying to blend in with the native people.

Dad Leaves...:(

Well today was a sad day... I parted ways with my dad. Not only has my dad been my personal chauffeur and translator these past two weeks, but he has been a loving and laid-back companion. We had such a great time together, and I couldn't help but shed a few (or several) tears at the airport this morning.

But where were we? Ah, yes...let's backtrack a couple days. Yesterday we left the Lake District, a collection of lakes just east of Salzburg. Have I told you about this place? It is b-e-a-utiful. It reminds me of some prime backpacking locations in Canada.

We spent one night in the Lake District, in the town of Mondsee. We stayed in a hotel called Panorama; they couldn't have chosen a more fitting name! We were up on this huge hill surrounded by meadows and the occasional cow. Farms spattered the countryside, and there were plum trees lining the road. (I assumed these were free. Part of the hotel price, right?) All of the houses were white with dark wood trim, and everyone had flower boxes by their windows. To top it all off, we had a great view of Lake Mondsee and the mountains surrounding it.

We spent yesterday driving around the lakes before heading back up to Pilsen. I demonstrated my best culinary skills for my dad with a late dinner of instant soup, popcorn (pre-popped and salted), and some carrot chips. He raved about it. (See "laid-back" descriptor in first paragraph.)

Dad and I treated the pastor at the school to some very fancy McDonald's coffee in the morning. The pastor has been very helpful in making us comfortable in Pilsen, and we wanted to say thanks with a cheap cup of coffee. We had a nice chat, he and Dad said their good-byes, and we headed off for our hour-long drive to Prague.

After Dad and I returned the rental and hugged good-bye, I took a bus to the city center in Prague to explore for the afternoon. I only spent about 4 hours there, and it went by in a flash! I alternated between wandered like a fool and trying not to look ridiculously touristy. But first I ate. I have my priorities.

So to sum up, I love Prague. I can't wait to go back and spend the day exploring! Thankfully the fare is pretty cheap between Pilsen and Prague (155 ckz, or about $8) and it takes less than 2 hours. There are so many beautiful, historic buildings to see. (Okay, and the food was amazing. Don't judge.)

Tonight is my first night alone in my apartment...all of a sudden it feels so much bigger! Now that I'm all on my own, I'm feeling my first case of nervous excitement for what's ahead with student teaching. All I can do is trust that God will be with me every step of the way. So, so grateful that God kept my dad and I safe and happy as we traveled. Thank you all again for your prayers and support!

The German/Austrian Adventure Continues!

I cannot believe that my 2-week expedition with Dad is coming to a close soon. It went so fast! Tomorrow we head back to Pilsen, and Friday he flies back home. :(

We had another scenic drive yesterday and today. We have been driving through southern Germany and Austria, right by the Alps. For the majority of our drives, I have been staring out my window, open-mouthed. We are also usually listening to classical music. Precious, right?

We stayed in the beautiful town Garmisch last night, right next to the Alps. Unfortunately the weather was pretty foggy, so the mountains were quite hidden. We had a fun time nevertheless, and we went on our daily run before hitting the road.

Side note: I'm loving the continental breakfasts. Around plate #3, Dad usually gives me a look that is halfway impressed, halfway disgusted, accompanied by a statement like, "Wow, you really have an appetite today...good."

This morning we drove through Innsbruck (quite close to the Italian border) and headed northeast to end up in the Lake District outside of Salzburg. Our view is incredible. You know the scene in the Sound of Music when Julie Andrews runs through the hills singing? Imagine that, added to the fact that we are looking down at a lake with mountains in the background. Breathtaking!

Tomorrow we are swinging south around Bad Ischil to see some more lakes in the area. We appreciate your prayers for our continued safety as we travel. Wishing you all could be here to see the sights with me!

The Hills Are Alive...

I have a new favorite city! Birthplace of Mozart, the site of the Sound of Music...Salzburg is so, so beautiful.

Dad and I arrived in Salzburg last night after a slow drive through the Czech Republic, a bit of Germany, and finally Austria. European driving lesson #1: It generally takes much longer than expected to get from point A to point B. (Getting turned around a few times may have had something to do with it too...oops.) This was fine, though, because the view was gorgeous. Rolling green hills, the Alps, the occasional cow...it was the definition of idyllic. We also stopped in the city of Passau for a couple hours. I had never heard of it, but it is so beautiful!

We started the day with a run/walk through the city. After exploring for about an hour, we showered and ate, and then headed back out for a couple hours before checkout. We hiked up what felt like a mountain, and half a liter of sweat later, we had a view of the city that was literally breathtaking (or maybe I'm just out of shape). After that we drove to the Von Trapp home (from The Sound of Music). Again, so beautiful. I could spend many, many happy days in Salzburg!

In the afternoon we met up with the family my dad lived with for a couple months while studying abroad in college. They were so sweet, and they stuffed us full of apple strudel before sending us on our way.

We are in Memmingen, Germany tonight. My dad lived here for the first six years of his life in a "displaced persons" camp. It is definitely a sleepy town compared to Salzburg, but I am excited to look around tomorrow.

I am especially thankful for the beauty of God's creation right now. There are so many amazing places in the world, and I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to explore some of them. Until next time!

Back from the Homeland

Tere! ("Hello," for all you non-Estonians.) Would you believe that "tere" is essentially the extent of the Estonian I picked up this last week? Embarrassing.

Today at the airport, we had at least 20 family members see us off. (Aren't they the best?) I was chatting with one of my young relatives as we waited, and she asked what the best and the worst parts of my trip were. The first part of my response came quickly: meeting the family was the best! It was so amazing to hear their stories, pore over old pictures, and meet the people who share my history and even my features.

The worst part? This response came nearly as easily. I hated not knowing Estonian. (This actually was second to worst. The worst was when one of my relatives made me take a swig of moonshine. Blech.) There were many moments where I missed a story or joke because it was told in Estonian. Everyone was so good about including me, but I felt like a nuisance to make them translate or switch to English. It really came down to my pride- I felt stupid! My relatives all claim to have terrible English, yet most speak it quite fluently. In addition, most know Russian, Finnish, and sometimes German. Talk about feeling inadequate! Nevertheless, they inspired me to learn about other cultures and increase my knowledge of the world.

Sharing my best and worst moment is hardly an adequate representation of the trip, so without further ado,  here is a list of highlights from Estonia:

1. Cabbage soup

I was told it was compulsory to try this greenish liquid. I'm happy I did! This traditional Estonian soup is a staple at my relatives' get-togethers. Two bowls of soup later, I appeased Heli, my grandmother's sister.

Heli is exactly what I think of when I imagine a stereotypical grandmother. She isn't happy until you have eaten, and then had seconds...and thirds....and then she insists you take food home as well. (Sounding familiar, Mom?) She also doesn't speak any English, so our entire relationship was centered on many smiles, hugs, and her giving me food and mittens she knit herself. She lives on the farm where she and my grandmother were born, and she works very hard to keep it beautiful. Imagine a cute red house and rows and rows of flowers, vegetables, apple trees...lovely!

Dad and I spent our last night at the farm. We were there for over 8 hours, but the time flew as we ate, drank, and talked with over 30 of our Estonian relatives. My favorite night of the trip!

2. Seeing the swamps

You knew I was going to say that, didn't you? I admit, I wasn't super excited about this outing, but it surprised me! Swamps in Estonia are different than swamps in the movie Shrek, for example. Estonia is actually quite famous for these beautiful bodies of water. Dad and I hiked a loop around a swamp with Kuldar and Silvi, two of our wonderful relatives. Kuldar tried to convince me swim in it (which is actually normal to do), but I decided to save it for next time.

3. Parliament

We have a relative who is a member of Parliament! He gave us a special tour, introduced us to the Speaker of the House, and took us on a hike up Tall Hermann, one  of the many famous towers in Estonia. I'm pretty nerdy, so I thought this was a very interesting experience.

4. FOOD

I'm pretty sure I gained 5 pounds this week, but it was totally worth it. Fish, bread, amazing potato salad, bread, cake, fresh fruit, more bread, more cake...(I'm a bit confused where this 5 pounds came from!) I could write a whole blog post on food, but I'll save the minute details for my sisters. :) Let's just say that my family took very good care of us!

Ok, it's time to wrap up the post for tonight. The church service tomorrow  is all in Czech, so if I have any hope of understanding it, I need a good night's sleep.

Our trip to Estonia was full of so many special moments, and this really just scratches the surface. I am so thankful God has given me this opportunity to learn about my roots. Sisters and Mom, everyone wants to meet you, so start saving up for your plane ticket. Who knows- maybe next time I will be able to say more than "Tere!"

From Pilsen to Tallinn

So much for updating my blog frequently ...sorry everyone! I am typing this from my phone so it won't be a long post (I will be without my computer for a couple weeks while we travel).

So much has happened!  We had a wonderful few days in Pilsen. The language barrier is much more difficult than I anticipated though. It actually led to some confusion which resulted in a bit of trouble with law enforcement...oops. It's a long story, so I will fill you in when I have a keyboard in front of me. (Now I have you hooked! See how I did that?)

We have spent one night in Estonia so far. It has been truly incredible. I am really missing the rest of my family right now-they should be seeing what I'm seeing and learning about our history.

We received a very warm welcome from my father's cousin and his family at the airport, and we spent hours at their house eating delicious food and drinking wine. Thankfully most of them speak English, but they are obviously much more comfortable with Estonian. It is so strange to hear my dad fluently chatting in this foreign language. He seems to have no problem remembering the language of his youth. He is so clearly in his element, and I feel really blessed to see this side of my dad.

Sisters-you always ask me about the food so here is an update: :) Czech food is not my favorite so far. Lots of gravy, bread, and meat. And beer- no surprise there! However, the groceries are very cheap, and there is plenty of fresh produce. Estonia is more up my alley with lots of fish, vegetables, fruit, and delicious espresso.

I will post pictures when I have my laptop. We have seen some things that look like they are from a fairy tale! Feeling so blessed and wishing everyone back home could come see what I'm seeing! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Until next time!

Czech It Out (More Cheesy Puns to Come)

Let's start with some confessions.

First, I spent an embarrassing amount of time coming up with a title for this blog. (Migrating Mel...get it? Alliteration? Please like it.)

Second, although I hope my mom reads this from time to time, my purpose for this blog is really to create a travel log of sorts for myself. Think of it as a sneak peek into my diary. Aren't you feeling lucky?

As I wrote in my "About Me," I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach in Plzen (or Pilsen), Czech Republic for a portion of my student teaching experience. I will be teaching for six weeks, but I am leaving three weeks early (this Friday!) to travel with my dad.

My dad was born in Estonia, so after spending a couple of days in Plzen, we will fly to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. After our 5-day jaunt through Dad's memory lane, we will head to Germany to explore some other places he has lived. (My dad should really be the one writing a blog...he has had an amazing life!)

To say I am excited is a huge understatement. I feel so blessed and thankful that God has given me this opportunity to step into a new culture. I am also incredibly grateful to everyone, particularly my professors, who has worked to open the doors to this new experience for me. I pray that God will work through me as I travel, teach, and meet new people.

Thank you to all of you who are reading (Mom). I would really appreciate your prayers for my safety and strength during these next couple months!

Image from: http://www.praisejesustoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/fear-not1.jpg