A Long Awaited Update

So, after a long journey to China… I was very lackluster in response, I apologize. While traveling to China, my blog was censored by the Chinese government. Therefore, I was no longer able to post new comments. So, I guess the thing I feared the most about my blog, came true. Only after I have returned home, have my friends from China told me how to get around it. I do not have the time or energy to tell you everything that occurred in China, but I will say I had a blast. It was so dynamically different from Poland and the Czech Republic because of the culture. I’ve never had such a change in so many ways. From eating, going to the bathroom, driving, sports and many others were so visibly different than the USA and Europe. Of course, the change is due to going to a non-western society. Even though this was the case, they sure knew of NBA, the NBA was huge there. So, I advise anyone traveling there to brush up on their basketball skills and knowledge of the sport. I can’t stress that one enough.

While in China, I believe I found out more about myself, my way of life, and what I want in life more than I have in a long time. Not to mention, I met some amazing friends along the way. It’s hard to compare two different trips that were so different, but I experienced more personal growth this time. Teaching kids english was a very rewarding experience and I can’t stress that enough to anyone leaning towards teaching. Only after I returned home, have I learned of the vast number of opportunities with teaching domestically and internationally. I never knew teaching had so many opportunities. However, with these opportunities comes restrictions in the ease of getting certifications and qualifications required for the teaching.

Some of the things I won’t forget about China were the people. They all treated me with the most respect, dignity, and graciousness I’ve ever had in my life. I felt like I was on another level to these kids, teachers, and other people. All of us teachers were somehow on a higher level than most commoners. Not only this, but they showed us it all the time. I couldn’t feel more honored. Secondly, the teaching assistants were amazing. All of them were some of the coolest people I will ever probably meet. In only 3 weeks, our bonds will probably last a life time. I will always be quite deeply moved for their help, their appreciation, and their loving friendship. Third, the kids and the learning. I absolutely loved teaching kids and watching them grow as individuals. Sure, teaching has its struggles, but behind those there can be silver lining.

So, as my life move forwards to my next venture in Costa Rica to learn Spanish, I change my header. Along with this, I will post more often. I should “hopefully” (fingers crossed) have faster internet down there. I really hope so, China’s was pretty slow. I should have my own laptop too, as well, which should help me being able to find other internet sources. Thank you for all family members, extended family members, friends, and listeners for your extended support in the absence. I hope you enjoy my blog, and I hope it brings joy, entertainment, and personal growth as this traveling has for me.

I’m currently trying to figure out the avenue of teaching I will pursue. I will try and keep you up to date as I progress along. I have a lot still to do, and I will be working starting Wed. here doing Resnet for about 4 days at the college. It will provide me some cash, and will help out my brother. A big win, win for both of us.

Talk to you hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for all your support once again.

Greetings from Prague!

5/27: After having our last day of class, we left for Prague on the 10:30 train. It was a long, long, long train ride that lasted about 9 hours. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and I would urge all travelers to avoid this experience at all costs. There had been a lot of reports of people robbing people on these trains and I was extremely concerned with this on the train, as well as in Prague itself. Our group sat down in two booths next to each other. It seems no matter where you travel on public transit they always give you the most uncomfortable seats. This was definitely the case for the train! If you want more of an accurate depiction of what these train carts were like, think about the James Bond movies when he’s in Europe on the train system. I can’t remember the specific movie, but I’m pretty sure there was a movie at some point involving this. Remembering which one of the billion bond movies is too difficult.

5/28: after traveling for over 9 hours and everyone sleeping terribly on the train, we were in Prague. The train would stop many, many times during the night and it made it hard for anyone to get any deep sleep on these systems. However, I managed to maybe get 4-5 hours in an empty cart elsewhere on the bus. We met our guide “Jana” or pronounced “yana” in english. She helped us get on the metro and buses to our location.

At last, we arrived at our Irish motel. For how old it looks, their rooms were quite nice. However, we did not get the fancy rooms like the girls did with ovens, stoves, and a fridge. In fact, me and Chris had to sleep in one bed together. Oh well…

During our stay the first night we re-met our friend David from Dartmoth University in Illinois (I apologize if i didn’t spell that right). Once we met up with him with Jana and the rest of the group, we traveled to the main square where an asian tour guide showed us around the city. Most of us were running on fumes, and after not too long we told her we had to get some food and sleep. It was a long bus ride and most of us wanted this break to be a vacation in preparation for our 2 and half week long journey to the end.

After sleeping, we decided to get some food later that night at a spaghetti shop, this was excellent spaghetti and everyone enjoyed it. After this quick eat, we tried to meet up with the Illinois students here we met, they were all studying art. Believe me, they picked the right city to do so at. However, it was quite hit and miss with them. We tried to get to see them, but a lack of cell phone or dependable way of getting ahold of us hindered our journey. No worries though. I was able to see the USA vs. England game towards the end. They lost 2-0, but still was fun to watch. David Beckham got his 100th cap, good for him.

5/29: Most people took this day easy, and I ended up just hanging around the motel calling: Monika, my mom, and Cora all through skype. All were enjoyable conversations which made me miss them all that much more. I have become so globalized with friendships now, that no matter where I feel I am, I have a friend I will be leaving. However, maybe this is a good thing though. I mean, to be so connected all around you, and you really never know what will happen because of this either.

I also read the Prague times early in the day and found out that stalking people here isn’t a crime! Apparently 8% of men stalk someone and 3% of women stalk someone in a European survey. This was the front cover topic, along with issues with a radar base being built within the Czech Republic. The newspaper was a great informational source and wish more journalism had the substance this newspaper did.

Later that night, David took us out to some pubs and we had a few brews. He’s a fun guy to hang out with and we were able to share stories of sports back and forth between us. Not only this, but we were able to see more of Prague, and everyone also congratulated Brandi and I on having birthdays on the same day! Quite ironic, I know. Our day ended after this pub crawl, and we had to wake up early the next day for Karli vi Vali (if that’s correct spelling).

Rain, Rain

Yes, it is true, it has been raining a lot here lately and the temperature has dropped since the first 2-3 days here. It’s been about 50s and rainy. Not too enjoyable, but we’re still here in Poland. I’ve realized lately that due to time constraints and just me being able to actually enjoy the trip here, I won’t be able to post about EVERYTHING. However, I try to get you the important stuff. So, bear with me ’til then, I’m sure you’ll hear more as I now have a skype account. Not only this, but I should have tons of pictures for you when I return. Now, onto life in Poland.

Yesterday, we went to Auschwitz concentration camp and were able to reflect on a lot of what we have read so far. My memoir, which I finished yesterday, did not take place there or in any concentration camp. Therefore, most of my emotions aren’t as intense as some of my classmates who had people dying of starvation, were tortured by Nazis, or had other emotionally draining experiences. However, my memoir did deal with the hiding and avoidance of Nazis during the Poland occupation. Therefore, there was many ways other Jews, Aryans, Nazis, and others were exploiting her position in society. It does strike a chord somewhere deep inside you when you start seeing the effects. It’s not something anyone wants to see, but it is something I do believe everyone should see at some point in their life.

One of the most memorable parts was the hair. Peoples hair was cut when they were killed by Nazis in concentration camps. This hair was then used to make rugs and other carpetting out of. They literally used up everything that was of any valuable on someone physically, including the labor. That is why, many times when you see pictures of mass graves, they will have their heads shaved. They all lost their hair. It is quite moving when you see an entire glass exhibit with a tremendous amount of hair in it. It just about brought me to tears as you realize where it all came from. Other exhibits were more or less emotional for people, depending on the back ground and memoirs we all read. We all have grown closer to the event as we’ve been studying it more and more everyday, and I feel connected to these people in some way. From the night I got here and talked to the Israeli, you realize how much people are alike no matter where you go; no matter who you are.

I really didn’t have much more than letting you all know that I will be in Eastern Poland tomorrow for about 4 days. Therefore, there will be lack of posting ’til I get back. I will be looking at life in Eastern Poland as it was whiped out by the Holocaust. More specifically I will be in towns like Lublin. However, we are meeting up with some Poland University students and they should show us around. Also, Czech Republic tickets are now booked for Praugue. I’m really excited for that as well. That should be in about another week, and it will be inbetween our classes for our break.

On another note, I would like to congratulate my brother-in-law Matt for getting a new job at the UNI Business Department. Matt, I’m extremely happy for you, and I’m happy for you and Bethany both to be moving back to Iowa. I think you’ll get used to the Purple and Yellow again. =)

Well, I’m going to head back to the dorms and maybe get a little work out in before dinner. Then we’re watching Schindler’s list later tonight because we’ll be going to the factory later. I hope everything is well, and talking with my Mom it sounds all is so. Love you all, and talk to you maybe on Monday. And as always, leave me comments, I appreciate them all. I don’t have any pictures of Auschwitz yet because I don’t have my camera on me which has them. I try and get you some when I return.

Opera House we went to on Monday which I forgot to mention! We couldn’t understand anything they were saying, and it isn’t ‘my cup of tea’, so to speak. However, it was different, and with different experiences you must accept some not being good.

our opera booth, Chris being himself.

Take care friends and family.