Mondays...

I've noticed something. It doesn't matter where I go, Mondays are always the same. It's somehow harder to wake up in the morning. My feet seem to wear 10 lb. weights on them. And the events of the week ahead are always overwhelming. It doesn't help that today is dreary with little chance of snow. If it's going to be overcast, you think it would be courteous enough to snow. Make my day a little bit brighter with a fresh, white blanket to drape over the overwhelmingly, grey world outside. I'm sorry if I sound a bit less than cheerful... but it's Monday.

Veveri Castle 

I do have a couple stories to entertain you with this week. The first happened the day after I wrote about my boring life. I think God wanted to brighten up my mood with a bit of irony. So on Tuesday night I decided to go to the grocery store by myself. To understand how big of a venture this was, you must know that the use of public transportation is a new thing for me. I am having to learn bus numbers, tram numbers and the names of their stops along the way. Trying to read a map with small letters isn't very easy. Adding on that the map is in Czech, you can better understand my situation. However, I convinced myself that I had been in the city long enough and could get myself to the grocery store and back without any problems.

So, off I go at 6:30 pm. I figure it will take me an hour and a half, which would get me home at a safe time at night. This is where I make my first mistake. I don't allow time for me to make any mistakes! Mistake number two: I didn't read all the directions. I consult my map and hop on my first tram. It's the wrong one. Of course, I don't know I am on the wrong tram until I see myself passing the grocery store, headed in the opposite direction.

Late Sunday afternoon

Mistake number three: I haven't started learning Czech. Once I realized I was on the wrong tram I knew I had to get off and go back to where I started. As I stood to get off the tram I realized the doors are not opening. Almost immediately, I have everyone on the tram trying to tell me in Czech how to open the doors. I figure it out amidst the yelling and get the doors open. But apparently I didn't get off fast enough because the doors of the tram closed on me before I was safely through them. I am sure I brightened the day of a few Czech travelers by affirming all Americans are ignorant.

Mistake number four: Letting fear overcome rational thinking. Once I get off the tram I realized how dark the station was and that it was right next to a cemetery! I immediately become anxious and nervously wait for the next tram to take me back. It finally appears and I hop on. I'm feeling better at this point as I head back to what's familiar. However, my confidence evaporates when I watch the grocery store disappear out the window as I head in the wrong direction once again. I am on another wrong tram.

Aja enjoying the sunset

This time, I said a little prayer before consulting my Czech map. I got off the tram, read the signs thoroughly and got on my final tram of the evening. I breathed a sigh of relief when it stopped right in front of the store. Shopping was a whole other adventure. I have a new found gratitude for picture labels.  I am happy to say that I made it home on the first attempt. The silver lining from the evening is that I now know the general destinations of trams 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 & 8! Only ten more trams to go!

I had a pretty full weekend. I took a trip to Ostrava, which is 2 1/2 hours North by train. That adventure I will save for a later post this week. But I will tell you about my trip to see the nearby Veveri Castle. I went with two staff members, Zuzka and Aja. They were kind enough to show me around and answer all my questions... or at least read me the signs with all the information on them. It was late afternoon so the sun was that beautiful golden color as it set behind the hills. The original castle was built in the 13th century. The city is in the process of restoring it, but the process is slow as they don't have a lot of money for the project. Its gorgeous stone walls and gothic towers give it a magnificent presence high up on the hill. It overlooks a river which adds serenity to the beautiful scene. During the winter season the inside of the castle is closed to the public. I am looking forward to exploring it more in the Spring.

Another view of the castle

My English lessons are in full swing this week so I am staying very busy. A couple of prayer requests would be that I continue to manage my time well even with the increased work load. There are a lot of ministry activities that happen every week. I would love to be a part of all of them, but know I need to use my time wisely. I have always struggled with saying no to things, so pray God would guide me in the prioritizing the right things.

Thanks everyone and I will put a post up about Ostrava in the next few days. :)