Changing Seasons and Cultural Challenges

I have always loved the changing of the seasons. There’s something magical about the leaves transforming into a beautiful collage of colors and the anticipation of the first snowfall, but in Central Europe this magic is accompanied with the cloud of sunset at 4:30 and many days, even weeks, without a hint of sun. These times have revealed to us the importance of leaning into our new culture. We are trying to embrace new traditions when possible. 

So instead of the state fair, we explore a new part of the city. We learn about the incredible struggle for independence that this country has experienced, which helps us better understand the inner struggle of the people, who want to move forward and be happy but often don’t know how. A Czech lady once told us that there is this constant tension between wanting to be like an Italian, bubbly,  hopeful, smiling, and generally happy. This is contrasted by the knowledge that the Czech Republic remains neighbors with Germany, with its complicated history and sense of cold efficiency. 

 Exhibit placed in the city center to commemorate Czech history. 

November 17th is Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day here in the Czech Republic. This day commemorates the role students played in the fight for freedom. In 1939, Nazi soldiers stormed the University of Prague in response to demonstrations against German occupation. Nine students were executed and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps. In 1989, a memorial march took place. This resulted in strikes prompted by students, which became the Velvet Revolution, the beginning of the end of the communist regime. 

Embracing a new culture is exciting, and often challenging. The early sunsets only add to that challenge. But we remain convinced that we are supposed to be here, so we continue to lean into the culture a little more each day, accepting the challenges ahead. 

Long Haired Bulls, Tiny Roads, and Sheep! Oh my!

 Last week we took a trip to celebrate our fifteenth anniversary. Yes, it’s quite late to be celebrating an anniversary that happened in July, but better late than never. We chose Scotland for this latest adventure. I won’t say it was the most relaxing of vacations but it had some of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve experienced. Driving on the opposite side of the road can be quite unnerving!! Not to mention the fact that outside the city there are many roads that have to be shared for both directions, in which one car must pull over in order for another car to keep driving….a tricky business indeed…oh yay, and there may be sheep crossing the street at any given point.

Just beyond the sheep is the cutout that may or may not
be close by in case another car is coming. 

I asked this Highland bull to pose for the picture and it did!

We explored Edinburgh a bit and rented a car to see the countryside on the way to the Isle of Skye. Believe it or not, hearing so much English after being immersed in Czech language for months is both a mental break and unsettling at the same time. Every once in awhile during our trip I’d think, “Why can I understand what they are saying… wow I must be getting better at this language thing…oh yeah they’re speaking English.... hmmm." It’s amazing how being able to ask about something or find something in your native language simplifies the tasks of everyday life (i.e. directions, menus, etc.).

The Isle of Skye is so picturesque it looks fake.

Scotland was much more diverse than we expected. At times the landscape reminded us of the Appalachian Mountains and other times it was reminiscent of various places in Canada. At one point we even felt like we were traipsing around the Shire from The Lord of the Rings. Below is a picture of Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. Kilt Rock looks similar to a pleated kilt, hence the name. Eileen Donan Castle is on the way to the Isle of Skye. We didn't know it at the time but it is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and has been used in several movies. The last picture is of the Fairy Glen. Our pictures could never do it justice but you can google Fairy Glen Skye and see some magnificent views. We are so thankful to have had a chance to explore God's beautiful creation.