Isn’t it phenomenal how the places we’re visiting for the
first time, ogling at in wonder, are someone else’s home? The arched bridges we
traverse, camera in hand, the grand buildings we meander past, eyes wide, are
commonplace to thousands. Do they still see the beauty of their great cities
every morning, or have they become so accustomed to such beauty that it seems
commonplace to them?
This past weekend we visited Prague and Dresden and it was a
memorable experience to say the least. Several of us (myself included) were
struck ill during our field trip, which made pushing through 4 days of
adventures a bit tenuous. Nonetheless, it was a phenomenal experience, which is
a testimony to the beauty of these cities because my health was in desolate
condition.
Thursday we took a basic tour of the city, led by our
professors Jan and Martin. For many people who had flow into Prague early and
spent a few days in the city already, it was a bit of a repeat, but for me it
was an all new experience. One of the highlights of the day was when I found my
name plastered on the John Lennon wall, so of course I had to snap a pic. As a
chronic nerd, it was also a blast seeing the Astronomical Clock featured in the
Harry Potter movies. It’s still an adjustment how relaxed European culture is
compared to American- Jan and Martin took us out for a drink after dark and we
bonded over beer and Irish music!
We’d had a glance at the Prague Castle on Thursday, but on
Friday we actually had the opportunity to tour it, and it was glorious. The
architecture was so stunning it almost made us forgot how exhausting the walk
up was! One of the best parts on being in Prague when we were though, was the
Easter Market. The atmosphere was simply exuberant. Sunday morning after
touring the Jewish Quarter, I celebrated Easter dinner with a sausage from the
market, and it was divine. Having free time to wander was great for improving
my navigational skills because, if we’re being honest, they’re quite horrendous
for someone who wants to be a lifelong traveler. Granted, I was never entirely
on my own, but that didn’t stop me from regular befuddlement at where we were
going to or coming from. My one regret from the weekend was not making it to
mass at one of the Czech churches on Easter Sunday (even though I’m not
actually Catholic…), but I was so sick I could barely see straight, so I’ll let
bygones be bygones.
On a brighter note, a big highlight of the weekend was our
daytrip to Dresden on Saturday, when we got a phenomenal view of the city from
one of their churches, as well as some top-notch Swiss cuisine. Every time I
visit a new place, my immediate thought is that it is the most beautiful place
I’ve ever seen, and I continue being astounded by each and every new
destination. I wonder sometimes if one of these strange new cities we’re
visiting is going to be my future home in ten or twenty years, and I truly hope
that will be the case because they are truly breathtaking.
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