observing. exploring. absorbing.

yesterday was intense orientation day. we were taught about everything we need to know with the organization we are with, the English classes, and the city and people. We got bus passes, went grocery shopping, went out to dinner and then to a basketball game of one of the missionaries here. it was a packed day and i am feeling really excited about this month.

today as we walked through the city i just couldn't help but think how seriously blessed i feel right now. i woke up early for my first classroom observation today and took a bus and tram to a high school in the city. this month i will be doing 30 hours of observation in language schools, high school, elementary schools, and business english classes. i will also be teaching 30 hours of intensive english classes and conversation hours. so today was a taste of what is going on...

it was sooo cool to get in the public school and really experience the culture here. it was the senior classes last day so they do a celebration all day... they choose a theme and dress up like that theme and then go to the city center and raise money through begging and being obnoxious. the class from my high school was dressed as smurfs. it was excellent. their costumes and body paint were hilarious. during my time at the school i was able to observe a pre-intermediate english class and also a spanish class. they threw me in the spanish class, excited that i speak spanish and wanting me to help a little. the teacher is a beginner spanish speaker so i was able to help a little and it was really cool to see those teachers in action. i realized my love and passion for spanish and desire to keep pursuing that language.

as we walked around the city after classes i was reminded so much of sevilla and all of the similarities. the buildings and atmosphere just reminded me soo much of spain and yet it is really different here. czech has a different set of historical mess apart from spain's muslim/catholic battle... they have WWII and the intense socialist background that is obviously a huge part of czechs story. aside from their history it is obvious that they are rebuilding their culture and have become very western european in their ways of life. i like the city a lot and feel like as time goes on i will understand the culture more and more.

so for now my observations have been-

-older Czechs are super quiet in public- i have heard this is due to their years under the socialist government and during the war

-europe is so much "greener", public transportation is excellent {love the trams} but also there are no free plastic bags at the grocery store. think about how much plastic waste this cuts back on-- everyone brings their own bags and its really not that difficult. we are so lazy and ignorant in the name of convenience.

-czech food is really great & so fattening... uh oh.

-i have officially converted from country girl to city girl throughout the course of this year.

čau,

laura