A Change In Weather, Among Other Things

Two weeks ago, I'd just returned from Croatia.  While the weather there hadn't exactly been warm, our trip had been favored with almost entirely sunny weather and clear skies.

We got back to Prague in time to watch the transition begin from autumn to winter.  That first week back, all you could see out my window and on the walk to the metro was fall colors.  Reds, oranges, yellows and browns were falling all over the place, blowing around in the wind and piling up under trees and on sidewalks.  I make it a habit to try to find the crunchiest leaves to step on as I walk along.  Katherine and I agree - it probably has something to do with growing up in a place that doesn't get autumn.

Dobrý Den!

Greetings from Praha! After a few weeks of "break" and "rest," I once again find myself in a new place, meeting new people and adjusting to a new language. And I already love it! Prague is even more beautiful than people made it out to be, and my dormitory is both conveniently located and super swanky. I'm living in a quad room, which joins with a double to form our cool little suite.

Nothing terribly exciting has happened so far (you know, other than that whole "I'm in Prague" thing). But today we had the first day of our orientation, featuring tours of the city center and an overload of information. I've already managed to get lost - the streets are maze-like in some areas, so I'll have to be constantly vigilant to make sure I always know where I am (although sometimes getting lost is the best part). Will also have to be constantly vigilant to make sure I don't get pick-pocketed. We've had a ton of warnings about that, so it sounds pretty common.

The people so far have all been very nice - my suitemates are lovely, and it was fun going out with most of them last night and wandering around with them today. Believe it or not, I'm really excited for my classes to start and for the weird orientation stage of the semester to be over, but at the same time I hope it doesn't go by too fast!

Anyway, there's my mini-update. Will keep you guys informed as I go through orientation and learn more about life here and whatnot. And let me know if you have questions!

Turning Off The Lights

I'm sitting in my bed, in my now-empty room, with packed bags sitting neatly nearby, and it's finally starting to sink in that it's time to go home. It all went by so fast that it was hard to really realize that it was time to go home - even when we had final presentations in class, or as my students were crying as we gave last hugs, or as we waved our way out of the Ana al-Masri center that last time. I mean, the past week I've been telling myself that this is my last whatever. My last time in Khan al-Khalili, my last sandwich ma ful bilsalsal, my last metro ride, my last time on the Nile. There were plenty of warning signs telling me that it's time to go back home, I just never really took the time to read them, or process what they meant.

And when I say "last," I hope to not mean the last time forever. I absolutely would love to return to Cairo, and hopefully to bring a few of you with me. And I'm excited to go back home, to see my family and some friends and to go on PWILD and to go to Prague. I'm excited for Mexican food, and to see Inception, and to not be harassed in the streets.