Making History

                                         

There are things in life that pass by so quickly they seem like a blur. Like it didn't even happen. You reminisce on the memories like the movie you saw last week. There are things you did, moments you lived, that were at one time a dream and a distant hope and now, at this moment, you can say that you achieved those. You accomplished those dreams. 

Many times a dream remains just that: a dream. Only a few times life hands you the tools to go out and achieve what YOU want. 

        

Europe. Seriously, people! I traveled EUROPE. The Europeans that read this are going to be like 'Why is she making a big deal about about it?' I'm going to explain this to you (Americans) the was I had it explained to me by a European. It's like this: Take Europe and place it over America. Europe basically fits inside the continental United States. Traveling within countries in Europe is almost the same as traveling between states in America. (Other than they can ask for your passport at anytime and kick you out of the country part) In the US alone, you can see mountains, oceans, seas, prairies, etc. just by driving across the country, where in Europe, you may have to travel through four or five countries to get the the ocean or the mountains. To them (Europeans), we have it all. 

Now to my European friends, there is one major part the is missing from the wonderful land of the U, S, of A. History. I know, I know, we have some history. SOME. About enough to fit in the palm of my hand. The last war the was fought on American soil was the American Civil War which was Americans vs. Americans. The last foreign war was the War of 1812. (I googled that so don't dog me if I'm wrong.) Europe eat, sleeps, and breathes its history. The natives may not realize it, but as an outsider looking in, it's overwhelming. Every building had its own story, every person has a family that has been through who-knows-what. The building your standing in may have held captives during a war or the room you are sleeping in may have been the rooms of troops as the fought in the war. Good or bad. You never know. 

I've learned that while people grow and new generations form, history shapes us. Trust me, I HATE history. Ask anyone. History and Cassie have a long 'history' and it's not pretty. However, knowing ones history shapes a person. Learning the history of the people before me, people I have zero ties to, has changed me in ways I didn't know I wanted to be changed. I could only imagine what it would have done if I had known my family had been through what some had to go through. Unfortunately, my family isn't really into family history. I don't even know when my family came to America. Maybe that is the reason I struggle with history. I don't know. 

There are many things that happened in Europe that have left me a different person. Many I cannot put into words. Emotions that I will probably never feel again; emotions I never want to feel again; emotions that I will long to feel again.  

                                   

Time To Say Goodbye

                                     

The last week as a group. The last week. It’s really crazy to say because it feels like we all just met at the airport in Prague last week.  These last two months have flown by, but at the same time have felt like forever.  

The Czech Republic is “split” into two parts: Bohemia (west) and Moravia (east).  Olomouc is on the Moravian side.  The last week we spent the traveling around Bohemia. Our first two days were spent visiting little towns that were less touristy. It was nice to go somewhere that wasn’t completely filled with people, but at the same time, it becomes complicated because many times the people of those small towns see no reason to know English.  While communicating with people that do not speak English has become easier, it is always nice to know a little of what they are saying.  

Litomysl was the first small town we visited.  It was a secluded town about two hours away from Olomouc.  We had a guide that lead us through a church and gave us a presentation about the town.  We then went to go see a little art garden with many different statues that included a bus with a giant whole in it and a large wooden chair. (Pictured below feat urging a lovely selfie from the one and only Kathy Smith). Litomysl also introduced me the best spaghetti I have ever had in my life.  I don’t know what the Czechs do to their spaghetti and lasagna, but oh my word.  The. BEST. (Huge shoutout to Kathy for telling us about this place.)

                                                 

  

The next day was spent in Kutna Hora. We spent time in beautiful St. Barbara’s Cathedral.  Like many, this one was very lavish and exquisite.  However, my favorite part of Kutna Hora was our tour of the silver mines.  Unlike the salt mines, it wasn’t dug out and set up for tours.  The little tunnels that we went through were actually used by mines and were not widen, which meant that, in places, you had to crouch and walk sideways.  The best part was that we got to dress up like real miners.  The worst part was when they showed us what it was like to mine in the medieval days by having us all turn off our lights so it was pitch black.  So dark that our eyes would never adjust. 

       

Our last days were spent in Česky Krumlov. Česky Krumlov is a beautiful little town built around the river. We stayed at a hostel in the middle of town and in the bottom was a bar.  One of the best things that happened on this was having this bar full of people for the Czech vs. United States hockey game and being one of the only American’s in there when America won in a shoot out.  How many people can say that they were in the Czech when the U.S. defeated the Czech in their favorite sport?! I CAN!! 

This is the end.  We ended everything with one last dinner.  It was time to say goodbye: a bittersweet moment.  I had to say goodbye to these people that I had grown to love, but it was also time to go back to the place and the people I love. I miss home, but I will also miss the freedom of the European land.