2012-04-13 CzechoPolo
I apologize for not updating earlier but I have been really busy. I am now in Praha, Czech Republic. I have already been in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland. These destinations are much more popular than the previous locations I have been to, so it has been different for me. Another difference is the company. I left and experienced Warsaw on my own. I met a Polish student on vacation destined for a return to her current home in Krakow and we buddied up to travel there. There I met up with my good friend Zach Koopman and two of his friends from his program in Heidelberg, Germany. Together we explored the brilliant Polish city, with its castle, citadel, old town, market and salt mine.
Before I get to the somewhat boring sounding salt mine, I’d like to first point out that Poland as well as Czechoslovakia have been countries that have been completely dominated, coincidentally by our study abroad countries. Germany and Russia for the past quarter of a millenium have crushed and dominated the area and they are finally experiencing true independence.
Salt mine. Who would think that it would be cool? But it was. Hard to explain why, especially after the pricetag, which was far beyond the most expensive thing we had paid for. But it was worth it. Pictures. Eventually. Though… unfortunately I broke my sister’s camera…
On the way to Praha, I bumped into a friend of mine from Russia, also on his way to Prague. Originally planning to take a different route, he decided to try and catch me. Bumped into each other on the train! How lucky. He also filled our compartment along with the Polish student who was also going to Praha, and we had a safe overnighter.
In Prague, I plan on meeting to students who studied in Russia with me and are both Czechoslovakian. However I first bumped into a friend of mine I made in Kyiv! It has been so strange and a wild ride.
I know this isn’t exactly a brilliant post, but I just wanted to update you all that I am at my final destination and will be spending my weekend here and returning to Russia Sunday.