Prague

Well, Germany was unsuccessful in claiming the title of European Masterchampions on Sunday night. It was still a fun time, and from the sounds of horn honking and fireworks from my bedroom window, I'd say that most people decided to celebrate despite the loss.

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Today marks three weeks exactly until I will be boarding the plane back to the States, and I still have pictures from several weeks ago that I haven't posted. With the impending countdown, I have vowed to get all the pictures up that I have not yet posted and to make the most of my time left. I still have two weeks of classes left, but I've pretty much wrapped them up- no more assignments due and the last week is mostly scheduled for those who need to take tests (not me!).

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There have been more great things about this year than I can count, one of them being an all expense paid trip to Prague. As part of the program, we are required to take part in an ecumenical seminar, which happened to be in Prague this year. What a drag to have to go to Prague (if you missed the sarcastic tone, that was intended to be sarcastic).

For one week, I met up with other students who are also in the program and we toured Prague and engaged in seminars highlighting the history of different church traditions in relation to their Prague location. Several students who were apart of the program a few years ago had helped in putting the program together and we were really able to get to know the city well with personalized tours and the local favorites, helping to avoid the crowded tourist locations. In the evenings we had dinner in a local restaurant, which was always followed by a walk through the city. Above is the Charles Bridge and Prague Fortress by night.

The buildings in Prague were almost always supported by the statues of people.

The famous astronomical clock

The deteriorating effect of communism

The buildings in Prague were stunning. The one pictured above is near the town square and housed Franz Kafka for a while.

Another painted building

We spent several hours touring the Jewish quarter, once ghetto, in Prague. I really liked the clock. Being that Hebrew is read right to left, the clocks run what would be for us counter clockwise. Starting from the 11:00 position and going counter clockwise are the first 12 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Apparently Prague is well known for their Jazz music. I had no idea. Among the folks I spent the trip with was a musician who enlightened us to the fact and did a great job in picking out a jazz club to spend our evening.

At the market

Town Square by Night