After an entire weekend off grid, I can officially say I have made it back. Prague is a fun weekend trip, but Olomouc is more my speed, and Olomouc, really, is still too big for me, with the population topping out around 100,000. For one, my room in Olomouc has working internet, while the hostel in Prague did not. If you could get on it, it would be at such a slow speed, virtually nothing could be accomplished. Another thing is that my room in Olomouc has a functioning refrigerator, while the Hostel in Prague did not have anything. Drinking a cool beverage in the room was, practically, impossible. Olomouc has everything that Prague has, basically, at a cheaper price. Prague is a giant tourist trap; they will put outlandish prices on almost everything. Olomouc has reasonable prices, and the quality is good. Today, before we boarded our train to return to Olomouc, we took a trip to the old Jewish quarter of Prague to get a feel of what life was like back then. We entered a building with walls covered in text. The text was the names of the Jewish residents who lost their lives during the Shoah, or the Holocaust. 80,000 names were inscribed upon those walls. It was quite unsettling to be, quite literally, surrounded by the dead. We then took a look into Jewish life by examining some basic artifacts found in Jewish religious practices, such as candles, glasses, vases, books, clothing apparel, etc. It really was fascinating, but, being raised a Catholic, I find it hard to imagine myself practicing any other religion but my own. You see, wherever I go, I always try to imagine myself doing what I am seeing, or witnessing. If I go see a movie, I place myself within the context of the movie. If I go to a sporting event, I imagine myself out on that field, or court. In this case, I imagined myself standing along side of those people practicing that specific religion. Like I said, it didn't work out so well. After the museums, we paid our respects to the Jewish cemetery. That was, by far, the hardest scene I have ever had to look at. The ground of the cemetery rose about 4 feet above the sidewalk that we were standing on. The reason being that the Jews were just buried on top of each other--a mass grave. The number of tombstones was unreal. You couldn't have fit another one in there. The ground was as saturated with tombstones as it was with the blood of the innocent. Throughout today, pictures were prohibited, but, of course, I chose to be the rebel, and I snuck a few in again. I am going to get busted one of these times, but, so long as there is a story to seize, I will continue to break those rules to capture it. That was all we did today, for, after that, we met at the train station and set off for home on a two hour train ride. I didn't get much sleep on the bus; it was too loud in my stall, but I am sure I will sleep soundly tonight. We went through another time change last night. So now, instead of being six hours ahead of you, I am now seven hours ahead. It sucks that I had to go through that twice, but it's whatever. I will have to regain contact with some people within the next few days. This weekend was a killer in that regard. Anyway, I hope that you have a great rest of your day. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                            -Anthony-

Well, today, I crossed off yet another first. I stepped onto the soil of the father/mother land of one side of my family. Remember when I wrote yesterday that we would be traveling to Dresden? Well, this trip shocked me almost as much as my telling of it will to you. Honestly, I was expecting some sort of Holocaust-related theme to this trip, but that is not what it was at all, although it did have to do with the second world war. We hopped on a train early this morning, and we headed for Germany. And yes, it was another Harry Potter style train, with which I was very well pleased. It gave me a good opportunity to catch some "z"s. After two and a half hours, we landed in Dresden. From the train, I knew we passed the border from the Czech to Germany after the first hour and a half or so. The layout of the land was different, the streets were different, and, I don't know, it just seemed different. Yes, after living in the Czech for only a couple of weeks, I seem to be an expert on this. The scenery was just beautiful. The land seemed every bit as bipolar as Nebraska's weather. One moment, there were soft, fluffy rolling hills, and, in a second, that soft skin mutated into a craggy, imposing structure. What really made it a sight, though, was the fog that rolled along the base. It might have been fog, or it might have been a smoggish mixture. I'm not sure, but whatever it was, it really made the land come alive. I was almost living an actual Bob Ross episode. Anyway, when we stepped out of the station, we walked the streets to the main square, where a statue of Martin Luther was standing guard over his sector. This became our meeting place for the day, as we did split up more than once. We were given a few choices-we could either go to an art museum to see some amazing works of art, or we could visit the castle and see the jewels, the architecture, and the armory. Of course, I chose the castle, but many did choose the art museum. I'm sure they had a grand experience since they said that it was similar to The Louvre. The castle was pretty remarkable as well. They had everything that could be found around a castle on display. Old clocks, cabinets, dishes, jewels, and portraits were but a few categories of items, but what really caught my attention was the armory. They had every weapon on display, and that included swords, bows, axes, shields, etc. Armor was another prominent featured item, and they displayed it in stages of development. They also put out ancient looking guns and rifles. That was really cool. Unfortunately, throughout the castle, we were prevented from taking pictures by the Nazis that governed the grounds. (I'm sure they weren't actual Nazis, but they were the closest I've ever seen to one.) I snuck two pictures before one caught me. But that armory really was cool. Jewels adorned the armor, the blacksmith's signature could be found on the blades he commissioned, and from what the displays showed, many people, back then, were incredibly short. When we asked, we were told that many of the displayed items belonged to children, or dwarves. They even put up a display that showed two men, on horseback, jousting. This display was massive. The weapons were long, sharp, and barbed. It looked legitimately dangerous! After we, painstakingly, left the armory, we went to a display about the Greek God, Dionysus. That consisted of paintings and sculptures that portrayed the God, his characteristics, scenes from his story, and his gifts to man. After reading a book about The Bachae/Dionysus, it was cool to see art about a subject that I, actually, knew about. So many times, people go to see these displays and never really understand what the art is saying, or what the art is about. It, definitely, helps to have some background knowledge prior to exposing oneself to such a cultural pleasure. After the castle, the group, I was with, split off and went to a cafe on the street. It was good food, and it would have been an all-around good experience had the waiter not kept us waiting so much. But that is neither here nor there. Once we regrouped at Martin Luther, we went to the top of the Cathedral to see the view of Dresden. It was so breathtaking to see the city in all its splendor. Toward the end of the second world war, the town was, almost, entirely obliterated by bombers. While the residents still regard that attack as an act of terrorism by the western-allies, it was within the context of war. The Cathedral was almost entirely destroyed, and it had only finished reconstruction about a year ago. To see, from that world view, the areas that were preserved and the areas that were added on later was a sad sight. This town had so much beauty, and now, the beauty is flawed by modern hands. The Cathedral, itself, consists of multiple colored bricks. The darker bricks are original, and the lighter bricks are new. I do have to admit that the height was a bit unsettling. Thankfully, my father was not up there. Then again, he wouldn't have moved past the second story. But, as I looked out over the city, I had to stop and imagine my ancestry and how they came from a lifestyle such as this, and how they had to adjust going to America. Times have changed; life was not as cavalier then as it is now. Still, wherever I went today, I thought of my grandparents and great-grandparents from my father's side, and I thought of them in those paintings, wearing those jewels, dressed in fine armor, swinging a two-handed sword, etc. It may sound crazy, but it is what it is. If you think that was a lot to do in a day, just wait, there is more. On our walk back, we realized that our train was leaving in, like, five minutes, and we were still a good fifteen minutes away while walking. A few of us just looked at each other and took off running. We didn't even check to see who was following. We just knew we had to get there before that train left the station. We ran, we dodged through crowds, we hopped over benches and obstructions, and I even ran right through a dance battle on the street. I jumped over his stereo. I'm sure they were extremely pissed, but, at that moment, we could care less. We had to get to that station in time. We ran into the station, asked for our platform, and got to the top of the stairs just as the train was taking off. I kid you not, it was just starting to roll away when we got to the top. We ran all that way, we were huffing and puffing so hard, and for what? We missed the train by a second! As it turned out, it was a good thing we did because we didn't have the right tickets. Had we gotten on board, we might have been fined. Heaven does open to spread its light on Earth every now and then. So, as a result, we hung out around Dresden for another hour. I walked up and down the streets looking for cool shops. In a way, I was glad we missed that train. I didn't want to leave Germany quite yet. I mean, how many more times will I get to come back here? But, the time came, the train arrived, and we boarded and departed, leaving Germany behind. Now, we are back at our hostel in Prague, and I feel the same. I mean, today, my heart was filled with a sense of understanding. I had accomplished something I have always wanted to do, but now, I might never see it again. I realize that I may set the bar pretty low as compared to the standards of others, but I don't care. This is my life. That is what I want. I'm sure I have fastened your eyes to the screen long enough. I should probably let you get back to your lives, as I know you are just so busy. Anyway, tomorrow, we return to Olomouc in the evening. During the morning hours, I do believe we are to explore more of Prague. I will, hopefully, regain some communication when I return to a more stable wifi source. Until then, take care and keep your wits about yee. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                    -Anthony-

It is hard to imagine that I have been through so much in one twenty-four hour period, and the next two days will be just as eventful. It's exhausting, but exhilarating. Today, we voyaged to explore the castle on the hill. Anymore, the word, "Castle" is instantly associated with a deadly hike. Our guides, Yan and Martine, either have experienced the hike many times over, (which they have) or they are in remarkably good shape. Martine has long legs which means long strides. Naturally, before long, we were left in the dust. Constantly, they had to stop and wait for the rest of us to catch up. On the way up, we passed, at least, 163 shops. Whatever you can think of, Prague, more than likely, has it. Jewelry, clothing, hats, souvenirs, sketches, different cultural apparel, and much much more. Some ideas are so idiotic, I still can't believe they would open a shop. Anyway, once we got to the top, we had to get our special passes into the castle. You see, this castle is not a traditional castle you might see in the movies. Due to the numerous changes of possession this country has had, this castle is more of an amalgamation of many different buildings, each with its own unique style and characteristics. Our first stop was the Cathedral. Buildings like these fascinate me to no end. The long columns, the gigantic class pictures, the buttresses, the altars, the tombstones on the wall, the chandeliers, the pews--it all just consumed me. With this trip, one rarely has time to stop and process anything. We were, constantly, on the go, due to other tour groups coming and going. If I could have spent five hours there, I would have. There was so much more for me to see and experience that I missed out on. I only have pictures to look back on, and even then, those pictures are an injustice to the truth and pristine beauty that that building masked. Once we left the Cathedral, (that was the hardest thing I have ever had to do) we went out into the courtyard. It was about 11:50, so we headed back to the Castle entrance for the Ceremonial "Change of the Guard." At the gate, there are two guards stationed on both sides. Every hour, there is a change of the guards, but the one at noon is bigger and much more festive. They played trumpets, they marched, they twirled their fancy rifle. Once that was over, we headed back to the castle interior, and we toured a medieval building. It was the oldest part of the castle, and it was a place where meetings, events, tournaments, etc took place. There was even a staircase made specifically for horses to access. We saw the throne where the King would preside, we saw replicas of the royal jewels, and other rooms of Gothic themed interior. After that, we visited the Servants quarters. Honestly, it consisted of a narrow street with houses along one side, and they were about the size of a mini-garage. Their location was for the convenience of the royal family, but such cramped quarters would have driven me insane. After the servants quarters, our guided tour concluded, and we split off. I, however, stuck with Yan and Martine, and we continued to tour Prague. One place we stopped off at was a Chocolate Cafe. Of course, that made the day for most. It had every kind of chocolate, every kind of cake, and just about every kind of pie. It was unreal. Of course, in a chocolate cafe with so many choices, I got a strawberry milkshake. So like me. Anyway, after that, the day ended for me. My back was shrieking in protest from god-knows-what. As I wrap up this session, I must reflect on a few interesting things. First and foremost, last night, I awoke to the sound of talking and murmuring. It was one of my roommates, and he was talking in his sleep. He kept saying, "Eli! Eli! Who are you?" I asked him this morning who the hell Eli was, and he had no idea. Hmm. Another interesting thing is, (for those who know a little about history) the odd structures I found today. Once, I found a golden pyramid atop a column, and another time, I found an obelisk, or a lofty pyramid. Both of those, I thought, were symbols of the ancient Illuminati organization. However, I asked Martine, and he declared that the Illuminati had little influence in Prague at all. I still wonder. They were masters of deception and infiltration after all. Hell, it was rumored that Sir Isaac Newton was a member. I will have to commit to some digging to get any real answers. Anyway, that is all I have for today. Tomorrow, we leave early for Dresden in Germany, so expect something special for tomorrow. Fare thee well faithful followers. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                                    -Anthony

Why do people watch movies? Is it the atmosphere? The release? The escape from the hardships of reality? Whatever the case may be, movies have become a significant aspect of our lives; we can no longer deny this fact. For these reasons, and many more, I have developed a hobby, more like an obsession, for watching the latest movies. I want to experience something that is beyond our comprehension. I want to disappear into fictitious worlds that brilliant people have engineered. I want to travel around the world to find a stolen artifact, or take down some big bad motha. You may be reading this an wondering, "What in the world is this kid on?" Well, I do have a point, now allow me to make it. Some of the things we see in the movies seem to be unreal. Not like a "too good to be true" sort of thing, but it just seems that items and objects from fictitious movies should also be fictitious. I remember watching the Harry Potter movies, and whenever Harry got on the train that took him to Hogwarts, I would always think, "Wow, that is a cool looking train. Too bad they aren't really like that." As it turns out, the train that I took today was exactly like that. Like I said yesterday, I am now in Prague, and we took a train to get here, contrary to my earlier belief of taking a bus. However, this was more of a private, fancier train. I was assigned a cart number, a booth number, and a seat number. I was in the first cart, in the sixth booth, and in seat 55. Of course, I got the middle seat, squished between an old man who stank of coffee and a woman who messed with her Iphone the whole way. I found out later that that train even had wifi. The train ride, itself, was a bit of snooze. Literally, I had to have slept for most of it. As for when I was awake, the weird girl, sitting across from me, kept staring at me and, I am pretty sure, took pictures of me. I mean, when you use your phone, do you purposefully point the camera of your phone right at someone? Well, my mother does just to annoy me, but I didn't think there were many others with her twisted sense of humor. This seemed more creepy than humorous though. Point being, mother stop doing that from now on! Anyway, after the train arrived in Prague, we departed for our hostel. Now, after staying in the Mosaic House last time we were in Prague, I have to say that this hostel is a bit of a let down. I understand cheap is what we are going for, but this is borderline ghetto. The hostel, itself, is located within a collection of other buildings, wifi only works on the first level, and the rooms are small and cramped. We went for a small tour of Prague today, but I went out with a small group after that. It is groups like that that help to really see the finer sides of the city. A guided tour is good, but it doesn't allow you to stop and admire, or take it all in. You are always on the go, no time to stop, no time to even process it all. After the tour, our group went and had bagels, which was a first for me, then I had an orange, which was also a first. After the food, we hiked up the hill to see the view of Prague, once again. I know I did this the last time, but one does not simply see that view too many times. That view is another one of those things that you think can only be found in the movies. Such beauty, one would think, does not belong in a world filled with the flawed human race. How do we deserve such beauty when we, ourselves are so flawed? I guess, if that is not proof that there is a kind, benevolent God out there, then I don't know what will. I do have pictures to post, as promised, so I hope you will enjoy. I am still on the lookout for the right souvenirs to bring home. As of yet, I am having a hard time finding anything, really. Everything in Prague is super expensive, especially from the street shops. Hopefully, I will have some luck soon. May God smile upon you. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                              -Anthony-

Despite the fact that I have lived here for little more than a week, already, I still find it hard to believe how much I have accomplished thus far. Every day that I have been here, I continue to reflect upon the way Americans think and behave, and I compare that to what I observe half-way around the planet. Already, I am beginning to think and act like a native Czech, instead of the American mutt that I am. Whether I am in the store, the University, or just walking along the street, I look at every person I pass, and I instantly categorize them as Americans, Czechs, or other. With the non-Czechs, I instantly find myself annoyed at their naivety and ignorance. For example, the other day, I was in Globus checking the candy isle (Does that really surprise you?) when a few Americans stepped right in front of me and blocked my view of what I was originally looking at. My first thought was, "Damn Americans," but I caught myself, and I had to laugh at what I had become. For me, assimilating into a foreign culture is not tough, especially when the culture is Czech. The people are solemn, almost depressed, and quiet. For those who know me, I can fit right in with that description quite easily. I have even had a couple Czech citizens approach me and start speaking Czech as if they knew me. Now, either they thought I was one of them, or they just do not care how they talk or behave around Americans. Either way, I am grateful for my natural camouflage. Throughout my life in the states, I was constantly exposed to a lifestyle that maintained that we, as Americans were the center of the attention and that people of Middle to Eastern Europe were something else entirely. From the stories that I had heard on the news and from other media, I wasn't exactly inclined to disagree. However, with this experience, I have seen the other side to the coin; I have seen what it means to be anything and everything but American. It is similar to those situations in movies where the hired spy is sent to eliminate a target, but when they meet the target, they realize that the target is human, just like them, so they defect and live in a completely different area, take on a completely different name, etc. Well, maybe not to that extreme, but you get my point. I have seen the reality of the matter. I always knew Americans were loud, opinionated, and obnoxious, but now I see just how much. It is sad that, in order to see the reality of this situation, I had to step outside myself. I had to abandon the principles of my life, abandon my lifestyle as an American and, basically, abandon my entire person. In doing so, I could finally see things from their point of view, and I know that, once again, Americans are wrong. (That seems to be a recurring trend anymore.) It will be a tough transition to return back to the way my life was, despite the fact that I was only here for a short time. The time I have been here, thus far, has shown that these people are more like me than Americans are. These are a humble people, filled with pride over their homeland. Americans, on the other hand, are egotistical, boisterous, loud, and an expensive people who take much of their lifestyle for granted. Why would anyone want to give this up for that? Well, I don't mean for this to sound sad or grave. I will return to the states, despite my ranting against the Americans. Tomorrow, I travel to Prague, so I will, more than likely, post again tomorrow, for those who got sick waiting for my next post. I apologize about the wait, and I will try not to let that happen again. I can't make any promises though. Fare thee well. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                     -Anthony-

Despite the vast distance that separates me from my family, we all embark upon an adventure that will shape our lives. Obviously, I have my adventures here, and my mother and brother have theirs back home. I do believe that today marked day three of their performance. Both my mother and brother are new to theatrics, so this community production is a giant leap for the both of them. A sea may keep us apart, but our spirits are always with each other, supporting one another. I couldn't be more comforted with any one else. I can only hope their production was a success, so I will just sit on this cot of mine and send my prayers, swiftly speeding over the crescent waves to reach you. As I sit here, rather uncomfortably, on this cot, I realize that I have reported little to nothing of the exact place of my habitation. Today, on a run out to Globus, I took some pictures of nearby areas. I may have mentioned it before, but I will repeat myself just this once. The building that houses the students was once a Russian barrack. The way it is now, it seems that they took no liberties in renovating it either. It is almost like they kicked the prisoners out and ushered us in almost immediately. However, that's neither here nor there. The area nearby does not seem like a harsh one. I have yet to spot shady characters or hoodlums. On the other hand, I do hear an awful lot of singing, caroling, and hooting outside our window. Whether that means they are intoxicated or what, I do not know. One window of ours is a door-sized window, so we can open it and step out onto our "balcony." Again, this "balcony" consists of one plank and several clotheslines. I often step out just for a breath of fresh air, but then I realize the building across the street has another student sitting at his desk facing out the window, staring right at me. I, awkwardly, step back inside. Often times, the kids congregate in the back to play, from what I can tell, soccer. Basketball does not seem to be a popular sport here, and neither is golf. My father would hate it here. The tram runs right along our building, so transportation is convenient, and, I recently found out, there is a laundromat nearby. Had I known that sooner, I wouldn't have had to do laundry for six hours Saturday in a primitive fashion. It was a good experience, I suppose. Globus, the equivalent of Walmart, is within walking distance of where I live, but I suppose, by some standards, it is pretty far. However, with my passion for walking, I mind it not. Globus is a part of an amalgamation of individual buildings. It is attached to a mall, and this mall has everything. Clothing, electronics, books, accessories, fashion, movies, etc. Basically, I am set. Other than that, nothing else of particular noteworthiness has leaped  to my attention. With each day that goes by, I hope to explore a bit more. The next three days have classes, and then we head to Prague, once again. Expect more activity at that time. I can't believe that, as of right this moment, for me, I have been living in this room for one week. Quite the speedy week. Anyway, that is all for now. I hope your lives come into contact with a spark of spontaneity, just as my family has. Have a great day. "May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                      -Anthony-

I toyed with the idea of not posting today, but then I thought of you, my fans, and I just had to push myself to do it (really, I had nothing better to do). Day after day, I have noticed strange (what is strange to us) behavior exhibited by the natives here. First and foremost, I have to say I am outright disgusted by the PDAs. The background information warned us that these people were an almost melancholy people who kept to themselves and never ventured further than the outskirts of their personal bubble. However, I estimate that I have seen about four couples a day making out in public places. These places vary from the bars, to the trams, to the park benches on the streets, to the actual parks, and many other miscellaneous places. Also, the "displays" range from just kissing to full boar groping. It can only be comparable to "walrus's fighting over a grape," as quoted in Iron Man 2. It is becoming a norm, a disturbing norm. I may have mentioned it already, but it bears repeating. On my flight over from Paris, I sat next to a couple who were making out. I mean, come on! Another observation I have made, and I am sure I have also already mentioned, is that the dogs are all well trained. Very few owners even have to use leashes. Some dogs seem to be a bit feisty, and, for those, they have muzzles.
Today, I tried McDonald s for the first time in Europe. I will be honest, most people condemned my culinary decision, but I had to put my mind at ease and officially try it. Of course, it is way better here than back in the states. Everything is made fresh, the burgers are actually hot, and they are of actual beef, not just that processed garbage we find thrown in front of us back in the states. Not only that, but they give out a free glass with every purchase. Strange, I know, but whatever.
I am beginning to learn the language, and thank goodness for that because I am getting tired of having to engage in a mental, strenuous battle every time I want to ask a simple question. I have run into a few individuals here who speak sufficient English, but it still leaves me tired at the end. Other than that, I have little else to report. Classes are, well, classes. Just try taking 2.5 hours of Czech language all in one sitting. I have never wanted to slit my own wrists as badly as I did then. I could have just continuously banged my head against the desk, but that would have disrupted the class, heaven forbid. I will leave you with the bit of knowledge that I have imparted upon you for the day. Sorry it isn't more, and sorry, I don't have any pictures to post, but next week, we return to Prague for more fun and games, so expect an explosion of activity during that time. May you all be looked upon with favor. "May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                -Anthony-

From here on out, you might experience withdrawals from not being able to read my blog every day. As you have probably noticed, I have skipped a day, here and there, due to either a hectic schedule, or a rather non-eventful day. When I do pick up the pen (in this case, the computer), I will try to incorporate the days that I have missed. I know, it may be hard to adapt at first, but I am sure that you, as my competent readers, will adjust soon enough because, you know, my blogs are just so interesting! I think that may have been the funniest thing I have said on this entire trip! Anyhow, life in Olomouc is certainly an interesting one, and everyday is different from the next. While, for me, spontaneity is a good thing, I do believe organization and structure might be useful at times. For example, we didn't get our class schedules until today, and yes, that means we had to cancel classes yesterday because everyone had dispersed, and there was no rallying them up. It is insane how they just expect everything of us. They need to understand that we are completely out of our element here; we know nothing! Other than that, nothing that can compare to my cave trip has occurred. Yesterday, I sat in on a lecture about the lost music of the holocaust. The presenter focused on the music that the living prisoners had produced, rather than the music that only became their legacy. Apparently, several well known composers were sent to concentration camps and, later, gassed. Some of their work has been preserved, but much is still lost. After that lecture, we were free to do whatever we wanted. Naturally, that meant that I tag along with some people for an afternoon of shopping. However, there just doesn't seem to be any men's apparel that catches my eye. Either it is too expensive, or it is too flamboyant. After the shopping session had concluded, I returned to the room for some basic bread, meat, and cheese, and I decided to settle in for the night. The others went out to a Finnish party, but, with that not starting until 11p.m., I wasn't about to dare my luck with that. I figured I would sit that one out. Today, I attended a lecture in the morning, and took a guided tour of Olomouc afterward. I was under the impression that it would be a general tour of Olomouc, like where the shops, restaurants, and theaters were located. Instead, we got a historical tour, from the perspective of a man who saw some of this country's most significant transformations. Our guide had become involved in a war he wished no part of, and his life was far from ideal. He told us of his life during the second world war, and how it impacted, not only himself, but his friends and family. It was all quite fascinating and, after the tour, we had to report directly to our first class. Up first was our Czech Language class, and from this first class alone, I already know I am in for one hell of a ride. I mean, seriously, today was merely about the introduction, and I just felt like my head imploded upon itself. After that, we listened in on a lecture about the history, government, and political system of the Czech Republic. The problem with the Czech people is that they are always on the go. That being said, they take this "go-go-go" attitude and apply it to other aspects of their lives, in this case, their teaching methods. I was writing so fast, trying to keep up, that I felt like my hand might shrivel up and die. I still didn't write it all, despite my hand's sacrifice. Sorry hand. After class, I took the tram back to my room to finish my work. I must make a few comments. The Czech people are strange creatures for a number of reasons. First, they have so many churches in their cities, but they all, for the most part, lie empty. They are a largely atheist people, yet Catholic figures stand upright throughout the city. They are rude around their fellow Czech peers, not just Americans. Czech people are just a grumpy sort, and it will, definitely, take some getting used to. I took some pictures of the few churches that we did visit today, but the lighting was bad, I had to turn off the flash, and we were in a hurry, so I apologize in advance about the crappy quality of the pictures. Please enjoy and read at your own discretion. My content may not be suitable for those under age. Ha! Now that may have been the funniest thing I have said yet. Never mind. Enjoy however much of the day you have left. After all, it is, like, nine at night here. "May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                            -Anthony

Deception--one of life's most common and powerful weapons. We are all deceived by someone or something somewhere along the line. Some people use it as a weapon against each other, and yet others can go so far to claim that God deceives people. However you want to spin it, deception, however unfortunate, has placed itself amongst our lives as a permanent resident. I do wish to apologize for misleading my readers; my actions today were not as severe as I make it out to be. But, I will say that I was deceived a few times. Upon awakening and preparing, we walked to the University site where we sat in on a "lecture" from the University President. He gave us the "rundown," so to speak, of Olomouc and its founding. I thought it was quite fascinating, but I must admit that I thought he was lecturing about something outside of his usual field. Anyway, after the meeting with the President, we headed for the train station and proceeded to Hranicka. It was there that the Hranice Caves lay before our eyes. Before we got to the caves, we came across a fountain with "healing" effects. What it was was water infused with multiple elements, like Iron, Sodium, Manganese, etc. It tasted like Carbonated Water, and I have to admit that I did feel a bit better afterwards, even though it tasted foul. Then, we toured throughout the rocky caverns, and I picked out every detail. Where were the cracks? What might have been the result of cave-ins? Why was the cave so warm? What was that pungent smell? As it turned out, the cave's water resource carried Carbon Dioxide, and it was warmer than the surrounding air, thus, in effect, the Carbon Dioxide was what heated the cavern. The Hranice Caves are the warmest caves year-round in Europe. After that, we took a hike through the mountains. In this way was I first deceived. I hadn't the slightest idea that the walk to the caves would turn into a 3 mile stroll, and I had no idea that we would take a hike over a mountain. Of course, I didn't really care about that. I had never been on a hike before, and scaling that hillside (rather than a mountain, I guess) was an amazing experience. The higher I got, the more my adrenaline began to pump and, as I gazed over the edge of the trail, I could see all the way down, and I knew that one false step could be my last. To have that atmosphere, just a little something more than ordinary, adds to the experience. Once we got to the top of the hill, we could look into the abyss. Quite literally, it was a giant hole in the Earth that stretched a good 400 meters below the surface. Once we got our fill of the hole, (Pun was absolutely intended) we returned by train to Olomouc, where I am now, sitting in my room, writing this. I did go out to Globus again, but I didn't get much. Oh! One more thing; I have seen my first cats on this entire trip! I saw one this morning that looked like a cat I used to have. It was black with orange splotches sprinkled onto it. Then, just before I came into the dorm, I found a cat by the door. I just sat down, and he plopped into my lap. I did manage to get a few pictures of him/her, but he/she was really feisty. By the way, did I mention, last night, that I had a bunch of angry dogs on my ass during my walk? I thought they would tear me to shreds, but I managed to lose them. (I know, with their sense of smell, that seems impossible)Anyway, I will post a few photos again. I hope that your smile remains radiant, and have a pleasant day. "May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                          -Anthony-

Have you ever found yourself treading water in the middle of a river as a torrential wave blasts debris your way? In that split second, you realize you have to make a decision-- either attempt to fight through the debris and hope like hell that you make it to the other side, or you let go of everything and hope that the river carries you further and faster than the debris on your ass. Granted, the river is metaphorical, and no, I have not been swimming in dangerous rivers and fighting fearful odds. However, I have found that this transition to live in Olomouc is similar. I can either fight the culture of this place and try to preserve my own ways, or I can just go with the flow and hope that all ends well. I apologize that I missed posting yesterday, but we have had no internet access for the past forty-eight hours. Believe me, for some, that was the real challenge. No, however, after successfully setting up the connections, I am back online and ready to continue telling my adventures. As for yesterday, I can honestly say nothing much was done. We packed up from the Mosaic House in Prague, and we hopped on a bus that took us to Olomouc, our central headquarters for the next two months. The bus ride was about five hours long, and most of us slept throughout it all. Most of my peers were in great need of that sleep, lets just say. From the glimpses that I caught through slitted eyes, I found the terrain to be remarkably similar to that of Nebraska. There were fewer fields, but vast expanses of grass, trees, and shrubbery, or greenery encompassed the terrain. At one point, the road was completely enclosed by a grove of trees. So thick was it that visibility in the bus was greatly reduced. Anyway, once we arrived at Olomouc,we embarked upon a lengthy procedure to get checked in, and, once I had my key, my roommate and I rushed to see what would be our "home" for the next two months. I have to say, honestly, I was a bit shocked. Each "flat" has four rooms, each with two people per room, and a central kitchen area that is very, very small. All in all, I would have to say my dorm room, back in Kearney, was bigger, and that's saying something. But, I shouldn't complain; I have food, shelter, and an education. What more could a kid ask for? We took a stroll throughout the town and found a quaint, little restaurant. Of course, as Americans, we had to indulge our lustful craving for more American cuisine, like Pizza. Once that concluded, we headed back to the room to sleep. Now, as of what happened today, it gets a bit more eventful. We began with Orientation this morning. That entailed walking about the town some more! I swear I will lose some weight by the conclusion of this adventure. We toured the town hall, and we were given a brief historical lesson about the building. On the walls lie frescoes that depict elements of Olomouc and the construction of the building itself. Then, we went to the top of the building, and it was quite frightening. While I am nervous with heights, I was able to hold myself together. The view, however, was astounding. Enormous cathedrals were, actually, below us. How odd to have the upper hand for a change. After everyone had their fill of sightseeing, we exited the building, and the students went their separate ways. I, on the other hand, continued with a wonderful person I met. She took me to get a phone, to to ATM, and, afterward, I attended a lecture with her. I, of course, was not required to be there at all, but it was an English lecture with three Scottish poets, and they talked about how they started their paths, and how they came to be where they are today. It was, really, quite astounding. The accents, in themselves, were enough to keep me there. The Gaelic readings were also stunning. I just listened and absorbed, for that is the best way to absorb a true essence. All in all, the lecture was about the blending of languages, like English, Irish, Gaelic, Scottish, and several others. After that, I began to head back to the dormitories, but I met some of my fellow peers on the tram, and we all decided to go to Globis, a store similar to Walmart. I do have to say though that it is a bit ridiculous to have to pay five crowns to get a cart. While that isn't very expensive, it still is ridiculous. I loaded up on miscellaneous goods and headed back to the dorm for the first time today. I only had time to shower before I had to go right back out to a local pub. Of course, today is Saint Patrick's Day, so the bar was packed. I had my first alcoholic drink, and I finished it! Alcohol is nasty, but, with the proper blending, I have found that I can stomach a few types. After that drink and some social chitchat, I walked back to my dorm while they continued in their merryment. I was super exhausted, and I had had enough of the smoke and booze. Now, I am back in my room with the internet properly functioning, and I am so glad that today is done. I have been so busy, and I sure hope that things calm down soon. I apologize for the face that I don't have photos of yesterday or today, but I can post some other pictures that I had taken the other day that I never shared. May your blade stay sharp, and your path remain bright. Good day and good night. "May the Odds be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                          -Anthony

It is absolutely amazing that, for a city as saturated as it is, Prague hasn't seen more automotive accidents! Seriously, in the 72 hours, roughly, that I have been in Prague, I have witnessed more potential accidents and reckless driving than I have back in the states, believe it or not. Then again, if our streets were as narrow and populated as these, we would witness just as many "potential" accidents. What can I say; it is day three, and "boredom" has been one of those concepts that has yet to cross my mind. We are always doing something, and there is always much more to be done. I leave for Olomouc tomorrow afternoon, but I will return to Prague in two weeks. I am ready to move on and see new things. Today, my adventures led me to the old district, where some of the architecture from medieval times remains intact. Most of the city of Prague contains buildings that look to be four-hundred years old or older! I could not have asked to see a more wondrous sight, especially when we climbed to what seemed like the top of the city. Let me tell you, I think I have gotten my exercise to last me a month! Now that I think about it, most of the citizens of Prague, that I have seen thus far, are a, mostly, fit people. Overall, I believe that we walked a good seven miles in and around Prague, and that didn't even cover half of the city! We walked by the old Jewish sector, saw some government buildings, over a dozen souvenir shops, and, of course, food stands. I still have trouble paying money for food out of those shacks. Perhaps, one day, I will move past that phobia, but that is not this day. Afterwards, that is when we proceeded to climb the hill. Trust me, huffing and puffing could be heard from the crowd. At the top was a huge metronome. It was made of metal, and it was gigantic. The sound it made was a knife to the ear, and it also sounded like it would break at any minute, but the object, itself, was amazing. We continued walking, and that is another thing! I have lost track of how many dogs I have seen! Everyone seems to have a dog, and they are all well trained. Some don't even need a leash, and they never leave their owner's side. I have yet to see a poorly trained dog. But, despite all of the dogs I have seen, there is not a single cat wandering the streets. I have not seen any strays as of yet. Anyway, we spent the major portion of the day exploring the castle grounds. The castle was more of a compilation of buildings, rather than one large, immaculate building. While we were unable to see the interior of the church, which looked completely bad-ass, by the way, we did see plenty of cafes, shops, and towering structures. Men in uniforms populated the grounds as well. Many in our group tried to take pictures with them, but, of course, they didn't make a responsive gesture. I refused to do so; I felt bad for them. What may have been the most interesting event that I witnessed today would have to have been the political rally. A bunch of people with flags and signs stood by a man shouting into a microphone. Of course, I could not understand a word he was saying, but a few of the people in the crowd held Ukrainian flags, so it may have had something to do with the Ukrainian conflict currently  stirring. After eating Italian food, we returned to the Hostel, and I have been resting ever since. While my time in Prague has been full of adventures and wonders, I am ready to move on to something new. I have found that my abstinence from alcohol is more of a problem here than back home. Back home, I thought it was a good thing that I stayed away from the drink, but here, it seems like a curse. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, goes to bars every night. Going to a bar to drink water seems like a waste to me, and I just take no pleasure in the atmosphere of a bar. I don't know, but I hope that I find something else to occupy my time
                                                                    

in Olomouc. Anyway, I leave the "City of a Thousand Spires" tomorrow in search of more interesting prospects. I will return in due time. As promised, here are a few more photos that I have captured on the day. I have taken way too many, so, obviously, I cannot post them all, but I hope to put them up on Facebook at the conclusion of this adventure. May the stars shine bright over you, and "May the Odds be Ever In Your Favor!"                                                      -Anthony

Clouds are rolling, the blue sky is as flat as a lake, and the breeze is as soft as mist to the face. For a split second, my surroundings do not differ any from my Nebraskan home counterpart. However, one look at the streets, and I know that I am far from my home--far far from my home. Life here is a bustling hub of on-the-go action. The research I did, prior to my arrival, was an understatement of what I have now witnessed. The personalities of the people can vary as much as the terrain on the moon can. One person could be the kindest saint, and then the next could be a total witch. Just like the moon--you never know when you will suddenly find that deep, dark spot. For instance, the waiter, at a bar I went to, was incredibly vibrant. He was hustling here and there, asking us constantly if the goods were satisfactory, and, all around, giving us a pleasurable experience at a really nice bar. On the other hand, upon my return to the hostel this evening, I asked the front desk clerk if I could have a simple glass of ice. She glared at me and just turned around and walked away. I have noticed that some of the people here can be incredibly rude to us. The research and readings stated that it could be so due to their viewpoint of us being "stupid, ugly Americans." At first, I thought that a bit extreme, and perhaps even an exaggeration. However, upon a mere 36 hours of residence, I see that to be pretty accurate. As for the events, in which I took part in, I saw and did so much. I walked along a street running parallel to the tram, and I hit a few of the shops. I even completed a few more transactions in this foreign currency. I am getting the hang of this! The currency, itself, is really cool, and very different from the currency back home. After I returned, I ate lunch in the hostel bar, and took off sight-seeing. I saw all kinds of things, like populated parks, beggars, people rowing on the river, and ancient, amazing architecture. I tried to take as many photos as possible, but like I said before, the city of Prague is a go-go-go place. No time to stop for more than a few seconds. The beggars shouldn't have been a shock for such a big city, but it doesn't seem to matter for me. Anytime I see a beggar, I always feel shocked and wounded. On a lighter note, as I was walking about a particularly crowded square, I saw two statues, or so I thought. They were bright, golden people standing perfectly still. I had heard

about street performers like this, but, having never seen one in person, I didn't understand what they were at the time. I tried to take a picture, and one of the "statues" used a mirror to blind me with the reflection of the light. I felt completely stupid after that and, needless to say, I left the scene quite quickly. After that bout of sightseeing, I went back to the Mosaic, and, after a quick nap, I returned to the city with renewed vigor.  As a group, we retraced many of my previous steps, but we did hit a restaurant near the river. The food was good, and the atmosphere was completely hospitable. After supper, we wandered the market area only to see more souvenir shops and food galore! Everything from roasted pork, to cinnamon rolls, to ice cream! Or maybe it was frozen yogurt. Regardless, most of the food, on the streets, seemed to be pretty appetizing. We proceeded to a bar known as the Black Angel Bar. The employees all seemed very gracious, and the place was absolutely stunning. Dark, but stunning. After all of the bars we have hit thus far, I can, honestly, say that I have not partaken in any drink thus far. I have tried several different types, but none of them have caught my attention. I will try and post as many pictures as I can, but, with my computer on the fritz, as of right now, I do not know if they will all make it. I will do my best. Lastly, I have begun to use some Czech language around the city. Granted, I have not yet completed an entire conversation with it, but I have used basic words and phrases, like "Thank You," "Excuse me," and "Do you speak English?" It feels good to know that you don't stand out so prominently as you did when you first got here. Anyway, have a super fantastic day, and "May the odds be ever in your favor!"
                                                                               -Anthony

Such a familiar sight- the people, the planes, and the mad scramble to fulfill their destinies. What started as a kid who had never flown before has now turned into a kid who has become so mentally and physically exhausted by the strain of airport life. While the experience was somewhat momentous, I cannot claim that I will be jumping in a plane anytime soon. Anyhow, I merely wish to keep you updated, should you still sustain an interest in my travels. What can I say except to say that absolutely nothing has happened within the last twelve hours. Granted, I have been moved half-way around the world, but, other than that, nothing exciting or exhilarating has occurred. In fact, quite the opposite occurred. For one, my head began to pound, my stomach decided to do some stretches, and I was hungry as all get out. On our flight itinerary, it said that we would be fed for our long seven hour flight, so I was, naturally, expecting the film stereotype of either fish, chicken, or Fillet Mignon. However, when the stewardesses came around, all I received were pretzels and peanuts (lightly salted). Thankfully, they came back with a bigger meal later, but when I initially saw that, I was about to convey what my stomach desired to verbalize. After a later meal of pasta and some other miscellaneous items, I tried to focus on one particular aspect of the flight. That one aspect was the movie that I watched. I just want to say that "About Time" and "The Book Thief" are amazing movies, and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to watch some fascinating movies. Anyhow, despite their high levels of attention-grabbing enthrallment, I couldn't stop myself from feeling incredibly sick. Thankfully, upon departure from such a horrendously long flight, I began to feel better, but with only an hour sleep the previous night all together, it will only be a matter of time before my body realizes what it is missing. Now, with flight number two down, we are waiting in the terminal of the airport in Paris. Despite it being a flipping maze, it is a pretty decent place with multitudes of outlet shops and stores. I even made my first transaction in foreign currency. It was super exciting! Anyway, as promised, here are a few more photos, and I promise, more will be on the way. Have a super day, and "may the odds be ever in your favor!"
                                                                -Anthony

Shaking hands, thrashing heart, and a weighted mind. All of these I experienced while driving to the Omaha airport. I couldn't believe that I was actually doing what I was doing. With each step, I grew more and more tense. With each breath, I grew more and more scared. What was I going to find? Who, or what, would be waiting for me on the other side of the world? My parents walked by my side, offering support each step of the way. I am not one for mushy goodbyes, but my mother, on the other hand, is a completely different story. She did well, holding off the tears until we parted ways, but I knew that the dam was going to break at any minute. My father was the same, a man with a face of stone but a heart of gold. As I walked through security, I gave one final glance back at my family, knowing that our next meeting would be far off. With my items scanned, and some confiscated, (toothpaste, deodorant, and mouth wash) I walked over to my gate. And it was at this place of great potential that I sat, and sat, and sat, and sat, for what seemed like an eternity. With the past few months having passed in a flash, I was just ready to be at my destination. I could feel the tension in the room; everyone was just as ready to be off as I was. The legs bouncing, the nervous twitches, and the awkward laughs made for an interesting afternoon. Once our plane arrived, we boarded Delta 5468, and we corralled ourselves through the corridor like captured cattle. Residing from a farming community, the irony of my, then, current situation seemed unbearable. I found my seat, counting down the rows, 1, 2, 3, 4...., until I came to 11b. Finally, my seat, and what a seat! Just enough room for me to put my arms to my side, despite ramming them into the arms of the seat. Honestly, for never flying before, my expectations were higher. Let me rephrase that, I am 19 years old, and I have never flown before. Before I knew it, I had crossed a couple items off my bucket list in less than 24 hours. I had flown in a plane, marveled in the same experience as the cattle that I had raised, and survived. Well, maybe the cattle part wasn't on my list, but nonetheless, I had accomplished so much in so little time. When the plane went up, my stomach decided to be an acrobat, and when we leveled off, my ears decided to implode. Thankfully, with the help of a kind, pure soul, I had managed to control my senses, and, with some gum, I eased my ears' pain. After a short flight, we began our decent, and the wave of unease returned. This time, however, I was well prepared, and I managed to stay in control of my body. After some brief banter with the other passengers, I retrieved my luggage and made my way out of the plane. While the feeling of flying was life-altering, I much prefer my feet on solid ground. Now, as I sit in this airport, I look around and see all the faces, and, for the first time, I see my fears, nerves, helplessness, and renewed hope in every one of them. Each person had, or has, a story, and they each have their own book to write, metaphorically. Also, as I sit here writing this, I also have to dread the 8+ hour trip ahead to Paris. Once again, the end result is one of bliss, but the journey to get there is full of obstructions. I guess I will just have to fly over them all, spread my wings and soar and all that. That is all I have, for now, but I will return with riveting news of my adventures. I took several pictures, and I hope to take many more each day. Here are but a few. I took a shot of the city of Minneapolis from an aerial view, and I managed to capture an image of the wing of our plane, again, with the help of a kind individual. Once we arrived in the terminal, I wanted to take some photos before people began to notice what I was doing. Sometimes, people don't like it when you include them in a photo without their consent. Finally, I utilized the facilities near the food court where I found this cool hand dryer. You simply move your hands in and out, and BOOM! Hands are dry. Well, not really, but those air dryers always have room for error. Anyway, I hope to continue to post more!  Take care to all who took the time to read this. Hope this hasn't bored you too much. Have a fantastic day, and "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

                                                                                            -Anthony