I can't believe this blogging assignment has, already, come full circle. What started out as, merely, an assignment has turned into a method to help maintain connection with my friends and family back home, and it has become a way to keep everything sorted and under control. Today is my last post for a legitimate reason, but I do hope that something else comes up that requires me to write about my experience. Today, we did nothing! Literally, we drove all day, for five hours. So, you may be asking why I even bother? Well, since I promised I would write yesterday, and the fact that I couldn't end on the note that I did yesterday, I figured that I had to write, at least one more time. It is, at the very least, 80 degrees outside, and being in a bus with little air circulation is far from ideal. We are all tired, snippy, and sluggish. Most of the group is leaving tomorrow morning, and I, honestly, think they are all crazy for doing so. After this little excursion in Bohemia, they want to go back out and do more right away. I understand they want to get the most out of this trip, but it isn't worth running ragged to do so. After the past few days, I am ready to sleep a fortnight away. I heard quite a few people say that the rafting adventure caused them to be sore today. I feel completely, genuinely fine. I am not sore in the least, and I did the majority of the rowing in our raft. Everyone else wanted to just float down the river with no intention of propelling themselves forward. I, on the other hand, was not too fond of that idea. I am not one for sitting in the scorching sun for hours and hours, which we ended up doing, anyway. Thus, I was continuously rowing our raft of six people all along the river. What I, also, find to be funny is that everyone else lathered in sunscreen, and most of them received a heavy dosage of Ultra-violet radiation. However, I used none whatsoever, which I know was stupid, but I had none on me, and no one else was offering. I am not burned in the slightest either. I came out of it completely healthy and fine, and most others are still battling some sort of hardship. Last night, before I turned in for the night, the entire group ate at the restaurant that was under the hostel (the hostel and restaurant were connected). The experience, in itself, embodied the reason why I hate going anywhere with the entire group. First of all, from the time I placed my order to the time I got my food, an hour and a half had passed. Second, the food was terrible. I was doing my best not to leave the waiter a nasty tip, if you get my meaning. I, finally, just got up and left, as soon as I was finished eating. The service and the place, itself, just upset me greatly. I am thankful that the University covered that meal, because that would have been the worst meal, by far, that I had ever paid for. As we traveled in our boxed bus, I tried my best to stay awake and observe the surroundings. We passed fields of grass, crowded cities under construction (so that took forever), horrible drivers (They are everywhere!), and wide, open fields of yellow flowers and other shrubbery. I am counting down the days until I get home, and I am ready for it. While this trip has been a good experience, I am ready for my home and my family. Sorry to cut this short, but I am going to run to the store and pick up some things for the next week. Take care, and see you soon! "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                            -Anthony-

Our first and last full day in Cesky Krumlov has gone as quickly as it came. The time in foreign lands always seems to fly by with a fleeting glance. This morning, we visited the Cesky Krumlov castle, which is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, the biggest one being the Prague Castle. We hiked the hill, passing over the stone bridge to get into the castle grounds. In the moat, underneath the bridge, were two bears catching some 'z's in the scorching sun. It was disappointing that they weren't moving around, but they were cool nonetheless. They were both brown with a fuzzy, dark stripe running the length of their back. They slept facing each other, as if to signify that they had the other's back covered. We continued into the interior of the castle, met our tour guide, and we proceeded into the depths of mysterious wonder. As we went deeper and deeper, we ran from one generation to the next. Not only was this castle controlled by many different families throughout the years, but there were rooms consisting of Renaissance-themed furniture and items, and, later, we found Baroque-style rooms with furniture included. I found four different bear-skin rugs as we made our way. The bears-in-the-moat tradition has been in place four about 4 to 5 hundred years. Thus, those bears had to have died and gone somewhere. I counted only four, but I am sure there were more elsewhere. There were plenty of areas in the castle that we did not cover. I saw a bunch of doors leading to tunnels and other parts of the castle that remained unexplored to us. We saw waiting rooms, food preparation areas, lounge areas with games, bedrooms, work stations, and more The ovens were the same as what we have seen elsewhere--always in the corner with the doors being fed through the wall so the fire could be stoked from a different room. We saw a bunch of Coat-of-Arms symbols throughout the castle walls and ceilings. These symbolized the exchange of possession the castle went through. I, even, saw a carriage (horse-drawn carriage) covered in gold. About 2.5 pounds of gold was used to cover the entire carriage. In another room, we saw an ornate table made of four rare items--turtle shell, ivory, ebony wooden bark, and mother of pearl. Wow, I cannot believe I remembered that! I am impressed with myself. (Patting self on the back). Our last stop in the castle was the dance floor. The room was, by far, the largest room we came across, and the walls/ceiling was completely covered with paintings, murals, etc. They depicted the lives of nobles, kings, and royalty, in general. In one corner, there was a painting of peasants looking through a window to see what was inside the castle. Looks of jealousy, envy, pain, and anger were portrayed upon their scrunched faces. Due to the fact that the acoustics are still quite remarkable, the room is still used for events to this day. After the castle, we found ourselves in that same stone archway that marked the entry-way into the city that I talked about yesterday. It did present a truly spectacular view. A couple of the group members wanted to drop water on unsuspecting tourists and civilians. I wasn't going to be a part of it in case some of them wanted to come up and kick their asses. After that, at 11, we visited the Castle theatre. This theatre is one of only two fully functioning theatres of this type with all items, props, etc. in Europe. The other one is either in Sweden, or it is a Swedish theatre somewhere else. That, I do not remember. We were able to go underneath the stage to see the equipment they used to change scenery, add props, and utilize the flying machines. There were a bunch of wheels with ropes that would shift the scenery. All scenery changes and prop alterations could, usually, be accomplished in 10 to 12 seconds. Pretty impressive considering most of us thought it took about 4 minutes. We watched a short documentary that showed how the theatre looked in full operation. All of those men below stage could make so much happen above stage in so short of time. The orchestra pit was situated to the left of the stage, behind a set of stairs. All in all, the fact that the interior of the theatre was a good 15 degrees colder, and the fact that the main source of lighting was candle light made it pretty impressive. (The candle lighting was actually electronic meant to give the appearance of what candle light would look like). Being interested in Theatre, I found this to be quite something. The fact that they could do what we do today without all of the technological aid makes it clear that they were far better than we could ever hope to be. They had the creativity, the ingenuity, and the sight to make whatever was in their head a reality. They had promise, whereas we seem to be riding on the backs of great men. After a lunch break, we went river rafting, a most unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera for fear of getting it wet. That is going to be the biggest regret of this entire trip. We glided down that river for 6 hours, and I can only say that what I saw came out of some national geographic magazine. I have never seen something quite like that before. In some areas, the water was so calm, it looked like a glass floor that you could walk on. In other areas, it would pick up and be like the rapids in the wilds. We got caught on the rocks, and we beached a couple of times, but we got out of those situations by the other members in the boat getting out and digging us out. I would have contributed, but I wore jean pants and tennis shoes. I had nothing else with me to use! I am pleased to report that I finished rafting with minimal damage. We reached certain areas with trees that were so tall, they could almost be taller than some mountains. The rock formations jutting out from the cliffs were rather impressive, as well. My words, alone, can do what I saw today no justice, none in the least. I just wish I had captured the moment. I sincerely apologize for that. After an entire day of a busy schedule, we are now retiring to our quarters. Tomorrow, we head back to Olomouc, and I can't wait to get back. Cesky Krumlov was cool, but I need to do laundry desperately, I need to buy more supplies, and I am running out of money. So, I think I will be posting one more post, and I will be done, perhaps for good. Since this was the last trip, I do not know what I would be posting about. Perhaps, during my last week here, I will have found something worthy to post about. I will be home in about a week and half, so look out! "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                         -Anthony-

Found on the wall in my room at the Traveler's Hostel.

Bears in the Moat of the Castle. Sleeping of course.

View from the archway.

View from the archway.

View from the archway.

It seems that, as I cover more ground in the Czech Republic, and in Europe as well, I come across more and more legends, myths, and rumors that perpetually stand as the infrastructure of the towns, cities, villages, etc. I am sure that, for the locals, it is all very normal, but coming from the States, where everything seems to boil down to cold, hard facts, it struck me as alarming at first. However, as I assimilate into the norm, I find it to be quite entrancing. Today consisted of more traveling; in fact, we were on the bus for most of the day, traveling to Cesky Krumlov. We started the day by exploring yet another Cathedral in Kutna Hora. It was just a few blocks from our hotel, so the walk was pretty simple. We arrived at a platform that overlooked the valley. Across the way was the Cathedral. We were not on the intended site, but the view was magnificent. The land, literally, ran into a sharp decline down into a valley, populated with trees, bushes, and other greenery. After our minds became saturated by our eyes, we continued on toward the Cathedral. The Cathedral was constructed due to the wealth gained by the silver mine in the town in history. However, construction came to a halt some years later due to the evaporation of finances. Parts of the Cathedral was closed down and blocked off. Construction resumed many years later, and it became what we saw today, after some renovation, of course. Throughout years of conflict and war, the Cathedral saw its fair share of hardships, and pars were burned down in some ensuing chaos. Thankfully, it has been restored to its full glory to this day. The Cathedral had Gothic-like spires, and the entire structure was huge. It put any of the churches I have seen in the States to shame. Many could say that all churches, temples, cathedrals look the same after a while, especially after taking a two month trip to view many of them. However, despite the similarities, I wanted to find the differences. The chandeliers were of a different style and type, made from a different material. The murals each depicted something different, something unique to that particular cathedral's past. I found a huge mural depicting St. Christopher. There was a legend behind this picture. The story suggests that he was a giant, and a young child came up to him along the river, having lost their way. They asked the giant Christopher if he could help them across the river to get back home. He accepted and plopped the youth onto his shoulders. He began marching through the current, but, with each step he took, the child on his shoulder began to get heavier and heavier. By the end, he could hardly hold up the child. According to the legend, the child was Jesus/God. The significance that the mural holds today is that it is said to preserve the life of whoever looks upon it for that day. In other words, if you were to look at it today, you would not die for the rest of that day. Thus, there have been stories of people running into the building, stealing a quick glance, and then fleeing as fast as they came. Now, St. Christopher is a guardian of traveling. Many drivers have little pictures of him suspended from the rear-view mirror for protection, despite the fact that hanging items from the mirror is not tolerated. After the ground floor viewing was concluded, we moved to the balcony. We could see the interior from a higher angle, and we could go outside to get a view of distant buildings. Once again, I found myself engrossed by the perfect balance between nature and urban life. The trees grew where they wanted, and they looked vibrant and healthy. Unfortunately, the view turned sour when we all spotted an egg that had dropped from the nest and splattered all over the floor of the balcony. What made it worse was the fact that there was a chick inside. We got out of there in a hurry, and we proceeded to the chapel across the street. We climbed to the roof for another magnificent view. It was cool to see the platform that we were on at first to see the Cathedral. Many group members thought this was an ideal spot for picture-taking, so we spent about twenty minutes on the roof taking a different combination of photos. When we, finally, did get into the chapel, I was presented with a deserted room. I was expecting an altar, some pews, lights, chandeliers, candles, anything that would make it resemble a classic chapel. Instead, I faced nothing but a few vases, plants, and decorative china dispersed unevenly here and there. There were three windows in which light could help illuminate the place, but no artificial lighting was present. The room not only looked old, but it felt old. The pillars seemed to moan with old age. If they could talk, you wouldn't be able to get anything out of them. We left the chapel, and we continued onto the bus. Our destination was Cesky Krumlov, but we had some stops to make along the way. It was a three hour bus ride, so we had a long journey ahead of us yet again. Our stop was the Budweiser Brewery. THE Budweiser Brewery, in Cesky Budejovicky. Supposedly, the Budweiser back in the States is completely different than what this product is. This is the original recipe, the genuine article. In fact, there is a lawsuit between the Budweisers of the United States and the Czech Republic. We were taken around the plant, viewing the wells that bring the water out of the ground. There are two wells with powerful pumps to do the job, but only one well was on site. The other was somewhere else in the city. We saw the tanks in which the concoctions are mixed, and we went into the cellars to see where it was kept--in giant, white vats. We were given samples to try, but I have had Czech Beer, and it is just like any other beer to me--a horrible taste to it. The Budweiser utilize the water, hopps, malt, and yeast. After one type of beer is made, they shut down the machines, clean EVERYTHING, and they start over again with a different type. On average, an estimated 40,000 bottles are filled and put through per day. The process of mixing the ingredients for the booze can be a matter of hours, but fermentation takes a couple of months, depending upon the type. The type we tasted had been fermenting for about two months. This factory was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, in Europe. The Budweiser has now been distributed in about 66 countries, if I am not mistaken. It might be more, I just remember hearing that statistic. I can, honestly, say that the Brewery did not impress me all too much. First of all, I am not a fan of alcohol in the least. Second, I worked at a dairy during a summer, so I know all about factory and "working the line" life. It just didn't seem appealing. The coolest thing I did see, however, was a mechanical arm that would move crates around. I did not see an operator nearby. That was really cool. The dairy back home didn't have anything that advanced. After that, we got back on the bus, and we arrived in Cesky Krumlov about forty minutes later. We have checked into the hotel, and, from what I have seen thus far, alone, which was the walk into the city, I can, officially, say that this is the coolest place I have been to in the Czech. Everything is medieval style, and there was a river running right in front of the entrance to the city. The entrance was a giant stone structure, like an archway. I cannot wait to explore it more tomorrow. From what I heard, we are going rafting tomorrow, so pray I do not fall in. I am running on a limited supply of clothing at the moment. After this, I think I might turn in early. I couldn't sleep at all on the bus, and I didn't get much sleep last night. Well, I hope you had a better night's sleep than I, and I hope that the rest of your day is fruitful and fulfilling. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                       -Anthony-

View of the Cathedral from the opposite platform.

St. Christopher mural.

Inside the Cathedral.

Balcony view.

The chapel.

Crates of Budweiser at the Brewery.

Bottles, bottles, bottles!

The large, automated arm.

The tanks where the ingredients were mixed.

Hello to all after what has seemed like an eternity of absence. I must say that my classes have now come to a conclusion with the end of "Finals Week" last week. It was difficult to say goodbye to my Czech professors, knowing I will never see them again, but, at the same time, it is, also, a great feeling to be done with the academic portion of this trip. One final was consisted, entirely, of essay questions, so naturally, the entire thing had to be hand-written. It took two-and-a-half hours and five-and-a-half pages to complete that final, and I received an 'A' for it, so it is nice to know that all of that work actually paid for something. I was one of two people to get a 102% on the Czech Language Final, so, needless to say, I scored a shocking, yet well-earned win. It is just nice to lean my head back and not have to worry about remembering dates, people, events, and what certain words are in Czech. Anyway, I apologize for getting off topic; we have, officially, embarked upon our last quest together as a group. The itinerary says, "Bohemia" for four days, but we, really, are visiting multiple places throughout Bohemia. (Bohemia is the entire west side of the Czech Republic. The East side is Moravia, where Olomouc is located.) Today, our destination was Kutna Hora in Bohemia. But, before we arrived there, we made a stop off at a World War II memorial in Lezaky ('z' pronounced like second 'g' in 'garage'). We trekked up the hill and entered a symmetrically square, stone structure. Inside, we seated ourselves in pews to watch a short documentary-type film covering the story of Lezaky. Basically, the entire population, of the town, was exterminated by the Nazis in June of 1942. A Nazi general by the name of Reinhard Heydrich was a leading figure in the "Final Solution" to exterminate Jews in Nazi-occupied areas of Europe--in this case, the Czech Lands. The Czech Government, which was in exile, and some other associated groups, sought to assassinate Heydrich. Heydrich was not, merely, a key player in the "Final Solution;" he was one of Hitler's right-hand men, a personal favorite, and a high ranking official in the Nazi regime. The resistance fighters flew in from London and made a base in Lezaky. Their attempt upon Heydrich's life was successful after bombing his car. Heydrich died of his injuries several days after the event. When Hitler received news, he was shocked and, needless to say, very angry with the Czechs. Martial Law was put into place, and that, alone, claimed many Czech lives. The Nazis began to hunt down the conspirators responsible for the assassination. A couple of them committed suicide to protect their family and friends. However, the Nazis broke a man and got him to divulge all secrets. Thus, with this information and with information from other sources, they were able to trace it back to Lezaky, the base. As a result, the men, women, and children were removed from the premises and shot. The buildings were burnt, and mines were deserted, and the village became completely vacant. The youngest person killed was aged 16, a young woman. After the film, we walked around outside, and I, instantly, saw it in a whole new perspective. The lake that sat out front no longer reflected the joy of nature; it reflected the sorrows of what once was. The trees no longer seemed to exude life and vitality; instead, they seemed to droop low in anguish over past sins. Dotted here and there was stone structures with a cross carved into them. I am unsure as to whether they are the sites of a pit, or if they are just memorials. Since they were all moved away, I am inclined to believe the latter. Myself and a few others climbed the nearby hill to look out over the land. Mostly, it consisted of a flat, grassy areas, with some trees lining the back. I really had to like this place, despite its horrific past. Walking along the road, I had to try and imagine the Nazi vehicles rolling up and what that meant for the people of this village. Not all of them were in on the plan; many of them were innocent and ignorant. It did not spare their lives, however. After we saw our fill, we continued traveling, and we stopped off at Kostnice Ossuary. This building was a church/chapel with bones. Actual human bones. A blind monk, way back when, decided to take all of the bones and form pyramids out of them. Then, it was the idea to line the walls with the bones, make chandeliers and huge structures with the bones, and put them on display for all to see. While it was certainly interesting and a new experience, I can't say I liked that. I mean, those bones were once a human being. How would you like it if your bones were put on display upon your death? Some of you may like that idea, I suppose, but I sure don't. After that, we finally arrived in Kutna Hora, our original destination. We checked in to our five-star hotel, and we decided to visit a silver mine after that. By the way, I, honestly, think this hotel could be close to a five-star. At the least, it has to be a three-star. We have a private shower, a toilet (both are kept separate in separate rooms, for some reason). We have our own fridge, a double bed, and two couches with two chairs in the corner. It is pretty cool. Unfortunately, we move out to a different location tomorrow, so we are only here for one night. This would have been a great place to end our adventures. The silver mine was completely different from the salt mines we visited in Poland. The decent down hundreds of stairs into the pit was the same, but after that, the experience took a different spin. The tunnels were small and narrow, not wide like the salt mines. There was, practically, no lighting, so we had to bring flashlights down with us. We were given a white lab-like coat and a hard hat. We learned all too soon what they were needed for. The low ceiling and narrow funnel-like passages made those pieces of equipment very special. Not many people liked the silver mine as much due to the fact that it was so cramped and crowded. In fact, there were a few members of the group that couldn't go down into the mine due to their being claustrophobic. No pictures were allowed to be taken in the mine, not that it would have done any good anyhow. After the mine, we were dismissed for the day, and here I am, picking up the ol' keyboard once again to write to my aspiring fans. I can't believe that I am looking at the light at the end of the tunnel. Within two weeks, I will be stateside, and I will be able to resume my life as a poor college kid. Until then, I hope that you have a fantastic rest of your day, and, as always, "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                   -Anthony-

Lake out front of the memorial in Lezaky.

The road in Lezaky where the Nazis came in on.

The stream ate the road.

Lezaky memorial.

Bone pyramid.

Coat of Arms made from bones.

Bones from people who suffered injuries related to the head.

Some places are built upon legends, and some places seem to be pulled right out of legends. Bouzov Castle is one such place. Today, we took a day trip to a nearby village and, within it, Bouzov Castle cast its ancient gaze over the grassy hills. Many of the castles we have visited, thus far, have all seemed modernized. Prague castle was more of an elaborate palace, more modern and updated. When I think of a castle, I imagine Gothic spires, the cold, dead eyes of the gargoyles, and the portcullis suspended over the door. However, nothing I have encountered on this trip, thus far, had come close to my expectations. Well, today, I finally saw a castle from the storybooks. There was the bridge that connected the castle with the mainland, there was the moat that lay underneath, there was the window at the top of the tower where the princess would cast those hopeful, gleaming eyes out in search of her prince, and there was the brick structure that the dragon would perch upon to let loose his battle cry upon the Earth. Naturally, pictures were prohibited within the walls of the castle, but they could be utilized in the courtyard areas. Thus, I did not capture enough of the beauty of this place to do it any justice. Our first stop was a small room with baroque style furniture and chandeliers. The castle had been utilized from the 13th century until the 19th century. Thus, we saw plenty of objects that came from different eras. The stoves, beds, cupboards, clocks, tables, candles, and chandeliers were all ornate, elaborate, and majestic in every way. The next room resembled this in much the same way. But, there was a huge column in the center that held up the giant ceiling. As one might expect, this room was deemed, "The Column Room." Pictures were carved along the column, rising as a spiraling staircase along its outer edge. We climbed some stairs and crossed the archway, where we could get a view of the courtyard from a higher view. Behind us, along the wall, there were latches that could be opened so the fighters could strike back with their countermeasures during an attack. We saw some rooms where the nobles would stay. After all, it is said that this castle acted as a hotel for the nobility and privileged officials. I must admit that the rooms were bigger and nicer than most hotels, even nowadays. We saw the Grand-master's bedroom, working station, and, on the far end, yet connected, was the room where the privileged would meet to confer about certain topics. Of course, there was a huge chair at the front, with several smaller chairs running along the perimeter of the room. Suspended from the ceiling was a 700 pound brass chandelier. It had 48 candles and, in the center, depicted Saint George slaying the seven-headed dragon; the dragon represented the seven deadly sins. We walked back to the courtyard to see the chapel. It was, originally, a kitchen. At the time of its prime, a chapel was not installed, but, after the Order of the Knights gained control of the castle, then the chapel had to be installed by law. It was small, clearly once used as a kitchen. From there, we saw the armory. Again, small, but still could prove useful in an ensuing battle. What surprised me the most was the size of the castle. Nothing about it, other than the towers, was very big. I mean, the biggest room, in the castle, was not much bigger than my kitchen back home. Perhaps they were minimalists, conservationists, or other. The Gothic/baroque style made for an interesting spectacle, I must say. The tour only lasted about an hour, and it was the only stop we had time for today. Later on, I have a final I must take for one of my classes, so I must now begin preparations. Wish me well, and I will post some pictures of the castle, from what I could get, anyway. Enjoy the rest of your day. "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                              -Anthony-

View from the outside.

Found on the wall in the courtyard.

From the archway.

Soldier's view as he fought back.

Nothing of this world is eternal; everything has a dawn, just as it will have a dusk. Unfortunately, this trip is no exception to this absolute principle. It seems unreal that this trip is drawing to its conclusion after nearly three months of oversea adventures. I recall the moment I stepped onto the plane from the Omaha airport. I gazed back at the last bit of "familiar territory" that I would see for quite some time. I viewed the next few months as eternity. Yet, here I am, about to make the final leap of my journey. This post will be slightly different, so for those who will question my writing style, that is why. Instead of a particular site, or a specific adventure, I will, instead, focus on much broader aspects to this trip, such as my packing, traveling, social life, school work, money, and communications. So, without further ado, let me begin this wonderful summation of my tale.
With regards to my packing, I have to say I have mixed feelings. There are some things that I wish I had packed, and there are some items that I wish I had left behind. Of course, I could not find the right items to bring the first time; that would be too easy. Instead, I had to learn the hard way. But, that is what an adventure is all about--learning from one's mistakes and adjusting the strategy for the next time. First, and foremost, I should have brought my pillow. The pillow that we are provided with here blows (nothing in nature sucks, right?). As soon as I lay my head upon it, I become an appetizer. Literally, the pillow swallows my head, and it is like I fall through it, in a way. There is no structure, no support, and no comfort. It is stinky, itchy, and unpleasant. The comforter is sufficient, but it smells the same as the pillow. Coming in at a close second would have to be my second backpack. The one I am currently using is stressed, to say the least. The straps are beginning to show their wear; I am, constantly, pulling on the strings. Imagine packing enough supplies to last you a week, all in one small bag. This includes a computer, a week's worth of clothing, electronic devices, cords, books, papers, and other miscellaneous items. Aside from those items that would have satisfied my materialistic wants and needs, I would have brought a picture of my family to satisfy my spiritual needs. Sometimes, a little "familiarity" is all I need to keep going. It can get pretty lonely here after a while. Had I the means of doing so, I would have brought along a stash of Mountain Dew. While I found a substitute, nothing can ever, truly, replace the love of my life, that beautiful, caffeinated beverage that I call my friend. For the record, they have Mountain Dew over here, but it tastes terrible when compared to what I can get back home. If I could choose some items to have left behind, I would have to say my jacket would be the first thing to go back. Without knowing the weather of each destination, I have to bring both of my jackets, and it can get pretty miserable wearing both. I brought a few movies with me that I could have left at home without a problem. I have enough going on over here to keep me occupied. Other than that, I am pretty pleased with what I did and didn't bring. Surprisingly, I brought just the right amount of clothing for this trip. I find myself with enough outfits to get me through the week and into the weekend, when I can do laundry and start the cycle over. I am sure there are a few other items, but they escape me at the present moment.
With regards to traveling, I have a few pointers to make. For those who plan on making trips similar to mine, I have a few recommendations. First of all, for God's sake, plan ahead of time. Do not just buy the ticket and then leave the subject alone. Do research and determine the location of the station, the terminal, the gate, and even the bathroom! (Restrooms are publicly sacred, considering you have to pay to use them.) Personally, I recommend traveling by bus or by train, rather than by plane. Flying makes me ill, and I would rather have access to my luggage continuously, and not have to worry about whether or not it will make it to my landing point. It may take longer, but it is, usually, cheaper, so it is worth it, in my opinion. Usually, I don't like to preach what I don't actively practice, but I highly recommend traveling in small groups. Traveling alone is scary and dangerous, and traveling in a large group is a confusing, hectic nightmare. While I traveled, during Spring Break, I was constantly worried. I was worried that I might miss my connecting train, or that I might get lost, or mugged, or become a victim to some other horrible crime too explicit to mention here. In small groups, you can maintain your sanity, remain calm and focused, help each other with research and locations, and, if need be, take watches when sleeping in stations/airports. Hey, it's Europe; anything can happen. Along with that research, find out the currency, should your location utilize a different currency than what you are used to, and acquire that form of currency ahead of time. Find a place that does not charge an exchange rate (There was a place in the mall, "Olomouc City," and they were very friendly). When I, first, arrived in Switzerland, I was unaware that they utilized a different currency that was not Euros. I had to go back to the station and pull out some Swiss Franks, and I was outside of the station when I realized it. Thankfully, I was still waiting for the tram when the epiphany hit me. Other than that, enjoy it and have fun. Don't let your mind be weighed down by thoughts or emotions. Let go of your worries and fears and enjoy it. Trust me, I know what it means to have those negative thoughts ruin an entire experience. Basically, know everything there is to know about the place you intend to visit before you arrive. It may be a headache at the time, but it will spare you one when you get there.
I do have some recommendations on where to visit should you find yourself in this particular neck-of-the-woods. I know it sounds whimsical, but visit a theatre while here. They do vary from what you will find back in the states, and the experience is always fun. The atmosphere is still that of entertainment, but the attitude is different. The people are social and friendly, and they will actually take the time to talk to you and care for your needs (all depending on where you go, I guess.). Of course, I have to recommend Switzerland. More specifically, Aarau, Switzerland is a fantastic choice when it comes to the scenery and climate. From every angle, one can see the mountains, and there are some hills that one can hike through. There is, also, the river that runs nearby for which Aarau was named. Zurich, Switzerland was a good place, but if you don't like crowded cities, then it, probably, isn't ideal. The trams take you to most places, and, from where I stayed, everything I needed was within walking distance. Trams operate in most European cities. The key is checking the schedule to see where they go; it can become scary when you wind up in unfamiliar territory. Dresden, Germany would have to be a good place to visit. For one, it is filled with people who are kind, Cathedrals that are beautiful, and a community that is respectable. (It must be, for there wasn't any graffiti, from what I could see). Honestly, I do not recommend Prague, Czech Republic, or Venice, Italy for much the same reasons. They are crowded, overpopulated, and formatted like a maze. When I walk through them, I feel like a rat looking for the cheese. The water and the bridges in Venice make for a nice, picturesque moment, but that is about it. Other than that, I do not have any highly recommended sights or places to avoid, but I do recommend visiting as many places as you can while abroad. Engaging with diverse cultures and customs is the best educator, in my experience. It will teach you more than you could ever learn from a classroom. It is the best "Hands-on" experience one will ever find.
My social life in the Czech Republic is not much different than what it normally is back in the states. I guess that is my one biggest regret about this entire trip. My only interaction I had with the locals was during my first few days here. At the end of our first day of orientation, our tour-guide showed me around and gave me some pointers on where to go to buy groceries, where to go to avoid traffic, etc. She, also, taught me some of the customs of the local people. We spent the day talking and teaching, but it was getting late, and she had a lecture. I told her I was down for sitting in on a lecture, and, wouldn't you know it, that is, exactly, what I did. I met some of her friends, and the lecture was on Irish poets. It really was fascinating. Unfortunately, that was the only time I talked with any of the locals at any length. I had the average dealings with them, as did we all, but nothing serious. Well, I guess I must mention how one of the locals bashed Americans by saying we don't know our geography. She thought we didn't know where Ukraine was, and I gathered, from her subtlety, that she thought we were stupid. Of course, I was able to give a good impression of our American group because I sat in on their lecture, which wasn't required by any means. Thus, we parted ways as friends. Between the weekend trips, the classes, and my other duties, most of my time was occupied, but I should have made more of an effort to get out and mingle. The free time that I did receive I spent taking walks, visiting local shops, reading, watching movies, and talking with some of the people who came on this trip with me. Everybody, on this trip, loved to frequent the bars. I, however, could not do so. I tried it a few times, attending the bars, but I found it dry and distasteful. I don't drink alcohol, so I find little point in going to a bar if you don't drink. I tried drinking soda, but that isn't any fun, considering everyone else is getting buzzed and crazy, and I am sitting all alone, completely sober. I don't like drinking, I don't like dancing, and I don't like smoking, all of which could be found at every bar. Thus, without frequenting the bars, my social life suffered. I tried to combat that with my own version of fun. One night, I held a pasta dinner party. I bought everything, I cooked everything, and all 24 students on this trip got a serving. It was my way of saying fun could be had without finding a bar. In general, I am not a social person, and I tend to be found alone. I have to say that if you are like that, think twice before traveling abroad with a group. I am not saying you cannot travel; I am saying that you should be aware that you will have to overcome more obstacles and difficulties than anyone else. Not only do you have academics and traveling to worry about, as everyone does, but you also have social aspects to worry about, aspects that most others do not even consider. I advise that you get to know the people you are traveling with ahead of time. Know who the people, whom you will be spending the next few months with, are. The people of European countries are different than what you find in the states. Some people are very outgoing and welcome new members, and some are very closed-off from anything new. Do not jump in quickly. The key is to take your time and test the waters. Start small and quiet, almost reserved, to see what kind of person they are. If they seem to be outgoing as well, then great, but, if not, then a change in tactics is in order.
We must not forget that one of the key reasons for traveling so far was for the academics. Of course, no two educational systems are alike, so, of course, there are a few differences between the education that we received here at Palacky University and the education I have received at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in the past. What may be the most obvious difference is the smaller setting. Fewer students, makes for a much stronger connection between students and professors. All of my classes had the same number of students--24. None of the classes we took were mixed with the local students that regularly attend Palacky. We had one professor that traveled with us from Kearney, but the rest of the professors are regulars at Palacky. The class, taught by the professor that came with us, was just like a class one could attend at Kearney, but my other classes were completely different. One class of mine was an online course, and, in all honesty, I have yet to take an online course, so the experience was new. However, that left two classes that were in the hands of foreign professors. My Czech Language class was taught by a woman named Katerina Prokopova. She was very enthusiastic and intelligent when it came to the material she was conveying to us, as any teacher is supposed to be. However, the main difference, for me, was the mutual exchange of knowledge. At Kearney, the students arrive, they sit, they listen, they take notes, they get up, and the leave. However, at Palacky, the students learn just as much as the teacher does. That was especially true with our case. We learned the Czech language, and she learned more of the English language. I can't even tell you how many times she would ask us if she was pronouncing or saying something correctly in English. She would ask us what our customs were, what was normal for us, and how we compared our ways with theirs. It was a more efficient way of learning because it was actively engaging each and every student. We came to care about her just as much as she cared about us. We wanted to teach and learn as much as she, and that is what spells success--when the students and teachers have the same desires and motives, and when they synchronize with each other. With our other lecture class, the professor changed each time. There were, at least, eight different speakers we had throughout the program. Some speakers were boring as hell, and yet some were completely enthralling. Those that made the biggest impression were those who could relate to us, as students. They made jokes, they laughed, they showed us that they were human. They told us about their educational experience, their downfalls, their failures, but, they also told us about what stood out to them, what was important for them, and what made them a success.Those who drifted from our memory as quickly as they came were those who were monotonous, mono-toned, and robotic. My experiences in Kearney, thus far, have yet to introduce me to that level of connection between a student and a professor. Don't get me wrong; there are some professors at Kearney I would, gladly, study under before the professors found here. For the Czech language class, we had only one test, and it was an amalgamation of the entire year's worth of information. It was relatively simple, considering she gave us everything we needed to know. As for the lecture course, it was graded differently than what I am used to, but I think it was efficient. The class, taught by the Kearney professor, was graded, similarly, to what I am used to, with a test being given at the end in the form of the familiar, dreaded "Final." In order to prepare for my tests, I studied in the same way as I always have, so there was no difference there. Academics, besides the connection between the students and faculty, remained pretty close to the same. However, this connection was, is, and will, forever, be a significant aspect of the classroom experience.
Before we departed for this trip, I took out $500, and I converted $300 of it to Czech Korunas, and $200 to Euros. I learned that it was a good start. I only went to the ATM a few times, but you just need to be aware of some things. One U.S. dollar is, roughly, equivalent to 20 Crowns. The Czech prices vary depending upon the location. In our base city, Olomouc, everything is pretty cheap. However, in Prague, everything is super expensive. The Czech Republic is the only country to use the Crown system. Most other European countries utilize the Euros. Some advice, the Euro system is super expensive and ridiculous. One U.S. dollar is about .72 Euros. I never came across a country that used the Euro that was cheap, to any degree. However, with all my affiliations with Euro-using lands, I still have some of my $200 worth of Euros left. I spent a few days in Austria and Italy and traveled through Paris and Germany. Like I mentioned earlier, before you go to any foreign country, do your homework on the type of currency required. When I, finally, figured out that I needed Swiss Franks in Switzerland, I ran back into the station and pulled some out. It is about the same as a Euro, and Switzerland is one of the most expensive places around. I pulled out $80 worth of Swiss Franks for three days, and I still have some left over. As with my Corunas, I have, probably, used about $300 thus far, and that is about two months. The expenditures range from groceries, bars, theatres, tickets, and other  items one may need. Before you pull out any money, you must, first, decide what sort of lifestyle you plan to lead while abroad. Do you plan on eating out a lot, going to bars, and living the sweet life? If you do, I guarantee you the fees I have listed will double, if not triple. I have been living simply, hardly eating out, making food in the dorms, going out on occasion, and seldom attending the bars. In addition, when one uses the ATM's, an international charge is placed on the account, and the same goes with using debit cards at stores. Thus, I do recommend pulling money out ahead of time, and not using your cards that often. Very quickly, I can give a brief analysis of my spending. I, usually, spend about $30 on groceries per week, and about $2 on laundry per week. If I go to a movie, that is about $6 per time. The few times I went to a bar cost me about $5 on the night, plus an entrance fee of about $2, and my Pasta Night cost me about $30 in itself. Various other expenditures will manifest, but, like I said, you have to decide what type of lifestyle you will live before you decide how much to pull out. Will you buy many souvenirs? Will you travel? You need to do your homework!
Communicating with the States can be tricky at times. At first, I tried to buy a phone and put minutes on it, like a trac phone, but that plan didn't work too well. DO NOT TRY AND CALL THE STATES WITH THAT SORT OF SET UP!! After I put $6 worth of minutes on my phone, I tried to call my parents in the states. My phone might as well have imploded. Needless to say, all of my minutes evaporated. Expensive lesson learned, I suppose. Skype will become your new best friend. What I recommend, if your family doesn't have internet or Skype, is to buy Skype credit. Basically, you buy minutes, and you can call a cell phone from your computer. It became a lifesaver for me as I could, finally, get a hold of my family, who doesn't have internet. Other than that, e-mail and Facebook are a good way of maintaining contact with advisers, professors, and scholarship connections.
Finally, I will close with some more specific places people need to visit.
I realize I listed some places earlier, but now, as I am brainstorming more places, I will list what comes to mind. Bear with my hectic organizational schemes. Contrary to what it may seem, Olomouc has some of the best attractions around. One does not have to leave the country to find a cool spot. From Neredin, our dormitory, the "7" tram will take you into town and drop you off at the stop around the corner. From there, you can either continue walking, or you can get on the "3" tram and arrive at the mall. This mall is the biggest I have seen yet. Granted, the Mall of America dwarfs this operation, but it is still quite large. It has everything from shops, a theatre, a bowling alley, amazonian apparel, and even a dinosaur exhibit (that was there the last time I visited). Another place would have to be Globus. It is a given fact that every person in Olomouc has visited Globus, but, nonetheless, it is a really cool place. Globus is the equivalent to a U.S. Walmart. It has everything,  ranging from food, household appliances, electronics, currency conversion, a phone shop, and much much more. I walk to Globus from Neredin, almost everyday, but many others do not share my enthusiasm for walking. I believe one has to take the "7" tram and then find the bus that will, specifically, take you to Globus. It is only about a 20 minute walk, so I find no problem with it. Hell, one night, I walked back from a movie in the pouring rain. A twenty minute walk in the rain. I was in Heaven. While it is broad and not very specific, I recommend going to Dresden, Germany. From the train station, it is a straight walk through the city. There are shops bordering this hallway-like set-up. When we were there, we thought we were late for our train, so we ended up running through Dresden to catch it. While we missed our train, the memory is still priceless. We ran through crowds of people, and that included a break-dance competition. If you get the chance, run through Dresden; the looks you get are hilarious.
In all seriousness, I suggest visiting the river in Zurich, Switzerland. My host was named Patrick, and I cannot recall his last name, unfortunately. He is on the Air BnB website, so it should be, relatively, easy to find him. His father gave me a tour of the city, and the river was the best part, in my opinion. From Berninaplatz, the place I was staying, take the "10" tram to the "University Irchel" stop. From there, get on the "9" tram, and take it to the river. You will see it when you get there, so you will know when and where to get off. The sight is, absolutely, breathtaking. The people are crowded along its shores, the musicians are playing a tune, the birds are swooping down for a treat, and the breeze carries your essence straight over the rippling currents. Just follow the river, and you will eventually come to a grassy area where people stop and admire, and for good reason. Across the water, you will see the mountains, snow covered in all of their glory. I sat there for a good half hour just admiring the splendor that nature can offer, and that was only a fraction of what nature can really do. I, honestly, can't recommend a place to go in Venice, Italy because I couldn't navigate it myself. It was a personified maze in a box, it wasn't even funny in the slightest. Aarau, however, has some great attractions worth investigating. After you leave the train station, you can either go left or right. Fortunately, there is something beautiful on both sides. If you go right, you can visit the park. There are paths that take you into the thicket, and, for a brief moment, you can lose yourself believing that you are in a legitimate forest. There is  a small pond with a fountain, there are gigantic trees, and there is a building called "The Albert Einstein House." Of course, there are, also, couples making out on the park benches. It wouldn't be complete without those public displays of affection. If you go left, just follow the street. It will be about a 30 minute walk, and it will take you outside of the city limits, but you will come across a hill to hike and a wildlife reserve with some interesting animals. If you visit the animals, make sure to feed them, and if you climb the hill, make sure to take a rock as a memento of your accomplishment. In Krakow, Poland, you will find, should you seek it out, Schindler's Factory. It is a cool place to become educated about Poland's involvement in World War II, and, of course, you get to see where Schindler walked, talked, ate, drank, etc. The factory has been turned into a museum, but, as your progress further in, you will, finally, run into a couple of offices with very important looking desks. It was unclear to me which desk was used for what purpose, but I imagined Oskar Schindler sitting in each one, talking with Mr. Stern about the operations of the factory and creating that wonderful list that spared a thousand lives, roughly. In the last office, you will find a hut made of glass and, within the glass walls, there are the enamelware that the Jews, in the factory, manufactured. Inside the hut, on the walls, lies the names of the Jews. Trying to walk along that floor is quite a noisy process; I do believe that that floor was, by far, the noisiest I have ever heard. I could, hardly, hear myself think, standing inside the hut, where the noise collected and amplified, resonating within my eardrums. Lastly, I must make a brief mention of the camps we have visited. Terezin and Auschwitz are the two main camps we took the time to visit. While they are very interesting, educational, and a true "Once In a Lifetime" experience, I can only recommend you to go there once. Once was enough for me; I have no desire to go back. The sights can be rough, disturbing at times, and a bit unsettling, but everyone deserves to see it, at least once. Everyone needs to see these camps to remember, to honor, to know, and to share the truth. Those are some key places I highly recommend visiting while in Europe. Even if it seems far away, just remember, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How many more times will you make this journey? Forget those worries, forget those doubts, and just take the plunge. It might lead to some great results.
I hope you all have enjoyed reading my blogs, and this might be my last one. I don't know what is to come, but I just want to say that I have appreciated your attention and interest. I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my adventures as much as I have enjoyed living them. I know that sounds a bit self-centered, but I hope that you will experience them too one day. I will try and keep you all updated with the events that transpire in the coming weeks. Until then, this is it. Thank you again and, as always, "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                 -Anthony-

Aarau, Switzerland

Auschwitz/Birkenau

Dresden, Germany

Kremeriz

Olomouc

Ostrava

Prague

Prague

Schindler's Factory: Krakow, Poland

Terezin

Venice, Italy

Vienna, Austria

Zurich, Switzerland

If I remember correctly how I concluded with my previous blog, I left you all in a state of sadness, depression, and disarray. After all, I know that my works are so valuable to you all and that you depend upon me for your entertainment. If you can't laugh at me directly, it must be done indirectly, right? Well, I didn't want to go to long without updating my blog, so I thought I would give one a go today. My roommate, and several others, took a weekend trip to God-knows-where, so I have, basically, the entire "Neredin" sight to myself (Neredin is the name of our dormitory). I have tried to find things to do around Olomouc that I, usually, do not have time for otherwise. So, today, I explored some of the hidden trails nearby. I walk past them, everyday, when I go to class; I see them every time, but I always cast them aside, knowing that I have not the time for them. So, instead of taking a right at the intersection to go to the tram, I took a left and followed the trail. One trail split off to the left, and another to the right. Remember, both are foreign to me, at this point. I went left first, and I found fields of yellow plants. I do not know what they are, (most likely a weed of some sort), but when there is an entire field under the blazing sun, it is quite the sight. There are, also, hills, far off in the distance. At the end of the trail, or, as far as I was willing to go, there was an empty lot, filled with dirt. Further on was a bridge, but I wanted to turn back. I had another path to explore, and I had already gone half a mile down this path, by this point. As I walked back, the path began to fill up with joggers, runners, walkers, dog-owners, lovers, etc. Yep, of course, there had to be a couple going at it, off on a country trail. I have yet to find a spot where they dare not venture. I mean, I have seen PDAs on the tram, in the park, at the dorms, near the classroom, in restaurants, in bars, and so on. It is disgusting! Anyway, I took the other path, and I went through some sketchy areas, I am not going to lie. There were broken walls with graffiti, rotting houses, overgrown gardens, and the paths looked as if a giant had walked upon it. However, my mission was accomplished, all the same, when I found out that the path took me to Globus. I knew that there had to be another way to get to the store besides the one I had been using. The previous path ran along the busy highway and took me through residential. Now, I have found a path that has, nearly, no traffic, no cars, no bikes, etc. It may be through some creepy spots, but I will manage. I found all of this earlier this afternoon, but I didn't bring my camera. Thus, earlier this evening, I went back out and took some photos. Let's see, what else have I done today? I charted where I have all visited while in Europe, and, let me just say, it looks so much better with a visual. I made some food without having to wait to use the stove-top. I walked to the store (By the way, I have determined that it is 1 mile each way. Thus, when I go to the store, I walk about two miles every time). I did my reading and my studying, and that is about it. Believe it or not, all of that took up most of my day. Tomorrow, I plan to visit a few shops in the town square that I have yet to visit. Food for thought, I will be home in about 3 weeks, so I expect my room to be as it was when I left. I miss you all like crazy, and I can't wait to see you. However, my duties here are not quite finished, and I have some work to do. My "Finals Week" is next week, so, one week from today, I will be nearly finished with my semester of academics. I wish you the best, and I hope that the weather is as nice back home as it is here. (50s or 60s with perfect balance of sun and clouds). "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!"
                                                                                        -Anthony-

My progress in Europe, thus far.

Distant Hills

Building at the end of the path.

Golden Field

Needs a little maintenance.

Globus building with the mall attached.

That sun, though!