I have less than 25 days in Prague. It’s such an odd thought. I feel ready, but it also feels kind of sudden. My time here doesn’t feel short though. I’m looking forward to heading back home and spending time with familiar faces. But to think it’s this close… it doesn’t feel real. Leaving here will be difficult. I want to make the most of my last month here.
This last week, I said goodbye to pastor John from my home group. He’s traveling to China for five months and I likely won’t ever see him again. I’m planning to follow his journey through Facebook though. Home group won’t feel the same this week, but we’re so excited to see him spread God’s love abroad.
I also traveled to Vienna this weekend with my program. We only stayed one night, but it was wonderful! I especially loved the Christmas Markets and celebrating the festive season with the locals. We all had a wonderful time.
Here’s a few observations I made throughout my time in Vienna:
- Austrians LOVE their horses. Horse carriages to Vienna are like gondolas in Venice. They have a horse show in the Hofburg Palace almost every day. They’re very proud of their equestrian background.
- The Hapsburg ancestry is very prominent throughout the city, especially in the Hofburg Palace.
- Vienna’s main attraction is apparently the Ferris Wheel? It’s one of the oldest ones in the world. I saw it, but it wasn’t very impressive. I thought the Hofburg Palace was more of Vienna’s trademark, but I guess not.
- There’s an “era mismatch” throughout the city. Most buildings look like a certain era, but were only built with a certain style because of what that era represents (Gothic Style = Catholicism).
- Vienna was bombed multiple times, so there’s a lot of reconstruction. Because of this, there are a lot of ads placed on prominent buildings to collect money for development. Vienna has been joked as the “expensive Prague.”
Yesterday in particular was a very special day in Czech Republic. It marked the 30th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, where Czech Republic won it’s independence. It’s called the Velvet Revolution because the Czechs were completely nonviolent throughout the time and the process was as smooth as silk. There were lots of people holding peaceful demonstrations in remembrance of the event and to discuss current political proceedings. One of the main topics discussed was global warming.
Not only was I so grateful to be celebrating this momentous event with the locals, but I was also blessed to show my friend Rachel from George Fox around the city. She was visiting that day and I introduced to her the Czech culture and sights while we walked around. It was so refreshing to see a friend from my home university. We had a great time!
We also saw the “Iliad” while she visited with some of my international friends. Theaters were an integral part in aiding the Velvet Revolution, so it was fitting to celebrate the day at the theater. It was a great show.
Please enjoy my pictures from this last week. I’m planning to explore Prague more before I leave this gorgeous city for a long while. Man I’m gonna miss it. ❤
Our home group pastor John, the first man on the left, is leaving for a 5-month mission in China. Goodbye John! God Bless! 
In Vienna! (It looks so much like Prague) 
The Patriarchal Cross on the old Austrian emblem. It meant that the kings believed God ordained them to rule 
This man was a famous Austrian musician during the Plague. He once accidentally fell into a pit of dead bodies and the citizens didn’t realize he fell until the next day. He was so upset, that he created a tune complaining about his experience. We use the tune now for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”… History is weird 
The Plague Tower in Vienna 
Inside the Hofburg Palace 
St Stephen’s Cathedral 
Ryan and I inside the Vienna Christmas Markets 
Ryan and the lit-up Christmas streets 
The Vienna State Opera. It was huge! They host the yearly Vienna Ball here 
Each room was incredibly different in the opera house. This is mainly due to reconstruction after bombing. It was really interesting 
Me outside of the Hofburg Palace 
Holy Roman Empire Crown inside the Royal Treasury 
Pendants the military used to wear regularly to show their status and honor. Yeah… it was really inconvenient 
Napoleon Bonaparte! Notice his hand clenched over the crown? Yeah, he was an interesting one 
The extravagant dinners hosted by the old kings. Shown in the National Silver Exhibit 
Heading up to the Sisi Museum! 
Evening view of Prague from the Charles Bridge Tower with Rachel 
Evening view of Prague from the Charles Bridge Tower with Rachel 
Velvet Revolution 30th Anniversary Demonstrations 
Memorials to Czech students who furthered the anti-Communist protests during the Velvet Revolution 
Velvet Revolution 30th Anniversary Celebrations 
Justin, me, Grace and Rachel watching the “Iliad” 
Rachel and I in front of the Estate Theater
From Portland to Prague 