C.Ryenne Thoughts

Day One

I really do not know how I stayed awake this whole day.

My flight left Tel Aviv at 12:30 AM and got into Dubai at 4:15 AM. It was still surprisingly busy at that time, so I decided to get a day pass to the Emirates Business Lounge.

It was the best idea – credit to my dad. It was a little more expensive than I thought, but so worth it. I got access to nice restrooms, free coffee (good coffee), free breakfast, quiet, and a comfy chair with a nice view.

I sat there and did some work for a while and then a friend facetimed me, before I knew it I was getting on my flight to Prague!

God has been showing up in such cool, small ways. On all of my international flights, I have had the window seat and no one has sat in the middle seat – three flights in a row! That’s never happened to me.

Once I arrived, Mirka (my friend from Czechia) and her dad picked me up from the airport. We went to the grocery store and then their house. Her dad bought me ice cream! It made me feel like a little kid again.

Then, Mirka and I ate lunch and visited where she went to kindergarten. We took her dog, Jesse, for a walk and we were so tired when we got back. I think I went to bed around 8 PM and it wasn’t even dark outside yet.

Day Two

Today was such a great day!

Mirka let me sleep in and then we had breakfast. She said that if we hurried we could go to her mom’s bakery and maybe try something! I got to try something but I have no idea what it was – it was really good though!

Then, we went to Poděbrady (where Mirka works) and walked around the park/town square. We stopped by the pharmacy and the drug store. It was fun to see if any of the brands are the same.

Next, we went back home for some lunch. It happened to be Mirka’s childhood favorite goulash with pasta and tomato sauce. It was so simple but it was so good. I will be making it when I get home.

After that, we went to Mirka’s work. They serve coffee…which I was happy about. I sat down and typed up my Jordan blog post. She worked from 2-6 and I got a lot done, but my laptop died around 4. That just meant I got to call my dad and grandma to catch up!

They let Mirka off early, so we headed to Nymburk. Mirka wanted to show me around this town, and it was so beautiful. You can climb to the top of a guard wall!

We got dinner and I got to try a Czech specialty. They have a fried cheese patty in the shape of a square. This restaurant made a burger out of it and it was amazing. We also tried a veggie-filled quesadilla which was great.

After, I really wanted ice cream, but all the places nearby were closed. We went to the store and grabbed some ice cream, boxed iced-coffee for the next day, Czech candy, and these potato stick chips. We went home and I showed Mirka the show Somebody Feed Phil. We watched the Venice episode to prepare ourselves for our trip.

(I highly recommend this show. Phil Rosenthal goes to different cities around the world and tries food and talks to people. It is just so lighthearted and wholesome!)

Day Three

This morning, we were up and out by 8 AM. Mirka had work so I went with her again.

I got to call with my mom for an hour and a half, I finished my Jordan blog post, and I read some.

After her work, we quickly went to the train and waited for ours to come. Then, we got on the train and headed to Prague! About 40 minutes later, we got there.

Mirka showed me the old part of the train station and the architecture was beautiful. We walked around A LOT. We saw beautiful buildings. We saw the square, the dancing house, the theatres, the old town bridge tower, the cathedral, the astronomical clock, the Charles Bridge, and the Prague Castle. We also saw the book tower in the Prague Library!

Even though it is not native to Czech, I had to get a trdelník – every time I passed by it it smelled too good. We also got kolache, which was created in Czech. Mirka got one with poppy seed filling and I got one with chocolate and lemon filling. It was not something I would eat often but it was good (very danish-like).

Then we walked to the castle. Mirka neglected to mention the 220 step stairs to get there, but she let me get Starbucks at the top.

I can already hear some of you saying, “really, Starbucks? We have those at home.” Let me just tell you, I needed a caramel macchiato. Iced coffee is hard to come by in Europe – flavored iced coffee even more so. It had to happen.

We got a beautiful view of Prague and charged our phones while sitting in the Starbucks.

Then, we explored the castle grounds.

We slowly headed back to the train station since it was a 30-minute walk. We stopped for me to get a sweatshirt and go in a bookstore.

I am starting a collection of coffee table books, so I got one in Czech! It is so cute.

Before we got on the train, Mirka bought us Kofola. This is a soda that you can only really get in Czechia. It was really good! I am kind of sad it is not in the U.S.

Then we took the train and got back around 9.

Day Four

I was supposed to be ready to leave at 8 this morning…I was not, so I got to stay home while Mirka went to babysit.

When she got back, we quickly ate lunch and then left for her sister’s apartment. It was about an hour away and closer to the mountains/Poland.

We got there and I got to see Mirka’s nephew (Miki); he is so adorable.

Her sister and brother-in-law went on a walk with us to get Czechia’s famous swirled ice cream. When I tell you I could eat this everyday…I mean it. We got vanilla and blueberry swirled – incredible.

We were at her sister’s for a couple reasons. First being, Miki’s baby dedication on Sunday. Second, Mirka was teaching at her sister’s church’s youth group!

We got to meet two missionaries and a translator; they were interning at Josiah Venture doing English camps. The translator was Mirka’s brother-in-law’s brother. The missionaries were from Arizona and Ireland. It was incredible to meet them and hear their hearts for Jesus.

That night, Mirka taught about sharing the Gospel. She told bits of her story and shared about how sometimes she asks the question of, “Why me?” to Jesus. The response was, “Why not you?”

Only about 2% of people in Czech are Christians. It is seen as strange to call yourself a Christian here. Mirka actually struggled with people being mean to her in school because she loves Jesus. Look at her now!!

A lot of these teens feel the same as she did; they are scared to share their faith due to their community judging them.

I really think she made an impact.

We spent the rest of the night talking and getting to know each other more.

Day Five

Today was amazing and so much walking.

I got up and got ready.

Mirka’s sister and her husband made us English breakfast. Then we headed to a restaurant for lunch.

I thought it was weird how early we were leaving, Mirka mentioned a little walk to get there.

It was a hike…up a mountain…a 1.5-mile hike, up a mountain, and I was wearing long pants. But, it was all worth it because I got to try a blueberry dumpling. It was so amazing, and I want to learn how to make it at home so badly. We also all got Kofola.

Then we left the restaurant, Mirka and I took a selfie in Poland and hiked back down. We went a different way that had a ton of construction, so that was interesting.

When we got back, Mirka’s sister made us cappuccinos. Then I went to rest for a little bit and I ended up taking a 3 hour nap…

By the time I woke up, I quickly needed to get ready. We were meeting some of the people from the Josiah Venture group for pizza. A guy, from the youth group the previous night, works at a pizza place and wanted us all to come try it. It was so good! He also made us strawberry cheesecake ice cream.

Then, the group said, “oh let’s go on a walk!” Mirka and I said, “okay!”

It was definitely another hike…

It was very fun though. We all got to know each other better. It kind of felt like I was in a coming-of-age movie.

We also got to see a rainbow!

Then, it was time to call it a night.

Day Six

This day was a bit different.

We got up, got ready, and headed to church.

Mirka was so kind to translate what the pastor was saying.

After service, the whole church has coffee and fellowship for about an hour! I wish American churches did this.

I got to talk with Mirka and the Irish missionary about a bunch of random things.

Then we had a celebratory lunch for Miki’s dedication.

We had goulash and bread, which was so good. Then they brought out dessert, and Mirka’s mom made some amazing desserts. One of them was a green cake with vanilla frosting, and we later found out that the cake had spinach in it – we deemed it a healthy cake.

I got to talk to one of Miki’s aunts for a long time; it was so fun.

Then they took family pictures, cleaned the church up, and we headed back to grab out stuff. We drove back to Mirka’s parents and packed for our next adventure.

Day Seven

We left about 9 this morning to go see a castle in České Budějovice.

Absolutely stunning. Also, not busy at all. There were a few families and tourists, but that was about it.

We did lots of picture taking and wandering the grounds. I wish I could have gone inside! We went in a tower, but that was all that was open. We walked some around the gardens and then headed to the car. We drove about 40 minutes to downtown České Budějovice.

On the way, Mirka took me to McDonalds. It was 10 million times better than it is in the U.S. It was so good, and I never really say that about McDonalds.

We got to the city, but our hostel had the wrong check-in time on the website, so we walked around for an hour. We checked into our hostel, and it was not the nicest physically but there were nice people. We had a 3rd roommate, and she did not really talk at first. She had said hi, but then stayed quiet. I think she was just shy, because she talked a lot when we came back.

We walked to go get dinner and then we went to the town square. Mirka and I ended up talking for like 2 hours.

It was beautiful at night.

When we got back, we got to know our 3rd roommate a bit. It turns out she was from Ecuador but studying in Germany, and she was so kind!

And that was our day!

Day Eight

This morning we were able to sleep-in more than I thought we would.

We went on a search for coffee and breakfast. We found a very cute, very European spot! They did not actually have breakfast, but they did have a brownie with strawberries and iced lattes. The pairing of the two was perfect!

We slowly made our way back to the car and drove 45 minutes to explore Písek. They are known for having the oldest bridge in Czechia and for their sand sculptures. The sand sculptures were extremely impressive.

Then, we walked more and ended up at a coffee shop. We got affogatos and just rested for a while.

We sent out a couple post cards and then I really wanted a sandwich.

The street before we got to the car had a bageterie – just what I needed. It was perfect for the drive back. We drove 2 hours back to the house and got to rest some.

Mirka’s dad made barbeque for dinner. Just to preface, I have had barbeque in three different countries now and they are all different. It was very good and flavorful though!

I got to show Mirka one of my favorite childhood movies (Meet the Robinsons), honestly it is probably still one of my favorites. The coffee shop we were at earlier had bowler hats on their lights, and I could not let it go.

It was a good and busy day.

Day Nine

We didn’t do too much today; I think Mirka and I are pretty tired.

We slept in a bit and then left to have lunch at her grandma’s. She was so sweet, and she gave us giant candy bars. I also met Mirka’s great-grandmother. It was so funny, she actually thought that I was Mirka at first. She also thought that I could speak Czech, so she talked to me a lot until she found out.

After lunch, Mirka had work. I went with her and worked on our plans for Italy. I had to take a break a couple hours in, so I conquered my fear and went to get coffee by myself. Luckily, the barista spoke some English.

I went back to Mirka and got more done. We came home, ate dinner, and that was it!

Being at tables with people conversing in another language is hard. I wish I could understand what they say to me and that I would be able to respond. I cannot imagine being here by myself. Mirka has been so helpful and the best tour guide/adventure buddy.

Day Ten

Today Mirka had some early appointments, so I got to sleep in a bit and then she got her hair done!

I went with her and found the cutest coffee shop to wait in. Luckily this barista also spoke some English and was very kind.

Then we went back home, ate, and did some laundry.

Next, her 8-year-old cousin came to visit, and we went to the zoo. They do not have a ton of animals, but it was so fun. We had to get Kofola to commemorate my last day in Czechia.

We got home and I rested a little bit, then Mirka and I went on a store-run. Then we packed up and went to bed.

And that was my time in Czechia…

I am extremely thankful that I got the opportunity to get to know the Czech culture. Czechia is a country that I never thought I would go to, and now it has a special place in my heart.

The best thing about traveling is getting to experience different cultures and I got to do just that in a country that is not the most popular tourist spot. There is so much to see and explore!

-C.Ryenne

(These are my typed-up journal entries that I have taken each day, so they are not in real time.)