Goodbye Prague, Hello America
Well, tomorrow we leave for 5 months in the states. Even though it feels really strange to think of being gone from Prague for 5 months and I know that we will really miss people here, I am really excited to head back to the states. Going back brings us one step closer to the baby and it means I can stop worrying about going into labor too early here in Prague – which will be a relief. But, it also means getting to see family and old friends, the conveniences of life in the states, everyone speaking English, our favorite restaurants and foods, and all the other little luxuries that come with being in the states. The culture shock in the Czech Republic isn’t extreme – it’s very subtle – it took Bryan and I almost two years to notice. It’s not obvious, but it is just under the surface threatening to pop up at odd moments when you least expect it. Honestly, I’m looking forward to not feeling that stress and to having a bit of an easier life for a few months. It’s not what I want all the time or for my life overall, but it will be nice to have a little break. In many ways our five months in the states is feeling like a little mini-sabbatical – a Sabbath rest from the pressures and complications of life abroad. And I’m looking forward to that. Although, I’m sure that it won’t be much of a restful season with a new baby - our five months in the states will have their own challenges and stresses as we adjust to parenthood, but it will still be a good break from our current challenges.
With that said there are a lot of things I’m going to miss while we are in the states, here are just a few:
“The Castle” - as we affectionately refer to our home and the Schwender’s adjoining living space
The Schwender’s – talking with Carrie over some tea, movie nights with the big projector, playing cards, praying together, sharing breakfast, afternoon cake breaks, etc, etc.
The Stewart’s and Wednesday night dinner’s at their place
Playing with all the kids (Sofia, Sasha, Izaac, Elliot, Owen, etc) and watching them grow
Hanging out and playing fun games with the Baker’s
The beauty of Prague in the fall
My yoga studio
The Christmas markets
Christmas with our Prague family
Czech beer
Hearing Czech (although I will be very relieved to hear English and be able to communicate I think I will miss hearing Czech a little – it is a beautiful language)
The ease of public transportation (although I won’t miss the crowds)
All the cute little coffee places
The view of the castle overlooking the river
And so much more…
Well, here’s to Prague and to the States - my two homes. I’m glad I get to spend time in both of them.
Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany
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A Quick Review of the Week
Well, this has been a really good week. We got to spend time with the Bakers and Schwenders at the Letna Beer Gardens, we had dinner with the Stewarts, I visisted with Laura and her two little boys at their new house, we had lunch at a new vegetarian place with some old family friends who were visiting Prague, I went to my prenatal yoga class, some friends gave us a bunch of baby cloths, we went for a beautiful walk near the Botanical gardens, a friend took some free maternity photos for us, and we got a lot of stuff crossed of our list of things to do before going to the states. We even started packing - which might seem a little weird since we still have about 9 days before we leave, but since it’s such a long trip it felt good to start figuring out what we will bring.
We are getting more and more excited for our trip back to the states. We both continue to feel really good about the decision and to look forward to some extended time with family and friends in the states. As it gets closer though there are moments when I feel more and more sad about not being in Prague. There are definately things we will miss - or more accurately people we will miss here.
Anyway, that’s the quick update. Here are a few pictures of my belly that Bryan took this week.
Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman