For the next ~year you will hear many random ramblings and observations from me. Right now I'm a tad bit overwhelmed and sick feeling (as one would be if they were moving to a foreign country). I'll just write my observations and happenings from the past 48 hours...sorry for the length... but expect me to be longwinded for a while :) Also, I've been too nasty feeling to take pictures so this will all be words.
I flew United Airlines for 2 legs of the trip, which caused me to roll my eyes before even arriving the airport because in my opinion United is a totally incompetent airline. I arrived with my luggage, expecting there to be some sort of problem with my luggage weight. To my amazement, my weight was dead on which was a huge relief. Except, as they were entering in my information the woman behind the counter asked for my visa. I told them I'll get my visa when I get to my destination. They said I was wrong and they wouldn't let me get on the plane without a visa or unless I had a return ticket in 90 days or less. Eventually we found out that we just had to book the ticket back but we could cancel it once I got to SK with no charges. I knew that was stupid but I did it anyway. An HOUR later I got my boarding pass.
The first leg to Washington was alright- nothing special. Once I got off the plane I took my sleep aids in anticipation of sleeping all the way to Munich for 8 hours. Little did I know that for the next 8 hours I would be drowsily dropping in my seat, unable to fall asleep. At this point I was so concerned with making my flights and getting sleep that I was not at all preparing myself for what I was actually doing. The sun was rising and shining bright over the land. The orange sunlight illuminated the fog and the orange rooftops that I found so familiar yet so foreign. It wasn't till I saw the orange rooftops till I realized the weight of what I was doing!
One flight later I found myself in the Bratislava airport. It was surprisingly small and cute- one large room with one baggage claim and a set of bathrooms. Within 3 or 4 minutes both of my bags and my guitar came rolling along the belt. I smiled as I thanked God for proving my very necessary luggage. I could see the legs of my welcome party of two outside, but once you went out the doors you couldn't come back in. So amazingly enough I figured out how to carry 2 50 lb. bags, one guitar, a 30 lb. backpack and a 20 lb. carrying case by myself. Stumbling out of the double doors I met my welcomed my friends and was happy for a safe arrival.
Dan and Petra then took my luggage, hopped in Dan's van, gave me my schedule for the rest of the week, and drove to McDonalds. Mind you, this is one of the most elegant McDonalds I've ever seen. By this time I had been feeling terrible since about 2 pm the day before. So I ate little and didn't finish the weird Diet Coke. By the way, it's like 9 pm the day after I've arrived and I've been feeling bad since then. My stomach has been up and down- my appetite has been weird and I've been just... off.
So for the past day and a half I've mainly just been trying to get settled, went shopping a little, went to the Building, went out to eat with folks and I've been trying to rest too. OH and tonight we went to go to see 007 at the theatre too. I've also walked quite a bit, which is exactly what I've expected. It's weird to come out of a restaurant and just start walking. Usually I stuff myself silly and then sit in a car and feel terrible- so it's kinda nice to walk.
One of the things I'm really thankful for actually are a few things that rarely happen here- things that I believe is helping me adjust quicker. It's unseasonably warm, which is something I don't necessarily love, but I think if I came and it was snowy and rainy and nasty it would be harder to adjust. We're also going to hear Dan (an American) preach this Sunday, which is rare- so the first Sunday to hear the sermon in English will be really nice.
I'm so thankful that people don't share here. In Africa, everyone knows you're a foreigner and they stare at you so rudely. Here, I don't stick out too much and people don't make me feel uncomfortable- that is a really nice transition too.
Okay okay, so random observations...
- Europeans drink lots of water with gas. Yeah that's what it's called- like carbonated water. I must be an American cause I don't like it... YET. So when you order it you've gotta ask for water with no gas- voda ne..something.
- Slovaks are super fashionable! Seriously, I'm like way behind the times compared to many of the people I've seen in the past day. Speaking of which, probably 90% of the people I've passed so far have been under 25 or so. Remember that stat I talked about during my presentation about about 2/3 of the people in Trnava were under 20? Yeah, I totally believe that now. Sometimes I've felt like I was on a college campus!
- I'm on the 7th floor of this apartment building. We've gotta ride an elevator to the top that's built for 2 people, or 4 if you stuff yourselves in. There aren't automatic doors on it either. Instead you open a regular sized door, then push open 2 little doors. I'll have to take a picture.
- We had a team meeting yesteday morning for like 3 hours, but it was nice. We sang hymns and prayed for most of the time. My roommate (literally) Anya and I tried to make cinnamon buns but they didn't turn out so well.
- Just about everyone on the team reminds me of someone back home. Dan reminds me of my friend Joe. Ryan reminds me of my step-bro John. It's crazy...
- They weren't lying when they said everything is more expensive here. I went shopping for shampoo and random stuff today- not enough to even fill a shopping basket and it cost me about 60 EU, which is about $90.
- There is so much more English around town than I expected. On buildings, in the malls, on things you buy at the store... it's weird to see it, but I think it'll actually be really refreshing once I need to experience something familiar.
- Beer is cheaper than water. Yesterday I got a tiny bottled water for like $1.75 in the restaurant (because they don't do free tap water), and then I noticed beer was 17 SKK, so about 70 cents.
- Speaking of free, not everything is free of charge here like you'd expect after living in the States. Shopping carts, use of the bathrooms, ketchup in the restaurant, and water are just a few things that you have to pay extra for usually.
-Did I already say this? People not only walk wherever they go, but my local friends walk pretty fast too. It's totally normal for them, but more of a workout for us Americans! I like it, but it also makes me feel even worse when I feel sick already!
Well there's a lot more but I'll stop for your sakes! I hope you'll join me over the next year as I attempt to recreate what I experience here.
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7 comments:
As to your last part of your post, just ask them to slow down! Miska is the fastest walker I have ever met in my life. I have to practically run to keep up with her. But they'll slow it down if you ask! and once you get used to walking (no longer than a month) it'll be much easier!
and don't worry about feeling like slovaks are fashionable and you're not. It's that they're european and you're not. don't go down the crazy road of trying to dress like them to fit in and not get stared at, because thy'll still be able to tell that you're an american and they'll still stare at you for that reason! hopefully this comment will help in a few months when you're sick of being stared at like a circus freak. :)
and most importantly, don't forget that you have a huge foundation of people praying for you back home to build on and do what God's called you to do there!
yay for hearing from you! I enjoyed reading this post. Glad to hear you (and your luggage) arrived safely. It's funny the things we take for granted here in the US...free bathrooms, for instance. And you have to pay for ketchup there too?! That's bordering on insane. ALSO, water with GAS?! That just about cracked me up! What a hilarious name...and goodness, the fact that you have to ask for water with no gas...that's just very comical. Anyway, thanks again for posting...and I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I'll be praying for that specifically. And one question: what's the time difference there?
Hey Ande thanks for your update. We've been praying for you and hoping you got there safe, and its good to hear that you made it. We'll be praying that you get over feeling sick and that you are able to catch up to the rest of the people there in fashion.
OK, so some news for me too, I never new they won't give you free tap water...that is weird! ;) Nad I totally agree with you on the fast walking...I have problems on keeping up with people too ;P
Oh one more thing..is it really that strange to see the SPARKLING WATER? Do you not have that in America?
ACK! Sorry y'all- I never got emails saying anyone left any comments!
Brynne, yeah dude, just recently I've been able to walk fast without grumbling or complaining to myself :) It's my shins that hate it most. They're pretty good about slowing down though.
As for being stared at, believe it or not that's one of the biggest things I'm thankful for! I mean, NOT being stared at. For all the time I spent in Africa being pointed/laughed/stared at, it's a breeze here.
Rachel! Hi! Yeah it's 6 hours difference there. So when it's 10 am there, it's already starting to get dark. 11 am there, and it's pitch black outside. Weird, huh?
Seggi- when you come back, maybe we can be slow walkers together :) Or, strollers, as I say. And yes, it's VERY strange to see so much sparkling water, especially water that actually costs money in restaurants. Still not used to that. I always ask for "neperlivu vodu" (sp?) 'cause the "gas" doesn't float my boat.
Yay I'm so glad I got comments on here. Sorry I didn't say anything sooner!
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