Before leaving for Central Europe I had the ability to talk with some of my peers who had gone before me, although the stories that they shared were helpful I still could not really grasp what they were trying to express. I know that in order for this to happen I needed to experience Central Europe for myself. Upon my arrival I began to recall all that was told to me. The picture that was formed in my mind of what I was to expect began to develop in to a reality. All of the reading and research that I had done could never have amounted to the actual time that I spent in Central Europe. I soon began to form my own story of Central Europe.
The pace of the lifestyle while there truly was set by me. At times the hustle and bustle of things moved me about, however it was more of a flow with the environment around me. I think a lot rests on a great source of transportation that Prague offers. One moment you were on a tram headed towards the heart of the city the next moment you could head down to the metro and find yourself at the foot of the Prague Castle entry. Of course walking was another excellent way to get around while in Prague and in the region. Unlike here in the United States were a car seems to be a necessity. I noticed that where ever I was on my travels I could find what I needed easily by walking. I was reminded of childhood memories when walking was fairly easy in my hometown, however now days even in a small town a car seems to be a necessity. In Krakow it was neat to be able to just walk down the street and be in a park that circled the city, and from the park be blocks from the city square.
I would say that living in Central Europe gave me a chance to get in my daily exercise, and allowed me to see all of the small details that would otherwise be missed if I were to travel in a car. Between a balanced meal and the exercise done traveling through out town I can see how the citizens in the Czech Republic and Poland stay healthy. A meal in Central Europe had a portion size that was filling and healthy. I can say that in my travels the food preparation was something that I noticed right away, from the detail and time put into the making of the food to the natural ingredients. I am going to truly miss having a meal at a restaurant where the worry of trans-fats or artificial flavoring does not exist. I value how the foods even down to the ice cream was made using fresh ingredients, compared to most foods of the United States that are filled with preservatives and artificial flavorings. The simple lunch of homemade bread with cheese, an apple, granola bar and a bottle of still water in my opinion beats the fast food option that most Americans have on a day to day basis. Being able to try the local cuisine helped in gaining a true experience of the culture in Central Europe.
While abroad in the Czech Republic I quickly took in the change of scenery from the vibrant city life in Prague to the beautiful country side full of forest and hillsides on our travels to Olomouc. I will say that because there was not a barrier to what I could see transitioning to my location was easier than my transition to the interaction with people. I only wish that I could have been more familiarized with the Czech language. I will say that the people that I did encounter were gracious to the fact that I could not speak their language. I learned quickly how to communicate, when the language barrier would get in the way. Appreciation for Fine Arts is a connection that I found rather quickly between the Czech people and I. All about the Golden City of Prague round every corner was some form of art. From the architecture, museums, music halls, monuments and theaters the display of appreciate was very evident. The talent and ability to structure the architecture from Gothic style to modernized buildings such as the Dancing Building and the Miminka TV tower highlighted the quality and skill the Czech people hold. I truly esteemed how the Czech culture holds greatly on education. With each location that we traveled to in the Czech Republic I was able to learn the history of the area. For example, in Prague I was able to visit all of the wonderful museums, Cathedrals, and especially the Prague Castle all locations gave insight on the Czech culture and appreciation for history, the sciences, and once again Fine Arts. While in Olomouc the sense of pride was felt by the community in that they treasured the place in which they lived and made note to remember all that had taken place there through monuments and museums as well.
After some time in Central Europe I noticed that finding connections to the Protestant belief was rare. However, the display of Catholic and Jewish beliefs is quite evident in the area. This was something that I began to miss about home. I did find learning more about the beliefs of the people interesting and how the history affected the practice in said beliefs. The devotion to keeping customs and traditions was something that I find honorable in the people of Central Europe. In the modern times that we live in the idea of having the latest and most advance technology and keeping with the trends seems to be a loss of culture and tradition here in the fast paced United States. Remembrance of custom and heritage seems to be designated now days to a specific month or during the holidays. However, in Central Europe I was able to see a display of culture and heritage on many occasions. The youth of the community no matter where I was seemed to be involved in preserving and keeping their customs and heritage. While in Prague my Saturday trip to Old Town Square allowed me to see the youth practicing traditional dances and singing songs that no doubt had been passed down from the elders of the community. While in Krakow I was able to see the local youth take part in the celebration of Corpus Christi. This was a time when traditional dance and folk tales were passed on and the tradition was displayed for all to see. Being around these types of environments has given me the desire to learn more able my heritage and customs.
While away from the culture and lifestyle of the United States I have come to see things that I value being a United States citizen and things that I wish to incorporate from the culture that I experienced. I have noticed that my views of Central Europe have only become heighten from my experience. I didn’t really have any preconceived thoughts on the Czech Republic or Poland before leaving. I knew what had been taught to me through history courses and from the brief research that I had done during the spring semester. From what I had compiled in my research I was able to add on to. The fact that the society lived under the strict rule of communism and dictation from different countries only made me the more grateful for the freedom that I have received as a United States citizen. I would say that since being back I have noticed how most people may say that they appreciate the freedom that we have, however I feel that until you have had the ability to live away from our society and life style the appreciate can only then be authentic. I am not trying to offend anyone or raise an argument on the pride that should be held as Americans I am simply trying to express how I have a new found appreciation and view. In many conversations with friends who are in the States from abroad the question of how I feel as an American has come up many a time, I never really considered the seriousness until I experience being away. I would love to grant the people of Central Europe the ability to experience the freedom of our nation, however I know that in doing so the society would not who they are today. The fact that the people can now come together and acknowledge the past to make a better future makes them who they are.
I would truly love to see our nation take one of the values that stuck out to me the most while abroad, that is the value of the environment. No matter where I was in Central Europe the appreciation for nature could be seen all around me. Seeing how they preserved nature through recycling, centralizing locations maintained parks and nature walk ways, and the amount of space sectioned off to national parks and forests made me want to be more of an advocate then I already am towards preserving nature. I notice that the ways of transportation also aided in this and the car pollution was not as big of a problem due to a common way of transport being cycling or walking. I know that our culture and societies differ in many ways from those in Central Europe, but I feel that we can learn from this way of life. I know that since I have come back to the United States my appreciation for upbringing in the United States has a new meaning, and what I have learned while away, valuing education, heritage, and my living environment is not going to go to waste, but to practice.
Sarah
