My bad dreams became reality - I have to work every day for 2 and half months... Actually, it's not so bad as it looks like. I can stay in the U.S. for the summer and thanks to the money I earn (hopefully) I can do my internship at the Czech Embassy in Washington. In addition I work with nice people in beautiful countryside.
However, let's start from the beginning. I got here, to Pennsylvania, where I'm working like a support staff in the kids camp, yesterday. We flew from San Francisco to New York where we took a bus to Honesdale, PA, which is the closest town to our camp. Btw. we almost missed our connection in NYC. And guess why? Because of a post office... I need have to send some stuff to the Embassy so I went to the post office close to our bus station. I had half an hour for it, which I thought is more than enough. Mistake! In the post office there was a huge line of waiting people. And if I say huge, I mean huge... And it the post office close to Times Square there were just 3 people working. Even some Americans got angry and started to complain why there aren't more people, especially when we heard the chatting and laughing people from the back. So, finally I waited more than half an hour to buy an envelope and stamp... We should be happy in Czech for our posts even we are complaining about them all the time. You can't compare them to this New York's post office in downtown...
Nevertheless, after some running back to the station we got on the bus. I realized that it's my first bus ride for a longer distance since I'm in the States. I just flew everywhere I need have. It's easier and mostly similar expansive. Buses aren't the most popular transportation mean in America. But for the way from NYC to Honesdale it was all right. When you don't count the terrible cold in the bus. It was pretty nice weather outside but the bus driver probably wanted to freeze us out and turned on the air condition on maximum. I was freezing whole way... After 3 hours we got to Honesdale where Mike, guy from the camp pick us up.
He was sorry that I almost got frozen in the bus. But then he turned on the air condition and I was freezing again ;) Americans are just obsessed by air con. I remember the huge extremes between outside and inside temperatures in Nebraska when we got there last August. Such a miracle that I didn't get sick.
Anyway, we got to the camp which is situated in the forests and countryside that looks like European. It's very nice here. So, today I started working in the kitchen. It's so hot out there. Where is the air con when I need it ;) Our boss-cook is called chef and is about 50 years old crazy guy. We found out that he cooked for P Daddy (or however is this rapper called right now), lived in Cannes for 4 years, traveled over the world... Funny guy, who hopefully will make our working time easier. It's kinda hard and demanding work and it's still pre-camp. The kids are coming in mid-June and now we are just setting up the site for them and cook for about 20 guys who already got here.
We will see when I'll start to be sick of this work. I guess this day will come. I'll let you know...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Memories of Nebraska
It's three thirty in the morning and I just got back from the Sacramento airport where we dropped Monika. During the drive there we were playing our favorite round trip songs. It was like a reminder of all the great memories we have for this year we spent in Nebraska and the States.
It was like an end scene of some movie - driving in the car in the darkness and talking about all these great moments what happened to us. I played in my mind all these moments - when we firstly arrived to Nebraska airport and met Larry and Carmen, our great advisors, and they took us through the totally new and unknown city of Lincoln to our dorms - Selleck, which became our home for a year. The place of social contacts with foreigners and Americans. Cafeteria in Selleck where you could meet always known faces. Friends or crazy lunch lady - checker of the meal cards - Cheryl. Or over 40 years old Dixie, who likes young guys, especially athletes and who went with us drinking and actually got drunk, danced with some strangers who drove her truck back to her home where her husband and son waited for her.
I had in my mind skiing in Colorado, our last round trip and all places we've been to. And what was the best - all those people I met this year. Raul, Juan, Darcy, Tim, John, Amandine, Mauricio, Daniel, Victor, Marcelo, Pauline, Boyko, Rudy, Czechs, Irish, the people who helped me a lot - Joe, my professors who were all nice and I can't forget - my advisors. Without them it would be all much harder and who were kinda my family this year...
I try to console myself that something ends but something new starts. That's true, but I just will miss all these things. But show must go on and the next stom is in Pennsylvania and DC and then back in Czech. And then I don't know where... Maybe I'll come to the States again. Because when you once get to know international environment, it's hard to come back and stay on one place. You are always in the movement and that I like...
It was like an end scene of some movie - driving in the car in the darkness and talking about all these great moments what happened to us. I played in my mind all these moments - when we firstly arrived to Nebraska airport and met Larry and Carmen, our great advisors, and they took us through the totally new and unknown city of Lincoln to our dorms - Selleck, which became our home for a year. The place of social contacts with foreigners and Americans. Cafeteria in Selleck where you could meet always known faces. Friends or crazy lunch lady - checker of the meal cards - Cheryl. Or over 40 years old Dixie, who likes young guys, especially athletes and who went with us drinking and actually got drunk, danced with some strangers who drove her truck back to her home where her husband and son waited for her.
I had in my mind skiing in Colorado, our last round trip and all places we've been to. And what was the best - all those people I met this year. Raul, Juan, Darcy, Tim, John, Amandine, Mauricio, Daniel, Victor, Marcelo, Pauline, Boyko, Rudy, Czechs, Irish, the people who helped me a lot - Joe, my professors who were all nice and I can't forget - my advisors. Without them it would be all much harder and who were kinda my family this year...
I try to console myself that something ends but something new starts. That's true, but I just will miss all these things. But show must go on and the next stom is in Pennsylvania and DC and then back in Czech. And then I don't know where... Maybe I'll come to the States again. Because when you once get to know international environment, it's hard to come back and stay on one place. You are always in the movement and that I like...
Cali coast
After all those national parks and cities we've been to on our round trip we wanted to see the ocean, too. And where could be better place to make it real than in California? ;) Today, we (this time without Irish guys, who left yesterday) went to the north coast of Cali, below the San Fran. It took us about 3 hours to get to Monterey from Davis. Monterey is pretty city, but unfortunately at this time with cold ocean and today even with the cold weather. The sun was shining most of time, but it was still about 20 degrees of Celsius, I guess.
After Monterey we drove along the shore and then to Santa Cruz, which is touristic town upon Monterey. We went there to some amusement park to experience the roller coasters. However, I didn't get on any, it wasn't anything special there, I didn't wanna get sick for such a big money on normal roller coasters;) The beach in Santa Cruz wasn't very nice too, at least the part we've been to. And again cold. Now we are again in Rudy's.
It's 1 at the night and we'll have to say bye to Monika who is leaving to Czech tonight. Have a safe trip, girl, and take care! See ya in Czech soon...
Not just Monika is leaving, me and Jan are leaving tomorrow to work in the kids camp in Pennsylvania. So, it's 2,5 months of boring work, but after this.... Washington is waiting for me. Can't wait to be there.
After Monterey we drove along the shore and then to Santa Cruz, which is touristic town upon Monterey. We went there to some amusement park to experience the roller coasters. However, I didn't get on any, it wasn't anything special there, I didn't wanna get sick for such a big money on normal roller coasters;) The beach in Santa Cruz wasn't very nice too, at least the part we've been to. And again cold. Now we are again in Rudy's.
It's 1 at the night and we'll have to say bye to Monika who is leaving to Czech tonight. Have a safe trip, girl, and take care! See ya in Czech soon...
Not just Monika is leaving, me and Jan are leaving tomorrow to work in the kids camp in Pennsylvania. So, it's 2,5 months of boring work, but after this.... Washington is waiting for me. Can't wait to be there.
Wine tasting in Napa
One of the girls we met this party night works in the vineyard. Then, why not go to taste wine? And one of the best in the U.S. - from Napa area. The vineyard is about our far away of Davis where we stay and is situated in beautiful wine countryside. We tasted one of the best wine I've ever had - white, red, pink, dessert... And everything, which normally cost $20 we got for free and got 5o% discount for the purchase of all wines they have. And all because we were "friends" with Kate, girl we met the last night.
Thats America, you are "the best friend" after while. Looks like a hypocrisy, buts its very nice and can help you in many situations.
Thats America, you are "the best friend" after while. Looks like a hypocrisy, buts its very nice and can help you in many situations.
Chilling out in Cali...
We got back from our round trip on Friday. Since that time we are chilling out in our Dutch friend Rudy's house. He studied in Nebraska last semester and after that he moved to Davis, California to experience another place in the States. Why not? Sunny and hot California, near to San Francisco... However, I'm still happy that I spent whole my year just in Nebraska. The people there are just gorgeous.
On Friday me, Rudy, Irish fellow Dain and Rudy's roommate went to the party. Kinda weird party - organized by people from College of Arts. I thought this type of people - long oily hair, emo style (wearing black, kinda death metal style), flannel... - is just in Europe, but exactly the same people were in this party. So, not everything is different all over the world. Nevertheless, when we were coming back home by taxi-bus we started to talk to some random two girls who got to the cab. And why go back home, when we can play pool and actually going to the pool, this time swimming and to hot tub. So we got back again in the morning with the wet underwear, because we didn't have swimming suits.
Here is the picture with our underwear. Btw all of us commando ;)
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Couple meters from bisons or grizzlies? It's Yellowstone...
One of the things totally different here in Yellowstone from the previous places we stopped in our round trip - weather. When we came here it was snowing and the temperature hit zero. After hot California, Arizona, Nevada and partly Utah big change. No matter the bad weather we checked in the hotel and headed to the park.
Yellowstone, the second largest national park in the U.S. (after nat. park in Alaska) is different than other parks we saw on our way. The geologically young and therefore unstable area famous mostly because of geysers. Two thirds of all world geysers are found here. Simply said, the Yellowstone is huge green forest and among the trees in some parts there is water steam raising into the sky, some geysers are erupting the water into the air. And one of the best deals in Yellowstone - you can see many wild animals very close to you.
Herds of bisons or in America known as buffalos, deers, elks, many of birds, wolfs... All of them we saw just couple meter of us (you drove through in the car mostly, so it's safe if you don't get off the car what we sometimes did). But we are still waiting for the king of the Yellowstone - grizzly. So, hopefully tomorrow.
It looks like that we are moving to the Grand Teton National park below Yellowstone tomorrow. And after that we are going back to San Francisco, respectively to Davis to our friend's house. Maybe we will go to the California coast for a while. Who knows. Nothing is planned exactly and we take it easy. So, take it easy too! And look forward to the pictures, hopefully soon...
Yellowstone, the second largest national park in the U.S. (after nat. park in Alaska) is different than other parks we saw on our way. The geologically young and therefore unstable area famous mostly because of geysers. Two thirds of all world geysers are found here. Simply said, the Yellowstone is huge green forest and among the trees in some parts there is water steam raising into the sky, some geysers are erupting the water into the air. And one of the best deals in Yellowstone - you can see many wild animals very close to you.
Herds of bisons or in America known as buffalos, deers, elks, many of birds, wolfs... All of them we saw just couple meter of us (you drove through in the car mostly, so it's safe if you don't get off the car what we sometimes did). But we are still waiting for the king of the Yellowstone - grizzly. So, hopefully tomorrow.
It looks like that we are moving to the Grand Teton National park below Yellowstone tomorrow. And after that we are going back to San Francisco, respectively to Davis to our friend's house. Maybe we will go to the California coast for a while. Who knows. Nothing is planned exactly and we take it easy. So, take it easy too! And look forward to the pictures, hopefully soon...
Monday, May 21, 2007
Salt Lake City and the finish of our road trip - Yellowstone
I tried to download the pictures, but the connection here in hotel in Salt Lake is so bad that I just gave it up, so I'll download them when I'll get on computer with better connection... Sorry for that.
Anyway, finish the story... After Bryce we today got to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah and also the Mormon metropolis. Mormons, special church which is established especially in Utah (about 70% inhabitants of Utah belong to this church) is considered by many people like a sect and people who belong to this church as weird people. And I have to kinda confirm this, Mormons are strange and for other people hardly understandable and therefore Salt Lake City is nice city you feel that it's something different here.
Tomorrow we are going to our final destination on our way - Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park where we spend about four days. I'll let you know what's going on. For now, take care!
Anyway, finish the story... After Bryce we today got to Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah and also the Mormon metropolis. Mormons, special church which is established especially in Utah (about 70% inhabitants of Utah belong to this church) is considered by many people like a sect and people who belong to this church as weird people. And I have to kinda confirm this, Mormons are strange and for other people hardly understandable and therefore Salt Lake City is nice city you feel that it's something different here.
Tomorrow we are going to our final destination on our way - Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park where we spend about four days. I'll let you know what's going on. For now, take care!
Other adventures from my trip across the Southwest...
So finally i got for a while online so I can drop here some new information about our round trip in Southwest U.S. So, what happened after Yosemite? From this national park full of traffic jam, smog and people (who would expect such a situation in natural park?) we moved to less busy Kings Canyon and Sequoya National Park. We didn't see much from Kings because we were in rush - we had just one day for both - so we decided to spend more time in Sequoya to see huge trees. And I have to say that it was impressive. In the normal forest solely spread giant red Sequoya trees. And there were just huge... With very special red color which they have because of special chemical liquid which protects this trees living normally about 2000 years against diseases and fires. Actually fires are very beneficial for the trees because they help in reproduction of this weird trees. The Sequoya can be burnt and you can see the black burnt spots and they are still alive.
The pictures of this crazy trees I'll add when I'll get on my computer where I have all my photos...
After Sequoya our national park road continued - we headed off to Death Valley, still in Cali. And nomen omen - the Death Valley is monumental colorful natural theater. Red , white, black, white and mostly mixed cliffs going along with each other. And we drove in the middle of these cliffs. Except other things there are huge sand dunes, where you feel like in the Sahara or the lowest point in the U.S. and the North hemisphere as well - if i good remember 86 meters below the sea level.
We deserved some break after all these national park. We took it in the biggest gambler place in the world - Las Vegas, which lies in Nevada. It was visible since the beginning that it's all fake and commercial, but although liked it. I haven't seen anything similar before. And what I didn't expect - I spent there my birthday. I guess you can hardly find better place where to spend the birthday party. And I really enjoyed it - but as it's said what happened in Vegas stays in Vegas, so I will tell you just individually and won't spread it out publicly ;)
After wild two days in Vegas we moved to Grand Canyon - to the north part - North Rid. Grand Canyon has two main touristic parts - South and North Rid, while South Rid is much more visited, about 90% go there. Good for us, we could enjoy the breathtaking view on Canyon without crowds of tourists. The day after we arrived to Canyon and camped in the near National forest we hiked to the Canyon. We didn't manage to get on the bottom, because the Canyon is really deep but we enjoyed the hike to the waterfalls walking along the beautiful and colorful cliffs of Canyon. Huge hike!
All picture from the places mentioned above I'll add later. So look forward...
From Canyon we moved to another national park - Bryce. I have to say that for me it was one of the most impressive place which I've seen here. Very special rocks created by earthquake and erosion. However, don't talk about it much - let's see the pictures...
The pictures of this crazy trees I'll add when I'll get on my computer where I have all my photos...
After Sequoya our national park road continued - we headed off to Death Valley, still in Cali. And nomen omen - the Death Valley is monumental colorful natural theater. Red , white, black, white and mostly mixed cliffs going along with each other. And we drove in the middle of these cliffs. Except other things there are huge sand dunes, where you feel like in the Sahara or the lowest point in the U.S. and the North hemisphere as well - if i good remember 86 meters below the sea level.
We deserved some break after all these national park. We took it in the biggest gambler place in the world - Las Vegas, which lies in Nevada. It was visible since the beginning that it's all fake and commercial, but although liked it. I haven't seen anything similar before. And what I didn't expect - I spent there my birthday. I guess you can hardly find better place where to spend the birthday party. And I really enjoyed it - but as it's said what happened in Vegas stays in Vegas, so I will tell you just individually and won't spread it out publicly ;)
After wild two days in Vegas we moved to Grand Canyon - to the north part - North Rid. Grand Canyon has two main touristic parts - South and North Rid, while South Rid is much more visited, about 90% go there. Good for us, we could enjoy the breathtaking view on Canyon without crowds of tourists. The day after we arrived to Canyon and camped in the near National forest we hiked to the Canyon. We didn't manage to get on the bottom, because the Canyon is really deep but we enjoyed the hike to the waterfalls walking along the beautiful and colorful cliffs of Canyon. Huge hike!
All picture from the places mentioned above I'll add later. So look forward...
From Canyon we moved to another national park - Bryce. I have to say that for me it was one of the most impressive place which I've seen here. Very special rocks created by earthquake and erosion. However, don't talk about it much - let's see the pictures...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Yosemite National Park
After hilly San Fran, we moved to our friends place as I already told you. There we spent more time than we expected so we set off the road at the late afternoon on Friday and got to the Yosemite National Park, which was our other stop on our round trip, already at the night.
I know that sleeping in the room for 4 people in 9 people doesn't seem very comfortable but we survived this night and finally were able to see Yosemite in the day light not just during the night as we were going to the park to get to our motel.
So what to tell about Yosemite - its not the best I saw but its beautiful and kind of special... Tomorrow we are moving to Sequoya National Park and Kings Canyon. Here enjoy the pictures from Yosemite...
I know that sleeping in the room for 4 people in 9 people doesn't seem very comfortable but we survived this night and finally were able to see Yosemite in the day light not just during the night as we were going to the park to get to our motel.
So what to tell about Yosemite - its not the best I saw but its beautiful and kind of special... Tomorrow we are moving to Sequoya National Park and Kings Canyon. Here enjoy the pictures from Yosemite...
Friday, May 11, 2007
The beginning of our round trip - foggy San Francisco
I managed to pack my stuff, which took me very long time. I told bye to my friends (btw. even to John and Tim, with who I had an argument couple days ago) and could head to Omaha to stay in my friend's house over night and in the morning fly through Las Vegas to San Francisco.
So, that's the crack, as the Irish with who are we traveling would say. We (5 Czechs + 3 Irish + one British) spent three days in San Francisco and tonight we are staying in our friend's house in Davis near Sacramento. Rudy is our Dutch friend who studied with us in fall semester in Lincoln and for the spring semester he moved to California to finish his study abroad with studying at University of California, Davis.
What to say about San Francisco? I can't get rid of the comparison with Lisbon in Portugal. San Francisco is as Lisbon located on the hills, it's mostly white colored, there are riding the similar trams across the city and the city is lying on the coast of the ocean and is connected with opposite coast with long bridges exactly as Lisbon. Last but not least San Fran is much more European than other American cities. But what differs San Fran from Lisbon are fogs. There are there almost all the time. And the pride of SF - the Golden Gate Bridge is most of time covered by fog.
San Fran is liberal city. Much more liberal, than for example Nebraska, when I spent this year. In SF there is a big gay and lesbian community. They have here even their own part of the city - Castro. The freedom you can experience just when you are buying the alcohol - mostly they don't ask you for your ID, which would be in Nebraska unimaginable.
Lots of people are excited of living in San Francisco. I say, it's a beautiful city, but for me, it's something between American and European city. And why to make a compromise, when I can live either in American or European city? However, definitely I wanna come back one day...
So, what's the plan for upcoming days? Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, Sequoya Nat. Park... As soon as I get online I'll let you know how it's going...
So, that's the crack, as the Irish with who are we traveling would say. We (5 Czechs + 3 Irish + one British) spent three days in San Francisco and tonight we are staying in our friend's house in Davis near Sacramento. Rudy is our Dutch friend who studied with us in fall semester in Lincoln and for the spring semester he moved to California to finish his study abroad with studying at University of California, Davis.
What to say about San Francisco? I can't get rid of the comparison with Lisbon in Portugal. San Francisco is as Lisbon located on the hills, it's mostly white colored, there are riding the similar trams across the city and the city is lying on the coast of the ocean and is connected with opposite coast with long bridges exactly as Lisbon. Last but not least San Fran is much more European than other American cities. But what differs San Fran from Lisbon are fogs. There are there almost all the time. And the pride of SF - the Golden Gate Bridge is most of time covered by fog.
San Fran is liberal city. Much more liberal, than for example Nebraska, when I spent this year. In SF there is a big gay and lesbian community. They have here even their own part of the city - Castro. The freedom you can experience just when you are buying the alcohol - mostly they don't ask you for your ID, which would be in Nebraska unimaginable.
Lots of people are excited of living in San Francisco. I say, it's a beautiful city, but for me, it's something between American and European city. And why to make a compromise, when I can live either in American or European city? However, definitely I wanna come back one day...
So, what's the plan for upcoming days? Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, Sequoya Nat. Park... As soon as I get online I'll let you know how it's going...
Monday, May 7, 2007
Summer plans and leaving Nebraska
After couple days without much sleep, moving out from my dorms (which I btw did from 9:30 at the night to 3 in the morning...) I'm finally posting. Days full of farewell parties and saying see you and mostly unfortunately bye. Normally I like partying but this last week I just HATED. Tired, thinking of what I have to do before I leave and what's the worst knowing that I won't probably see most of guys I spent unforgettable year with. And right now I'm really sad, because I had argument with ones of my best friends here - John and Tim and I didn't tell them bye, which totally pisses me off. I spent with them some great times, they helped me a lot and now we will leave each other in this awkward situation? We will see how will it go. Hopefully we will solve it out because I really don't wanna leave like that...
I'm not good at saying bye (and who is?) but I realized that it's time to move and head to other life adventures. So I decided not to come back to Czech for the summer and stay here in the States... So, guys it's my pleasure finally present you my summer plans. Here you are:
1. Tomorrow morning me and my Czech and Irish friends are flying to San Francisco, CA where we are renting a car and heading to our round trip across California, Arizona, Utah to Yellowstone National Park. The trip is planned for almost 3 weeks, so looks like a lot of fun ;)
2. After this trip, me and my Czech friend Jan are flying to Pennsylvania to work in the kids camp for more than 2 months.
3. Right after the camp I'm moving to Washington DC, where I should have an internship at the Czech Embassy in Washington for more than 1 month.
And afterwards, I'm coming back to Czech!!!!! I guess in late September. So, plan the party at this time for me ;)
Now you know my plans, so I'm looking forward to know what's going on with you. And whoever wanna come to Washington to visit me, you are more then welcome... Hopefully I'll go online sometimes in upcoming weeks, so I can keep tracking my journey here. Stay tuned!
I'm not good at saying bye (and who is?) but I realized that it's time to move and head to other life adventures. So I decided not to come back to Czech for the summer and stay here in the States... So, guys it's my pleasure finally present you my summer plans. Here you are:
1. Tomorrow morning me and my Czech and Irish friends are flying to San Francisco, CA where we are renting a car and heading to our round trip across California, Arizona, Utah to Yellowstone National Park. The trip is planned for almost 3 weeks, so looks like a lot of fun ;)
2. After this trip, me and my Czech friend Jan are flying to Pennsylvania to work in the kids camp for more than 2 months.
3. Right after the camp I'm moving to Washington DC, where I should have an internship at the Czech Embassy in Washington for more than 1 month.
And afterwards, I'm coming back to Czech!!!!! I guess in late September. So, plan the party at this time for me ;)
Now you know my plans, so I'm looking forward to know what's going on with you. And whoever wanna come to Washington to visit me, you are more then welcome... Hopefully I'll go online sometimes in upcoming weeks, so I can keep tracking my journey here. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Finally, done with the finals...
I had my last exam today. Spanish test was the last exam I took here at UNL. I'm so glad that's over. I mean my exams, not my stay here. For that I'm still kind of sad, even I start feeling that I have to move again. It was gorgeous year for me, but I'm ready to experience again something new. I'm ready for summer! And guess what? We are going to travel for almost three weeks.
California, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, prepare for us! Next Tuesday we are gonna jump out on you and start another adventure over there...
And just quick note for the end - my sickness is hopefully over. Just you to know ;)
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