It’s too bad that as you begin getting comfortable and develop an understanding of a place, it’s time to leave. České Budějovice (bode-a-vits-ka) has been one of the more difficult places for me on this trip – the huge language barrier was unexpected.
I’ve traveled to many countries, and even compared to Vietnam and Turkey this small Czech town was a challenge. I often do volunteer work during long trips but decided not to this time. In hindthought, it might have been a better way to integrate into the local culture.
After several months of travel, I needed to stay in one place for a while and regroup. České Budějovice seemed a good choice. Now that it’s time to leave, I’m feeling sad about saying goodbye.
I will miss my favorite things and places – cafés, restaurants, parks, cobbled streets, markets, fountains, cathedrals, outdoor music concerts in the square, Sunday afternoon walks along the river, the train station which was intimidating at first, and of course the people. People I haven’t been able to communicate with verbally to any depth but who recognize me, and I recognize them, and now we greet each other.
The last few days we’ve had some dramatic weather. The 90 degree heat created thunderstorms. For three days the mornings have begun crystal clear, and then dark ominous clouds gathered as afternoon approached. Around 6:00 p.m., the winds pick up and the skies erupt with a torrential downpour that drenches everything for a few hours. The storms are interesting, and the thunder, lightening, and rain help clear your mind, as well as the air.
These are a few photo memories of this beautiful Czech town. I will miss the unique and breathtaking sights and leave with many wonderful memories.
Hi Sue. Thank you so much for your like on my blog, I have just been scrolling through yours and surprised to note we are following a very similar path. We will be in Budapest shortly and I so hope I will remember to look up your posts for great ideas on things to do. Garrulous Gwendoline, The Reluctant Retiree
Like your blog… I’m in Prague for a month and then back to Oregon – don’t want to go home, nothing particularly ominous there……………….just want to continue roaming but I’ve been at it for six months and need to check in at home. Maybe South America next? Budapest is great but it was so hot! I wasn’t there for very long – many things happening during August!
Best Wishes, :o)
Sue
Like your blog… I’m in Prague for a month and then back to Oregon – don’t want to go home, nothing particularly ominous there……………….just want to continue roaming but I’ve been at it for six months and need to check in at home. Maybe South America next? Budapest is great but it was so hot! I wasn’t there for very long – many things happening during August!
Best Wishes, :o)
Sue
We are both home now. How is it for you? I so admire your independent travels. Big, big effort. GG
Hi – thanks for your comment. Being back home is very difficult – of course lost track of many happenings in friends lives, feel disorientated and dissatisfied with the American lifestyle (something that’s been brewing for years)… Trying to pull it together – yoga, painting classes, volunteer work, maybe trying some more creative writing as there are many potential “stories” from my travel experiences. I’m divorced, no children so I don’t have that distraction. How’s it going for you – better I hope?
Something similar, although we were only away three months. We had to come home around three weeks early due to a family tragedy. Very sad event that I won’t elaborate, but that did consume all our early attention when we returned. Now “where to from here” is my next dilemma. We live in an over ’55 lifestyle place, and it is lovely, but hardly challenges me. I intend to spend more time writing also. I have a manuscript that is 95% ready to send to a publisher, but as I am a novice in that world, it is expecting a lot that it will be successful in the short term. You sound as if you have already lined up quite a range of activities!