Prague Journal

Wednesday, February 9, 2005.

The presentations this morning were from the newly-arrived scholars, who gave overviews of their professional experience and plans for the coming semester. Of the seven new grantees, only two will be teaching in Slovakia. The presentations ended early, thanks to Hanka’s prodding to leave on time, so that we could get to Brno by 3:30 for those who needed to catch the train to Český Budejovice or Olomoc. Lunch was early and bags were on the bus in plenty of time for pictures and goodbyes and, for some of us, last-minute therapies. Veena had not been as enthusiastic about her mineral mud pack (not a full-body mudbath, just another version of a back-rub with mud), and I had heard mixed reviews about the shiatsu massage and foot reflex massage, and was not interested in the underwater massage or whirlpool tub. At Nora’s suggestion, I had signed up for a “honey detoxication massage,” which was essentially a gentle backrub with honey. Most of the honey was absorbed by a hot towel, but a few sticky spots remained until late in the evening!
We boarded the buses immediately after lunch. The Czech group comprised at least 30 adults and 11 children, so getting everyone in the bus – and back on the bus after a short pitstop in Brno – was not without careful counting and double-counting to make sure no one was left behind (we had only one near-miss). We got to the main train station in Prague shortly after 6:00 p.m. and said our last goodbyes, at least for a while.
Rick insisted on going to the Czech class at Irena’s flat, since we had plenty of time for a quick bite before the class started at 7:15. The class tonight was only Young Richard, Big Ed, and Rick and me. We are learning pronouns, which have (too) many forms, depending on case and gender. On paper, it is not difficult, but speech still requires much thought, and the shortness of our remaining time in the Czech Republic makes it ever more tempting to bag it. Rick, however, is determined to hang in there, no matter how poor his Czech is or will ever be. He can sometimes be a little stubborn about these things, but he claims that it has something to do with his making him a passable mathematician.

posted by JWinn @ 10:30 PM