Farewell to my new friends!

Right now, I am sitting in Prague airport waiting for the arrival of my two lovely babi’s (grandmothers). 

I am about 45 minutes early, so I decided I should catch everyone up with what I’ve been doing.

Thursday night, our program hosted a farewell party for all the students.  It was at an outdoor café, and we were handed classy (and delicious!) glasses of champagne upon our arrival.

The dinner was buffet style, and it seemed that hardly any expense was spared for our enjoyment. 

We all took too many pictures, gave too many hugs, and promised each other it wouldn’t be the last time we saw one another.  I truly hope that’s the case.

I told many of my Singapore friends that if they ever found themselves in America, to let me know, because I wouldn’t hesitate to jump on a plane and meet them.  Friendships like those I made this summer aren’t an everyday occurrence, and so I whole-heartedly meant it when I saidwould travel to see them.  I also (tentatively) plan on making a trip to see Southeast Asia next summer.  My first stop would be Singapore of course, but it would be a wonderful opportunity to travel to Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and China as well.  

 

The Farewell Party! From Left: Devi, Munirah, Me, Anna

On our way out to pubs! 

I said goodbye to my closest friends Thursday night and Friday morning though, and it was something I wasn’t ready to do yet.  I could easily stay here with them another 4 weeks, but alas that’s not an option as the classes are over. 

We went out for drinks after the party, of course
I found chocolate :) 

I am looking forward to spending this last week showing my grandmothers around a city I’ve come to call my own.  (Silly, I understand, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with Prague and its culture).  I know they will love it as much as I do.  But for those of you reading this that personal know Mary and Emma Stefka, I believe you understand the magnitude of the adventure we are about to embark on. 

My grandmothers are fun-loving, giggly, and for some reason, completely trust me in that I will get them to the places we need to be.  That’s a daunting task as my Czech speaking skills are still limited, though I can navigate the city fairly confidently. 

When I skyped with them the night before they hopped aboard their first flight, the first thing Mary asked me was if I had found her a good Czech man she could bring back.  Not what the weather was like in Prague, not about the transportation to our trip to Austria coming up, and definitely about hotels. 

Yes. That’s the sort of adventure we are about to undertake.  I absolutely cannot wait to have them here with me!  It will certainly take away the void left by the departure of friends I have grown to adore. 

On that note. I will be back in the states in 6 days! In Washington D.C., I will have a 9 hour layover where I am fortunate enough to spend it with a friend I met almost 5 weeks ago.  He spent a couple nights showing me the city (He is a graduate from Georgetown University), and has informed me that he has another fun-filled itinary for my 9 hours in his city. 

I will arrive back in Nebraska around noon next Sunday, August 4^th.  While I’m not quite ready to return yet, I can’t deny how much I’ve missed my friends and family back home.  It will be a bittersweet goodbye to central Europe, but I know that it won’t be the last time I am here.  I think another study abroad in 3 semesters sounds like an incredible idea!

Wishing you all the best, and can’t wait to see you!

Cass