Getting Oriented

Dear Friends and Family,

Sorry about the long absence (again). Danielle and I spent the week getting inundated with information about the Czech Republic from the friendly faces at the Fulbright. They spent all week teaching us about the language, history, politics, and culture of the Cz.R. - it was fascinating, but long, so we've been busy. We also got to see a Czech opera (our first) and visit the U.S. ambassador's residence, which would be demeaned by being referred to as a palace. The ambassador was nice, and his wife gave one of the other Fulbrights a cheese top hat and bow tie. The Fulbright had gone to Wisconsin, and His Excellency was from Milwaukee. You can't make this stuff up.

As for the other Fulbrights, they are great. Everyone's interests are really different, but each person seems to really have a great reason for being here and a real desire to hang out. We've already been invited to the Fulbright director's house for Thanksgiving (although we'll need to do the real American cooking), and we are thinking of heading to the north of Bohemia to see how glass is made and engraved with Chad, a glass artist from Seattle.

Danielle made some great contacts this week for possible volunteer options - each person she talked to had another NGO or local agency who could use a smart and personable American who could help teach English to their staff. It was really encouraging, and Danielle also got interested in the culture of the Roma (i.e. Gypsies) who live in the Cz.R. They are a major minority, but aren't very well integrated in Czech culture. More on that is sure to follow. I will sign off for now, and we'll try to write more often and with more amusing insights. We are starting to prepare two photo-essays for your enjoyment: 1) the mullets of Prague, and 2) the ten smallest dogs on earth. Forget golden retrievers or cocker spaniels - everyone here either has a 13 oz. dog or a mastiff, and NONE of them are on leashes or neutered. Who knew?

Oh well, that's it for now. Danielle's aunt and uncle and mom and dad get here mid-week, so we're sure to have many adventures to report.

Na shledanou,
Phil and D