Thursday, August 25, 1994

Day 13

I mailed my first email to Nicole today. I was very happy to finally send word back home on my adventures and status of my trip so far. You can't understand the frustrations I feel being confined to a world I can't communicate with or to.

A prime example of this frustration occurred during Czech class today. My teacher Hana Slezakova speaks Czech all of the time. That is great. The problem is most of us can't understand what she said until the third or fourth attempt. This creates friction between Trent and I. I show signs of fatigue. This makes him send me looks of Get a HOLD of Yourself and SHUT UP. Do not try to help me! I think you get my point.

Lauree has it down the best. Together we make a pretty good team. The problem comes when we all need our space. We just can't. Our world is too small and we need each other to survive. I feel like the character Piggy in the book Lord of the Flies. I try to use reason to solve problems. However, some problems should just be left alone. The human physic does not always function around reason and logic.

On a lighter note, Ostrava does have a large dog society. HUGE dogs with muzzles are seen being led down the sidewalk on leashes. Everywhere I turn I see another German Shepherd or Doberman. Some are as tall as 3 feet. Also, culture -- you must take a basket with you while shopping. If you do not have your basket with you in the store, you will be in trouble. It is considered the equivalent of stealing. Sanitation is also to be desired. Just urinate in the park or street if you can't make it to the water closet!

I try to act "normal" in a "different" culture, but I still get strange looks. I know that I am 6'8", but people just don't care if they I know I see them staring. Don't they know it is very rude to examine someone while they are aware of the scrutinizing gaze?

I don't get "looked" at much anymore, but the first week I sure did. Maybe the next four months will be better. I hope to start blending in.

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