fleeting

small wonders

27/30

Coming into my final week in Prague, I have learned many things about this special city and its people. Similarly, I have learned many things about myself. Being surrounded by so many strangers that speak a different language, share different ideals and customs, and have the familiarity of being home that I can’t possibly feel, can make one feel alone– quite often. This alone-ness can allow for some great observation and thought, as well as deep introspection.

I came to observe that Czechs aren’t always the friendliest people. They get frustrated when you don’t speak the language, when you ask to take food to go, when you ask to use card rather than cash. However, whenever there is a break from this hard exterior, and you receive a friendly smile or some broken english, it can feel so refreshing and relieving.

Being a tourist in a foreign country has also taught me how much I take for granted living in the US and knowing English. To me, the behavior the Czechs exhibit when tourists go against their norms seems rude, however I know in the US, Americans act the same way to tourists or immigrants who know more English than I do Czech. We’re equally not as welcoming. I am so used to the friendliness that comes with being an American from other Americans, so when I realized it was absent here, even the smallest acts of kindness added brightness to my day.