The title of this Blog is Czech for "black woman". Ask me how I know, go on ask me. No? I'll tell you anyway. I know this because it is one of the most frequently recurring phrases whenever I am in the vicinity of children who can speak. In fact so far we have a 100% occurence rate - yesterday the child in question pointed AND shouted "Pani Cerna! Pani Cerna!" Until we got onto the bus and parted company.

Most times its water off my back - I don't mind but the last occasion (i.e. the one before this - same scenario although this kid didn't make a song of it) I was really tired and angry with one of the people I'm living with so when I heard cerna I was pretty pissed off. Yesterday however, I had been out all night, only got to bed at half four in the morning and then had to roll out at 9 to go to Mass in the a.m. so I just smiled weakly and pretended I didn't understand what the munchkin was saying. But I keep on insisting- there should be etiquette classes for children.

Otherwise the weather has made a complete 180 - its been raining non stop for almost three days . Ordinarily I love the rain but my one pair of sneakers has a hole in it so when I head to or from the office I get a flood in my left shoe. Its not comfortable. But as soon as I walk into the office I take off my shoes and socks and its all okay - rain is really magnificent to watch, isn't it?

In other news...

We went visiting the Moravian karst this weekend - a network of caves with an underground river and stalagmites and stalagtites (or whatever they're called) and it was amazing. I kept taking a picture of the water and one of my friends asked my why I always do that - wherever we go I always take pictures of water. For the first time I was really forced to think about it and here is the answer I came up with, which I'm pretty sure is true.

To me, water reminds me of God. Water is always there but until we force ourselves to really think about it we are at risk of taking it for granted or of not making full use of it. Water is everything - our entire existance is wrapped around it and we would be totally screwed without it, and yet we behave like there'll always be enough of it to go around - it will always be there. But some people have already realised that this isn't always going to be the case, that one day there will not be enough water for all of us and will have no alternative to it. Who ever realises this always takes care and values the water they use, but those who don't sign their own death warrant.

Isn't that the same with our relationship with God?

Think. Act.

My friend told me that I have to say more about Prague because I made it sound really scant. That wasn't my intention though, I just meant that there are somethings that just words can't convey, somethings that you just have to experience to understand. There are no words to do Prague justice- live it to experience it. But keep in mind that there are hoardes of tourists and it may not be the best place for really young children when they are too young.

P.S. something from another friend.

Everyday in the war in the Middle East, 30 - 40 people will be killed.
Everyday in the war in Iraq, 100- 120 people will be killed.
Everyday in the DRC, 1000 - 1200 people will be killed.

When you watch the 10 o'clock news tonight, you will probably see stories on all three, in that order, in decreasing amounts of time.

What does that say about the value that we as a society place on human life?

Think.

Its really, really pretty.

Enough said.

So I'm in the Czech republic in the hottest month of the year. I mean seriously it is awful. By the end of the day I can actually smell myself and it aint a pretty smell! Plus to get to the office where I'm working, I have to climb up this hill... Oh and there are not that many black people in the Czech republic so people stare at me. Alot. I mean sometimes I feel like a specimen. But I guess its the inverse of what happens to white tourists when they go to Kenya to visit.

Now that the complaining is out of the way, we can get on with the good stuff. Brno is absolutely gorgeous. I mean absolutely. All the buildings are old and yet still well maintained and its fantastic. The best time to walk around is at night when its still warm so you don't need a jumper but cool enough so you can go up and down the hills (its a very hilly city) without breaking into a sweat.

I've also been to Ostrava, which is also very pretty, but the natives don't seem to like it. I thought it was amazing and I just love the old architechture.

The whole time I was preparing for this trip I was afraid that I would not have a good time because I didn't know what kind of tourist I am - would I be satisfied with just the old buildings, or would I want to soak up some culture? I don't drink (much) so would I be able to go out at night with no hassles? But its all turned out fantastically, not least becuase I'm staying with fellow AIESECers and its fantastic.And I've discovered what kind of tourist I am. I'm very much an old buildings/architecture tourist with nights for taking walks.

Phew at least that's settled.

AIESEC - a shameless plug. ;-)

Hey great and exciting news

I just got back from working at Wimbledon, which for all you philisitines is the tennis lovers equivalent of the Oscars. It was awesome!! I met Roger Federer (he's lovely) Rafael Nadal (he's lovely too) and a host of other famous people who are really lovely. No egos, no arrogance - that's what I love about tennis players and tennis in general. Tennis is still very much a gentleman's/Ladies sport. All the players were courteous and polite and very very nice ( with the exception of one particular rather famous female tennis player whose relations were the complete opposite of her - lovely to the core). Everyone was so polite and courteous,and we did the mexican wave during one of the matches and fell back into our seats in a fit of the giggles.

I miss it terribly already. I never thought I'd say that when I was working the 9 hour shift (and one and a half hour commute either way) with the sore feet and stuff, but there I said it. I loved wimbledon, and I loved working there and I can't wait to do it again next year.

Otherwise, I'm getting ready to go to the Czech republic for a few weeks for AIESEC. Fantasmagorical - I'm really looking forward to it.

Much love.