Autumn Harvest
The courage to step out into the unknown is finally paying off. My sister-in-law, Siv-Helen, says I’m ‘harvesting’ the seeds planted earlier this year.
I placed Prague, or Praha, as they say here, on my list of cities to see but never intended to live here until fate interceded. I arrived early Saturday morning and immediately set out to get acquainted with my new city.
Five days later, I had a flat, mates and a job!
Five days later, I had a flat, mates and a job!
If you have been reading this blog for some time, you know finding work has been a struggle since my arrival in Antibes, France back in June. I didn’t get work on a yacht; although, agencies enjoy getting my hopes up by continuing to ask if I’m interested in one job or another.
I was also turned down for a reporting position with Stars and Stripes, an American newspaper covering the American military in Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq because they wanted someone with more war coverage experience. At the time, the rejection for the Frankfurt-based position seemed like a setback but turned into a blessing when a few weeks ago it was uncovered that Ramstein Air Force Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany (the main base the position was responsible for covering) was targeted in a terrorist plot along with Frankfurt nightclubs frequented by Americans. Here are pictures from one such club, Cooky’s:
Later, another reporting position at a weekly English-language newspaper in Spain fell through because they were unwilling to do exactly what ICON Communications, a British company, is only happy to do on my behalf: obtain a work visa.
Following my first run around the city taking pictures, I popped in to a bar that looked a bit familiar. The sign read: Reggae Bar. The place doesn’t actually play reggae music. It earned its name due to the Bob Marley murals coloring its walls and the heaps of ganja smoked there despite it’s a stone’s throw from an adjacent police station.
I met some Nigerians there (I read somewhere that there are more Nigerians residing outside the country than in, which seems true since I keep meeting them); CJ, Kingsley, Allen, Lewis, Paul and Timmy (who, I later learned, works at ICON) are an interesting bunch and are plugging me into the Prague scene.
They tell me there are plenty of clubs around the city and I hear jazz leads the bunch. The boys told me on Saturday nights there’s a hip hop club where Americans like to go – tourists and b-ballers who live here during the season and so on. My dance card is sadly quite empty, so I think I’ll pass through.
I experienced pure, unadulterated joy when I moved into my permanent space. To have peace, quiet and privacy when I want it is a great blessing. I have an eastern view over the city from my eighth-floor window and I don’t have to interact with my roommates unless I want to. (I share a three-bedroom flat with two other females: another American and a Cesky.)
As we move into October and harvest season approaches, I grow even prouder of the choices I made and the courage garnered to make them. As I begin planting seeds for the next harvest, I continue to be amazed at how much the human spirit can accomplish when it clears itself of negative distractions which could only succeed in holding us back, or worse, stopping us dead in our tracks.
IT LOOKS LIKE A REALLY NICE PLACE, NOW THIS MEANS YOUR NOT COMING BACK TO THE BIG APPLE????? OMG I WILL MISS YOU
AUNTIE
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wow, it sounds like some things really do happen for a reason. You're really making the most of your travels. Well sone1 look forwar to hearing more soon.xxx
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Ola Chica.. sounds like your doing great... peace is a beautiful thing.. keep up the good work and keep those pictures comin
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I am thrilled that all you have done has finally and @ long last paid off. Woohoo!!!
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My sister, your words are breath taking... It is so amazing how life works out. You inspire me and I thank God for knowing you and being able to call you friend. Good luck as you enter into this season of harvest. Know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.
Much love!
cj
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Hello "Lois" ;o)
As always, your blog just speaks out what I think and what I have gone through until now: you have to believe that there is someone or maybe something guiding you and then everything will turn out right. If you just let it happen and if you remind yourself sometimes to LET it happen. Hearing the inside voice which we all got but which is nearly unheard in the trouble of today, thats what its all about - and that sometimes is not easy at all.
you seemed to have listen to your inner voice from the beginning - I like that. Brrrr, my english is not good enough to write what I exactly think - I hope you understand me either ;o) like you always did.
Hug, Katja
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Katja,
I always understand you because you speak better English than you think.
Hugging you back,
LL
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An old co-worker of mine told me that Prague was a beautiful place. Looking at your phots it is evident that the info I received was true. I am happy for you. Keep fulfilling your dreams and your aspirations L.L./R.M. That is waht life is about.
sg
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Hey! Sounds so intriguing! I am living vicariously through you these days! You are missed though!
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