Radio Free Europe

Today we took the metro (first for some!) to the Czech offices of Radio Free Europe.
We were privileged to learn from the RFE Communications and Gov't Relations coordinator and the Associate Director of Broadcasting who oversees Radio Free Europe in Afghanistan, Persia, Pakistan, and Iraq.
Photographers note: my apologies for the "washed out" picture of the group; I promise to do better!

Christmas Wish List

In case you're wondering what to buy your loved ones for Christmas...I was able to snap a few students next to the car they would most like to have under their Christmas tree! These were taken today on our Skoda car factory/museum tour. It was very interesting, educational, and fun! Tomorrow we visit Radio Free Europe (off on another adventure)!!!

Stephanie Caulo's Blog Entry from Kralupy

As mentioned in the first blog entry, our students are going to upload blog entries periodically. The first student to do so is Stephanie Caulo. Since she is having difficulty uploading the picture she'd like to accompany this blog, I'll post a few on her behalf. In Stephanie's words: Kralupy was a wonderful and enriching experience for us all. We all took part in the event by volunteering during the rugby tournament by helping with the arts and crafts table, parking cars, taking scores of the game, regulating the trampoline and most of all on looking and learning the fundamentals of rugby. During the tournament the children displayed an overwhelming amount of strength and strong will as they would fall and get back up with courage and get back into the game even after a few tears. Before the games they would do synchronized drills together and express their eagerness and excitement to play the game against their opponent. Even though there was a language barrier between us and the children through body language we were able to communicate effectively. The rugby players were very well mannered and eager to find out who we were, and many would even offer a hug and take a picture with us. This event was very fun and as we return Kralupy throughout this week we hope to meet and integrate Roma children into this fun and wonderful rugby club in Kralupy which will give them the opportunity they might not otherwise have.

Sunday in Kralupy

Today was the start of our social justice project with the Kralupy Rugby League - about a 30 minute train ride from Prague. Our dedicated students jumped right in and helped in a variety of ways: parking cars , putting up signs, keeping score, watching the wee ones on the trampoline while their older siblings played rugby,


and more! It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!




Next stop, the Skoda Factory. Stay tuned!

A picture says 1,000 words....

Czech out those hats!

Here we are wearing our Czech hats, gifts from the IILE hosts. They provided us with an incredible and VERY filling welcome dinner, where we all feasted on steak, mashed potatoes, chocolate cake-to-die-for and so much more! Tomorrow we begin our studies with an orientation session, lecture about Czech history and culture, and a 4-hr. walking tour of the city. Please be on the look out for student entries as we continue through our journey!

Czeching-In! Day One in Praha

After 18+ hours of travel, we all safely made our way to Prague - most with suitcases; two (Stephanie and Kyle) whose suitcases decided to make a different trip. Settling in was the major task of the afternoon and first evening.

We are staying right on Wenceslas Square - a great location. While walking around before dinner, we came across the 1992 sculpture, "Wenceslas Riding an Upsidedown Horse." This was sculpted three years after the end of Communist rule. It was to symbolize the topsy-turvy days of free enterprise, and what Wenceslas would think of it all.

Food discoveries: Our fearless leader, Dr. Gary Pletcher, opted for the pig knee (traditional Czech). Should be interesting to learn about everyone's discoveries tomorrow - a day of exploration!