This morning (Sunday, May 18th), Alex and I ate breakfast, took one last stroll through the streets of Prague, and caught our train down to Bratislava. He is travelling down to Slovakia to see family while I am going down to meet a friend whose name is Matúš.
The swiftness by which this day came is amazing to me. It feels like just yesterday that I took my first steps in Prague. However, today, around two weeks after that first day, I left Prague. My emotions are not too severe yet, for I will be staying in Europe for another week (not only that, I will be returning to Prague for a few days after I visit my friend). Although, I know that once I leave Europe, the feelings will be bitter-sweet. I am so eager to be in a land where I can communicate with everyone (in English), where I can do my laundry easily, where I can cook food for myself instead of eating out, and where I can visit my family and friends. These things and much more are the things that I look forward to when I return home. The bitterness comes from the fact that I may not return to Europe in some time, and given this, I will not be able to see some of the people I’ve met here as well. This has been an amazing experience, and I will never forget the memories that I made here with such wonderful people. I hope the close bonds that I have formed here will last forever. Leaving saddens me a little bit, but while I am still here, I will make the most of it. Additionally, when I return home, I have hanging out with my new friends to look forward to.
With regard to our train ride to Bratislava, it was very easy and relaxing. I highly suggest booking RegioJet trains. Matúš met me at the station, and we took another train to where he lives, Senec. The funny thing is, Senec reminds me of my hometown, a pleasant, quiet town filled with nature and small businesses. It’s almost like I left Prague to go back to a Slovak speaking Ellwood City (my hometown). After I visit my friend for a few days, I will be taking a train back to Prague so that I can visit my relative, Libor (my mother’s cousin). Therefore, for now, I have much to look forward to. I may be submitting one final blog for when I actually leave, but we will see.
Swanson School of Engineering 