Hey everyone! We finally have a home and are just getting settled.  We still have no hot water or internet which is kind of a problem but everything in Europe is slower than what we are used to so I'm trying to be patient with it.  This week we started our Intensive Czech Language course.  It is a crazy language!  We learned how to order food and we learned a bunch of basic foods so that we can get around in the grocery store or restaurant.  The tricky part of Czech is that there are SO many consonants back to back.  We have to try and pronounce words like "ctyri" (meaning the number 4) and "zmrzlina" (ice cream).  It is really great being able to learn something and then go right out in the street and use it!  A lot of Czech people in Prague speak English so it's not too hard getting around, but many do not, so it can be tricky getting around sometimes.  Next week we start our full course load.  I'm actually really excited to have a regular routine and to get into these classes.  They all seems so interesting!
I'm taking:
Intensive Czech
Czechs Jews and Germans in Bohemian Lands
Life and Culture in a Totalitarian Regime
Prague as a Living History (walking tour class)
and a course on the history of communism in the Czech Republic

The Powder Tower

We went on a few tours last week.  One of them was a short walking tour around the city.  We learned a bit about Czech architecture and the city's history.  It's amazing seeing the contrast in architecture!  One building will be modern cubism style and the next will be gothic style.

Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti)
Wenceslas Square is where Prague's major demonstrations have always been held.  The Velvet Revolution took place here in 1989 when the Czech people fought to overthrow the communist regime.

Wenceslas Square during the revolution