continued.

...Eastern Europe met our intrigue with unique architecture, interesting food, colorful parks and perceivable scarring of the still-recent communistic recovery. The residual aura of oppression hung in a contrasting tension between buildings and people-the chic new structures symbolizing a younger generations’ aim to “move on” and “westernize,” contrasting the bullet-holed stack of flats with windows full of elderly faces, longing to re tell a piece of their painfully haunting history. Unfortunately, anticipated gypsy attacks never occurred. Other than the peculiar noises heard outside our quad-bolted cabin door during our forbidden night train ride to Prague, I decided the eerie gypsy world doesn’t actually exist.  Beyond the overall flawless execution of this 6 day trip, the 10 hours of travel-attempt shambles and interesting hostel experiences in Room 101 of the Czech Inn merely solidified Maegy’s fore-trip prediction: “Adventure only begins with something goes wrong.”

Needless to say, we enjoyed Starbucks at least 7 times. Thanks for being a good sport, Steph.

Halloween topped every previous year, with a FREE five–course Italian feast at Jesse’s restaurant in Bergamo. Thanks to owner Filippo’s love-fueled generosity, we enjoyed prestigious pasta dishes, breads, cheeses, meats, reserve wines, French champagnes and deserts. After a tour of the entire restaurant, Filippo gladly offered us the rest of our 2005 Chianti reserve and large jar of home made “secret spice” to take home. Candy  and pumpkins just wont cut it anymore…

Speaking of holidays....Christmastime feels near. As much as I enjoy the downslide into my absolute favorite season and all its nostalgic comfort, I cant help but dig my heals in the ground a little more stiffly for now: a futile attempt to slow down the inevitable pull of waning time. Nevertheless, I’m still mentally embracing the upcoming Holy season, listening to tons of Christmas music with my headphones (the only place I’m allowed to thus far.)

Discussion of "community" has been the subject at large lately…in thought, in prayer and in conversation.  Sifting to define and understand its priority and structure, in our lives now and in future preparation, I am thankful for this common theme in learning, and even more grateful for pilgrim hearts to process it with.

Above all, we praise God for His Divine Providence in every pocket of this semester, and the slow unveiling of our eyes to recognize all the miniscule-but-mighty pieces of it…

Have to fight, have to fly, have to crow.