Experiencing a true winter in all its splendor

After returning from a wonderful time at home with my family and friends (and 75 degree weather), I have returned and plunged back into the frigid Czech lands. Literally.

The day after my red-eye flight, I hopped in a car with some Czech friends and Heidi, and we headed north to the mountains near the Polish border. One of the ladies is the wife of the coach of the Czech ski team so the mission for the weekend was to teach Heidi and me how to ski. This is where the plunging came in.

The mountains were stunning. Snow blanketed the forest floor and the Christmas trees sagged with their white burden. Being there, I can understand how people can honestly love the winter. Up to this point, I must say, I had my doubts. But, it is a whole other world when everything is white as if the Lord decided to shoot with black and white film for a few months for the sheer beauty of it and to make sure we notice colors when they return.

Speaking of fresh coloring, I myself gained some over the weekend. Not your conventional browning, however. Mine is more of a bluish purple. In addition to my oh so sore muscles, it is all the evidence I have to show that I have officially added skiing to my repertoire of abilities. Coming downhill though was not the problem. That part was enthralling. It was the rides up. In the Czech Republic, such things as metal chair lifts which you sit down on and pull the bar snug are unnecessary. I think this is because most of the people on the slopes here have skied their whole lives so such luxury is unnecessary. So instead, they had this contraption which looks like a rope swing with a small red circle on the bottom for which you must position your skis, wait until it rounds the corner, grab the rope, shove the circle beneath you, and hold on as you are whisked off up the mountain. The same task in reverse awaits you if you are lucky enough to keep your skis going in the proper direction and arrive safely at the top. Needless to say, this task is the origin of the new temporary tattoos on my sore body. The pain quickly faded, however, as the powder sprayed and the wind cut through my layers as I would head back down the Czech mountainside (on what I erroneously supposed to be the least steep side). Overall, it was a wonderful welcome back to the Czech Republic for which I am so thankful.

Now it is time to look forward to the rest of the semester still to come. In just a couple of days, Heidi and I are headed to Greece (and, hopefully, not quite as severe temperatures). From there we will head north, backpacking for about a month. So until February when I return home and once again have my computer, I wish you all the best as I leave you in the hands of are all-powerful and loving Lord.