(The end is never the end)

We kept busy at the end of the semester studying for finals, trying to stay warm, and saying our bitter-sweet goodbyes to Praha.  Natalie also had a final recital, where she played a solo piece on flute, an NYU student composer's piece, and in a woodwind quintet.  It was a great evening of music!

We made it out of snow-covered Prague before most of the airports in Europe closed down.  Wheww!  Taking off in the blizzard was a little nerve-wracking, but we were so thankful that we didn't have to deal with any messy delays!

And just like that, the semester was over.  The subsequent days were filled with quality time in the good ol' USA... back to the land where things like reese's peanut butter cups, cheezits, & diners are abundant.  It was so nice to welcome in the Christmas spirit...

Making Gingerbread Houses

Tree Picking & Decorating!

And the last stop before dropping Nat off at the airport to fly back West...

Ice-skating at the Farm (with four dogs!)

At first Natalie was a little nervous about skating on a real lake (are you sure it's really frozen?)

 

But the dogs weren't afraid at all.  It was so funny watching them run and slide out on the ice.  Do they make canine ice skates?

All smiles!

Dill & Nat

Studying in the Czech Republic was a fantastic experience but it's so amazing to be back.  Now that we have returned to reality and are taking classes in New York again, it kind of feels like it was all a dream.  We both think about our semester abroad all the time - we'll definitely cherish those memories forever.


Thank you for reading and keeping up with us on our journey.  We hope you all laughed, wondered, and learned along with us!


Praha Love  : ) 

Tis Peppermint Mocha Season

And just like that, twinkling lights adorned the buildings and Christmas decorations were everywhere in Prague!

On one of our walks we came across this lit-up penguin display on the Vltava River -  so fun.  

Megumi & Nat on the Charles Bridge

We gathered early to watch the annual lighting of the big Christmas tree in Old Town Square on November 27th.  The Square got uncomfortably packed with people, but the excitement of the crowd was so festive.  The lighting display itself was nothing crazy, but it was a fun kick-off to the Christmas markets here and the holiday season (time to put those holiday albums on repeat!)

St. Wenceslas Square

St. Nicholas Church in Mala Strana

 It wasn't long after that before a blanket of snow covered all of Prague.  

The winding medieval streets of Prague took on a whole new character with the snow

such charm!

We climbed up to the Castle District to show our friends & check out the snowy landscape.

At the Castle

The Castle was adorned with joyful wreaths & bows

Inside St. Vitus Cathedral (probably for the last time in awhile)

It was slippery outside the Cathedral, but so beautiful

It was a great surprise to see this huge nativity scene made out of hay outside the Cathedral

Dillon & James

The Flying Buttresses on the Cathedral are still awe-inspiring

Holiday cheer!

The view from the Castle:

The previously red roof tops are now covered in white

Crossing the Vltava River

Trdelnik!

Climbing the Old Town Clock Tower has an entirely different experience with the snow.  

This time was especially neat because we happened to be at the top just as the clock stroke the hour.   We were pleasantly surprised when the trumpeter showed up literally right next to us to broadcast his tune from the tower.  

Looking out over enchanting Old Town:

...and that "blanket" of snow soon turned into a blizzard that dominated the weather forecast for days.  It took some getting used to at first, but that's what good boots & mittens are for (along with 6 other layers of clothing).  Hard to believe that the semester is wrapping up... and with only one week left, we find ourselves buried in papers and studying for final exams (yes, schoolwork).  More on our end-of-semester adventures coming soon!