Thanksgiving--Our journey to Prague

It's beginning to look like Christmas...but wait it's still Thanksgiving! Today, Ben and I traveled to Prague for Thanksgiving and the weekend. We are lucky to still get the holiday off even though we are not in America.

We woke up at 4 a.m. this morning and left Debrecen at 5 a.m. to start our journey. We had to travel first to Budapest because there are no direct bus lines from Debrecen to Prague. Everything goes out of Budapest, which makes us a bit jealous of our fellow CETP friends located there. We arrived in Budapest around 8:30 a.m. and then got on our bus to Prague at 9:30 a.m. We also met up with our friend and CETPer, Heather. She decided to also travel to Prague for the Thanksgiving holiday and to meet up with an old college friend of hers.

The bus ride from Budapest to Prague was pretty uneventful. After a while all of Europe starts to blend together. "What country are we in now? And does it even matter?" Are frequently asked questions of ours.

The bus ride did provide free beverages, movies and stops along the way. When you stare out a window all day you start to feel very philosophical. You contemplate big complex questions like, "What should I do with my life?" But more often than I like to admit, I found myself thinking these types of questions, "Why was I so judgmental about that Jennifer Aniston movie?"

Around hour 6 or 7 hours into our journey we finally arrived in the Czech Republic and the landscape did change dramatically. There was a light snow covering the ground and roof tops! Snow always makes me happy (at least until I have to shovel it). And I could not resist the temptation to play 'Winter Wonderland' on my Ipod. It went against my rules of playing Christmas music before the end of Thanksgiving, but I like to live dangerously, so I did it anyway!

Seeing the snow lined trees and the sunset glistening off the snow made me so happy I wanted to sing 'Frosty the Snowman' for the whole bus (but I resisted). As I sat there a million miles away from home looking out at the snow, my Ipod played, 'I'll be home for Christmas.' It made sad and thankful all at once. I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude for my family and friends. It also made me lament that I would not be home for Christmas, "but only in my dreams."

So tonight I send out a giant hug and a smile to all friends and family who may be reading this. We love you and miss you, and there isn't a day that goes by that we aren't thankful for each and every one of you!