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Writer's pictureAurelia Dungey

Back to the City of Brno


A fountain in the middle of the shopping mall

Yesterday, Tuesday: I couldn't come up with anything productive to do for the day at the house, so I went into Brno with my host dad. We had some breakfast at his office and spent a bit of time there before I decided to start my day's adventure. I got very specific instructions from my host dad on how to get to one of the shopping centers. As I set off on my journey I was a bit nervous to see if I could make it successfully on my own since my language skills aren't quite good enough to ask for instructions and understand what they tell me. I first got on the bus down to Mendlova Square, where I waited for the street tram going to another Square. I only got kind of lost for about 20 minutes in the second Square trying to figure out which direction the shopping center was in. I finally broke out the google maps and was on my way again. I spent a few hours wandering around all the stores and trying to figure out which stores seemed to be the most popular. I recognized a few of the brands from back home but not many. I was able to order a snack for myself again using my knowledge of how to pronounce words even when I have no idea what I'm saying. In the early afternoon my host dad finished work and came to get me and take me home. When we got home I got to try some Russian ice cream which was delicious.

My host dad thought that since we still had quite a bit of time left in our day we should take the bikes out for a little ride. As he fixed up the bikes I got changed and got caught up with a few friends who were waking up back home in the US. We headed out down the road on our mountain bikes, and I soon realized how out of shape I am in to just jump on a bike and go. I was determined to keep up, so I wheezed my way down the path behind my host dad. We went up and down a few small long hills, and he waited for me at each turn. We got to the top of one hill and we started down the other side, picking up speed as we went. There was a small turn in the road which I cut a bit close, and I ended up going through some sand and crashing across the pavement. After a few minutes of washing off and getting myself together as best as possible, we decided to call it a day and head home. Working our way back up the hill we had just been zooming down, I started to think about home in the US. As we kept going my host dad urged me to just keep going, and it started to remind me of my dad, "Pedal pedal pedal pedal".


You never really realize how well your parents know you until they're not with you every day. As a teen, I sometimes think that my friends know more about me and know me better than my parents. But really, they only know my secrets, not my emotions and ways of being, not really. It's our parents who know us best and know how best to help us in every situation no matter what. We sometimes don't think what they are doing is really the right way, but as I rode my bike home today all I could think was "I wish my parents were here". Physically and emotionally, everything was truly fine, but I couldn't help but remember just exactly how my parents bandage me up.

This experience also showed me a physical version of the "ups and downs" that going on an exchange will give you. My first week here has been amazing, and now, looking back it feels like it has all been an "up". I miss my parents but not so much to interfere with the life I am building here. I have had so many great experiences, and I am feeling good about my upcoming year. I wouldn't count today as a "down" even though I got hurt. I feel that I have actually grown from this, and had some realizations about being independent, and learning to work some things out on my own.

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5 comentarios


Deanna Mousseau Rivera
Deanna Mousseau Rivera
05 sept 2018

<3 what a beautiful blog.

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janeann_engel
04 sept 2018

So insightful my niece! You make your parents proud! Here's kiss for your boo-boo. 😘

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Allegra Jasper
Allegra Jasper
03 sept 2018

I am pretty proud....and a lot jealous!

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alenahagedorn10
alenahagedorn10
03 sept 2018

I agree with Deanna! Your mom is probably beaming with pride!

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Deanna English
Deanna English
29 ago 2018

Another fine, introspective post! yippee for awareness! love your journey!

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