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This
week I have settled into daily life and got into a routine of work.
Unlike
last week's cool wet weather, this week we experienced a heat wave
with temperatures reaching between 25°C and 30°C each day
- much better!
Feeling
more confident getting around the city each day, I decided to take
a better look at the city centre and explore the area. The city
centre is far from industrial, and shops and pubs surround the busy
main square.
A couple
of evenings this week, I went with the trainees to a park close
to the hotel - a welcome break from the built-up landscape of downtown
Ostrava where we live.
Ostrava
is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and quite different
from what I am used to. Its cityscape is quite unlike that of Birmingham,
there are very few high-rise buildings or new development in the
centre.
New
room-mate
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| Orsi
and Jess |
A new
trainee from Romania arrived this week, my new room-mate - Orsi.
I have
not shared a room for more than a few days for a long time and so
I had mixed feelings about giving up my privacy and I was apprehensive
as to whether we would get a long or not.
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| Out
on Stodolni Street |
Fortunately
Orsi and I hit it off straightaway - we had lots to talk about and
similar interests. I am pleased to say I am enjoying sharing a room
with my new friend! Orsi's arrival was of course celebrated with
a welcome party, any excuse to visit the famous Stodolni Street!
Hiking
weekend
A group
of us decided to take a break from the city and escape to the Beskydy
Mountains for two days of hiking this weekend.
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| Taking
a break |
We
planned the trip carefully and checked the weather forecast for
the weekend was good so at 6.45am on Saturday morning we left for
the town of Ostravice situated in the Beskydy Mountains. This was
the starting point of the hike.
The
Beskydy Mountains lie to the south east of Ostrava on the boarders
of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. We decided to hike to
the top of the highest peak - Lysa Hora.
This
turned out to be quite a gruelling uphill hike in blazing sunshine.
It was very tempting to turn back about halfway. Hot and exhausted,
we made it to the top and we were all pleased we had persevered
when we saw the view!
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| Sunset
viewed from Lyra Hora |
Unfortunately
during the night, the weather changed dramatically and it poured
with rain. We decided that a second day of hiking was out of the
question and made it back to Ostrava soaked to the skin and freezing
cold in the morning.
Despite
the rain and cold I really enjoyed the weekend, it was really nice
to get into the fresh air and see the views as we climbed higher
and higher up the mountain.
Feeling
at home
This
week has flown by! I am starting to feel at home in this country;
the fact that I can't understand things does not worry me anymore
- I am used to getting around things and working them out for myself.
I am
making an effort to pick up some Czech words and trying to use them
where I can. I know how to read the tram timetables and I'm finding
it easier and easier to get around the city. I
am starting to get back some of my independence as I learn more
and more and the challenges become less and less.
At
the end of last week, I felt as though getting through my time here
was going to be a real trial and I could not wait to go home.
However
at the end of this week, I feel completely different, I feel like
time is passing me by and I need to make the most of each day because
I will be home before I know it!
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Written
by Jess Rudkin
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