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Today began by catching three trams unsuccessfully and then finding the event by remembering that there was an aviation museum nearby. Of course, ''aviation museum'' was not well understood by people who only speak czech so I had to act out an aeroplane flying in front of the entire tram full of people. Running short of time, and not wanting to board another tram, I took a taxi there for the equivalent of approximately seven dollars. It was worthwhile also because I had a good Czech lesson with the driver.
When I arrived we had a course called Louisville and my course was meant to be 7.1 km, of course an estimate distance based on a straight line route from point to point. In reality I, like many of the girls and guys, skipped out the top part of the course. We didn't want to tire out our legs given the world uni games are only a week away. The course features plenty of route choice. We broke into pairs and one person took the track option which was often very wide of the direct route. The other person took the direct route through terrain.
This exercise taught us many things. For me I learnt that the white is good to run through but definitely avoid yellow (waist high grass) and green (blackberries and thick forests). The blackberries however were very good to eat afterwards! I also learnt that track routes are the way to go, with occasional cutting of corners if the white forest is good to run through. Sometimes it's good to be careful about exactly which route to take as there are many options. Other things learnt were that towers are t symbols on the map, clearings are very useful for landmarks and tracks are usually quite distinct.
Once we had finished the course we ate some blackberries, raspberries and nearly some not-blueberries. Thankfully the course director advised me that these were poisonous! I had a great German conversations with her about this.
We then checked for ticks and watched a seemingly murky pond which was filled with wildlife. There were giant frogs excelling at breastroke, snakes who popped their head above the water and were not inclined to move even at the most fierce downpour of tricks showered on surrounding water by the kiwi boys. Lastly there was fish, who seemed to like the taste of any human food that was thrown at them. They were not however very good at eating it for they lack the teeth of humans or other animals.
So after discovering the wildlife in czech's algae-filed ponds, it was time to go back to our accommodation and rest our legs.
We sat on the bus with our usual snacks and water and watched the abundance of fruit trees, cornfields and brightly colored buildings pass us by.
Yesterday I skipped middle training for a much needed sleep in ... And partly because my phone was still on dublin time. I spent a week with my family in Ireland which was nice to see extended family but my dad did not acknowledge me the entire time. It's tough but I think I have learnt not to rely on family any more for affirmation.
I woke up around ten o'clock and had some quick breakfast before going for a run. I was initially unenthused but found a park with squirrels whose legs barely touchéd the ground like however crafts going from tree to tree. I did 20 x 100/150m and felt good. I then went back to my accommodation via several spectacular looking churches, one of which was painted in my favourite real colour!
At home I found a Canadian orienteer who showed me some old maps and then I studied artistically by drawing bits of the map in watercolor. It probably wasn't helpful for learning but kept my fingers busy! I then played a little guitar before taking to the piano which Was even shorter lived because it was incredibly out of tune. Then onto food which was some crackers, a banana from the free food box and some freshly picked berries. I later bought some jam to make it a little more tasty. This food was accompanied by a green tea, one of the many teas to choose from which were provided free at the poets corner hostel.
Night was spent studying and I missed buying dinner from my favourite czech man so far who staffs the kebab shop. I haven't yet learnt his name but he loves to speak with me in German and has not yet realized I am in fact Australian/ Irish. He also always gives me something free and this has been a regular theme of my trip with many other gifts like this. For example one man gave me my purchase as a gift and some other people have offered me lifts and tickets free of charge. I aim to pass on this kindness to others, and try to live as Christ would have me in every place I am in.
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