Rock City

A couple weekends ago, some friends and I decided to visit Teplice nad Matuji in northeastern Czech Republic (very near the Polish border) to see the "Rock City" in the mountains.  We arrived on Friday evening to a very dark little village near the entrance to the park.  We took the train from Prague then transferred to a regional train to get closer to our destination.  Then we got on a tiny train that took us to our little village in the mountains.  The train stop was a small shack with no lights and when we arrived at 7:30 pm it was pitch black.  We saw a light in the distance and decided to head down the stairs towards the light.  We found our penzion (below) was the only place open!  Most things don't open for another month when the real high season starts.  Thankfully we had brought food and snacks with us and we entertained ourselves by playing cards by the fire.  It was a great escape into "the nature."

Our Penzion

Amy and Becca starting out on the trail

First signs of snow - and there was much more to come!

Stop in the name of love - or don't do whatever he's telling you not to do!

The beginning of the rock formations

Simone, Becca, and Amy - hiking partners

Cool tree roots

We hiked up 200 steps to see a great view - this is almost the top

Amy  heading up the last, very steep, steps

The view was worth it!

Czech flag - needs some paint

One view as we went down the stairs

Next we entered an area nicknamed Siberia - we learned why when we entered and the temps dropped about 15 degrees

Always having fun - and the ice tasted refreshing too!

Someone had shoveled out the path and even created steps

Ice

Cool to see ice and moss together

And the path narrows

We found a frog

Ice patterns

More interesting ice - above the creek

See the ink pot on the left?  A lot of the rock formations were named and I didn't really see them - however, I got this one!

And the path got smaller and smaller

Peek-a-boo

Tree had fallen with all its roots...never seen anything like it before

Snack time!

Water puddle

Melting snow

To show we really were in the middle of nowhere - we hiked to this nearby train station - a step above what we arrived at the night before!

What are you running from?

"When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find ways to do it."  --Dr. David Schwartz

At some point or another, the conversation among expats evolves into asking "So, what's your answer to the, what are you running from question?"  We've all been asked it from family, friends, acquaintances, and even each other.  And everyone's answers are totally different.  Generally at first, everyone says they aren't running from anything, they just want a new experience and to see a different part of the world.  Of course this is true for all of us.  As friendships form, you become more honest and say what's really going on in your life to push you into such a drastic change from your life.  And even during all that - you still question - am I really running from something or running towards the life I was meant to be living?  And really, whether you live in a town you've lived in for ages or you choose to move overseas, aren't we all running from something in our lives?  Or are we really just running towards what we want in our lives?

I had things I was running from - but they smacked me in the face even here - thousands of miles from what I know.  I somewhat foolishly thought that changing my environment would change me.  However, being alone in another country does not allow you to hide those things away - rather they become more and more evident as you wander about in your own little world.  For most of my life, I have lacked self-confidence.  I have done a pretty good job of covering that up and not allowing most to see it.  However, it has resulted in numerous struggles with depression and loneliness throughout my adult life.  This move to Prague reminded me more than ever of that famous quote "No matter where you go, there you are."  What I was trying to escape was something that only I could let go.

I used to think that I had to be perfect.  To only let people see me from a distance as this perfect "with-it" person.  But deep down, I wasn't happy.  I felt stuck in this life that I thought others wanted me to live.  When in truth, all anyone has ever wanted for me is to be happy.  Moving overseas has allowed me to finally see what makes me happy and what life I was meant to live.  I love traveling - experiencing new cultures, trying new things, and taking pictures of it all along the way.  I am grateful to have found a job that I'm good at that allows me to work in many interesting locations

While I started this journey in some ways "running from something", I really do feel I am running towards something as well.  While I've certainly had moments of self-doubt, I have never once regretted this choice and also feel that living here has helped me face some things I've struggled with for years.  And while sometimes I feel I "should" have more direction in where my life is going - especially as my 35th birthday creeps closer and closer.  However, when I really think about it - I am already doing what makes me happy.  Finally letting go and just living my life, being me and enjoying each day is what I want in my life.  And so, that's what I'm going to keep doing.  I'm not sure for how long or where this will all take me, but what I do know is that I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

"Good enough is the new perfect."  -- Becky Beaupre Gillespie

And so, now I'm searching for jobs in Costa Rica.  I'm hoping to start in September and start enjoying the Costa Rican "pura vida" - pure life!  Costa Rican culture has a true love and appreciation for life and living in the moment.  It sounds like a perfect environment for me for my next step.  I'm looking forward to a warmer climate and the ability to be more active - mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, rafting, kayaking, surfing, you name it - I'm going to try it!

So, what am I running from?  Well, nothing anymore.  I am however running towards something - living my life to the fullest and enjoying each day.