Week 1

I arrived here in Slovakia on Sunday, was greeted by the Ferencs, my first host family, and immediately realized my luggage had not arrived. We drove to a mall for the essentials and a chicken gyro, and then on through the Slovak countryside. Our first stop was not Krasne Horke, but another small country village, which is where my second host family, the Zubriczkas, live in the summer and weekends. It was a beautiful village, though a little run down in areas. Veronika and Kaja, my host sisters in my second family, took me through the streets to a futbal match where we proceeded to point out all the cute men "zladky in light green!! ohh number 4 has nice hair!" We returned to the house for dinner and home-made wine from the Zubriczka vineyards, and bowls of grapes and an odd sort of plum. Veronika speaks Anglicky, and when everybody kept laughing, she translated her father- "We are laughing because we are happy, because our exchange student is so nice and beautiful." D´akujem pekne.
We finally left for Krasne Horke, a tiny village underneath a lovely, well preserved castle. The Ferencs have a very nice home and what is basically a small farm. They have tri dogs, tri cats, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, a snake, fish, chickens, cockatoos, and probably more. Opening the fridge reveals speckled eggs, and theres a kitten in the shed.
My parents speak very little English, and I speak even less Slovak, but putting our skills together, and with the considerable help of my translating 12 year old brother Jakub, we communicate fairly well. I add more words to my binder every day, and Nasta tells me I learn quickly.
Matus has offered to show me around Roznava and take me hiking, which Im excited for.
Veronika told me today that my host father is going to take me to the Procreator. "You need to go to the Procreator. No.. Prosecutor. Prosecutor." Pretty funny.
I dont start school for another week. Not sure how excited I am for that.

Last Week in Morgantown

I have less than a week left in Morgantown, and reality is slowing setting in. I don't know that I'm excited to leave- more apprehensive. And sad. It's hard to leave when my friends are just piling in from vacation and I have my first real conversation with the man from Chico's I've had a huge crush on all summer (his looks are exquisite). But I'm going, kicking and screaming, to frigid cold Slovakia, and all I can do is stay somewhat detached. When I give formal goodbyes I miss the place too much- and I'm big on ceremony. I've heard over and over again that this is the adventure of a lifetime. I hope not. I want this to be the adventure that launched the adventure(s) of a lifetime. I don't want this to be the best year of my life; just an interesting one.

I have a friend there already, but he's leaving three weeks after I arrive. I'm hoping to go hiking with him before he leaves though (in some ways Roznava is not unlike Morgantown). We'll see how that goes. It's nice to have a friend already there waiting for me, however fleeting.

For now though, I'm going to enjoy Morgantown, realize the love for it I've kept locked up behind teenage angst and chem tests.

Jacqueline