So Andres and I got back from Budapest and Prague about a week ago, and is was great. In Prague, we spent a lot of time walking around the Lesser Town Square (Malostranské námestí), where one of the St. Nicholas Churches is, and spent a day around Hradčany (the castle district). St. Vitus Cathedral was located in the latter area, and it was quite beautiful. Of course we walked across the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), and saw the Gothic astronomical clock, Strahov Monastery, Loreto, the Tyn Church, and some of the Easter markets that were taking place. I have to say that I liked the more secluded areas, however. We took a walk along the Divoká Šárka Valley, a large nature preserve which reminded me of pictures I've seen of Ireland's countryside. I would have liked to spend a little more time here, but it was cold and rainy and I don't know if my hiking spirit was up to snuff that day.

We took a night train to Budapest, and I have to say that the Prague train station was probably one of the more sketchy places of the whole trip. I went to the bathroom, and it reminded me of walking into a seedy bar you see in the movies. I paid my 7 Koruna to use the bathroom, grabbed a piece of toilet paper from a big roll next to an overflowing ashtray where the two women manning the station were playing dice, and walked into the back. The attendant came with me, said something in Czech while unlocking my stall, and as she did so an elderly woman and young man came out of the stall next to me. There were people gathered in one corner of the restroom, saying a lot that I couldn't understand, and all that I could make out in a quick glance was someone holding a belt. So, choose your own conclusion about what was happening there.

In Budapest we saw St. Stephen's Basilica, the Chain Bridge, St. Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Again, a lot of our time was spent walking around, taking in as much as we could. We saw the Buda Castle and Parliament from afar, which look so majestic on the horizon. I feel like we saw so much, and in a lot of ways it seems that pictures can do the best job . . . check out facebook.

I am glad that the next major trip we're planning to do is New Zealand. As much as I've enjoyed Europe, I'm feeling ready for something a little bit different. We've been budgeting and getting our plans together, and it's hard to believe that in less than 6 months we'll be on our way . . .

In other news, I was hired on for summer school to be a para for another autistic student I work with. It's only three hours a day for four weeks, so I'm in the process of lining up something to supplement.

Dre is sitting here working on the wedding website, and we're about to send out invitations within the next week. We've got a reception place, and I found a dress when I went shopping with my mom and sister the week before spring break. I won't go into detail about it, because I know Dre reads this and he wants to be surprised, but I will say it was the first one I saw when I walked in the door. It fit perfectly, and the only alteration it needs is the addition of a bustle. I'm going to wear my mom's veil, which will be special.