It's not that the city lost it's sparkle..

..it's just that the sparkle has officially become home.
When we first arrived in Prague it automatically felt like it fit. It was an incredible feeling, very much like the first time I stepped foot at Nazareth and was greeted with "welcome home!"
But things have changed a little. The city still has so many secrets to unravel, but that is true with any place.
When I round a corner, I know exactly where I am (mostly..)
The language doesn't sound angry anymore, but familiar.
The people aren't mean, just reserved. And often times more friendly than not.
Cobblestones are normal. So is stunning architecture.
It is still exquisite. But now it feels like the norm.

It is home.

I'm sitting at Kavarna Slavia. 2 months ago it was "that cool cafe that Vaclav Havel used to hang out at.."
But as I'm sitting here for the umpteenth million time staring at Narodni Divadlo and the river, it isn't strange. The trams rounding the corner aren't an unusual site. People running to not miss the 22 is normal.
It's not Kavarna Slavia. It's my cafe.

Last weekend I went to Vienna. It was absolutely stunning, but as I've told many people, the Christmas lights added an ability to fall in love with the city immediately. Our weekend was spent mostly at the Christkindlmarkt, trying the cuisine (aka street food stands..), and overall just wandering and getting lost. After all, that is how we discovered Prague. And it worked out pretty well for us.

The only strange part of the weekend was the unexplained act of violence towards my friend, Matt. As he was wandering the Christmas Markets enjoying the hot chocolate and lights, a guy about our age walks up and punches Matt square in the jaw. Whether it was a case of mistaken identity, or for some other forsaken reason, it rattled us all a little. But Matt, being Matt, was able to laugh it off later and he didn't let it ruin his experience of Vienna.

Other Vienna experiences included our trek to see the car that Franz Ferdinand was shot in starting the chain of events leading to WWI.

Now for some not so good news::
When Beth, Kelly, and Charlotte were in town we had lunch with a close family friend of Kelly's. Devon is currently living in Prague teaching English. The 5 of us had a great lunch and Devon even told me about a great bar in Prague that has beer for 7KC (about 45 cents!)
Last weekend, he traveled to Frankfurt, Germany with a friend. As they were looking for their hostel late at night, his friend went to go ask for directions, but when he turned around Devon was gone. No one has heard from him in 6 days now. There is no credit card activity. Devon's friend figured that he would show up to meet at the designated time to return to Prague, but unfortunately that was not the case. With these situations, the best and only thing there is to do is to spread the word to as many people as possible. Many of you who read this are nowhere near Frankfurt, Germany. But spreading the word can only help.  I am hoping, praying, wishing with all my might that he returns safely and soon.
Devon's father's contact info can be found in the link.
Please keep him in your thoughts.
http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=139486