I cried in Prague

 

I’ve been travelling for six weeks now, part of a 52-week social experiment with 60 strangers living in a new city every month. It’s exciting and adventurous – and it’s also overwhelming.

 

You leave behind family and friends, your home and favourite breakfast spot, a regular paycheque and comfortable routines. And I’ve been fine so far – it’s only one year, right?

 

We took a private plane from Split to Prague (who hasn’t wanted to grab some friends and jump on your own plane?!) and checked into our new home for the month. My apartment is right beside the TV Tower, also known as the Creepy Baby Tower due to the sculptures climbing up the side (very strange).

 

Wanting to get a lay of the land, I did a hop on/hop off bus to see the sights (something I highly recommend when you arrive in a new city). Prague is beautiful!

 

Castles and churches and bridges and museums. Each street leads to more history and stunning architecture. Even our workspace has history – it’s a former Danish embassy!

 

Week one had language classes, tango lessons, city overviews and restaurant tastings. Some people took off to Amsterdam, Berlin or Vienna.

 

My weekend side trip involved renting a car and driving outside the city to a lovely countryside retreat – Chateau Mcely. We were spoiled with 5-star spa treatments, took a leisurely bike ride through St. George forest and snuggled into fluffy down comforters gazing through the window at the full moon.

 

Driving back to Prague, I was invited to Sunday night family dinner by four amazing guys in my group. I was blown away they would think to cook a family dinner and wanted me as their first guest. I felt honoured.

 

I arrived to see the table fully set with napkins and wine glasses and even a fresh flower centerpiece! These guys were good. We had a delicious meal and the conversation flowed easily, suddenly realizing it was past midnight and we had plans to catch the sunrise at Prague Castle.

 

I’m so impressed at their thoughtfulness – even walking me out and waiting until my ride arrived. These four men overwhelmed me with their kindness and will probably never know how much it meant to me.

 

Easter preparations are underway throughout Prague, including concerts at various churches. A friend invited me to join her for a performance of Vivaldi by candlelight at the Baroque Library Hall. Classical music in a beautiful historical building?

 

Naturally I said “yes”.

 

We arrived and found we had front row seats. The usher brought us a glass of champagne and we looked around the old hall. Not as large as we expected but still the ceiling with curved and covered with intricate paintings.

 

There were four seats on stage. The musicians arrived, silently taking their places. The maestro walked in with a round of applause and they began.

 

The music that filled the room took my breath away.

 

It literally sent shivers through my body – the sound was powerful and I wondered at how so few instruments could make such an incredible sound.

 

On and on they played, each song full of highs and lows, upbeats and quiet notes, all the while stirring my soul. I closed my eyes and felt the music reach places in my heart I didn’t know were closed.

 

My heart ached and I could no longer contain my emotions.

 

Tears slowly streamed down my cheeks as my senses became overwhelmed with the beauty of what I was hearing.

 

Here I was in Prague…

sitting where others sat hundreds of years ago…

listening to music from another time…

Was I dreaming?

 

All too soon it was over.

 

They left the stage and I realized that not one word had been spoken that evening. No one introduced the artists, no one announced the next song, no one said a thing. They didn’t need to – the music clearly spoke for itself.

 

It was an evening I’ll always remember. That night in Prague, the music stirred my soul and brought me to tears.

 

I finally understand the quote:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

 

I have a feeling this year will be full of these moments – ones that make me stop and wonder at the beauty all around, at the stories of those who came before and at the magic of what lies ahead.