My Promise

View from Charles Bridge
“Actual experience where what we have come to see is always diluted in what we could see anywhere, where we are drawn away from the present by an anxious future and where our appreciation of aesthetic elements lies at the mercy of perplexing physical and psychological demands.”

After traveling to Berlin this past weekend I began to appreciate Prague and its aesthetic value even more than when I first arrived. It’s easy to get caught up making plans to travel around Europe without taking the time to actually stand back and see the beautiful city I am living in for the next four months. Since I read de Botton, I understood this as a theme of anticipation.

I am going to make a promise to myself that I will take the time to admire the beauty of Prague everyday. Since I love running outside, it makes this promise completely feasible. Yesterday, when I went for a run and got to a bridge, not the Charles Bridge but a smaller one. I stopped once I was halfway over the bridge and looked up and down the river. It was magnificent. Despite the lack of sunlight beating down on my face, I felt the cool, damp and fresh air lift from the water. I breathed this in and out for a few more moments. I decided to cross the bridge and see what the city looked like from the other side. Even though I could not tell you where I was or even the area of the city, the red rooftops stood out in the panorama.

Prague has a multitude of beautiful elements and I want to continue exploring them. I want to be able to say I have experienced and seen all that I aspired to while in this city. The anticipation of these four months must not outweigh my appreciation during my time here in Prague.

De Botton references the modes of transportation, train or airplane, which allow us to flood with thought and reflection. I look forward to more train rides where I soak in the panoramic view of the countryside and introspectively reflect on my travels. This weekend we are taking a bus to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. I will try to keep this promise to myself by not getting swept away by the future and allowing myself to see what is in front of me, a sight I do not take for granted.