Praha and Great Mysteries

Where are we now? On the very outskirts of Prague, Czech Republic. Driving across the border I felt a little edgier. Neither of us speak a stitch of Czech, and currently the Czechs are scaring me. Some seriously grisly guys live here. And the Czechs aren't big on smiling.

Day 3 here is half way along and we still haven't yet made it into the city, which is full of tourists no doubt, and the sights and sounds that will make it feel like any other European city. We're enjoying too much the three things we've been craving: a fridge, a washing machine, and a computer with an internet connection. The privacy ain't bad either. And a bed. And a bathroom within 200 metres. All little pleasures that cannot be underestimated.

We're housesitting for a generous German we met only three days ago. Her three bedroom flat is our temporary refuge from sightseeing. Reading, sleeping, typing, cutting and pasting, going to the cinema and grocery is all we're doing. I've heard Prague is lovely, but I wouldn't know (yet). Out all the windows of her three bedroom walk-up are endless concrete monstrosities for as far as the eye can see. Large grey behemoths from Communist days. This apt is like every other in all these buildings built by the State: built from spare parts, boxy, functional. Our lovely hostess has tried to cheer it up with two cats (who will not stop meowing for love), two guinea pigs (who fortunately took a vacation while we're here), endless pictures of kittens and horses, an ocean of bric-a-brac and 70s crafts (pinecone hedgehogs and such), and about 200 houseplants (which I have yet to water). It's like staying in Grandma's motorhome. Cozy, hairy, everything you need.

We are very thankful.

And chilling is doing our marriage good. "Marital bliss is a lot of pressure on two people." This hot cat and tired dog are feeling the pressure. Every couple we know has assured us that they fight more on holidays than not. This helps. But it is not quite what you hope for if you know what I mean. As we near the five year mark (August 18), its just sinking in that the honeymoon is over. Over. And I find myself repeating to myself what the Bible says about marriage--it's a great mystery. It's a great mystery that living together doesn't kill the love! I confess that I am not always as charming as I may seem. (Just between you and me.) But on and on we go. You roll over and there they are--hogging the blanket, pushing you off the bed, dragging in crumbs and dirt--but each morning when Matt's eyes first open and he sees me, he smiles wide. Every single day. Without fail. I really can't believe. THAT is a great mystery.