Victory

Today I decided I was going to make my own dinner. After class, off I went to Olomouc’s big box store and embarked on an hour-long journey to find food among other things. I bought pasta…and rice…and water…and laundry detergent…and coke. I was set, or so I thought.

Stepping towards the counter I realized I had no idea how I was going to get all of this junk home. I was needing to carry half my weight in groceries a half mile with both eggs and bananas in cheap plastic sacks. The task seemed impossible. Back in Nebraska I would drive a car; here in the Czech Republic it was not possible. Why was I so stupid not to make that distinction? Why?

Oh well, I had paid for the groceries…they were going to make it back to the hostel, dammit. And so I set off. 800 yards, 800 yards that is all the farther I need to make it. I could do it. I knew I could.

Halfway to the tram stop, my heart racing and my muscle shaking I contemplated what I could discard. The water was the heaviest but definitely the most essential. There was no giving up my coke and I felt I would need the detergent eventually. It was in a Catch 22.

Suddenly, a small elderly woman stopped to tell me something. While I am sure her words translated to “you’re an idiot,” I decided to believe she was providing me with helpful words of encouragement. And, again I set off.

With 200 yard to go I turned the corner to the tram stop. My hands were now blister, my shirt soaked but the end was approaching. I was going to make it. As I carried my bags up the four flights of stairs to my room I felt a sense of triumph. I had made it and I was going to make my dinner. Still, I will be damned if I ever try it again.