post office – Shay Thomason

You would think going to the post office would be uneventful. At least that’s what I thought. I was dead wrong.

I should’ve walked, but I only had a few minutes before Czech lessons were about to begin so I decided to drive the short distance in town to the post office today. As I pulled into the only parking spot I could find I was greeted by the site of a person standing up with no pants on (they were wearing underwear but were not facing me). By the time I got the car turned off they were fully clothed and laid back down on the sidewalk. Clearly it was a homeless person who I think had just used the street as a bathroom.

Walking from the car to the entrance is usually not a problem but as I strolled on the sidewalk a medium sized post office delivery truck pulled on to the sidewalk right in front of me (missing me by a foot or so) and parked. To be honest I didn’t even really pause. I’ve gotten used to cars being closer and making quick moves around me as I walk–it’s just more normal here. Finally I made inside and there was only one person in line ahead of me (photo above). Score! Last time I was here it was busy.

After greeting the postal clerk in Czech I basically told her, “I don’t speak Czech” and handed her my slip. She just kind of laughed and quickly pulled up the information she needed and then walked away. The line behind me grew much longer as we we waited for about five minutes while the lady retrieved the package from the back. When she finally came back I saw her walk into another office, talk to someone, and then came back to me with a box and about ten pages of paperwork. She took the stack of papers, flipped a few pages, and then would point for me to sign. This happened three times and it felt more like signing mortgage documents than a package. “Identification?” she asked. I handed her my passport, she checked it and then pointed to another clerk window and said “2.” I walked over, she met me there as well, opened the glass window with a key and finally gave me the box. What was inside the box that took two weeks to get here, multiple signatures, a pants-less person, and a near death experience with a delivery truck? Let’s open it up!

The final inventory:

Streamers for Avery’s tricycle
Swedish Fish
Hello Kitty toy for Avery
Cars toy for Titus
M&Ms for the kids
Glow-in-the-dark stars for Avery
Soft baseball for Titus
New shorts for me! (Shay)
Flying toys for Titus and Avery
1lb of whole bean Starbucks Pike’s Place coffee! (that’s for Bethany and me)
Wii Sports (because ours got scratched)
And one of the best presents of the bunch: dish scrubber with soap handle (and refills)! There is a bigger story about why that’s so important, but maybe that’ll have to be for another blog.

Thank you, Papa and Nana for the wonderful box o’ goodness! I’ll brave the post office experience anytime for a box like this!

I’m tempted to end this post, but tonight we had our first Czech family over to our place for dinner. They are a young couple from our church and are so nice. Both of them speak great English and are a treat to be around. Romi baked this Estonian pastry dessert that was incredible (photo above). It looks like something you would see in a magazine and all your friends would pin on Pinterest. I had two helpings. It’s tradition to bring some kind of gift or dessert in Czech! So good…so awesome.

Great day. It’s great to be alive.

Yesterday when we visited our landlord she gave us a piece of paper and we were told we had some mail already waiting for us at the post office. Why did the mail go the post office and not to our apartment? I have no idea. But out of sheer curiosity we went to see what might be waiting for us.

We were instructed by our friends to go in, find the shortest line, give them our piece of paper and then say “Ya Ne Mluvim Cesky…Promotz Mi” or “I don’t speak Czech…help me.” So that’s exactly what I did. Actually, I added the word “Prosim” which means, “please.” The lady laughed and said something to me in Czech which I assume was along the lines of “you’re speaking Czech now, aren’t you?” She motioned to Bethany and I asking who’s name was on the paper and it was Bethany’s. Then she stood up, walked away for a bit, and came back with a letter. She asked for Bethany’s passport which we gave and after a minute we were on our way. Who was it from, you ask? It was the shipping company confirming that our container would be arriving in Germany tomorrow (July 2). I’ve been working with a local customs agent here and we’re hoping to have our container within a week!

After our mail time fun we walked over to one of the local playgrounds since the weather was so nice. Somewhere along the line someone told us that if the sun is out the Czcehs are out and that was definitely true this morning. The park was full of families with kids playing. Bethany observed that there’s just something universal about the way moms talk to their kids. Although the moms were speaking Czech, we knew they were saying things like “Be careful!” and “Good job, you did it!” to their kids. Bethany also said she looks forward to being able to communicate with the other moms some day at the park. I hope she gets that opportunity someday too.

We had homemade pizza for dinner tonight! Considering everything that’s quite an accomplishment and Bethany is a pro at the grocery store now. It was unspoken, but I think the pizza was our way of celebrating our first full week living in Český Těšín. It’s been a great week and we’re thankful to the Lord for His provision and care for us during this transition.