Alena and I went to some city north of Austin that I don't know even had a name.  All I know is that the landscape changed from rolling hills and valley, to brushy desert, and back again by the time we got there.  The purpose of this trip was to meet with other members of the Czech club.  When I got there I really did stand out.  "Sometimes Czechs can be blonde" Alena reassured me sweetly... but none of these people were blonde.  I spent most of my time here throwing a stick at a giant black dog who never did get tired.  Afterwards we ate fried chicken, watermelon, southern potato salad, homemade pies.  It was a quaint affair.  I don't think I've been to an outdoor picnic since I was a kid and was dragged along to company barbeques with my folks.  The people were were very friendly in a southern sort of way.  One lady told me her life story.  This is a bit too far for me yet.  There are some things about britishness that I miss already.  I like my strangers a little reserved if they're going to be weird.

alena's cousin's truck casts a shadow on the limestone cliff