2 July 2015, 9:10 pm: Laying hands on the Tyn Church soothes me. It centers me.
You know how, when you fill up a gas can at the petrol station, you’re supposed to keep the pump’s nozzle in contact with the container at all times to reduce static electricity that might spark a fire? Or how they tell you near lightning to wear shoes with rubber soles or sit in a car with its rubber tires so you won’t get struck?
Placing my palm on a wall of the Tyn Church is my soul’s fire prevention. It’s the rubber in my heart’s shoes.
I walk past that magnificent structure at least four times a day on every day that I’m in Prague. Without fail, I touch it the first chance I get on day one of each new Prague visit. I touch it again on my way out to the train station or airport.
It’s a hug hello and a hug goodbye.