Tag Archives: left column
April 5, 2013

Charles Bridge

“Let’s just go down to see the bridge one more time.” We checked under the beds, took out the garbage, heaved on our packs, and checked out of the apartment. After catching the metro to the other side of the river we also decided we couldn’t resist one more visit to the bakery we had discovered earlier in the week.  Sitting in that sweet café, we spent every last Crown we had, then huffed it all the way back up the hill to the train station, but not without first walking on the bridge one last time!
Written by in Czech Republic, Logistics, Mom 0 Comments
April 4, 2013

Interesting Tid Bits

A few interesting facts about Prague\Czech Republic: According to the Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Prague was the seat of The Holy Roman Empire during the 14th century. The Jews of Prague have a very long history here. There are in fact 7 Synagogues in Prague. Mozart conducted is own premier of Don Giovanni in 1787. He loved it here so much that he learned Czech and spent much of his time here along with other famous composers. Jan Hus lived and taught reformed theology 100 years before Martin Luther, and got himself burned at the stake for it. Franz Kafka, the famous author, was born and lived here. The Velvet Revolution and Divorce are key terms in its history and you should look them up. Immolations and Defenestrations mark times of turmoil. (Other terms some of you should look up…) People who remember the not-so-far days of communism say that when ‘Big Brother’ was here life was grey. Puppetry is a large part of Czech culture. It played an important role in preserving the heritage and language of the Czechs during the years that others ruled here. The Black Light Theater was invented here. It can get VERY cold in Prague and the best thing to do on days like that is stay in and read.
Written by in Czech Republic, Mom 2 Comments
April 3, 2013

Architecture

The history of the city of Prague begins with a fairy tale story.  Legend says that the Princess Libuse, hoping he would help her yield sturdy heirs to the throne, chose a ploughman to be her groom.  She stood on the hill overlooking the valley and foretold of a beautiful city that would one day become the city of Prague (Czech word for ‘threshold’).  It would indeed sit on the very threshold of many cultures and stories. The city is therefore layered with the architecture of the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and so on. Unlike many European cities, it was spared during WWII and remains intact.  Prague is breathtaking!
Written by in Czech Republic, Mom 0 Comments
April 2, 2013

Prague

To be honest, I really don’t want to try to describe it to you.  It is so much like a fairy tale that I think I would spoil it for you and you wouldn’t believe me anyway. The best I can do is to tell you it is like Disneyland, but a real-life size city that has a thousand years of history instead of amusement rides. It has a 600 year old astronomical clock that still ticks and bongs, classical theaters, underground jazz clubs, outdoor markets and musicians, shops selling beautiful things, extremely friendly people, excellent food, pastries, and beer… it’s a near perfect place.  Just like Disneyland. Country boy Jeb even felt comfortable in this city. The people seem normal. Maybe it’s the public displays of affection? I agree that it is a romantic city. How can one resist a kiss in such a place? IMG_1751
Written by in Czech Republic, Mom 1 Comment
March 31, 2013

He is Risen!

Happy Easter to all our family and friends!
Written by in Uncategorized 1 Comment
March 31, 2013

Fly By 8

Wow… our 8 days in Prague flew by. Well, it helps when you sleep through the first. :o) Here’s a couple things that stood out: 1. It was COLD 2. It was fairy tale…ish 3. It was also cold, and beautiful.
Written by in A Thousand Words, Czech Republic, Rebekah 2 Comments
March 28, 2013

Internet Inversion

We decided not to spend money using cell data on this trip and so have learned something interesting about hardwired/WiFi internet service.  The more modern a country is the more likely it is that we will have all sorts of trouble finding usable internet.  Thailand and Malaysia were fine.  Every little thatched bar on the beach has free WiFi.  Israel has free service everywhere including on public transportation. That socialist country is so capitalistic that unlimited cell data, voice and text plans are about $15/month now.  Greece was easy and fast even though they can’t get their ferry captains and vegetable growers to go off strike and get to work.  Italy, thbbthbbt! “I know, let’s charge for WiFi and a sitting fee, if you don’t want to carry out into the rain, and the food and include service on the bill.  Maybe because we provide internet service (pay) they won’t notice the service they paid for was non-existent and we can enjoy a new revenue stream.”  And, if it actually went fast enough to send an email, maybe they would be right.  England is so forward thinking and security conscious that you have to give all your passwords, citizenship and social security info and the middle names of your children to get signed on.  Of course they then confirm it all by texting you your sign-on info, so if you aren’t using cell service, tough luck. Oh wait, maybe that part was Italy too.  Whatever!  You may have noticed that we’ve been able to post regularly for the past week or so.  Want to know why? We went into the former eastern bloc.  In the Czech Republic internet is free, fast and stable.  Woohoo!
Written by in Czech Republic, The Big Dad 3 Comments
March 28, 2013

Diesel Rant

We’ve had the opportunity to drive a whole quiver of cars that are unavailable to us in the USA.  Some blame it on California, others the evil oil companies and still others those pesky (republicans/democrats).  I just call it IMG_1628-001 frustrating that we do not have a wide range of diesel powered cars on the market at home.  Our favorite is the —Ford Fiesta!—.  Ford is supposedly building their cars to fit comfortably all but the top and bottom 2.5 percentile worldwide and evidently, even I am average when it comes to riding comfortably in a pocket car.  The Europe spec cars look good, drive around all nice and zippy like and the 59 mpg diesel consumption is a big bonus.  Go Ford!
Written by in The Big Dad 0 Comments
March 27, 2013

Sakakinis

Gilly is English. Steve is American. They met while studying French during their year of Study-Abroad in France. They now live in Old Basing, just south of London. We know them through the Grunwald Guild in Plain and their son, Aidan, is friends with Levi and Rebekah from the summers he’s spent there. Their gorgeous home and generous hospitality have been such a blessing to us! Our time here came as a much needed break in our travels. We’ve been able to push the PAUSE button on our “wandering” and go-go-go schedule. They don’t seem to care that we have been sleeping in until ungodly hours and showing utter laziness ALL day. They keep feeding us delicious food and letting us walk their sweet chocolate lab, Whistler. (Oh yeah, did I mention that they speak English in this country and that the Sakakinis shop at Costco? This is as close to home as we’ll get for the next 6 weeks.) Thank you, Steve and Gilly, for your warm welcome and letting us crash at your amazing place. It has been so wonderful. You are the best and we look forward to seeing you this summer in Plain.  
Written by in England, Friends!, Mom 1 Comment
March 26, 2013

What the Erf?

Who wants a prize from somewhere cool? Where exactly are we? IMG_1788 And what the heck are these 3 doing? IMG_0906 Basically, who can Google the fastest?  
Written by in Contest!, What the Erf? 9 Comments
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