Friday, October 31, 2008

Prague Pumpkins


Found two pumpkins yesterday at a couple local flower shops in Vinohrady...and here they are. Actually turns out one is a Squash, so I didn't carve that one, since I may make Squash Soup with it tomorrow.. but here is my little Jack-o-lantern on this Halloween here in the Czech Republic... Yes, I know... quite an artist, aren't I. ;-))))))) Happy Halloween !!!

Happy Halloween ! Boo ! Baf !


On Halloween, witches come true;Wild ghosts escape from dreams.
Each monster dances in the park.... ~Nicholas Gordon

Halloween in the US traditionally includes trick-or-treating or going door-to-door in costumes getting candy and treats, costume parties, haunted hayrides, carving pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns and other scary faces, reading scary stories to your children, and watching horror movies on television.

The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even (both "even" and "eve" are abbreviations of "evening") as it is the eve of All Hallow’s Day which is now also known as All Saint’s Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions. Pope Gregory IV standardized the date of All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, to November 1 in the name of the entire Western Church in 837.

As the church day began at sunset in accordance with the Florentine calendar, the holiday coincided exactly with Samhain, the pagan festival of the dead. It is claimed that the choice of date was consistent with the common practice of leaving pagan festivals while overlaying a Christian meaning. It is speculated that the Pre-Christian Celts, although perhaps content to move All Saints' Day from their own previous date of April 20, to November 1st, were unwilling to give up their pre-existing autumn festival of the dead, and continued to celebrate Samhain.

Irish immigrants are credited with carrying versions of this tradition and thus the pre-cursors of Halloween to North America in the nineteenth century. Enjoy the Day.. Boo ! BAF !( Boo in Czech )

Thursday, October 30, 2008


Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest.
-Douglas William Jerrold, "A Land of Plenty"

There is an open market here which I frequent, with fruits and vegetables that have astounding colors, shapes and sizes. The richness of the colors always amazes me.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Colors of Autumn...continued


I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864) : Me too : On weekends: Most. On Workdays: Almost as many.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Today's Czech Independence Day Parade






Today's 90th anniversary parade got started around 1pm as promised. I got there is typical Scott fashion at 11:00am; only two hours before it started. Ach jo. It was cold, around 40 F, wet, and drizzled for the entire parade. and did I say brrrr. But at least it was not rain. The crowds started showing up around noon. Must have been 50,000 people. The parade was really nice... huge actually, enormous. ...and nice people lined the streets. several wanted to know where I was from and offered me coffee and the little children asked if they could stand in front of me ( and i understood them); so I had 4 of them in front holding onto the fence. Cute. So I am very glad I went today... an event I really didn't want to miss, but because of the temp, the rain and low overcast skies... I wondered. Quite an historic event and good memories.

...and try to fit thousands of people into the Metro station.... worse than sardines and I would say a bit claustrophobic...with no one moving. So I decided, after venturing down into the Metro, to turn around and walk to Hradčany and catch the 22 tram back to náměstí Miru. Although, further then I expected,(maps always make it look so short) the walk was nice. Caught the tram and 30 minutes later was in a cafe in the náměstí Miru area.. for hot wine and a crepe. Mnam!(Yumm! in czech)

and several shots from this afternoon....

Czech Republic Independence Day


Today, 28th October, is the 90th anniversary of formation of Czechoslovakia as an independent Republic. This occurred on 28 October 1918. This event separated this nation from the Austro-Hungarian Empire; a dual-monarchy with The Habsburg dynasty ruling as Emperors of Austria over the western and northern half of the country and where the Kings of Hungary ruled over the Eastern part as well as the Kingdom of Hungary which already enjoyed self-government at that time.

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who became a good friend of Woodrow Wilson's, was elected the country's first president in the 1920 elections and his guidance helped to hold the country together in its formative years. Masaryk presented the Declaration of Independence of the Czechoslovak Nation to Woodrow Wilson on Oct. 18, 1918, 10 days before the proclamation of the Czechoslovak Republic in Prague. Masaryk, is also considered this country’s founder.

At 1300 today, there will be quite a large parade here in Prague to commemorate and celebrate this 90th anniversary. It has been stated that there will be 1,692 participants (? - strange number) and almost 200 pieces of military hardware during the 2 hour parade down Everopska street in the area of Prague known as Dejvice. This should to be quite a spectacle. This will be the first really large military parade since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the end of Communism.
http://www.oslavavyroci.cz/slavnostni-prehlidka

And of course, it is a National Holiday as well. Most people have a vacation day today, and I also have a day off from work as well. ;-) It is certainly nice to have a 4 day work week this week.

ASIDE: and per yesterday's course: I am now Certified to administer and proctor ETS TOEIC English Language exams anywhere in the Czech Republic. Vyborne!

Monday, October 27, 2008

From Sunday...




Falling leaves;hide the path;so quietly. ~John Bailey, "Autumn"

Pictures from yesterday's walks; a Cold 1 C, hazy Sunday.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Back in Living Color



An update on this very Cold Foggy Sunday morning..

First, the Czech Republic turned their clocks back one hour last night; daylight savings time. I did not have a clue, since I can not read Czech. So I stood in front of the Laundromat this morning in 32 F temps wondering why the owner was late. He wasn’t; I was an hour early. And around here on Sunday’s, not much open in this part of town in the early morning, even to grab a coffee… I will go back later, perhaps. ( update: I did not )

Last night, I attended a Oratory concert in a stunningly beautiful concert hall at Narodní dům ( National House ) here in Vinohrady at Naměstí Miru. It was the 100th výročí(year) concert, put on by a high level organization of Prague Music Teachers; PSPU. The father of one of the schools secretaries was in the men’s chorus, that's how I came to know about it. And she translated for me at various times, which was helpful. It was excellent, three hours long including an excellent High School Chorus, a String Ensemble playing Edvard Grieg, and a Men Chorus, singing 9 works by Smetana, Dvořák, Martinů & others.

Tomorrow, I am taking a 5 hour course to become certified to proctor Major English Certificate exams here in The Czech Republic. I was asked by the school a couple weeks ago if I would consider it. Certainly. I had to cancel all my classes to attend it. Although I will unfortunately not be paid for my time, I will be paid when I am asked to Proctor one of these 3 hour exams.

I am still waiting patiently for my visa to be ready in Berlin. Usually they have been done by day 60. The latest word, is that they are taking the full 90 days, if not more. My 90th day will be 27 November. I leave for the US on the 19 Dec for Christmas. Not a very large window remaining, if they are taking longer than 90 days.

Still teaching Business English 24 hrs per week. Hard to believe this is the start of the last week of October. And still battling a perpetual cold. Ach jo. but, my apartment is warm, and I have broken out the warm hat and gloves.. Cheers

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Solitairy


Man is never alone. Acknowledged or unacknowledged, that which dreams through him is always there to support him from within. ~Laurence van der Post

Friday, October 24, 2008



You can fall in love at first sight with a place as with a person. ~Alec Waugh

Thursday, October 23, 2008


Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours. ~Doug Larson

Wednesday, October 22, 2008


You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-range failures. ~Charles C. Noble

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

21 říjen 2008 ; 21 October 2008


A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. ~ unknown So another start of the journey. I am sure I will find some good cafe to spend some time toasting the day after my last class this evening. Ya think? I mean: It IS Prague! Cheers +159

Monday, October 20, 2008

The day before...


Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. ~John Lennon

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Cube in Pankrac



Top: 13 October; Bottom: 8 September

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Reflections at 5 months


As of the 16th, I have been living here in Prague for a full 5 months; ...so some comments on a few aspects of life here, that are common, natural and very European.

1) Breast Feeding infants: Women with babies will stop and breast feed their child at any time and in any place and it is accepted here, without looks or stares or someone judging them or someone thinking it is sexual or anything negative. It is natural and not out of place. In fact, there is a baby boom going on in the Czech Republic currently, and this is a routine occurrence. Whether it is in the Mall, or in a park, or in a train compartment where I was sitting on the train to Křivoklát last Sunday or next to me as I sat in an open green at the castle.

2) Taking a wee: and, it is not uncommon to see a parent help their toddler take a pee, whether it be a boy or a girl, usually into the road, or by a tree or anywhere in a park or along the sidewalk where a tree might be planted(every 20 feet or so in most places in Prague ). Another common occurrence here that does not raise even so much as an eyebrow. Natural perhaps, certainly of little real consequence; to do this or have the child not make it to a bathroom; then what?

3) Topless: and not just statues. And it was not uncommon to see topless bathers of all ages at some of the parks this past summer. From toddlers, to women who could be models, to women in their 70’s. No one bothered. No one looks. No one makes an issue of it. No one calls the police. Of course, not every women does this. And although not legal, as long as it appears that there is nothing untoward going on, it is accepted. And I would think most Children grow up, I am sure for the most part, not being bothered by nudity nor focused on it.

So Prague continues to be an interesting environment. Comfortable, as you have heard me say, and relaxed. I am sure it is not perfect, but life seems to go by unfettered by issues that would make headlines for months in the US.

It seems so silly now to think back on the huge issues the press, religious groups and people in general made when LaToya Jackson accidentally bared her breast at a superbowl half-time several years ago. Really, lets stop doing things that makes the rest of world laugh at us and just get real.

So some thoughts at 5 months; perhaps a bit different than other reflections, but I have wanted to write about these topics, topics which would bring the world to a halt in the US, or at least to the courts and where the press, and lawyers would have a "field day". ...Silly isn’t it. + 156

Friday, October 17, 2008

Mid October


Youth is like spring, an over praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits. ~Samuel Butler

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Been Living in Prague for 5 Months


We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

And,

But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik, A Life for a Life, 1859

I have been here for 5 months as of today. I had written something else the other
day for today, but then found the above two quotes. They say it all and have meaning beyond their words.

It is good to be here and I feel blessed to be, as well. + 154

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Primary Colors + 2



v Křivoklát tento vikend

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Corners


Summing up, it is clear the future holds great opportunities. It also holds pitfalls. The trick will be to avoid the pitfalls, seize the opportunities, and get back home by six o'clock. ~Woody Allen

Each day is an opportunity. Or one could say, that each day holds that opportunity, large or small, that is just waiting for you. You never who you might bump into or meet or what you might say that might impact a situation that is disguised as an opportunity. It could be something to do with a job or something else in life.

and what is around that corner..... ???? Walk it to find out.

and I have posted some more pix of my excursion to Křivoklát yesterday: http://picasaweb.google.com/a.scott.carey

Monday, October 13, 2008

Ants


It just wouldn't be a picnic without the ants. ~Author Unknown

and Mondays I have a class I really enjoy first thing, then also second thing, and third thing as well, and even as I end my day. so, I look forward to my day; Upward and forward on this 13th of October.

not sure why I posted the quote on picnics and ants... and it doesn't even go with the picture.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

An Old Blue Train and Křivoklát Castle






I traveled southwest to Křivoklát this morning, for a medieval fair and a relaxing day. I took this Royal Blue Steam Train, with 12 historic cars(read: wooden seats) southwest of Prague on a two hour ride through steep valleys and beautiful fall countrysides. It was a beautiful Indian Summer day, cold to start with but then mildly warm and blue cloudless skies.

The train departed Smíchov station at 9:57 and arriving there at 11:30 and then returning on the same train which left at 3:30 arriving into Prague at 5:45. The Fall colors, enhanced by the sunshine, gave a nice glimpse of true Autumn. The train was full and the compartments were filled with families and children. I think I was the only single man. A really wonderful day and it was good for the soul.

Křivoklát Castle is one of the oldest and most important castles of the princes and kings of Bohemia. It is 900 years old. Its beginnings date back to the 12th century. During the rule of Přemysl Otakar II, and Václav II. this large, magnificent royal castle was built west of Beroun, then considerably rebuilt by Václavl IV. It was also a greatly feared prison. The period of Romanticism of the 19th century and particularly the family of the Fürstenberks, who owned the castle until 1929, saved the building from falling into decay and secured its restoration. It contains a magnificent Chapel, the Royal Hall and the Hall of Knights contain exhibitions of Gothic paintings and sculptures, and a Library still containing 53 000 volumes, in the basement the notorious prison and torture chamber with instruments of torture, and a monumental great tower with hunting collections.

And of course, a medieval fair would not be complete without great food cooked over open fires, the clanking of blacksmiths working iron and hot Medovina(honeywine). I only had a few. Six. But who was counting. But they were little, a deciliter, like an ounce and a half each.

So a rejuvenating day, filled with great sights, laughing children, the smell of good food , good hot wine, and the noise and rocking and rolling of an old puffer with black sulfur smelling smoke and cinders coming in from the windows. A good weekend. A lovely Saturday afternoon spent with a friend and Křivoklát ended it nicely. So onward and upward into a new week. Cheers +150

Life's problems wouldn't be called "hurdles" if there wasn't a way to get over them. ~Author Unknown

This week has been challenging from many different aspects. I will work to see how best to make this challenge an opportunity to continue this dream, since even though days can be less than perfect at times, and the weather might be turning cold, It is beautiful here in many respects and I do still love it here in Prague and I hold onto that. I do. I was sitting in the tram this morning heading to Novy Smichov and thought to myself, I feel even more comfortable here then I thought I did just a month ago. A feeling I still find fascinating

so, I believe. ...and I still have wishes in Prague that need to be fulfilled.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Last night, Third shot


..and love this one as well... Petřín Hill, with Petřín Tower and below, Museum Kampa with the yellow lights reflecting off the Vltava.

Another from last night...


and my favorite.

from last night.....


I walked along the Vltava last night, just to capture some night shots... here is one. Others to follow. It was a a mild night as Fall nights go. Nice for walking.

Challenges and Changes


Grrrrrrrrrrr

The end of the first week of October is at hand.... a typical week in Autumn but atypical in the sense of the events of the week; personally combating a cold, strep throat, horrid antibiotics and income challenges due to many lesson cancellations this past week due to various reasons.

Seems everyone you stand next to on the Metro or in a tram is sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose. But such is life anywhere this time of year. The exception being perhaps in an office, where you are exposed to a much lesser extent, compared with hitting the thousands of people in the Metro every two hours.

But, perhaps the most significant event of the week is the email most all us Americans received from our employer. Major changes are afoot, employer initiated, that will impact the financial well being of each American working there and only Americans. I am meeting with the person who hired me on Monday to confirm the changes. For now I will say no more, as I wish to ensure I have the facts correct. Stayed tuned.

But the financial ramifications are significant, unfortunately.

...am working on Plan B.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Time.... flying

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day ~William Shakespeare

My days here are Full! Wow, I Can hardly believe how fast time is flying by. In previous positions I have never had to glance at the clock to know the speed at which the day goes by; here neither. But sometimes the days go too quickly to fully enjoy.

But you know what... even if it is over a sip of cold coffee, I do. But, yes, some days more than others. Even here, I look forward to Friday.

Thursday, October 9, 2008


The truly difficult takes some to time to accomplish. The truly impossible takes a little longer. - Dan

Have you ever seen a flower down
Sometimes angels skip around
And in their blissful state of glee
Bump into a daisy or sweet pea.
~Jessi Lane Adams

Wednesday, October 8, 2008


the cathedral at Jirího z poděbrad one block from my residence... chimes at noon everyday for 10 minutes... somehow nice

But the moment you turn a corner you see another straight stretch ahead and there comes some further challenge to your ambition. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

challenge? or opportunity. +

Tuesday, October 7, 2008


Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

These are from just around the corner from me.

Reality


How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all colour-blind? ~Author Unknown

Monday, October 6, 2008

06 October 08, MOnday


If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere; ~ Frank A. Clark :and: Every path hath a puddle. ~ George Herbert

The flowers are still in bloom here. These are not far from vinohradské vodarná. ...and that butterfly... I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, several times.

Good luck to a friend on this day with new happenings in Pražského povstání. You are on the right path and you made a good decision.

and to another, weekends home are good for the soul, and hope you feel better soon.

...and as this week starts, I wish other friends, family and my kids a good week also. Enjoy this your first full week in October.

and with me, I am now teaching 24 hours per week; mostly Business English in corporations; still waiting to hear from Berlin about my visa; am enjoying the Fall here, the crisp air, the wine and the cafe's(still) but now inside; I still find I can not express fully in words my feelings for being here. Rainy & windy today and "miles to go before I sleep". + 144

Sunday, October 5, 2008

This afternoon, part three


...and finally, a view today of Hradčany, Prague castle, from across the Vltava. Yes, I am known to walk from one end of Prague to the other on weekends. There is always something new to see, even in things I have seen a thousand times before.

This afternoon, part dva


...went back over to Havlíčkovy Sady(park), or Grébovka,(as it also known) this afternoon as well, to retake this picture. I posted the same shot on 22 September, but the day was overcast when I shot the other. Today was perfect. Blue, blue skies. Hence...

This afternoon


from Riegrovy sady, the biggest park in Vinohrady, looking over old town toward Petřin and Hradčany. A beautiful Fall afternoon, temp. in the high fifties. The leaves are starting to change here in Prague....