Prague Metro into Kobylisy

Just something different as January ends. Inside the Prague Metro coming into Kobylisy. I lived in Kobylisy for 2 months last summer for the whole months of July and August, until I moved to Jirího z poděbrad. I was far away from Centrum, but a nice area of Prague.

Water wheel in Kampa

For the Fall picture of this same scene, See this blog: back on 3 October..

Church of St. Nicholaus

...as one walks across the Charles Bridge, crossing into Mala strana, one sees this sight, Church of St. Nicholaus(Mikuláš). This is the largest of Prague's churches and founded by the Jesuits, with construction beginning in 1703. The dome was completed in 1751. Over a Baroque organ is a fresco of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music; the organs were played by Mozart in 1787.

Mala strana Bridge tower

The tower at the Mala straná end of the Charles Bridge(Karlov most)

Looking Into Malostranská....

Looking across the Vltava into small town Prague, or in Czech, mala straná/malostranská. Hradčany, Prague Castle is seen on top of the hill...

For my Porsche Club Friends...

This Midnight metallic blue Porsche 997 Turbo, was seen in Malostranká/Mala straná last weekend... There are many Porsches here in Prague... and interestingly, the Turbo is THE most common variety that one sees here in Prague... When you see a Porsche, more likely than not, it will be a late model Turbo... whether it be summer, fall or winter, like in this case. I have never seen the classic 911 SC or Carrera while here.

Sunday

Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway. ~Mary Kay Ash

..and then I wonder how these big Prague "ducks" fly... ...there are as big as that little girl. Wow. She was one brave little girl. Shortly after this photo was taken, she slipped and fell backwards...and the geese rushed towards her to grab the bread...
The geese are quite aggressive along the Vltava.

Snowman in Petřin

Under the weather...

Yet again... Seems every other month I catch something. God Bless the Metro. ...hoping it is not the Flu. Ugggg. Uffff. canceled my class last night and this morning. Have two other ones today though... Ufff. So, just a bit under the weather today with this "bug", and in a few other respects, which of course, just compound how I feel on this Thursday...

...but I will read my own blog ;-) and...hey the sun is out today(finally)...that will help.

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Article in the Prague Post today

Trees contributed to 200 road deaths last year
By Petr Welkert /Hospodářské noviny /January 21, 2009
"Police are planning to cut down trees alongside roads to improve the safety of drivers. The Environment Ministry opposes the plan and is preparing a law that would complicate the process...."

This was an interesting headline in the Prague Post today. Sounds like the trees here are dangerous! ..and jump right out in front of speeding drunk drivers.

Trees line almost every road in the countryside here...as can be seen in this picture I took in Sept 2007 from the area north of Brno. As you can see, they are actually quite close to the road, but the tree lined roads are part of this really beautiful country, it's landscape and part of the old world charm the Czech Republic.

...so following this brilliant logic, that the trees are at fault.... yes, cut them down, not re-educate the masses on how to drive slower and better. They would have to cut down tens of thousands of trees as well, since many many roads in CZ look just like the one pictured above.

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

I see my angel for the first time
Know my purpose, feel my birth
There, at first faintly, then distinctly
The sweet strains of our friendship…
Gives my tried and desperate hope
A reason and a season to be revealed… - asc

Again, Saturday morning.....

Saturday morning along the Vltava, pt deux

Saturday morning along the Vltava

Café Louvre

This morning after walking along the Vltava for a few miles taking pictures, I was frozen, and happened upon this really nice cafe... had seen it before, just never went inside. Had a nice French breakfast of different kinds of sliced cheeses, mushroom omelet, tomato slices and a croissant with thick triangles of fresh butter, topped off with Fresh OJ. But the coup-de-grace, was their Horká čokoláda, a smooth, incredibly thick, deep rich dark hot chocolate. So thick, a sugar cube would not sick into it... really decadent. and really good. Nothing similar at all in the states.

8 months in Prague...

8th month anniversary of living in Prague as of today... Am getting a lot of exercise still and enjoy most of my classes. I will admit that the winter is hard and takes some enjoyment out of things... since I am not normally a "winter" person. But at least I don't have to shovel snow this winter ;-))

...cathedral at náměstí Miru

God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them. ~ unknown.

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~ e.e.cummings, 1955

I wrestle with being me at times. I write too often, too much and too much from my heart most times. Even when I try not to! But it is me, who I am, hard to change; but perhaps I am not meant to change, and will continue to be who you see and sense... and see each day in words full of feelings and thoughtful projections and yes hopes and wishes. I use words like lovely and angel because it is from within and it is true, and for no other reason.

Cold here....

Every mile is two in winter. ~George Herbert

Prague is in the midst of a cold snap. It has been in the teens for two weeks, with skies as gray as Rochester's, with nary a hint of the sun most days. Does it exist? I have stopped wearing a tie and good slacks and just wear warm jeans and a heavy shirt and a thick sweater, for I am out in this season, each day, to an extent I thought never possible. When the snickers bar you keep in your jacket inside pocket is frozen when you get to your next class, you know it is Cold outside! Ah, for the warm office on Gibbs. NOT. No thanks. Still enjoying teaching, living austerely, and the thought of Spring to come.

Alavotre

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today....

Před jedním rokem dneska, na seznam.... Vyborne! Dobri! Báječny! Nejbáječnější! ...
To bylo tak velmi hezky, poznávat tebe tyto minulá tři sta šedesát pět dny. Dekuju velmi moc. a ted', pro Další? doufám že ano. Ja přeji si...mnohem vic dny. ;-) takahoj.

To know when to go away and when to come closer is the key to any lasting relationship. ~Doménico Cieri Estrada

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. ~Wayne W. Dyer

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances. ~Julia Sorel

Once you have found something good, you have to take care of it.... ~Henry, "The Good Year"

A snowy day again today... not much snowfall however, just wintery, slippery sidewalks and red noses. Some sledding on the hills around Vinohrady and mothers pushing their children in little "bob-sleds"... cute. I was told that yesterday's snow and the fact that it is staying around is unusual for Prague... but wow, is it cold and the 2 week forecast says it will stay this way for another 14 days at least.

Snow...

Yesterday, the First snowstorm that I have been part of here in Prague... Woke up to snow and by the end of the day it totaled about 8 inches, in the first all day snow event this winter season... Hope I can get out today and get some pictures.

A thought as I enter a new year.....

What moves me so deeply about this Little Prince, who is sleeping here, is his loyalty to a flower -- the image of a rose that shines through his whole being like the flame of a lamp, even when he is asleep" ~ said by the Narrator; "The Little Prince" - Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

I read the book "The Little Prince" on my flight to New York over the holidays. Given to me as a gift by a close friend; which I happened to open at her request 2 hours into my flight. Her favorite Book. A Touching Gift. It was written as a children's story in the 1940's. But it holds much more. A story of many things: the need for imagination, exalting the openmindedness that comes in children and about the need for personal exploration, which is to lead to enlightenment.

It also possesses a parable about the Prince and his rose; about the nature of real love. It goes on to say: "...investing oneself in another person makes that person, and everything associated with him or her, more special". Indeed, it does and simply easy to do.

...and in the quote at the top of this blog today... yes, truly when one feels what the Prince felt for his rose.. it gives a feeling as a flame of a lamp, that shines so brightly, that one can see and feel it in the bright sun, or even while sleeping.

...as this new year begins, It is also important to note, however, that one must be careful with their heart if all the feelings are only one-sided; especially if accentuated by only one's dreams and an old man's wishes. Could easily happen if one is not careful or mindful of keeping their feelings in check for such a perfect rose; Perhaps I have allowed my heart to once again go too far. ?? ?? ...it may be more prudent then, to step back, re-assess and just purely enjoy a friendship for what it is; A True Friendship, and understanding it will never blossom into more.

I can not be thankful enough for this important gift; this friend, this book and a True Friendship and I hope that it continues as that far far into this new year. Dekuju moc.

The same passions in man and woman nonetheless differ in tempo; hence man and woman do not cease misunderstanding one another. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

The Old Year has gone. Let the dead past bury its own dead. The New Year has taken possession of the clock of time. All hail the duties and possibilities of the coming twelve months! ~Edward Payson Powell

...and a last look at one of Prague's many many Christmas trees in full glory...

..walking about on New Year's Eve.

No sight is more provocative of awe than is the night sky. ~Llewelyn Powys

Last Evening...

2009 - Happy New Year

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." ~ said by the fox - "The Little Prince" - Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

As we start this New Year today, A thought for the Year ahead: It is through the heart that one "sees", by knowing someone, even though perhaps not yet completely; The heart can see something invisible, but yet showing forth so brightly. The heart can see The Beauty of that person's soul, their true inner self.

Sure, we certainly can see with our eyes, that person's beauty on the outside, what attracts us, in their smile or their being, but often what can be even more attractive, is what one's heart sees on the inside. ...and that is even more beautiful when taken together in that whole person.

And It is that inside beauty which sustains... It is essential.