More Kobylisy.... from today

A few more views of where I live: all within a few blocks of my flat, starting with my street in the top shot.

The Christmas Season has officially begun

Last evening, the 2009 Christmas season officially got underway with the lighting of the Huge tree in Old Town Square and with it, the Prague Christmas Markets are also officially open... I will try to get a night picture, but didn't have my camera last evening.

My Saturday continued... other sights

Interesting sights as I walked about. I really liked the hair on that young woman so had to immortalize it; and the evening photo of the restaurant... I liked the mauve and pink colors as well.

and interesting as well, the sun is setting seemingly so early now, the 3rd shot was taken at 4:41pm today and it was dark out already, and it isn't even December yet, nor the winter equinox for that matter, when the sun will go down here in Prague at close to 4:00 in the afternoon.

To start my Saturday....

I stopped into my favorite Cafe, Kavovarna, in Lucerna passage.. I stop in there most days for cappuccino and many times again at the end of the day for a glass of wine.

Have been reading a series of books by Stephen Clarke, a Brit who lived for a year in France and then wrote about it in his first book: "A Year in Merde"; then I read his 2nd book: "Merde Actually" and today while enjoying my coffee, I finished his 3rd book: "Merde Happens". One to go, which I am saving for my flight to New York for the Holidays.

Really fun books to read and they make you smile and many times laugh out loud. By the way, at the time his fourth was written, he had been living in France for 12 years. So much for ONE year in France.

Butt....

The strange power of art is sometimes it can show that what people have in common is more urgent than what differentiates them. -John Berger

...well, I guess we all have one of these.

Permanent Swimmers in a Reflecting Pool

I choose a block of marble and chop off whatever I don't need."
[when asked how he managed to make his remarkable statues] -Auguste Rodin

Photo: New Art Sculptures at a new office building very close to the Invalidovna Metro station in Karlin, Prague 9.

Thanksgiving dinner

Update for those interested.

I had a really nice dinner at the Prague Marriott Hotel, one of the top of the line hotels in Prague. It is located in Náměstí Republiky, Prague 1. SO I thought I would let you know a bit about it. First, the place was packed...with Americans.

So the first course: Spiced Pumpkin Bisque and a Ceasar Saled, plus the pre-requisite rolls and butter(but in a packet, not pads). Then the main course of Roast Turkey which was fork tender, giblet gravy with a billion very tiny cubes of liver, a very moist(very!, in fact Too much so) stuffing with mushrooms, Candied sweet potatoes, roasted pumpkin slices with Anise butter, and herb crusted corn on the cob, and Chardonnay wine.

Desserts were unreal like most all pastries here in Prague. I had a slice of Pumpkin pie, a slice of Pecan pie and a slice of apple pie, which was really more like a apple strudel shaped in a "V". They all tasted very "American".

An after dinner cordial was in order to top off this American Thanksgiving meal, so I had the Very Strongly Czech Aperitif, Becherovka, served in a small glass which was kept in the freezer, as is usually the case.

So very nice. I made of point of speaking only Czech this evening.. yes, I had to show off in front of all the Americans ( but no, they couldn't really hear me), but I shocked the waitress AND the hostess. That was fun.

...so the final bill: 1255 czk or $72.75! For one person! The shock has not yet set in. Tomorrow it will. But it was a nice Thanksgiving dinner and I enjoyed the 2 and a half hours I was there. Happy Thanksgiving to all you as you begin your dinners as I write this....

Thanksgiving... and remember

and Just think... what if the Pilgrims had shot a chipmunk!

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day, and what calls to mind Thanksgiving more than that classic image of Norman Rockwell's classic, Look Magazine cover... THE way Thanksgiving is suppose to be!

I have a vacation day today(and tomorrow)which is nice. I will do some Christmas shopping today, perhaps actually work on some lessons, stop for coffee this morning @ kavovarna and meet a teacher friend, read more of the 3rd book in a series I am reading by Stephan Clarke called "Merde, happens" and then this evening (drum roll please) I have a reservation at the Prague Marriott at 19:00 tonight for a REAL Thanksgiving dinner; Roast Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad and pumpkin pie for dessert! A bit pricey @ 895 czk, BUT something I regretted not doing last year(I had a hot dog last year), so I wanted to make sure I enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner this year. And am looking forward to it!

Wishing you all a nice Thanksgiving! Enjoy the Football Games!!

Photo: Old Town Hall and Clock Tower

Photo: Benches in Kampa

Humm.... knew that part was here someplace

Walking around Nymburk on Saturday, I stumbled upon... This Bicycle repair shop... I think.

12th Annual French Film Festival

XII. Festival Francouzského is at four theatres here in Prague from the 19th through the 25th as well as in theatres in 7 other major Czech Cities, featuring 40 films simultaneously. And all in French... and come to think of it, those French...they have a different word for everything!!

...sitting in my favorite café today, I overheard a clearly American tourist say as they were leaving, ..."and Have a Great Day!" It sounded very out of place here in Prague. Like a Command. I hadn't heard that phrase in all my time here. And perhaps not something a Czech would even take as a true wish for them "to have a nice day".

..and after hearing he and his wife say it, it sounded so strange, I may not ever say it again, ...Anywhere!

but An interesting bit of Americana, that just seems a bit out of place here.

Nymburk - The Gothic Church of St. Giles

One of the centerpieces of Nymburk, is The Gothic Church of St. Giles. It dates from 1280 to 1380 and is a rare example of Gothic brick architecture. The oldest parts of the church include the presbytery with triumphal arch with an old vestry and a chapel. In about 1350 the basilica-type triple-nave with the northern brick steeple was added to the presbytery. In 1370 the construction of the St. Dorothy(and your little dog too) chapel was started and the Parler´s workshop was part of the final completion of the building work along with the construction of the southern steeple of sandstone blocks; which is 66 metres high.

Nymburk

I took the train 45 minutes East today, to a small town named Nymburk. Nymburk is situated on the River Labé (Elbe) and currently has around 14.600 inhabitants. It was founded by Czech king Přemysl Otakar II about the year 1275 and for the whole middle ages it was a fortress town and among the most influential towns in the country.

Unfortunately it did not fair well during the Thirty Year's War; it was nearly burnt to the ground, plundered and the fortress was almost totally demolished, and the ramparts destroyed. But there is this section of wall remaining today and a large cathedral, which were the main reasons I wanted to travel there today. It is quite a nice little town and it was really nice walking around, stopping for coffee and walking along the river Labé. This river runs north and eventually joins the Vltava near Mělník.

Happy Birthday Daughter

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend. ~Author Unknown

Happy 24th!! today Daughter! Thinking of you and hoping you have an absolutely wonderful day. Love you - Dad

Střelecký ostrov

This is Marksman Island in translation; looking toward Charles Bridge - taken last Sunday

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived !

Beaujolais Nouveau 2009; čtvtek 19. listopadu 2009

Ve čtvrtek 19. listopadu se v klubu třetí poločas konná pravidelná ochutnávka Beaujolais Nouveau 2009. Přejďte jste závání

So today, Thursday, November 19th, the New Beaujolais arrived in Prague and as well, at the cafe I frequent in Lucerna Passage. A much anticipated event and a big deal here in Prague. So I just had to stop in after teaching my last class this evening in order to try a glass or two. You see advertisements in many places related to todays release and most restaurants and wine bars highlight the occasion with signs and notices in their windows that it has, in fact, arrived.

November 19th is THE day each year when this happens. By French Law, Beaujolais Nouveau is always released on the third Thursday of November all over the world," To add to the excitement, "The 2009 harvest in Beaujolais is being called the best vintage in 50 years thanks to perfect weather and growing conditions."

Beaujolais Nouveau is made from Gamay grapes. The picture above is the actual vineyard I tasted and it was really quite good(I will replace this picture with one of my own hopefully tomorrow). This wine tasted really fine. It was Enjoyable, light, and easily drinkable. So I did. Drinkable two of them.

Cukrárna Saint-Tropez

Cukrárna(sweet shop)St. Tropez, on Vodičkova 699/30 in Prague 1 = excellent. It is like an art gallery of food; the rich colorful pastries are works of art and although expensive, the taste of heaven is worth it. These were the first holiday candies they prepared...and inside the cafe, a muted bright green decor with small round tables, with equally small round cups of espresso or cappuccino, yields a great taste of France in the middle of downtown Prague.

A pipe in the park

President Vaclav Klaus - right next to ME

Today is a momentous day for the Czech Republic, as you can imagine. And something quite unexpected happened to me as well. I was down in Centrum walking along Národní třída and heard some loudspeakers, turned to see The President of the Czech Republic right next to me, about 5 feet away. I walked in with a group of press photographers and other citizens taking pictures for quite a distance taking shot after shot... only these two photos turned out unfortunately. Along with the President I recognized the Mayor of Prague, Pavel Bém (top photo). So how cool is that!! I was 5 feet from President Klaus for about ten minutes(and 100 yards) as he walked through Prague on this, the day of their 20 year anniversary of Their Freedom from Communist Oppression... never could have happened in the US. This was quite amazing. He was just walking through Prague !!!

It is a mild day(mid 50's) today, but heavily overcast with bits of rain here and there. The city center had been transformed into an arena of celebration with beer on sale at prices as they were under communism (less then 2 czk (12 cents)per 0.5 liter) and other beverages on "sale" as well. I partook of such refreshment of course and at only 12 cents (USD) for a half liter of Gambrinus, that was quite an excellent bargin. This was in Old Town Square and only for a limited period this afternoon. This was a light-hearted attempt to recreate what life was like 20 years ago.

In addition there were booths showing the products that was hard to obtain under Communism; certain soaps, personal hygiene items, toilet paper, toys).

Special events for children were happening, and there were many booths handing out free bananas and oranges as a reminder of the scarcity of these "luxury" items under Communist rule. These items were next to impossible for the average citizen to get. So with almost free beer and free fruit, good music, and people having a good time; this was the order of the day here in Prague on this anniversary.

Oppression - Youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsKd_Y0cnF0

Copy & Paste this to see what the Czech People endured during late 1988 and 1989.
As Americans we have no idea what it must have been like....

20 let bez opony - máme co slavit

20 let bez opony - máme co slavit
(20 Years Without the Curtain - We Have to Celebrate)

http://www.nezapomente.cz/zobraz/o_udalosti

A website put together for todays anniversary. There is a English flag at the top for the English version, which does not appear to be as extensive as the Czech one, which of course is understandable, since it is THEIR triumph.

..and some photos from back then.

http://aktualne.centrum.cz/czechnews/fotogalerie/2009/11/10/the-uneventful-life-under-communism-in-photgraphs-/

20th Anniversary of Freedom in the Czech Republic

The Velvet Revolution, the Fall of Communism, occurred here in the Czech Republic, 20 years ago on this day. Today is a huge day in the history of this country. There are many events planned here in Prague to commemorate this important life changing event. Vaclav Havel, the first president of the new Republic, was a student dissident "fighting" for freedom and the end to Communism at that time 20 years ago. It succeeded. Their freedom occurred just 8 days after the Berlin wall fell just to the West.

Today, there will be a reenactment of the student march of that day, starting in Albertov, south Prague, then following the route of the student march of November 17, 1989 that ended in a clash with the Czechoslovak communist police. There will be addresses by former and present students and artists along the route. Its final stop will be the Národní avenue where the then students' march was brutally suppressed by the communist police.

In a recent interview, former Czechoslovak communist high-ranking official Miroslav Stepan, now 64, believes that former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev betrayed socialism and dealt the fatal blow to European socialist states, and the end of Communist rule in Europe. Of course, he DID!! Thank you Gorby!!

Stepan was the chief of the Prague branch of the Communist Party (KSC) until 1989 when he was accused and later imprisoned over his responsibility for the brutal suppression of a student demonstration in Prague centre on November 17, 1989, which triggered a chain of massive protests calling for the end of the communist rule, now known as the Velvet Revolution, which ended the communist oppression and occupation.

There will be an area of Prague near the National Theatre that will be closed off in order to have a massive public pop concert in celebration of this anniversary. The concert starts at 18:00(6pm) today. It is said that these celebrations will be the most massive of its kind in Czech history, or so says the local media.

More views of Kobylisy

from yesterday...