Extremely weak wifi connection in new Flat

so... on this first Tuesday of the new year as well as the first full day in my new flat, I have realized that the that the internet (wifi) in my new flat is NOT strong enough to allow Blogspot to upload a photograph.

so, this a Major disappointment ! !! !!!

...therefore I will begin exploring new options: a) of either obtaining direct internet somehow or b) will have to start searching for yet another flat.... ach (freakin') jo

since as you may know, i do really enjoy developing this blog and posting images of Prague. Well... for now, I guess, no more pictures for the time being ;-((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !!!!!

Reminder - New Address - Smichov, Praha 5

As I mentioned in mid December, I now live here, having moved into my own flat as of Monday morning.

Holečková 119
150 00
Smichov
Czech Republic

Smichov, a district within the city of Prague, is located on the left bank of the Vltava river, south from Prague Castle. It is the main part of the Prague Administrative district called Prague 5. It is in close proximity to the old historical center(Centrum) of Prague and quite close to where I first resided(on Zborovská) for 6 weeks, back in May of 2008 when I took the Course here in Prague to become certified to teach English here.

Until the 19th century, Prague 5 was a highly industrial section of Prague, with many factories and an "uncountable" number of high smokestacks. However, most of the industries have been torn down, and it has now changed into a commercial, shopping, cultural and residential area.

However, one industry does remain here in Smichov. It is Staropramen, the largest brewery in Prague. It is the second largest brewery in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1869 and the brand name Staropramen, literally means "old spring".

This quarter was mentioned for the first time at the end of the 13th century in connection with the coronation of the Czech (good) king Wenceslas II (1271 - 1305). Back then, in the Middle Ages, the prevailing part of this territory was occupied by vineyards, hop-fields, as well as fields and gardens belonging to the Church.

Mills were built along the river in what is now Kampa Island. Kampa Park is not far from where I reside now and one side of Petřín Hill is actually adjacent to Holečková ulice, just down its incline; perhaps a half a mile from me. Nice.

Words to start this New Year

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” ~ Johann Wolfgang Goethe

A great thought, yah, to start off this new year. AND, this quote is so TRUE!! ..has been SO True! Thanks Helen, for this quote that has been so important to me...

Have arrived...

A long day; after waiting around in JFK for 8 hours on Sunday, and then another 8 hours in the air, I finally landed here in Prague at 8:00am Monday morning... to start the new year.

and It was snowing here this morning, and Prague looks nice... more later.

Delay in Arriving back to Prague

Spent almost the entire day today at/in the Rochester Airport (got there at 8am) with my 11am flight to New York being pushed back further and further as the afternoon progressed. Finally, it was set to take off at 3pm, which upon landing at JFK, would not have allowed me to make my Delta flight to Prague this evening at 5:05pm. So I am not on that flight and will not arrive in Prague Sunday morning like I thought.

Delta was nice enough to rebook me on tomorrow's(Sunday) flight to Prague leaving at the same time (every day). I will therefore arrive in Prague on Monday morning around 8am in stead of tomorrow morning at 8am. Bummer! But... these things happen.

so... See you Monday.

On My Way Back to Praha today

Today, another long day... returning to Prague. Starting first with a Flight from Rochester to JFK this morning, then a 4.5 hour wait at JFK with a departure to Prague set for 5:05pm today on Delta, arriving tomorrow morning before 8am Prague time.

Flights TO Prague (as opposed TO New York) are usually much shorter in duration. In August, it only took 6 hours to fly from NY to Praha.. so am hoping for the same today.

..upon my arrival, I will go directly from the airport to my new flat in Smichov.
I am looking forward to having my own place and all that goes with having ones own flat.

Happy New Year

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Welcome to: 2010. Two Thousand Ten, Dve Tesic deset; Twenty Ten, Dvacet deset.

Photo: The Beloved Krtek... the happy Little Mole.
A Czech "Institution" and loved by Children and Adults alike here in the Czech Republic.