Finding the Czech Republic

These 'Finding' series of posts are dedicated to different parts of the world that sometimes get little mention here in the Western hemisphere. 

First up - Czech Republic. From 2006-2008, I lived in this lovely, quite picturesque country located in very heart of Europe. It is composed of 2 areas - Bohemia to the east, and Moravia to the west. I hung my hat in Brno, which is situated in Moravia close to the Austrian border.

Czech Republic is famous for it's beer or 'pivo' as they say, it's beautiful city, Prague, and a little known fact - the word 'robot' is of Czech origin. The country is also known for it's glass, crystal, and beads, as well as, it's medicinal hot springs. You may have heard of, perhaps the most famous, Karlovy Vary.

Whenever a person leaves their home country and goes to another, often times there are many things that you have to adjust to. It usually is the people that help make it easier to continue on in your home away from home. My years spent in Czech were no different. Befriending the people was what made my time there most enjoyable and, dare I say, all worth it. I learned so much from them.

Following are some photos I feel best capsulize the beauty of Czech Republic. I hope I can return someday.




Brno

 



Brno from Spalicek shopping center

 




Moravian Countryside

 



"my Brno" :-)

 



Prague

 



Translation - 'Best Beer in All Moravia' :-)

 



Prague - on Karlov Most or 'Charles' Bridge'

 



An adorable flat in the suburbs of Prague

 



A village in which I forget the name

 



Yours truly - in Prague

 



Brno

 



With one of my sweetest friends (on the planet!), Jana - Brno

 



I believe this is Petrov Castle





Beautiful Prague

 



The streets of Brno

 



Josefska Ulica - Joseph Street - Brno

 



And we can't forget ... 'the best beer in all Moravia'

 

"We Must Love One Another or Die"

This post was supposed to be about old-fashioned elevators - I know, please don't ask. However, I thought, why on God's great earth would one write about elevators when you can muse about such juicy subjects, as say ... love.

From the beginning of time this devotion has been subject for many a writer and poet; friend and foe; yes, all humans.

Though in the words of Roland Barthes, "To try to write love is to confront the muck of language: that region of hysteria where language is both too much and to little, excessive ... and impoverished." And while it seems there is much truth in Mr. Barthes' quotation, where would the literary spice be if we did not did take a stab at this 'muck of language' of love?

I have been asking myself why I've rediscovered the fascination of this oftentimes worrisome topic. I was quite fine in self-preservation mode, living my life and doing what I pleased. So perhaps it has to do with the fact that the big 3-0 recently swooped down and now has me in it's grip. Or maybe it is the fresh departing of someone special (yes - a breakup).

But whatever the case, it seems I am nowhere as close to finding love at 30 as when I was 10. And though recently thinking I had found it and would have given my heart and soul; in retrospect, I would not have been being true to myself. And so we simply remain that lovely, little F-word - 'friends'.  

I suppose I may be, at the moment, labeled as 'cynical' or 'bitter'. And that is quite possibly true, for what woman in her right mind wants to let down the walls of self-preservation, leaving herself open for an attack? Yes, who wants to lay like a wounded lioness who misjudged the distance and was stabbed by the horn of love rendering her useless? Sure, she will regain her strength, but how long this will take, and how painful it will be, one cannot know.

Or perhaps this cynicalness stems from what most of society has made love out to be. Relationships are more often than not exploited for sex and selfishness. And it seems everywhere one turns there are constant jabs and sneers at the family unit. Yes, what happened to those timeless principles as family loyalty, communication, honesty, respect, and loving one as you love yourself?

In spite of all the stresses on love, why the enduring obsession and enthrallment? Why the allure and appeal? Why do we want it so badly??? Well, I always like to go back to a rather similar rant from Barbara Streisand in 'A Mirror Has Two Faces', "because being in love feels *blank* great."

And though I couldn't agree more with Barbara, I do feel there is a deeper purpose and point - and that is, quite simply, it is the way we were designed. We have this inherent need to provide and care for, to need and be needed, to love and be loved. It is not natural to be alone.

'Two Lovers'
Prague, Czech Republic

Yes, as W.H. Auden wrote, "We must love one another or die".

So until that sensational day arrives, you will find me in the coffee shops of Brooklyn blogging away, at the gym burning off my frustrations, staying true to my Bedouin ways and travelling the planet. And then on the bad days listening to sad country songs like Pam Tillis' 'All the Good Ones are Gone' and occasionally drowning my sorrows in a tub of Ben and Jerry's. If anything, I will be busy.

Along the Way



On my parents' farm

Stories about travel, food, and life’s experiences along the way..

I grew up in the hills of north central PA in a small village called Germania. Just saying the name to some of my friends evokes the thought of a distant land in medieval Europe. Transylvania, Icelandia, Finlandia, Germania .. you get the picture. A distant land it really is. Some may think Germania is worlds away from “real” civilization. There are dirt roads, cows, farms, and dirt bikes. Oh yes, and fishing. My parents, who really do live on a farm, have to drive one hour, one way just to get to a Wal-mart. That all being said, the hills of Pennsylvania are absolutely some of the most be beautiful country I’ve ever seen.

Fields my father hays every year

Anyway, despite being a country girl at heart, my curiosity and love of distant lands has taken me all over the world, as well as, the fact that I am probably the world’s biggest runner. And I don’t mean as in marathons, lol. You’ve heard the expression, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. That’s me. I’ve lived and trekked in the jungles of Guyana, South America; taught English in Eastern Europe; and now the big city has finally called. I currently rest my head in Brooklyn, New York City.  

Brno, Czech Republic - where I lived

   

Don’t get me wrong - as I get older I’m trying to work on the whole running thing. But I’m also learning to enjoy where my meandering ways take me. And being able to say that I’ve got hundreds of friends all over the world is one of the best things money can’t buy. To me, they’re worth more than any career could ever be. Also being able to see the world through different eyes, as in, not American eyes is truly.. dare I say eye-opening, lol.

Therefore, I dedicate this blog to where life takes us along the way. Being able to enjoy various cultures, foods, debating the pros and cons of differing situations, countries, etc. – I love it all and can’t wait to share my thoughts, and hear yours. A portion will also, no doubt, cover places in my hood – Clinton Hill/Fort Greene area in Brooklyn, NY.

An old trabant in Czech

With my good friend, Jana - Brno