Zvikov

H and I once calculated that if a person spent nearly every weekend of the year going to a new castle in the Czech Republic then it would take at least 10 years to see them all. I'm not sure where we got our numbers from and if our calculations are remotely accurate, but at any rate there are a lot of castles in this country. And my goal is to get around to as many of these lovely structures as possible.

This weekend our pursuit of castles took us to Southern Bohemia to Zvikov. Zvikov sits on a peninsula jutting out into the confluence of Vltava and Otava Rivers, which run into Orlik dam. You have to park about 500 meters from the castles and walk on a winding path through trees draping overhead. As we walked along enjoying the cool fall air, the castle tower seems to appear in the thick green. I have to say, it is a magical feeling place.

There was a wedding going on in the courtyard so we took our time strolling though the castle grounds until the bride and groom finished their business and were swept off to their reception. The surround hills and trees and water are pure peace. There weren't many tourists and we could walk around playing at being the king and queen of this green land.

The castle tour was a self-tour. You pay an entrance free of about 100,-kc ($5) and you follow the arrows through the halls and corridors and dining room and chapel. The ability to walk through the castle without any tour group or tour guide was freeing.

After working up an appetite running up and down castle hallways we stopped at a microbrewery and pub just up the road from the castle. The beer was crisp and cold. The food was perfectly prepared and very Czech. We stuffed ourselves grilled eggplant, zucchini and corn on the cob, steak, baked potatoes and cabbage salad. Then we rolled our full bellies out to our car and drove home through sun, rain and rainbows.

It's just like the movies

What do you do when you don't have money to travel? Or there is no time? Or there are too many places calling to you? My solution is the miracle of television. Nothing takes you to another land like a good film, for cheap.

It can be tricky locating "foreign films", but if you live in the US and have a good public library near you then it shouldn't be impossible. Here in Prague, you can buy cheap DVDs at every tabak shop.

I learned how valuable the escape of film is the first few months I lived here in Prague. I wanted a little booster shot of America and went to see the Kate Hudson film "Divorce". However, the film was based in Paris. I remember feeling very dissatisfied (not just from the acting) and realizing that I hadn't wanted to see more Europe, I'd wanted to see "home".

So when you need to just get away, look no further than your couch. And it doesn't hurt to throw in a good bottle of wine and a box of Swiss chocolates too...




My escape recommendations:

To The Czech Republic:
-Román pro ženy
-Účastníci zájezdu
- Grand Hotel
-Samotáři


To Europe:
-A Good Year
-Sabrina (remake)
-Amelie
-Chocolat

To America:
-Music and Lyrics
-Garden State
-Sweet Home Alabama
-Run Away Bride
-Gran Torino



I would love if you'd post your favorite "escape" films too!!

'Shrooms

It's that time of the year again! The mushrooms are popping up and the forest floor is covered with shroomy goodness.

This weekend we went out to our favorite (secret) spot with some new friends and walked around picking mushrooms. It is the Czech national sport. Each summer I get better and better at identifying the edible ones. I still verify with the boyfriend but I'm fairly confident.

Even though H has been collecting mushrooms for his whole life, he still runs them by his mom who is an expert on mushrooms. So, before whipping up a wild mushroom risotto, we stopped by mom's house for the final approval.

The remainder of the the mushrooms were sliced thinly and laid out to dry in the waning summer light so they can be stirred into soups all winter.

On the Cottage

As you take a train through the Czech countryside, you will see little villages and collections of small houses. Some are wooden and some are brick, some are small and some are big. But these little house represent one of the sweetest aspects of Czech culture: The Cottage.

Nearly every family has a cottage. "Praguers"go to their cottages on the weekends to escape the city and grow some veggies. If a girl is very lucky, she will have friends with a big cottage in tiny village who will invite her to spend the weekend with them. That's me!

Going to the cottage consists of two main things: eat and drink. A steady round of Fernet, a strong herby liquor, was served all day. And, as the whole weekend was in Czech, I was grateful for the Fernet which gave me courage to speak with a loose tongue.

In the afternoon we went to the local pub, which doubled as the fire station. In order to be served, one member of the party must be a volunteer firefighter at the station. So, my friends pay 50,-kc (about $2) per year membership fee to be volunteer firefighters in order to have an occasional beer.

The table was always full of food. There were three types of cake, fruit, pretzels, chips, chlebicky (open face sandwiches). In the evening the grill was fired up and there was a mound of chicken, pork and beef.

We played board games late into the night. After hours of laughter, and more drinks, I was ready to sleep. The fresh air had cleared my head and cleaned my lungs. I know why the Czechs have cottages. The cottage is a little piece of heaven on earth.

Neoclassicism and Biedermeier:

Bored this weekend? Weather got you down? Go to the center and get a little light and color from the wonderful exhibition at Valdštejnská jízdárna (Waldstein Riding Hall) of neoclassic art. There are paintings, statues, china and drawings.

The colors will lighten your heart. The romantic scenes of lovers and nature and villages will warm your heart. Believe me, your heart will just be happy.

Hezky vikend!



http://www.upm.cz/index.php?language=cz&page=123&year=2010&id=141&img=1250

http://www.pragueout.cz/umeni/articles/klasicismus-a-biedermeier-z-knizecich-lichtenstejnskych-sbirek

Amy and Dennis go to Krivoklat

Read about our adventure on Amy and Dennis's blog:

http://hello-unknown.com/?p=380&preview=true

Hloupý Honza

I love the concept of "Daily Menu" (Denní Menu). In most restaurants from 11.00-14.00 there is an offering of three or four meals that are ready to order. The menu usually comes with soup, and sometimes a dessert.

My boyfriend (whose name is Honza) found a restaurant last week called Hloupy Honza, which translate as Stupid Honza. We had to try it. The restaurant is right in the center, off of Vodičkova. The tables are made of wood and it feels like a modern pub. The meals were fresh and delicious. H had soup, a grilled steak, French fries and a small drink all for 139,-kc. I had salmon and spinach baked in pastry dough over a bed of fresh vegetables including soup and a small drink all for 99,-kc. And with your meal you get a little card and you get a stamp with each meal, after eight you get a free one! Good food, free food, what a deal!




www.hloupyhonza.cz

I'm keen on KEEN

I don't endorse products often, mostly because I don't get paid anything for it! But I thought today I should tell you about shoes that I've fallen in love with. Anyone who travels any distance knows that shoes can make or break the experience.

I'm not usually a big sandal person because I don't like having my toes exposed in the city. You just never know. But I recently saw that the shoe brand KEEN has specially designed sandals that cover the top of the foot. I was curious. When I found them on sale, I made the plunge and bought them.

These sandals are a dream. (An expensive dream, be warned they weren't cheap even on sale but so worth it). My whole foot is supported and protected. My toes are covered. The soles are spongy on the inside and have hiking tread on the bottom that are up to hiking, cobblestones and pretty much anything you can through at them. Also, they are machine washable so no worries about muddy paths.

I'm looking forward to purchasing a pair of KEEN shoes for autumn or winter. I'll let you know if I'm as impressed with their hardier designs.

www.keenfootwear.com