June 2010

June is a blur. I worked hard and I played hard. But I didn't blog hard, obviously as it is the end of the month and this my first entry for June. So, here are the highlights...



Music
Thanks to Alasdair Bouch (www.myspace.com/myalasdair) and his mellowy jazzy soul sound, I had some good tunes to guide me through the heatwave at the beginning of the month. Alasdair's performance at The Fringe Festival (www.praguefringe.com/2010/) started out the month on a good and groovy foot.



Museums

June is one of the months I always look forward to because it brings Muzejni Noc/Museum Night (www.prazskamuzejninoc.cz/2010/). I've blogged about this annual event every year because every year it impresses me. The city organizes for the museums to be open 7pm to 1am on a Saturday evening, as well as free public transport and live entertainment. It's quite literally a city wide party. We waited until sundown and went to check out the Jewish Quarter's offering of breathtaking synagogues. The photos here are courtesy of The Jewish Museum website.(www.jewishmuseum.cz/cz/czspanish.htm)

In Kbely, a little suburb of Prague sits the Aviation Museum, run by the Czech Military. (www.vhu.cz/en/stranka/letecke-muzeum/) There are several Military museums around Prague- all of which H. and I have wondered through over the years. But of course the Aviation Museum holds a place close to our hearts. (Mostly because H. loves airplanes and I love him...and history!)

Team Building

Kids maybe counting the minutes down to when they are free for the summer, but in the adult education world teaching has no breaks. However, we at The Villa (www.thevilla.cz) did decide to celebrate the summer with a climb and a pint at Gutovka Park (www.gutovka.cz) in Prague 10. Their climbing wall fits all levels, including we beginners. The instructors were helpful, thorough and made what could be a stressful situation motivating and relaxed.

Part 4: New York City

Our last long drive was across Pennsylvania. We found a cute little town to stay in just off the highway and we also found two of my favorite friends, Jan and Katie. They were also headed to the Big Apple to spend some quality time with H and I.

I'd been to NYC twice before but this time I really "got"the city. I fell for her, hard. The sun shone softly. The wind blew through my hair. People passed by on all sides. The city is full and busy and overwhelming and moving and alive. I fell in love with that life. I'll be happy to go back to NYC again and I'm sure that I will.

We did the Empire State Building, of course. It is a must. We ate at Katz's Deli (www.katzdeli.com). We strolled along the streets of China Town and Little Italy, soaking in two worlds at once. We went to Times Square. It is a place where you see that life goes on, it doesn't stop or sulk or panic. Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art gave us peace in a bustling city. And we ate Indian at a hole-in-the-wall in Queens that was so good we went back two nights in a row.

At the end of our time in NYC, I was full of friendship, experiences, good food and happiness. I was ready to sleep in my own bed again but I knew I'd be dreaming about hugs and oceans and lighthouses and seashells and smiles and driving and all the good things I love about America.

Part 3: Niagara Falls

If you want to impress your family on an American road trip, I recommend Niagara Falls. Big nature equals big smiles.

I was looking forward to Niagara most because my mom was driving up to hang out for a few days. With so much family running around the Falls there wasn't a dull moment.

Honza took his mom and sister on The Maid of the Mist boat ride while my mom, the kids and our friend Megan had a nice walk. In the afternoon my agenda was swimming and sauna while H got roped into taking the family shopping. The weekend was lazy and casual with no rushing. The only thing rushing was the water.