Trip to Olomouc!!

This past weekend was a four-day weekend for yet another school holiday. The calendar at school simply said fall break, but there was also a national holiday on Saturday for the Independence day in 1989. One exchange student, James, had had a birthday earlier in October, and more of us wanted to help him celebrate it right.

First, Olomouc (said Olo-moats) is a beautiful historic town in central Moravia, and used to be the capital of Moravia. It was founded by Caesar and the Romans about 2000 years ago. For anyone out there thinking about ever going to the Czech Republic, this town should be on the top of your list of places to visit. I hear that it is just as pretty as Prague, but with less people and in better shape. I still haven't been to Prague, so I personally cant make a comparison.

On Thursday, I traveled by train and bus, by myself!, to Olomouc, where James met me and gave me a quick tour of the main square. After a late lunch we were joined by the other student who could come, Levana. She had booked a hostel for the three nights. I was lucky that they also had a bed for me. The rest of the afternoon was spent food shopping and exploring more of the downtown. Dinner was at a small cafe, but James had to return home early. Levana and I spent the night planning what we wanted to see for the next two days.

Friday was the main touring day of the larger town. There are lots of stunning churches in town: St. Michaels, St. Moritz, St. Wenceslas, St. Mary of the Snows, and the Annunciation of St. Mary, just to name the most popular ones. My favorite was St. Michaels. Olomouc has two squares, the upper and lower square. In the upper square, there are three fountains, the town hall, astronomical clock, and the HUGE Trinity Column. Almost every town in the Czech Republic has a 'Plague Column' as the students call them, to ward off the plague and remember the victims of it. The column in Olomouc is the biggest in the country. In the afternoon we saw some of James's life: his school, favorite places to go with his classmates, and the library where he spends his time. We cooked dinner at out hostel, then took to the town for the night. Olomouc has a great selection of places to relax, dance, and meet locals.

Saturday morning was great weather, so we went for a mid-morning walk in the large city park, stopped in at more churches, and got back to the main square by noon to see the astronomical clock's 6 minute show. The clock is one of two in the Czech Republic, but was changed by the Soviets after WWII. Now, instead of religious figures parading to the music, it is a collection of workers and athletes. In the afternoon Levana and I went to a smaller village outside of town, on 'Holy Hill', where there was another church and the Olomouc zoo. The church was also beautifully decorated inside and out, but the zoo was my highlight. There were animals from around the world housed in a wooded park that dipped and curved with small hills and valleys. The leaves seemed to be peaking with their fall colors. It was fun to see new species of animals that I had never seen before, many of which were endangered. North American animals were some of the strangest to see, just because I've traveled halfway around the world to see what I have at home. Most American zoos don't have armadillos. Back in Olomouc, we had a nicer dinner (not in a pub), and spent the night packing and reading some guide books in the hostel.

Sunday was a grey and rainy day. James met us in the morning, after some time confusion because of daylight savings time. We relaxed in his favortie cafe with 'world famous chocolate pie' and coffee before I had to catch my train. My host family was in Brno for the weekend, so I met them there, met my other Czech grandparents, and drove back to Trutnov.

More Czech Family

This past weekend I met my my host dads entire family: the two other brothers, their families, and his mom. Wow, what a group. They loved to discuss politics and drink fine Czech beer together. The fact that the family owns a pub doesn't hurt.
Babička (Grandma) and one brother live in the village of Lhotka in Moravia. It seems like the family has lived there for a long time. The own the pub, and a car club. I'm not entire sure what the club is about, but it has the family name on the sign. The village is 600 years old, 3 times as old as America. Its creepy to think about as I'm walking the streets.
Saturday, 11 of us went to an open-air museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, a small town outside Ostrava. We toured a set of 5 different mills, and I had a guide printed in English to follow. The weather was perfect, a warm fall day with vivid colors in the trees. In the afternoon we went to a local soccer match, married vs. single guys. They singles won, I was told because the beer bellies of married men slowed them down. A Czech's words not mine, I promise!!
Sunday I helped to pick apples, pears, and look for walnuts. I felt like such a city girl transplanted to the country. On the way back to Trutnov we stopped at the local cemetary. In the Czech Republic, Halloween isn't about ghosts and candy, instead people celebrate the holiday by decorating graves of loved ones. We lit candles and put flowers on the Rada family grave site. It was really peaceful and nice.
So, I have learned that there are some simple rules concerning interactions with Babička. First, if she talks to you, act like you know what she is saying, then ask someone for a translation. Second, when she makes a suggestion, it is really a demand. For example, if she motions for you to move while watching t.v. so you dont hurt your neck, do it. Third, a food offer is an even stronger demand, if you pass it up, something must be wrong with you. Last, always act as though you like the food, even if you don't. She will love you for it.
One funny moment was when I was asked if I like pumpkin. When I replied that I like pumpkin pie, people looked at me like I was crazy. Pumpkin pie does not exist here, so I'm in charge of making it for the family at some point. They share their recipies, I share mine.

Weekend Activities and Language Update

Yay!!!! I finally figured out how to put links on the left side of the page, so it is easier to get to my pictures. Also, there are links for my town and school, in English.
This weekend was another two days in Pec Pod Snezkou. My host dad is crazy, in a good way (I think), when it comes to outdoor activities. We went bike riding on Saturday, but I felt like falling over half the time. Yes, maybe I'm out of shape when it comes to bikes, but going straight up a mountain is not the right way to start conditioning. We rode a ski lift to the top of the mountain after Karel realized that the females of the group (two of us) were giving him nasty looks and muttering things under our breath. From the top we enjoyed the downhill, flat, and not-so-steep uphill roads. When it was time to go back down the mountain, Karel managed to find the steepest path with two foot drops off of rocks and tree roots. I walked my bike down in order to avoid killing the shocks and my legs.
Our next mountain was another steep one, so we rode another ski lift. I was scared out of my mind at first because I was 50 feet in the air, on a narrow bench, with no bar protecting me from falling, and a mountain bike on my lap. Not very safe. The views from the top were pretty, but a little hazy, as they often are. Fall here is nice, cool weather, with fog in the early mornings. Most of the time we rode on paved roads that went through the pine forests and past waterfalls. At one point two deer (Jelen, my new word) crossed the road in front of us.
On Sunday, a larger group of us went for an easy hike up a valley to a meadow. The trail followed a mountain stream and was shaded by trees with falling golden leaves. It is obvious that it is fall.
My language seems to be getting better still. Up until this point I was fairly quiet around the house, hard to believe I know. But now, I'm starting to engage in conversations. They might not be too intellectual, but it is impressive to me when I can say that I like the song being sung on Czech Superstar (like Czech Idol). This week one girl sang Hotel California. It is so strange to hear Czechs sing English songs that are by southern or country bands or bands that have country influences. So far I have heard versions of Eagles songs and of Creedance Clearwater Revival. I always laugh to myself.
Another personal victory was that I asked my host father if I could travel across the country by myself to visit a friend for his birthday. The entire conversation and follow up questions were in Czech, and I understood everything he said!!!! So not only can I ask for what I want, but now I will have the experience of traveling by myself. I am currently planning out every leg of the journey, and I will have my cell phone with me, so I will be just fine as long as I can get myself onto the right trains.

Field Trip!

Today was my first class trip with school. We went to a small town, Harrachov, in the Northwest part of the Krkonose Mountains (Giant Mountains). During winter the town is another skiing hub, but we were there for other cultural activities.
The drive lasted almost two hours, but felt much longer. Curvey roads, lots of sudden stops by the driver, and more people than seats made everyone a little cranky. Upon arrival, we split into two groups. My group went to the mining museum and mine first. I couldn't understand the captions, but it was interesting to look at the types of rocks/minerals in the area, as well as some old tools and machinery. We toured the old mine in hard hats and warm jackets, as it was cold and wet inside. Mining stopped in 1992 because the exports from China were cheaper. We wandered around on the old tracks and looked at wet walls, old elevators, ventilation fans, and strange machines. I wish I could write more interesting facts, but I'm still working on simple sentences and questions. My English and Czech teacher helped a little bit with some trivia, such as the mine is 720 meters deep.
Our next stop was the glass factory. It was a small operation, but people knew their jobs and worked quickly. The amount of glass turned out was quite impressive. Men would actually blow in the glass into different objects using long metal pipes, then use moulds to get the shape they wanted. I saw large wine glasses, small glasses, and vases being made. One room had old-fashioned glass cutting wheels, like what was used over 100 years ago. After shopping in the 'outlet corner' of the factory, we had free time in the area.
I went to the glass museum with some of my classmates, then enjoyed a snack in the small restaurant. The ride home seemed even longer because of the driver's enjoyment of slamming on the brakes, and I was sitting in the aisle.

Hodonin and 'The Slovaks'

This past weekend was another exchange student meeting, but this time with both the Czech Republic and the Slovakia inbounds. We met in a town named Hodonin, basically on the border of the two countries. I was late on Friday because Karel had to work late, but it was so great to see everyone again.
We all greeted each other like old friends, and immediately befriended the people from the other country. Friday night was a night to get to know the town and catch up with how everyone's schools were going. I went to a cafe with four other friends and tried 'chocolate', which is hot chocolate pudding with added ingredients such as hazelnuts or cinnamon. Simply heavenly. People were up late talking and dancing, but I went to bed at 1:00 to keep my sanity. Saturday was the 'cultural activity' day. The Czech students went on a boat ride in the earlier part of the morning along a river that forms the border between the Czech and Slovak Republics. So Slovakia is yet another country I've seen and not been in. Mid morning we switch places with the Slovaks, so they went on the boat and we were supposed to go back to the hotel. Some of us chose to walk back, while others rode the bus. The walking group was stopped at a dog show when the bus group appeared, talking about how the bus just crashed into a tree and shattered a window. Everyone walked back.:)
The two groups were back together for lunch, then we were given three options for the afternoon. We could go to the zoo, have free time, or go to a museum. I chose to go to the museum. The 12 museum goers split into different cars, and my car load rocked out to Queen music the entire way. I might not have been in Bohemia at the time, but it was still great to listen to Bohemian Rhapsody in the Czech Republic. The museum was an open air display of typical area buildings from the 17-1900s. The weather was perfect, and our Czech teacher, Tomas, translated what the tour guide said into English. One part of the tour was a vineyard, where we all ate our share of very tasty grapes. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped in the little town where the museum was and looked (unsuccessfully) for an ice cream stall. Instead we looked at a beautiful old church and enjoyed the quaint atmosphere of the town.
After dinner we were free to go out on the town. People split up into smaller groups and explored more. I ended up in the same cafe, but with different people who I hadn't spent as much time with. Its great how we can get along with everyone in the group!! Later some people set up a disco on the top floor of the hotel and people danced into the early morning.
Sunday was a quieter day. The Slovak kids had to leave after breakfast, and the Czech students had another language lesson with Tomas, whom we love like a favorite uncle. The Slovak inbounds have a language test in December, and if they don't pass they will most likely be sent home. I'm glad that we don't have that kind of pressure. Our Rotary organizer thinks that a test is a stupid concept....Go him!!
After lunch people slowly split off into groups to go back to their towns. Such bittersweet goodbyes, but our next get-together is Thanksgiving. Turkey and James Bond appears to be on the menu. It will be our first holiday away from our home countries, so I'm glad that we will be together. I'm still trying to figure out how to explain Halloween to my host family.
More pictures have been posted in a new folder and in the Trutnov and Rock Town folders....enjoy!!

Rotary and Czech Culture

I had my first REAL Rotary meeting with my club last night, and I still hold everyone in high regards. The guest speaker was a businessman who was somehow connected to a big stadium (in think in Prague). He showed a video of the building process and opening events, which was interesting. The interest level on my part went down when he proceeded to talk for over an hour and a half about topics that went over my head. I played my part and sat and smiled, and paid attention like a good exchange student should. I was glad when he ended and dinner began. Dinner was served buffet style, and included GREEN VEGGIES!! My heart did a little dance. Rotary seems to have good taste in food.
When I was back at the table for dessert, one Rotarian struck up a conversation with me about school. I flexed my Czech skills, and we seemed to understand each other. He then helped me with some new vocabulary and a review of old vocab by going around the table and asking me names of foods. I surprised myself with how much I've learned.
Well, I think its time to tell more about my new country...Not what you learn in text books either. First, the new Miss World is from here, as of this weekend. People don't lie when they say that the women here are beautiful. Also, there have been mammoth bones found in Northwest Bohemia in the past month, for all you science nerds out there.
Some parts of everyday life are really new and different for me. Man capris....Need I say more? One habit that appears everywhere is socks and sandals, even in teenagers. I have always tried to train my family not to do it, but I'm slowly accepting it. Also, I have new (healthier) eating habits. During the school week I eat 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big ones, so my metabolism is speeding up. My classmates do the same thing, its just normal here.
Little things were different for me at first, though I'm used to them now. All of the bath towels are the size of hand towels. No, I haven't gotten the two piles confused in the linen closet. Also, the beds have no sheets. I sleep on a mattress with a cover, and under a feather comforter. Its nice in the current fall weather, but I don't know if it will change in winter.
I know I talk a lot about the food, but it is good!! Another new favorite is Rohlik, a small long bread roll. People buy fresh bread a couple times a week, instead of processed stuff that is so common in the U.S. I have potatoes every day with at least one meal. My host family drinks a lot of tea, but I know it can vary by family. Many people prefer sparkling water, which took me a while to get used to. Its sort of like Perrier, but with more flavor options. I have seens lemon, orange, grapefuit, and pear.

Again, I keep posting pictures!!! Please check back often.

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/b_dixon06-07/

Snezka and the Giant Mountains

I climbed the tallest peak in the Czech Republic!!!! Yay for me!!!! I went to Pec Pod Sněžkou with my host family for Saturday and Sunday of this week. Pec is the ski resort town about 20 km away from Trutnov where my host dad works. We went up on Friday night for dinner and stayed until Sunday lunch. They have a small apartment in a building separate from the hotel, for when they go there to ski and snowboard in winter.
On Saturday morning we had breakfast in the hotel with another family before heading toward the mountain trails. We were going to walk to the trailhead with the other normal people, but when a horse drawn wagon came into sight Miša grew really excited, so we rode to the trailhead in style. The hike took about 3 hours to the summit, and was calf-splitting steep. I looked like the tourist as ever, taking pictures all along the way, but it was worth it. The early morning clouds were mostly gone by about 11:30, and the sunshine lit up the other mountains and the valleys. At the summit, there were TONS of people. Sněžka sits on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland, are there are skii lifts and trails coming up from both sides. Everyone who had come up in our group was tired, so we took pictures and headed down the ski lift towards Pec. The bottom station for the lift was still about 1 km from town, but we used the distance to find a small restaurant for lunch. I had a typical Czech meal: soup, chicken snitzel, and apple strudle.
Back at the apartments I had time to take a quick shower and catch my breath before heading off to dinner. Yes, these people like their food. Our meal lasted the entire night, and was spread out to help digestion. We had a self-grill kind of meal, where hot stone slabs about the size of a computer keyboard were brought out and placed on top of little stoves. The food was raw bite-sized beef, chicken, salmon, and veggies. Everyone was left to their own devices to cook the food as they wanted it. Sauces finished off the meal. The going was slow, but the end result was fantastic.
The entertainment of the night was a folk dancing and singing group. There were a total of 17 people, including a bass fiddle, 3 violins, 2 clarinets, an accordian, and dancers. They danced and sang for over and hour, and it was full of sly Czech humor. I think that it would be thought of as inappropriate to hit girls on the bottom with willow brooms in the U.S., but here it is an old tradition. One dance included a horse puppet that refused to get off the ground until it was served some beer from a table of on-lookers.

The Adrspach Rocks

No school Thursday or Friday!!! I love public holidays. Thursday was another 'enriching' field trip with the family, to a national reserve of the Adršpach Rocks of Northwest Bohemia. The rocks are sandstone towers and masses of sandstone that are located in the little hump of the Czech Republic that extends into Poland. There are actually four different rock towns in the area, but we only went to one.
It was only a half-hour drive from Trutnov, onto a plateau and through the forests. In one little town there was a place to park and to get into the park. We walked along a well-marked tourist path though the rocks. Some had strange or funny names, like sugarloaf, Madonna, the Jug, or Elephant's square. At one point the trail went through a narrow gorge with walls towering about 100 feet on either side. The trail turned into a boardwalk, as a stream ran underneath it. There were two waterfalls, the little falls and the Big Falls.
The Big Falls was the outlet for a small lake tucked away in the hills. We climbed up, then down, a set of steep stairs to get to the lake, and had a boat tour of it. It was really small, and the boat could even turn around, so we all got up (carefully) and turned the other way for the second half of the tour.
On the way back to the front of the park, we took another trail that took us past even more named formations: the lovers, the mayor and mayoress, and the turtle, just to name a few. One place was a great photo spot, as it had a panoramic view of the rock pillars sticking up throught the trees. On yet another trail we saw a lake where sand was mined to make glass. The trees on the opposite side were starting to turn colors. It is nothing like the display in NW Arkansas, but the leaves still made a nice backdrop.
Lunch was in a small hotel at the beginning of the trails. I had my first bowl of garlic soup, and I think I may have a new favorite soup flavor. We had to rush back to Trutnov because Misa had a tennis lesson.
I finally got my cell phone in the afternoon!! I won't post the number, but if you want to email, I'm happy to give it out. The system connected to it seems pretty cool. I buy 500 koruna to put on the SIM card. Each outgoing call is about 7 koruna a minute, depending on the reciever's carrier and the time of day. When I run out of money, I only have to go to the ATM in the square and use my bank card to recharge it. After being tested, I can say that I can recieve calls from the U.S.

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/b_dixon06-07/Adrspach%20Teplice%20Rocks/

The link above is back to my photobucket account with all of my pictures. Please take some time to look at what I've been doing. This address takes you straight to the pictures of the rocks.