Sunday, March 18, 2007
Prattling around in Praha
I was fortunate enough to stay in Praha for a short weekend trip. Many a people have lauded Prague and said it was a must see part of Europe. I often wondered why they couldn't outright tell me why. Now I know - it's just too darn difficult to describe its magnificence in words.
The city is an amalgamation of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Cubist - a schmorgasboard of ancient and modern art.
Nomadlife Praha - Charles Bridge & Prague Castle
Prague Castle - all the architecture in Praha are beautiful, but this one stands out the most. It was first founded in 880 A.D., but the most distinguished cathedrals were built in the 14th century by Charles IV- only to be completed in the 1920s.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Gorgeous...
The John Lennon Wall
Here's my mark...
One of my favorite stories in Praha was about the John Lennon Wall. During Soviet times, young cultural rebels mourned the death of the star by creating a mock grave. Since the Beatles and John himself were viewed as a "Western" culture icon, this was taboo under the Soviet regime. Every night, the guards would come and whitewash the wall, and every day, people came to express themselves (Monty Python's "Life of Brian," anybody?). This soon became a political protest, as the graffiti and expressions became a political attack of the Stalinist regime. The graffiti finally won over when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989.
http://www.bagism.com/library/lennonwall.html
Today, the graffiti has mixed messages, as tourists are free to touch and write over the wall. Nonetheless, some of the messages are very sincere and quite clever. Some historians mourn the loss of the anti-Soviet art, but I think there is something to be said about a "peace wall" like this. I wanted to leave my mark too (picture on the right). I wrote "hooray (banzai) for peace" in Japanese and a girl kissing the John Lennon art - in retrospect, a little stupid. I should have put more thought into it.
Jenny demonstrates how it's done (I believe she wrote in Kiswahili, showing off her vocab she picked up in Kenya - Safi...).
As long as we are on the topic of communism, here's something else that reminds Czech citizens of the effects of communism. This is a series of statues on a hill, where a man is falling apart.
A stone nearby reads: The memorial to the victims of communism is dedicated to all victims, not only those who were jailed or executed, but also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism. The City of Prague, The Municipal District of Prague 1, and the Confederation of Political Prisoners Built the Memorial in 2002.
When one is in Central and Eastern Europe, it is inevitable to run into reminders of the Soviet times, whether it be physical or simply in dialogues with people. But for the most part, the young generation wants to move on, and they embrace ambitions that align with Western capitalism (not because they completely agree with Western ideology, but more so because they agree with modernity). Comfortable living and the ability to achieve economic and social success is something to be desired and to be proud of.
Oh, I'm so in love with these wooden toys!
They are comical, warm, and a great way to expose kids to physics. I was tempted to buy everything in this store - these toys are just so clever! (Much better than the fancy electronic or overly anatomically correct dolls these days). It just tickles your creative spirits... I could have played there for hours...
And food was great too. Above is a dish called Svickova (pronounced "Svich-kova") - roasted pork in sour cream and pickle sauce, served with Czech dumplings (which is basically steamed buns). Delicious!
Another distinctly Czech food I had was fried cheese (it's Marta's favorite food). The best way to describe it is to imagine that you are having mozzarella cheese sticks in the shape of French toast - and then eating them with mayo tartar sauce. Wash it down with beer. (Come to think of it, how is different than a Wisconsin diet?)
Dobre Pivo = Good Times, Good Friends
Hu? Fang Hu - that's who! Jenny was my super-amazing hostess for the weekend in Praha. She knows Praha like the back of her hand, and she knows how to party. This photo is for Devrim (for linking up two formidable Asian women in a "drink Devrim under the table coalition").
Pivo love. (*Pivo = beer) My favorite was Kozel dark. Mmm... delicious.
Andel house - a gathering of internationals living in Praha.
I was definitely missing out - I'm glad I had a chance to visit Praha. Return visit? - who knows...
The city is an amalgamation of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Cubist - a schmorgasboard of ancient and modern art.
Nomadlife Praha - Charles Bridge & Prague Castle
Prague Castle - all the architecture in Praha are beautiful, but this one stands out the most. It was first founded in 880 A.D., but the most distinguished cathedrals were built in the 14th century by Charles IV- only to be completed in the 1920s.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Gorgeous...
The John Lennon Wall
Here's my mark...One of my favorite stories in Praha was about the John Lennon Wall. During Soviet times, young cultural rebels mourned the death of the star by creating a mock grave. Since the Beatles and John himself were viewed as a "Western" culture icon, this was taboo under the Soviet regime. Every night, the guards would come and whitewash the wall, and every day, people came to express themselves (Monty Python's "Life of Brian," anybody?). This soon became a political protest, as the graffiti and expressions became a political attack of the Stalinist regime. The graffiti finally won over when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1989.
http://www.bagism.com/library/lennonwall.html
Today, the graffiti has mixed messages, as tourists are free to touch and write over the wall. Nonetheless, some of the messages are very sincere and quite clever. Some historians mourn the loss of the anti-Soviet art, but I think there is something to be said about a "peace wall" like this. I wanted to leave my mark too (picture on the right). I wrote "hooray (banzai) for peace" in Japanese and a girl kissing the John Lennon art - in retrospect, a little stupid. I should have put more thought into it.
Jenny demonstrates how it's done (I believe she wrote in Kiswahili, showing off her vocab she picked up in Kenya - Safi...).As long as we are on the topic of communism, here's something else that reminds Czech citizens of the effects of communism. This is a series of statues on a hill, where a man is falling apart.
A stone nearby reads: The memorial to the victims of communism is dedicated to all victims, not only those who were jailed or executed, but also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism. The City of Prague, The Municipal District of Prague 1, and the Confederation of Political Prisoners Built the Memorial in 2002.
When one is in Central and Eastern Europe, it is inevitable to run into reminders of the Soviet times, whether it be physical or simply in dialogues with people. But for the most part, the young generation wants to move on, and they embrace ambitions that align with Western capitalism (not because they completely agree with Western ideology, but more so because they agree with modernity). Comfortable living and the ability to achieve economic and social success is something to be desired and to be proud of.
Oh, I'm so in love with these wooden toys!
They are comical, warm, and a great way to expose kids to physics. I was tempted to buy everything in this store - these toys are just so clever! (Much better than the fancy electronic or overly anatomically correct dolls these days). It just tickles your creative spirits... I could have played there for hours...
And food was great too. Above is a dish called Svickova (pronounced "Svich-kova") - roasted pork in sour cream and pickle sauce, served with Czech dumplings (which is basically steamed buns). Delicious!
Another distinctly Czech food I had was fried cheese (it's Marta's favorite food). The best way to describe it is to imagine that you are having mozzarella cheese sticks in the shape of French toast - and then eating them with mayo tartar sauce. Wash it down with beer. (Come to think of it, how is different than a Wisconsin diet?)
Dobre Pivo = Good Times, Good Friends
Hu? Fang Hu - that's who! Jenny was my super-amazing hostess for the weekend in Praha. She knows Praha like the back of her hand, and she knows how to party. This photo is for Devrim (for linking up two formidable Asian women in a "drink Devrim under the table coalition").
Pivo love. (*Pivo = beer) My favorite was Kozel dark. Mmm... delicious.
Andel house - a gathering of internationals living in Praha.
I was definitely missing out - I'm glad I had a chance to visit Praha. Return visit? - who knows...
// posted by sakit @ 7:12 AM 
Comments:
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Czech food is great? WTF? Are we thinking about the same country here?
Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful country and there is so much about it I'm a big fan of (especially the Pivo), but I would be very hesitant to consider its cuisine as one of the strengths.
So two little Asian girls want to take me down? You know where to find me, just bring it. But beware, it has been the fatal flaw of many an unsuspecting victim.
Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful country and there is so much about it I'm a big fan of (especially the Pivo), but I would be very hesitant to consider its cuisine as one of the strengths.
So two little Asian girls want to take me down? You know where to find me, just bring it. But beware, it has been the fatal flaw of many an unsuspecting victim.
Saki, glad you enjoyed Prague which is the back of my hand. Thanks for coming and for the great time.
Saki,
I am SO proud of how comparatively empty your glass is compared to your drinking partner! True Nomadlife style! Reminds me of the days of drinking Devrim under the table when he and I were in Prague together.
Jim
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I am SO proud of how comparatively empty your glass is compared to your drinking partner! True Nomadlife style! Reminds me of the days of drinking Devrim under the table when he and I were in Prague together.
Jim
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