Glad to have a hamburger and see a menu in English... Also glad to see that our luggage made it as well.
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Saturday, August 18, 2007
Home at last
In America
Made it to Boston and Legals. Luggage as well. Time to refresh before our last leg
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Heathrow...ugh!
What a completely disorganised airport. Took us over an hour from our plane to make it to our gate. It's a total mob scene again as everyone must go thru security again and then have to wait and wait to catch a transfer bus to another terminal. There's no organization as people bunch up by the dozens to make it thru each checkpoint....
But we made it to the plane and are ready to board shortly. That clam chowder in Boston is calling my name.... Too bad we won't have time to take in a Red Soxs game..
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1/3 down
On the ground in London... Got here early and just like DFW - we have to wait for our gate to open up...
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Random thoughts
As we wind us this trip and this blog I have a few random thoughts...
Why does it seem to be that everywhere we go they are playing ABBA?
Why do they make you pay to go to the bathroom?
Why is there no "pay at the pump"?
Why do they serve hot coffee in glasses?
Why can't I ever sleep on a plane...
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Friday, August 17, 2007
Made it to the airport
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Busted....
Just when you think you've made it ok and everything went smoothly... We get pulled over by Prague's finest.
No - I wasn't speeding. In fact they never told us why they pulled us over. They just asked for our documents, looked around the car, and then let us go without any explanation... Oh well... Interesting footnote... At least they didn't shake us down like they did 22 years ago...
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Communication
22 years ago on my last trip here, we entered the country at a border crossing with Armed Guards, barbed wire fences, and guard dogs.
Communication with America within the country was basically non-existent. Communicating back home was an arduous task.
Now due to technology and political change - communication happens instantly. Witness the power of this blog, email, and cell phones that allowed us to stay in constant contact with the ones we care about and allowed them to share in our journey.
Gotta thank Blackberry and T-Mobile. I was astounded how good their network coverage was even in remote areas of the country. That allowed me to post update wherever we traveled and share our story.
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One last meal
Our final meal in Ceske. After two weeks of schnitzle, roast pork and duck we opt for an elegant European meal on a rooftop terrace overlooking the old city and Prague Castle.
It's quite the view to watch as the sun sets over the city and our journey. It's hushed and subdued up here - quite the contrast from the mobbing crowds below. A chance to catch our breath before the long trip home tomorrow.
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Two Homes
Today we leave Slovkov and make one last trip thru Koberice. Dad picks up some soil to take back to Granger to put on Grandpa and Grandma Mann's grave site. The circle is complete.
As we leave this ancestral home to journey home we stop at a gas station to take a coffee break. Fittingly enough they are playing Springsteen's "Born in the USA". Makes you proud to be an American, proud to be a Texan, and proud to be a Czech...
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Repeat after me...
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Thursday, August 16, 2007
Saying Goodbye
It's been 22 years and a major political transformation since I've been here last. 22 years ago this seemed such a repressed place. I came away convinced of the evils of socialism/communism and a believer in limited government. And that's even truer today.
Freedom and free enterprise are the norm now. So much has changed. The standard of living seems much higher. At least it appears so by the number of cars on the road. Everywhere you look you see signs of Western Culture. From dress to music to movies.
Yet - the past still holds sway. Which is a good thing. It's what binds this proud and beautiful country. I hope it's not lost once the Czech Republic joins the EU.
Freedom is a great opportunity provider. 150 years ago - my ancestors left a very striking and beautiful countryside that had no opportunity due to depression, political mismanagement, and war. They left to a new frontier - one that provided nothing but freedom and opportunity. Talk about guts.....
So instead of goodbye - we say "So Long". As I hope that one day we will meet again. Two Republics - both founded on Freedom and sharing a friendship.
A truly heartfelt thank you to Milan, Zdena, Dascha, Zdenka, and Milanka for their warmness and hospitality.
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Talking Politics....
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BBQ
I've read that the Czech and German immigrants brought BBQ to Texas. Tonight I've learned it's true...
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The highlight of the trip
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Rosenov - 16th-18th Century Wallachian Village
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Lunch at the Broken Spoke....
Cemetery at Stary Homry
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Found several more at a Evangelical Church in Ostravici
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Found a relative in Ostravici
B. 9/21/1892 D. 5/1/1971
Wonder if our descendants will come looking for our graves in 100 years....
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Not sure what that is behind me....
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WWII
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Two days left...
What an amazing twelve days it's been so far. It seemed like we just got here yesterday and yet we're leaving in two days. I feel like we've just gotten a taste of things here - so much more that I'd love to explore.
Tomorrow we plan to explore the area around Frenstat some more, go to Roznov, and then back to Milan's to celebrate his birthday a day early.
Friday - it's back to Prague to do some final shopping, spend one last night in Old Town and get ready to head back early Sat. Morning.
Tomorrow we plan to explore the area around Frenstat some more, go to Roznov, and then back to Milan's to celebrate his birthday a day early.
Friday - it's back to Prague to do some final shopping, spend one last night in Old Town and get ready to head back early Sat. Morning.
Dinner on a sword...
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On the menu tonight
Chicken udders rinsed in sea
Inquisitive chicken of a Wallachian cottage
Fish from somewhere in the north
Beef with mouldy gravy
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Lemonaid anyone?
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Picture of Great Grandma Naizer
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Frenstat museum
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Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Matysek research
Karen and Joanne
so far I've bombed out in trying to find relatives. I've called Matyseks in Ostrvice, Frydland, Stare Hamry, etc and none to whom I talked claim not to be related. Talked to a Jaraslov but he was not related. Not sure where to go from here.
Hank
so far I've bombed out in trying to find relatives. I've called Matyseks in Ostrvice, Frydland, Stare Hamry, etc and none to whom I talked claim not to be related. Talked to a Jaraslov but he was not related. Not sure where to go from here.
Hank
Gonna have to try some of this...
Reminds me of the smaller grocery stores of about 30 years ago... Just 10-12 aisles. Not nearly as fun as Central Market
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Sharing pictures of Austin
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Kromeriz
I think Dad is getting tired of Czech food. He wants to find a KFC or McDonalds for lunch. Trouble is - there is none to be found... Found some Garlic Soup for lunch. That'll help cure his cold!
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A stroll in the garden
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Monday, August 13, 2007
Undercover operation
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