Czech Trip 2007

Home at last

2007-08-18T20:41:00.000-05:00

It took our forefather's weeks and months to journey to Texas. We make it in 20 hours... So no matter how tired we are - we really have no room to complain...

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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In America

2007-08-18T13:08:00.000-05:00

Made it to Boston and Legals. Luggage as well. Time to refresh before our last leg
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Heathrow...ugh!

2007-08-18T04:26:00.000-05:00

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

2007-08-18T02:52:00.000-05:00

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

2007-08-18T02:01:00.000-05:00

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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Made it to the airport

2007-08-17T23:55:00.000-05:00

Having breakfast and ready to get on the plane..

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Busted....

2007-08-17T15:24:00.000-05:00

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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Sunset over Praha

2007-08-17T12:58:00.000-05:00

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Communication

2007-08-17T12:37:00.000-05:00

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

2007-08-17T12:24:00.000-05:00

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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Dinner with a view

2007-08-17T12:04:00.000-05:00

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One last shopping trip

2007-08-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

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Oh - could Mom do some damage here...

2007-08-17T06:51:00.000-05:00

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Two Homes

2007-08-17T04:05:00.001-05:00

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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Coffee Break - Czech Style...

2007-08-17T03:42:00.000-05:00

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Repeat after me...

2007-08-17T01:03:00.000-05:00

Slivovice is evil. Slivovice is evil. Slivovice is evil....

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Saying Goodbye

2007-08-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

It's always hard saying goodbye. Especially to those who are so hospitable, friendly and loving. Or a place so charming, romantic, and beautiful as this.

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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Goodbye

2007-08-16T17:37:00.000-05:00

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Discussing family history late into the night

2007-08-16T16:51:00.000-05:00

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Tour of the house

2007-08-16T15:52:00.000-05:00

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Talking Politics....

2007-08-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

Russia, gorbachev, china, and Ron Paul...lol
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Uh oh - Slivovica time....

2007-08-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

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Uh oh - Slivovica time....

2007-08-16T14:07:00.000-05:00

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BBQ

2007-08-16T13:27:00.000-05:00

I've read that the Czech and German immigrants brought BBQ to Texas. Tonight I've learned it's true...
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Yum!

2007-08-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

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The highlight of the trip

2007-08-16T12:57:00.000-05:00

Czech BBQ!!!!! Damn good too... Milan would make a Texan proud.... Of course we all know BBQ originated with the Czechs...

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Celebrating Milan's Birthday

2007-08-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

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Hook 'em Horns

2007-08-16T08:33:00.000-05:00

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Victor Jr...

2007-08-16T08:24:00.000-05:00

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Rosenov - 16th-18th Century Wallachian Village

2007-08-16T07:55:00.000-05:00

People still lived in building like this as late as the 1930's
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Lunch at the Broken Spoke....

2007-08-16T06:01:00.000-05:00

Nothing like listening to Country Music in Czech while eating lunch....

Cemetery at Stary Homry

2007-08-16T05:15:00.000-05:00

Beautiful setting on a mountain hillside above the lake. Pity the grave sites aren't kept up at all

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St. Henry Church in Stare Hamry

2007-08-16T05:06:00.000-05:00

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Found several more at a Evangelical Church in Ostravici

2007-08-16T04:42:00.000-05:00

Several grave sites here.

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2007-08-16T04:41:00.001-05:00

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2007-08-16T04:41:00.000-05:00

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2007-08-16T04:40:00.000-05:00

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2007-08-16T04:35:00.001-05:00

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2007-08-16T04:35:00.000-05:00

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Inside the church in Ostravici

2007-08-16T04:04:00.000-05:00

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Found a relative in Ostravici

2007-08-16T03:41:00.000-05:00

Antonin Matyskova

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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What a beautiful part of the country....

2007-08-16T03:26:00.000-05:00

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In Ostravice

2007-08-16T03:23:00.000-05:00

Home of Grandpa Matysek
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Not sure what that is behind me....

2007-08-16T03:12:00.000-05:00

But it looks interesting....

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Gotta have a Diet Coke fix

2007-08-16T03:02:00.000-05:00

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WWII

2007-08-16T02:40:00.000-05:00

Interesting seeing WWII memorials for the Czech Soldiers who fought with the Russians against Germany

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Booping around the cemetary in Celadena

2007-08-16T01:48:00.000-05:00

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Two days left...

2007-08-15T15:50:00.000-05:00

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.

Dinner on a sword...

2007-08-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

I think we'll be delayed a week here while we try to finish this...

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Dinner at U Kumpana

2007-08-15T13:12:00.000-05:00

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On the menu tonight

2007-08-15T12:46:00.000-05:00

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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Along the hike and bike trail...

2007-08-15T12:09:00.000-05:00

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Lemonaid anyone?

2007-08-15T04:49:00.000-05:00

Ordered lemonaid and pizza for lunch and this is what I got. I wonder what the pizza will look like?

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Picture of Great Grandma Naizer

2007-08-15T02:58:00.000-05:00

From a 1939 KJT photo in Hallettsville displayed at the museum in Frenstat.

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Frenstat museum

2007-08-15T02:07:00.000-05:00

Going to check out the Texas/Czech exhibit...

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Matysek research

2007-08-14T15:57:00.000-05:00

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

Hotel Bartos

2007-08-14T11:32:00.000-05:00

Arrived in Frenstat in Eastern Moravia...

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Gonna have to try some of this...

2007-08-14T09:27:00.000-05:00

Shopping at a Czech grocery store... Albert.

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

2007-08-14T08:11:00.000-05:00

With Aloisa Byma - GG's cousin and her son Vladimir.
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Kromeriz

2007-08-14T05:01:00.000-05:00

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 tropical rain forest

2007-08-14T02:44:00.000-05:00

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A stroll in the garden

2007-08-14T02:39:00.000-05:00

As we leave Solkov behind, we plunge deeper into the heart of Moravia and stop at the gardens in Kromoriz
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Undercover operation

2007-08-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

Dad under the covers snoring loudly.....

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Researching the family tree..

2007-08-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

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Great lunch

2007-08-13T05:06:00.000-05:00

Not much left of the duck!!!

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Visiting Dad's Cousin

2007-08-13T03:36:00.000-05:00

Jan Srnec and family in Brno. Their hospitality is overwhelming. Cooking us roast duck for lunch then off to visit his mother...

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Lost in translation

2007-08-13T01:31:00.000-05:00

We - we thought we ordered scrambled eggs and ham. Instead they brought us out this.... Looks kinda like an omelet. Plus another plate of scrambled egg....

Oh well...

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All in the family.....

2007-08-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

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What happens in Nizkovici

2007-08-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

Doesn't stay in Nizkovici...

You can't get away with anything Duane!!!

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King of the Grill

2007-08-12T12:39:00.000-05:00

Milan's cooking out tonight. Grilled Pork Steak.... Not bad....

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Looking at family pictures

2007-08-12T12:17:00.000-05:00

Zdena, Milanka, and Dad

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Sitting around the BBQ

2007-08-12T12:01:00.000-05:00

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Inside the walls of Castle Buchrov

2007-08-12T10:50:00.000-05:00

An 8th Century castle which has been expanded over the years...

Where are the Knights of Ni?

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Yes - they are waterproof

2007-08-12T09:31:00.000-05:00

It started raining... And they do hold the water out.
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Replication of 9th century village Modra

2007-08-12T09:02:00.000-05:00

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Enjoying a snack after visiting Velehrad....

2007-08-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

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Velehrad

2007-08-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

Where St. Cyrilus and St. Methodius (the "Apostles of the Slavs" ) brought Christianity to the Czechs and Slavs and established the Czech language in the 9th Century.

The basillica is incredibly ornate. To describe it would be an understatement. So much gold and paintings...

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Velehrad

2007-08-12T07:41:00.000-05:00

The bells are ringing most gloriously as if to welcome us to this sacred Czech birthplace

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Cucumber salad

2007-08-12T05:50:00.000-05:00

Cucumber salad for lunch and Dad love's it.... Never thought I would see him eat cucumbers....

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Breakfast

2007-08-12T02:07:00.000-05:00

Breakfast at the hotel is different. It is a first come, first served type of thing. Lots of fatty meats, salami, ham and something that looks like uncooked bacon. Gotta get here early when they run out, they run out. They don't refill the buffet table.
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Koberice

2007-08-12T01:44:00.000-05:00

Today we go celebrate mass in Koberice in the same church my great-grandparents used to worship. Then after lunch we will go to Velehrad - site of a basillica where Pope John Paul held mass.

The countryside here is beautiful. Fields of corn, wheat, barly, and sunflowers. Very hilly - reminds me of Tennessee. People are friendly - but I get a lot of looks..... Guess I must look like an Americanski...

Getting used to the hard bed... Now if I could just do something about Dad's snoring... ;-)

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WOW.... Double WOW!!

2007-08-11T14:37:00.000-05:00

A single picture won't do it justice - but I've just seen one of the top 3 firework shows ever.... It was incredible... Celebrating Napoleon's victory over the Russians here in 1805. Back when the French has cajones...

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Nice little house..

2007-08-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

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Party time

2007-08-11T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's party time in Slovkov. A different festival celebrating a battle Napoleon fought here against the Russians in 1805..

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Stopping for lunch

2007-08-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

Wish they had a #3 combo plate...
I can't read anything on the menu
I think I ordered chicken - but I'm not sure....

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Waiting for the running of the jew...

2007-08-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

Ok - if you haven't seen Borat you won't get that joke.... A really interesting parade lots of singing and music...

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Parade

2007-08-11T07:16:00.000-05:00

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Heart attack waiting to happen..

2007-08-11T05:44:00.000-05:00

This is a cardiologist gold mine - between all the sausage, fried potatoes pancakes and everything else - there's enough grease here to power all the biofuel cars in America...

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Biggest Kolache I've ever seen...!

2007-08-11T04:30:00.000-05:00

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Kyjov

2007-08-11T03:58:00.000-05:00

We travel to Kyjov this morning. A big festival that is held every 3 years is going on this weekend...

Where are the turkey legs?

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Small village of Slavkov

2007-08-11T01:35:00.000-05:00

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Czech hotel in Slavkov

2007-08-11T01:29:00.000-05:00

No room at Milan's house as his sister Zdanka from Italy is visiting. So we stay in a small hotel in Slavkov about five miles away. Small room, small hard bed, small towel, no soap or shampoo, and no AC. Typically Small European hotel..

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arrived at Milan's.jpg

2007-08-10T14:51:00.000-05:00

Safe and sound. A very long and tiring drive. Tomorrow we rest and meet some more relatives...

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Cultural differences

2007-08-10T06:58:00.000-05:00

Always used to the waiter bringing you the check for the meal when you are finished.

Here - they will never bring it unless you ask... I guess they just assume you want to hang around for a while... Get's a bit frustrating at time for these American who are always on the go...

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Pivo in Pilzen

2007-08-10T06:14:00.000-05:00

Made it thru the fog and heavy rain via a narrow two lane mountain road to Pilzen for lunch. Before we left Karlovy Vary - we stopped at Tesco, the Czech Walmart... Not unsimilar to ours. Picked up some chocolates and Pivo to bring home.

Thanks to Blackberry GPS and some maps we made it to the Pilzner Urquell brewery for lunch. This is where Pilsner style beer originated.

Having goulash soup and pork cooked in dark beer with dumplings for lunch. Dad's having cabbage soup and goulash..

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Czech WalMart

2007-08-10T03:36:00.000-05:00

Or Tesco as it's called....

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Breakfast in a czech bakery

2007-08-10T02:05:00.000-05:00

Finally Found some Kolaches in a little czech bakery in town. Not as good as Grandma's though...

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Rain rain....

2007-08-09T15:32:00.000-05:00

For the 2nd night rain finds us. Unlike last night the rain disrupts our plans as it turns into a full downpour as we depart the hotel for dinner.

We quickly decide to have dinner at the hotel. I wind up giving bartending directions to the waiter to make Dad a Brandy Alexander.

Not much to do tonight due to the rain. Only english channel on TV is CNN International.

Had fun sipping mineral water from the hot springs today. It's supposed to be a cure all for many ailments. It definitely is an acquired taste.

Tomorrow we head towards Pilzen on our way to Nizkovice. Wish we could stay here another day to try out the spas...

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Taking a drink

2007-08-09T07:46:00.000-05:00

Karlovy Vary is a spa town with many hot spring. The water is thought to be therapeutic.

Throughout the town are many drinking fountains where the warm water comes out of the ground. Each has a different taste and flavour due to the mineral content.

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Welcome to Karlovy Vary

2007-08-09T06:43:00.000-05:00

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