Beloved Czech Republic

I’m back in the Czech Republic for my 3rd visit in 6 months.  I love it here!  I’ve already written about how this place feels like home (see previous post) and how I was blessed to make such good friends when I lived here in the early 90s.

My visit was delayed by 15 hours due to a silly mistake on my part, but neither that nor the weather has dampened my spirits.  My train arrived at 8:30 am in Brno and I met my friends Jana & Robert for breakfast and a walk through the historic downtown.  Memories!  I was grateful that they were flexible with their schedule and that we could meet before they left for a ski holiday in southern Austria, where 60 cm of fresh snow was expected. So you see, it’s not that winter never showed up this year, it’s that it never really visited the cities.  I’m not complaining.

Antonin and Soña picked me up at 11am and we headed out towards Vyškov, where some of Antonin’s old skydiving buddies live and where I had spent many good times in the 90s (except for the traditional whipping of women with willow branches at Easter – for youth, vitality, and fertility … in exchange for alcohol…. not a ritual I ever liked).  On our way there, we stopped at the site of the Battle of Austerlitz.  That’s where Napoleon defeated the Austrians and Russians.  I had been here to see the yearly reenactment 22 years ago.  The number of deaths and bodies being recovered, still today Antonin tells me, is astonishing.  Oh how I pray for a world without war…

We then drove a bit to the Austerlitz Peace Monument, at the highest elevation overlooking the battle grounds.

As far as photography, however, my favourite time of the day was in the car shooting through the rain on the windows.  I can’t remember ever doing that and I knew that even if nothing turned out, I was having great fun.  I was thrilled with some of the results.

We stopped at Stará Po˜sta (The Old Post Office) for lunch – I couldn’t resist a totally unhealthy deep fried cheese & potato fritters – just like in the 90s.  Once was enough for this trip though.  While there, we visited the monument to the fallen horses of the Austerlitz Battle.  Have you seen the movie War Horse (2011)?  I recommend it.

bad feng shui

I was just as happy when we arrived in Vyškov-Hamiltony – seeing Roman & Hanka again and later Jarek and his new wife.  Once again, however, what a shock to see how their children had grown and to meet some of the grandchildren and new children. Time is always more evident with young ones. Their land had also developed a lot since I was there last – now it’s an active farm with a jersey cow, ducks, horses, and 30 sheep with 37 lambs, some of them 1 day old! They sell sheep’s milk, yoghurt, and cheese, among other things.

Once inside, I got to watch some of the movies that Roman made – short documentaries and action promos for the military and various outdoors sports. What talent!  He’s had an action-filled life with lots of careers in the past couple of decades. It was great to catch up.  After chatting and enjoying the most amazing cake ever, their daughter Petra gave me a haircut.  There was no refusing!  I had asked Soña earlier in the day to recommend a hairdresser in her town so that I could get a haircut before going to Bali. Everything is more affordable in the Czech Republic than in Vienna.  Well, not a few hours later, I’d had a great haircut while continuing to enjoy the conversation in the adjoining room.  Talk about hospitality – famous in these parts for sure.  I’ve always loved the informal, social, fun, loving spirit of the Moravian people.  They continue to warm my heart. Thanks!

I can’t see!

Still stuffed from lunch and post-lunch snacks/deserts, we headed to Blansko to meet Milan, his son Adam, Iva and later Honza (Antonin & Soña’s grown children) for dinner at U Golem.  I still managed to enjoy my plate of duck with cabbage & potato dumplings, but I didn’t manage to finish it.  The leftovers are in Iva’s fridge.  After looking at some of my pictures, I quickly fell asleep and slept very well. I am now looking forward to my day. Stay tuned for the next post.