Elite Eight- Prague Watch Party

Everyone here watched as many games of the NCAA tournament as we could. Even when the 8pm Central games started at 1am or later here. For the Elite Eight game we had even more K-Staters in Prague than normal. Some of our friends studying in Germany were visiting that weekend. They were happy just to get to watch a game because their internet isn't available at such late hours--only in cafes.
We ended up watching it at the Globe--a restaurant with a bookstore at the front of it. They projected the game on a big screen for us. Quite the event! Wish it could've been a better game, but it was an unbelievable season nonetheless! And now I won't have to be so jealous of everyone that's at home!

consequences of spring

It's been so nice I haven't had my jacket, and thus haven't had my camera (which lives in my coat pocket apparently). Gathering photos from this last week to post. Up soon!

Berlin cont.

I'm glad we gambled on Monday being better weather in Berlin. It was gorgeous. We went to the Reichstag first thing and went up to the dome designed by Sir Norman Foster. I would recommend it to anyone. (but get there early, the line is ridiculous otherwise).
We had several things on our checklist for our last day in Berlin: currywurst, Neue Nationalgalerie, MoMA, Bauhaus Archive, and riding the #100 bus (it goes right by a lot of the major sights). Out of all of those 2 of the museums were closed (Monday!), but we did everything else. The Bauhaus Archive was wonderful.

Berlin

Sam and I went to Berlin this weekend. We had Monday off, too, so we thought it would be the ideal weekend to go. It was a good trip. Didn't see anywhere as much as we would like to. I think you could spend a week in Berlin and still feel the same way. I hope to go back for another weekend soon.
Sunday it was rainy all day. We got up early to go see the Reichstag, but figured the 2hr line in the rain wasn't worth it. So we gambled on Monday being sunny-much better weather to see the Reichstag in, anyway, and left the line. We wandered all around in the rain... kept getting really disoriented in Berlin. But then we took a break to dry off in Dunkin Donuts (!). Ran into one of our K-State friends who was also in Berlin.
We visited some outdoor memorials and landmarks while the rain was stopped. We walked through Peter Eisenman's memorial, through Checkpoint Charlie, etc. We got to the Jewish Museum just as it started raining again, and spent most of the afternoon there.

For luck, or to return to Prague.

The last few days that Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim were here were amazing, weather-wise. (and company-wise!). They were able to see everything in snow and sun. I'm so glad that they were able to see it when it was sunny. So glad that they were able to bring some warmer weather! So glad they were able to come visit.
This picture is of them on the Charles bridge-at the plaque beneath Jan Nepomuk, which you do so that you will return to Prague again someday. (Unfortunately, they returned too soon-BA strikes left them in Prague for a few more days.)

Prague SPRING!

Real signs of Spring! Thank goodness, I was starting to worry.
All of the major squares have Easter markets set up, ready to go. All of the trees are tied with ribbons and fake forsythia and eggs. Really bright. Makes everything look different. The first picture is of Old Town Square. The markets open up tomorrow and go until Easter. Everyone is excited for Easter, judging from this and all the stores that are putting up Easter stuff.
We went to the Botanical Gardens today, first time I've been there. Wasn't really expecting to see anything growing outside of the greenhouses, but there was!
Adorable flowers, early spring ones like crocuses and the kinds in the picture above. Pretty much made my day. I'm going to have to go back now, and see all the different plants start to grow and bloom.

Terezin

We visited Terezin, a town north of Prague that was converted into a concentration camp during WWII. It is the only one in the Czech Republic, and served mainly as a transportation camp, it wasn't a death camp. We took a guided tour to the town and saw everything there was to see there. The pictures are of the smaller fortification--where there was a prison. During WWII it served as a Gestapo prison for political prisoners. The bigger fortified town was converted into a Ghetto for Jews. It was sobering, as to be expected. But the day, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. One of the nicest I've seen here yet.

Czech Food: restaurants

This week I have eaten probably the best food that I will eat in my entire time in Prague. Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim are trying all of these restaurants, including one at the roof of the Dancing Building by Frank Gehry. We got to go up onto the roof afterwards and see the view.
I'm definitely eating more than I have been. Soon I'll have to go back to my stand-by grilled cheese, omlette or salad menu. :)

Day trip to Plzen (Pilsen)

The second full day Aunt Linda and Uncle Jim were here, we took a bus to Plzen. That's the town where they brew Pilsner Urquell, THE Czech beer. Sam and Whitney came along, too.
The first place we went in Plzen was the central square. There is a church in the middle of it. Everybody but Uncle Jim climbed up to the top. I think it was a little more than we bargained for. In the tower we found some maps and information about the town, but that was just halfway up. The rest of the way was several flights of stairs that got steeper and steeper. In the end they were essentially ladders up to the very top.
We walked to the Brewery and took a tour of the facilities. We tasted unfiltered beer (kind of metallic, I'm glad they filter it). After the tour we had a few hours before our ride back to Prague left. We tried to find a restaurant, but so much of the town was closed down for the weekend.
In the end we walked into the "American Center". There was a library of American books, and the man that was in charge of it talked to us for a long time. He had lived in Ft. Riley, was from Seattle (small world!). He told us a lot about the town. The square that we had looked down at from the tower was where General Patton's army stood as they were liberating Plzen. He invited us back, especially for V-E day celebrations in May.

Uncle Jim & Aunt Linda arrive

They got here at 6:30 in the evening, then we went out for dinner--Thai, of course.

They brought more clothes especially socks, sheets (maybe only Am. style sheets in Cz. Rep.), Reese's, and COOKIES! The picture is to show that they made it all the way completely unbroken. It may be blurry, I think I was laughing.

Thank you, Mom!

Easter's on its way

We've seen so many Easter things out here in Prague. It seemed like they had all of their Easter candy, etc. before Lent even started. This week was the first time that we saw the pomlázka that make the traditional Czech Easter... thank you, Tesco.

Parametric Modeling!

We were working on the parametric software tutorials this week. Getting ready for our all-day-Monday workshop when we will design a little building and then have it fabricated using a cnc router. (machine that can make models from what the computer file tells it).
Excited to see what those will look like!

History of Architecture (Central European Baroque)

We went on another excursion with another class. This time to a Jesuit Cathedral in Prague's Old Town. On the way the professor told us a bit about Old Town, pointed out some major landmarks and buildings we should know especially in the Jewish area.
Then we walked into the National Library complex and went into a church through the back way. All 20+ of my class were led into the church starting with the Sacristy. Not something you get to do everyday. Definitely not something the public get to do in this church. We entered the Church through the Choir (the big area by the high altar) and then went into the main body of the church. He talked about Baroque styles and what the Jesuits were trying to do with the church. Then we went up into the lofts above and walked around, saw everything from above.
It was pretty incredible. Even though the professor kept stressing that this was not a particularly important work... Just indicative of what was going on at the time. I was still impressed.