We Crossed Oceans To Find Each Other

Today we climbed the Black Tower in České Budějovice. The tower is on the edge of the square Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II and from the top of the tower you could see the surroundings of the city and beyond. We took a lot of pictures there. Click on the picture to see the pictures from the tower.

We had about enough of the tricks the pension that we stayed in put on us. We had multiple problems a day that I had to sort out in Czech constantly. For me there was no vacation to it, so we decided to check out and to go somewhere else. Their last trick was that they tried to charge more than I had to pay. Fortunately I am fairly handy with finances and I managed to work through that.

We moved to Pension Garni (click link to check out the pension). The room is smaller, but still very nice and close to the center. Both Leann and me are very happy here, also because the staff speaks German, a language that I can speak fairly well and at least make myself understood in. This morning we walked through a park and sat down to have a Chinese type of lunch. It was awesome. Later today we will climb the black tower that you find in earlier pictures at the square. It’s open and the overview must be really pretty. We’ll also have dinner. In overall I am far more relaxed.

For all pictures of the hotel and then some, click on the picture in this entry.

Today we had our second day of our vacation. We decided to get up very early, since we slept so early the night before. Our bio clocks are very messed up. I wanted to go out and take the opportunity to take early pictures. For one reason it’s not as busy and on top of that, the early morning light is the best light to take pictures under. It worked well. You’ll find the pictures by clicking on the picture of the square.

After taking the first batch of pictures we had breakfast at 8am. The breakfast is fairly simple but works for us. We then went shopping. I found a small purse that would be useful for bringing just a few items with me. It’s too hot to wear a coat and I don’t want to put everything in the pockets of my pants. We walked along the shops and in town. After that we decided to have some lunch. I wanted Leann to try something new, so I ordered Drst’kova for myself and fried cheese for Leann. Leann was going to try a bite from my plate. Drst’kova is a soup with pieces of the stomach of a cow. I didn’t tell Leann at first, until she tried. She decided that it was good and then I told her what it was. So, she had something new. Tonight we’ll be having traditional Czech dishes for dinner and I am already looking forward to that.

After lunch we walked a little more and we sat down for some drinks. It’s really hot outside, which is nice. May be tomorrow we will do something different. I would like to see Hluboka castle nearby and I would like to make a city either by bus or by taxi. We’ll have to see how things work.

The communication between the staff and us continues to be a struggle unfortunately. They don’t communicate very well and what they do communicate is solely in Czech. It annoys me. Should we visit this city again, I will definitely go somewhere else.

Today was our first day in České Budějovice. We got up early in the morning, although not as early, since we were near the airport already. After packing our things we went to the airport to check-in. Our airline, Transavia, does not seem to have efficient operations on Rotterdam Airport. Check-in went slow and did not start before 6:45am. They really should have started at 6:30am. I find this interesting, because airline companies often complain about passengers being late. I believe that they really should review their policies and procedures first, rather than pointing to passengers first.

The flight to Prague departed late, but because of tailwind we ended up in Prague on time. I was happy about that, because we had a connecting train to catch. We managed to get the early bus downtown to the railway station. I had to order the train tickets in Czech, because the woman behind the ticket window did not speak any foreign language I knew. Something I actually anticipated. I managed to get the right tickets anyways and after getting some water and a small bite at Burger King for Leann (mind you at 10am!) our train went on its way.

On arrival I was a bit overwhelmed with the novelties of the city. A lot changed in the past years, obviously and the navigating software on my phone didn’t work as well. Nevertheless we found the hotel, so that worked well eventually. Nevertheless we ran in the next annoyances: I wanted to complete payment for my room. Because of the amount I wanted to use my credit card, which the hotel confirmed that they would accept. The staff, not being able to speak English or German (*sigh*), explained that the credit card device would not work and that it would not get fixed before 14 days. They asked me to pick up cash. I clearly explained them that this was unacceptable and not an option, so after some struggling with that and trying to find alternatives the hotel managed to find a way to get the device fixed on Monday, so I can use my credit card anyways. It was not the really best start of the vacation, but…….

After sealing the deal with the hotel, we went to get some food. My Czech friends from long time ago introduced me to a restaurant called Masné Krámy. This is a very special restaurant. You will find some of its history together with some pictures here (in English). We had dinner there, which was really good and cost us about $20 with drinks included. Everything here is cheap anyways. I can get a good beer for just $1.30. It’s really one of the reasons for going to this town.

The weather promises to be beautiful the coming few days, so I hope to get a load of pictures for you. Because of all the struggle, I have not been able to get to that yet. I really look forward to this trip.

Stay tuned for more updates…….

Today is what I would translate into Ascension Day in The Netherlands. This is a public holiday in here. Because Pentecost (Monday May 28th) is also a national holiday, I decided to take some time off from work. Since yesterday afternoon, I am officially on vacation. I did some work at work today, though, but fortunately I can login from anywhere that offers an internet connection.

What are we doing with my vacation? We have decided to make a city trip to České Budějovice in the Czech Republic. The solution is a very cheap solution and still we’re really away from everything. Our plane is leaving tomorrow morning at 7am from Rotterdam Airport. Flying from Rotterdam is also a lot cheaper than flying out of Amsterdam (smaller airport). Because parking the car also cost money, I found a nice combination offer from a hotel that offer a bed and a parking place for the duration of the vacation. It worked well, so I took the offer. We’re sleeping at the airport tonight.

Clicking on the picture will bring you to the picture section of our Facebook page. There you’ll find pictures of the room that we’re sleeping in tonight. I look forward to the trip tomorrow, yet our vacation really started today with the hotel room that we have.

Stay tuned for a picture spam like you have seen of Prague the coming few days

Happy Mother’s Day to mom Carolyn and mom Henny. We hope that both of you had a good day. It’s been a busy week for me. So busy, actually that I have not had the time to update and keep you posted. I might as well do that now.

The week has been somewhat easy. My manager became ill, so I had a chance to work on a few things that I found important myself. That worked well. Work wise I am happy where I am and where I am heading to. I managed to share rides with a co-worker four times last week, so it saved quite a bit on gas. This also makes me happy.

Leisure wise it has been busier. Last week Monday I had a meeting with the political party that I am in and presented where I would like the Facebook page of the party to head to. This subject will be discussed again later this year. Yesterday I had a training in debating organized by the political party. It was interesting to be there and I received a lot of practice, which is good. I need to review the material that I learned, so that I can actually implement this stuff and integrate it in my way of work.

Last night I attended a birthday party of one of the board members of the political party. He is my age and decided to invite a lot of people. I got to talk to some people about various subjects. It was a good, but busy day. I felt bad for leaving behind Leann on a Saturday, but sometimes things work this way.

This morning I got up by 5:45am. The sun is out this early and I wanted to take advantage of it to take pictures. I headed North/Northeast of our area to take morning pictures. I am happy with the results. You’ll find the pictures here. In the afternoon my parents came for dinner that we just finished. Leann cooked very yummy Pasta Alfredo. We had Ceasar salad with that and ice cream for dessert. It was good. Now we’re sitting back, enjoying the remaining of our weekend. I am watching the baseball game Atlanta Braves @ St Louis Cardinals. After finishing that I plan to get some sleep.

All in all it’s been a very nice week. I look forward to next week.

The political system in The Netherlands is a system in which everyone could found a political party and have access to the political system to be elected. Right now our equivalent of the American House of Representatives has 150 seats divided under 11 different political parties. The system is based on “one man, one vote”, which is different from the American system where the majority of the votes in one state would give the entire state to the winner.

One would debate how a government of a majority would ever be possible. The truth is that it’s difficult and it actually gets increasingly difficult. The Government has given up a few weeks ago so on September 12th new elections will be held. In the table you see the polls as they are right now. The political system is more divided than ever before. This makes it difficult to create an effective Government. I am curious to see how ‘we’ will elect and what Government is formed thereafter. Unfortunately as a voter we do not have any influence in the coalition that is being formed. We really have to see what we’ll get and how things will progress from here.

Don’t know what to have for dinner tonight? Leann has made a video a while ago that teaches you how to cook paste with white cheese sauce. I can tell from experience how yummy it is. Now you know what to eat tonight!!

Today we celebrated Liberty Day in The Netherlands. By now you might realize that we still make this an important day in The Netherlands. It just is, because we don’t ever want to forget. Moreover it’s important to realize and to remember not to take the freedom that we enjoy for granted. Liberty Day is celebrated across the country. The day usually ends in Amsterdam at the Amstel River with the Liberty Day Concert. I found a TV show from last year’s activities here.

Leann and I went to the Bazaar in Beverwijk. This has become a common place for us that we regularly visit. It was a nice day out. We shopped for a few things that are really cheap over there and we usually have lunch at the food court. Today we had Afghan food. The food was so good that I ordered an extra portion to have for dinner tomorrow. We also bought a load of groceries for cheap: among that a 44 lbs bag of rice. We have enough rice to last us a while. We also found cheap vegetables and fruit that we took with us and not to forget the Mountain Dew. In the shop that we bought Mountain Dew we also found American products, although a little expensive.

The afternoon was filled with watching a movie and relaxing. Now it’s time to watch the Liberty Day’s concert.

Additions: pictures and article with video and pictures

Last night we had our annual memorial services. In various places people gather to commemorate the people killed in the second world war and thereafter. This is a very important moment in our year, because we (the Dutch) believe that the freedom we enjoy today does not come naturally. To give you a picture: at 8pm we have a two minute silence in the entire nation, and I do mean… entire nation. Trains come to a standstill and even air traffic is suspended. The queen visits the memorial monument in Amsterdam each year to commemorate the victims. This is broadcast in a national TV show across all national channels.

In this video the entire broadcast including background information is shown. At time frame 1:02:30 the actual memorial service is shown. After the two minutes of silence you hear the national anthem being played. In this link you will find pictures of the various services held across our country. The soldier in time frame 1:06:10 is Captain Marco Kroon a national hero (info in English) and Knight of the Military William Order (info in English). He serves as an important public figure right now.

Today, May 5th, we celebrate Liberty Day. Leann and I will go out to Beverwijk again to a big bazaar. We better get ready for that.