What a surprise it was to get a call on Friday at work, and hear "we need you to go to Czech Republic on Tuesday!". Since coming to Europe 15 months ago, all I have heard is how I
need to Prague...so of course, I jumped at the chance! Except....as typical for my job, my time in Prague was to consist of a hotel bed for 6 hours, and then on to Brno I was headed.
Not to be disappointed, I went about finding all of the neat, fun facts about the second largest city, located in the eastern portion of the country. Very quickly I realized that I was in a place of important scientific history. As I strolled down the street, a fourteen-century Augustinian monastery rises over the modern skyline, drawing me towards it like a moth to firelight. I have a thing for old churches, and as I approached this one, I entered into the Mendel Gardens. For those of you who are not bio-nerds, Gregor Mendel worked out the basics of inheritance and genetic domanance while breeding pea-plants. His work was not appriciated during his life, however all current biology students know Mendel as the "Father of Modern Genetics". It was a bit thrilling being in such a historic place!
A stroll through the city center was a brilliant treat, as the area was completely a pedestrian zone, and was alive with the vivacity of a warm summer's day! It seemed the entire population was enjoying a nice beer under the large awnings of the local pubs. The original lagers were brewed in the region now known as Czech Republic, and the tradition remains as there are exclusively local brews available for consumption. It was at such an occasion of al fresco dining where I enjoyed the ultimate in Czech beer....the originial Budweiser (brewed by Budvar) with a delicious pizza (which I ordered in the best international language...Pictures!!).
While I still need to get to Prague, I am thrilled to have gotten the chance to see a lesser known, and under appriciated area of the Czech Republic!
As soon as Pete and Ewa were named husband and wife, the party began! The couple greeted their subjects from the balcony of the castle, and we enjoyed bubbles and bites before moving inside of the beginning of what would end up being a 8-course meal! At least, I think there were 8-courses...I lost count!! And on the tables were bottles of specially labeled vodka for the toasts. And there were LOTS of toasts! And the bottles keep coming. At one point, they called up all the guests by birthday month in order for us to do shots! So glad I had plenty of practice in college ;)
