Life takes us far and away. I've been far but never away...
Beginning with a Journey to Australia as a naive young man, I've moved gradually eastward into Czech Republic. A few years back, I had no clue that it existed and I am happy that I got clued in.
For starters, think of "Game of Thrones"...
Remove all the castles, blood and gore, you'll find all the landscapes, except the sea, ofcourse :(Now... go back and put back those castles and rustic villages, you'll find Czech Republic's famed sub-urb settings:)Now... add a pinch of energy of Times Square (with lesser buildings), you'll have something close to the nightlife at PragueFor those who are not into the "GoT", think of the fairy tales that we read as children... steep castles, snow-filled landscapes, freckles of falling snow, beautiful princess waiting for the kiss. Well... except the princess and the kiss, the rest is spot-on.
When I walk among the pine trees, with a distant chirping of a lonely bird... I ache for a hammock and a book. My epiphanies occur when I am at the top of Jezted mountains bathed by a full moon and glitter of a million stars. Looking at the unending blue skies, I miss a pair of wings to take flight.
The vast expanses of green or white... depending on the season, never fails to give me a high. Standing on top of the rock perched at the highest point of the mountain... eyes closed... bathed in the shower of cool wind bathes me... is an orgasmic experience. Drunk in the beauty, I let the nature intoxicate me to submission.
Every season is distinct and brings its own flavor of sights and smells. The bright summers followed by the fall and the white winters followed by the spring is a sight to behold. The road I walk takes a different color every month or two.
Czech Republic takes a rebirth every year, literally. What dies in a season springs back to life the next... what stands bare in a month procreates the month after... what's bright today is dead tomorrow... In a country full of atheists, nature enacts the drama of life and death.
For a population of ten million, I would like to believe that Czech citizens have the most per capita intelligence in the world. They are a very unique combination of intelligence, sportiness and introversion. When I visit the Skateboard ramp, I am equally thrilled and scared. Children... well, I think they should be called babies, rather... slide down those ramps in skateboards, cycles, push-bikes and what not. The adults' passion for adventure is contagious, while the associated pain isn't that appealing.
They largely mind their own business. Keep gossips in the native language so that you are not offended ;) If need be, they can make you squirm by sticking to the native language and make you feel like an outsider. Well... for a mind influenced by western ideals, it might come across as rude. However, I am pretty sure they are not under any influence and can be forgiven to being innocently rude. Secretly, I wish they speak English because I would like to be part of the extremely intelligent conversations.
They are an enigma... ten million riddles embedded in a puzzle called Czech Republic. Knowing the local language is an important key to their hearts.
Castles of Czhechia are the dilapidated reminiscents of the long history of the country. Like a strong castle, the country was built strong and proud. Like a castle, it stood tall and proud... and, forgotten with the passage of time. The country has changed hands a few to times, to conquerors and kings... who've developed and plundered it equally. Like a good castle with poor maintenance, the roofs of the country caved in over a period of time. Except the foundation, the rest was left to rot... until late last century. Emperors, dictators and communists had queued up to have a piece of this country.
Charles University is one of the oldest universities in the world established in 14th century. Natives marvel about their engineering creations and fall into desolation when they talk about lost patents and inventions. The country's proficiency is rightly coined as "Golden Czech hands and clever Czech heads".
Whenever I talk to my native friends, I sense a feeling of dejection... a feeling that they've been deprived of their just position... a slight depression of not being recognized for what they were... a sense of disappointment of having been taken advantage of. I am very confident that this country is on track to reach the pinnacle sooner rather than later.
This is not a country that you shouldn't fall in love at first sight. Elaborate expectations might disappoint you later. However, you should explore the country and let it seduce you. Like wine, you have to take a sip...
Let the colors dazzle you to submission... Swirl around the country to immerse in the landscapes... Smell the distinct weathers and seasons...Get intoxicated with the taste of its wine and beer...Savor the feeling of surreal beauty...
Voila... you are addict now :) Addicted to the most beautiful in the world.
In case you feel pressed to visit the country, do let me know. I shall see if I can organize something unconventional for you... like, a visit to scenic Bohemian Switzerland... or, the snow-clad Jizera mountains... or, a famed visit to International Film festival at Karlovy Vary... or, to taste the unfiltered brew at Pilsner Urquell brewery :)
I will be happy to send you a postcard as well... with me in it!!!
Note: Copyrights of all images belong to respective owners. I do not own any of this and have borrowed it for visual representations only. Will be removed on request :)Original link
Beginning with a Journey to Australia as a naive young man, I've moved gradually eastward into Czech Republic. A few years back, I had no clue that it existed and I am happy that I got clued in.
For starters, think of "Game of Thrones"...
Remove all the castles, blood and gore, you'll find all the landscapes, except the sea, ofcourse :(Now... go back and put back those castles and rustic villages, you'll find Czech Republic's famed sub-urb settings:)Now... add a pinch of energy of Times Square (with lesser buildings), you'll have something close to the nightlife at PragueFor those who are not into the "GoT", think of the fairy tales that we read as children... steep castles, snow-filled landscapes, freckles of falling snow, beautiful princess waiting for the kiss. Well... except the princess and the kiss, the rest is spot-on.
The Place
Pure and Pristine are words that keep coming to my mind whenever I look upto the Jezted mountain with its snowy slopes... words can never replace pictures... and a picture can never replace an experience. Here is a short introductory video with glimpses of nature on offer.When I walk among the pine trees, with a distant chirping of a lonely bird... I ache for a hammock and a book. My epiphanies occur when I am at the top of Jezted mountains bathed by a full moon and glitter of a million stars. Looking at the unending blue skies, I miss a pair of wings to take flight.
The vast expanses of green or white... depending on the season, never fails to give me a high. Standing on top of the rock perched at the highest point of the mountain... eyes closed... bathed in the shower of cool wind bathes me... is an orgasmic experience. Drunk in the beauty, I let the nature intoxicate me to submission.
The Weather
Weather is a manifestation of life and nowhere else does it manifest itself more. Each cycle of seasons is a reflection of life itself... life blooming out during spring... only to diminish in autumn... only to bloom again the following spring. Its poetic and spiritual at the same time. It reminds us of the cycle of life and to enjoy the "TODAY"... because, everyday is different from the earlier one.Every season is distinct and brings its own flavor of sights and smells. The bright summers followed by the fall and the white winters followed by the spring is a sight to behold. The road I walk takes a different color every month or two.
Czech Republic takes a rebirth every year, literally. What dies in a season springs back to life the next... what stands bare in a month procreates the month after... what's bright today is dead tomorrow... In a country full of atheists, nature enacts the drama of life and death.
The People
Cold is not the word I would use only for the weather but also to the natives. Well... that is how they come across initially until you make the effort to get to know them. They are mostly introverted (in my limited intellectual and social observational powers!!! :) ) and keep to themselves (in my limited intellectual and social observational powers!!! :) ) . But, don't that fool you. Once you get to know them, they can pass the rudest of jokes in the most casual of tones ;)For a population of ten million, I would like to believe that Czech citizens have the most per capita intelligence in the world. They are a very unique combination of intelligence, sportiness and introversion. When I visit the Skateboard ramp, I am equally thrilled and scared. Children... well, I think they should be called babies, rather... slide down those ramps in skateboards, cycles, push-bikes and what not. The adults' passion for adventure is contagious, while the associated pain isn't that appealing.
They largely mind their own business. Keep gossips in the native language so that you are not offended ;) If need be, they can make you squirm by sticking to the native language and make you feel like an outsider. Well... for a mind influenced by western ideals, it might come across as rude. However, I am pretty sure they are not under any influence and can be forgiven to being innocently rude. Secretly, I wish they speak English because I would like to be part of the extremely intelligent conversations.
They are an enigma... ten million riddles embedded in a puzzle called Czech Republic. Knowing the local language is an important key to their hearts.
The History
Castles of Czhechia are the dilapidated reminiscents of the long history of the country. Like a strong castle, the country was built strong and proud. Like a castle, it stood tall and proud... and, forgotten with the passage of time. The country has changed hands a few to times, to conquerors and kings... who've developed and plundered it equally. Like a good castle with poor maintenance, the roofs of the country caved in over a period of time. Except the foundation, the rest was left to rot... until late last century. Emperors, dictators and communists had queued up to have a piece of this country.
Charles University is one of the oldest universities in the world established in 14th century. Natives marvel about their engineering creations and fall into desolation when they talk about lost patents and inventions. The country's proficiency is rightly coined as "Golden Czech hands and clever Czech heads".
Whenever I talk to my native friends, I sense a feeling of dejection... a feeling that they've been deprived of their just position... a slight depression of not being recognized for what they were... a sense of disappointment of having been taken advantage of. I am very confident that this country is on track to reach the pinnacle sooner rather than later.
Welcome to Czechia :)
Whatever it is, what defines this country is an under-stated charm that you can never experience... anywhere else in the world :)This is not a country that you shouldn't fall in love at first sight. Elaborate expectations might disappoint you later. However, you should explore the country and let it seduce you. Like wine, you have to take a sip...
Let the colors dazzle you to submission... Swirl around the country to immerse in the landscapes... Smell the distinct weathers and seasons...Get intoxicated with the taste of its wine and beer...Savor the feeling of surreal beauty...
Voila... you are addict now :) Addicted to the most beautiful in the world.
Where do I fit in?
And, by the way... don't read the blog and immediately pack your bags to Czech Republic. This country has remained "Pure" and "Pristine" exactly because of million tourists not trotting around every corner of the country. Thailand... ring any bells?In case you feel pressed to visit the country, do let me know. I shall see if I can organize something unconventional for you... like, a visit to scenic Bohemian Switzerland... or, the snow-clad Jizera mountains... or, a famed visit to International Film festival at Karlovy Vary... or, to taste the unfiltered brew at Pilsner Urquell brewery :)
I will be happy to send you a postcard as well... with me in it!!!
Note: Copyrights of all images belong to respective owners. I do not own any of this and have borrowed it for visual representations only. Will be removed on request :)Original link
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