Thursday, May 24, 2007
Quick goodbye and arrival to Belgium
On Sunday, Jenny had a shisha emergency. She broke her little tobacco bowl and thus could not smoke any longer. (Jenski, co jsi udelala?) As I could not leave a friend in misery during my trip to Belgium I brought her the bowl from my own waterpipe. Of course we had to test if it was working properly.
On Tuesday, I had to take some pictures of my team to show during the business trip. It turned out that InBev employees don't really like to be in pictures. However, Agata was OK with it and as she sometimes reads this blog I decided to post her here. If my desk was as neat and nicely decorated I would put my own picture, but that's currently not an option.
The night before I left was also the goodbye party of some good AIESEC friends. This was a good reason to postpone packing until the morning. I wish everyone to have as much fun abroad as I am having in Czech Republic.
Yesterday SkyEurope took me to Belgium 5 minutes ahead of schedule in a brand new Boeing 737-700NG, which was less than a month old according to the captain, and all that for less than 2000 CZK both ways. If you need cheap travel in style, SkyEurope is a good option. At 13.00 I was closing my front door in Prague, and at 19.00 I was already home.
In the evening I enjoyed a welcome back Becherovka with my parents. They were not up for welcome back absinth, so that one will be saved for those who meet me during my stay here. :) Today I visited my grandparents and now I am writing this update from my parents' house in Brecht, Belgium.
On Tuesday, I had to take some pictures of my team to show during the business trip. It turned out that InBev employees don't really like to be in pictures. However, Agata was OK with it and as she sometimes reads this blog I decided to post her here. If my desk was as neat and nicely decorated I would put my own picture, but that's currently not an option.
The night before I left was also the goodbye party of some good AIESEC friends. This was a good reason to postpone packing until the morning. I wish everyone to have as much fun abroad as I am having in Czech Republic.
Yesterday SkyEurope took me to Belgium 5 minutes ahead of schedule in a brand new Boeing 737-700NG, which was less than a month old according to the captain, and all that for less than 2000 CZK both ways. If you need cheap travel in style, SkyEurope is a good option. At 13.00 I was closing my front door in Prague, and at 19.00 I was already home.
In the evening I enjoyed a welcome back Becherovka with my parents. They were not up for welcome back absinth, so that one will be saved for those who meet me during my stay here. :) Today I visited my grandparents and now I am writing this update from my parents' house in Brecht, Belgium.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
More adventures in Prague
The fancy title actually means that since Karlstejn I once again haven't left Prague in the last weeks. However, on 23rd of May I'm flying to Belgium for work and holidays until 6th of June.
As you will see this post has less pictures. I am facing a camera problem where I have to hit my camera a few times to make it work for 1 or 2 pictures.
I am afraid that my excessive picture taking and the 2 years spent in my pocket have killed yet another camera. If you have hints and tips on what camera I should invest in, your comments are welcome.
First of all this random pic taken at Vaclavske Namesti. Both McDonald's are 70 meters away. However, if you ever come to this place, take the one on Vaclavske Namesti, it has a nicer interior, longer opening hours and faster service.
Last weekend, Jean-Francois and Amritha visited me. It was a very nice weekend. The weather was not always good, but we had fun and combined sightseeing and going out in the evening.
On Thursday AIESEC CZU had a tramparty. I love those parties, but the timing was not so good. I actually had to run from work to make it to the party, of course skipping dinner in the process. Thursday night was great fun, Friday morning a bit less, but it was worth it.
This weekend my daytime/nighttime rhythm is a bit screwed up again. I was out till 5 on Friday, slept through Saturday, and was out till 5 again last night as I couldn't sleep after sleeping the whole day. Luckily Jenny was up for a party. Claire had a friend from Manchester visiting, so it was a good time to explore some classic Prague nightlife locations. Both Jenny and Claire have been here a lot longer than me, so they are excellent guides.
As you will see this post has less pictures. I am facing a camera problem where I have to hit my camera a few times to make it work for 1 or 2 pictures.
I am afraid that my excessive picture taking and the 2 years spent in my pocket have killed yet another camera. If you have hints and tips on what camera I should invest in, your comments are welcome.
First of all this random pic taken at Vaclavske Namesti. Both McDonald's are 70 meters away. However, if you ever come to this place, take the one on Vaclavske Namesti, it has a nicer interior, longer opening hours and faster service.
Last weekend, Jean-Francois and Amritha visited me. It was a very nice weekend. The weather was not always good, but we had fun and combined sightseeing and going out in the evening.
On Thursday AIESEC CZU had a tramparty. I love those parties, but the timing was not so good. I actually had to run from work to make it to the party, of course skipping dinner in the process. Thursday night was great fun, Friday morning a bit less, but it was worth it.
This weekend my daytime/nighttime rhythm is a bit screwed up again. I was out till 5 on Friday, slept through Saturday, and was out till 5 again last night as I couldn't sleep after sleeping the whole day. Luckily Jenny was up for a party. Claire had a friend from Manchester visiting, so it was a good time to explore some classic Prague nightlife locations. Both Jenny and Claire have been here a lot longer than me, so they are excellent guides.
Monday, May 07, 2007
A week from serious to less serious
The 2 AIESEC Local Committees here in Prague held another meeting together. It was good to see how they are committing to cooperate this year.
Last Thursday I went to a classical music concert. Lukas already told me that this was a very typical Czech thing to do, and now Evka from AIESEC CZU invited me to go to a concert with music of Vivaldi and Bach.
On Friday night I went for some drinks with Jenny, Emma, Gokkie and Onur. Nobody was in a decisive mood but luckily Jenny decided where to go, to "Attractive". Unfortunately that place was full so we went to "Dog's Bollocks". In the end we had a nice evening after all.
On Saturday I went to Karlstejn with Agata and Leon from my team. We went by train and then over there we took a tour of the famous castle.
Saturday night it was time for the first Official InBev Party. Club Nebe has been completely renovated and is now worth it's name again. InBev drinks were half price and almost 100 people showed up at the party. I hope this will be organised again soon. This is definitely a nice way to get to know your coworkers better.
Last Thursday I went to a classical music concert. Lukas already told me that this was a very typical Czech thing to do, and now Evka from AIESEC CZU invited me to go to a concert with music of Vivaldi and Bach.
On Friday night I went for some drinks with Jenny, Emma, Gokkie and Onur. Nobody was in a decisive mood but luckily Jenny decided where to go, to "Attractive". Unfortunately that place was full so we went to "Dog's Bollocks". In the end we had a nice evening after all.
On Saturday I went to Karlstejn with Agata and Leon from my team. We went by train and then over there we took a tour of the famous castle.
Saturday night it was time for the first Official InBev Party. Club Nebe has been completely renovated and is now worth it's name again. InBev drinks were half price and almost 100 people showed up at the party. I hope this will be organised again soon. This is definitely a nice way to get to know your coworkers better.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
A quiet public holiday
1st of May is a public holiday here, and I was quietly enjoying this day. My first discovery was that there are fish in the river here. I always knew there were, but I had not seen them until today. Of course I took a picture.
Then the following pics might not seem so quiet, but actually not too much was going on. I think the police were prepared for manifestations, but in the end everyone probably decided that the weather was too nice to go protesting. However, I felt sorry for the policemen who had to work in those really warm uniforms. The whole thing looked quite impressive. There were also horses involved, but I don't have a picture of those.
This is what was to be found behind the road blocks and the huge police force: People enjoying the sun near Petrin, and a small jazz band playing, organised by political party ODS.
Then I finally found the Lennon Wall. This is one of the famous places in Prague which I didn't visit before. I read about it in one of Jenny's posts on the Dobre Pivo blog, so I wanted to see it.
Finally on my way home I stopped by Sparta, where a big festival against communism was taking place.
Also this was a peaceful event, (sponsored by a competing beer company), but I saw no police or security at all. I guess it's more important to keep the center where the tourists are safe.
Then the following pics might not seem so quiet, but actually not too much was going on. I think the police were prepared for manifestations, but in the end everyone probably decided that the weather was too nice to go protesting. However, I felt sorry for the policemen who had to work in those really warm uniforms. The whole thing looked quite impressive. There were also horses involved, but I don't have a picture of those.
This is what was to be found behind the road blocks and the huge police force: People enjoying the sun near Petrin, and a small jazz band playing, organised by political party ODS.
Then I finally found the Lennon Wall. This is one of the famous places in Prague which I didn't visit before. I read about it in one of Jenny's posts on the Dobre Pivo blog, so I wanted to see it.
Finally on my way home I stopped by Sparta, where a big festival against communism was taking place.
Also this was a peaceful event, (sponsored by a competing beer company), but I saw no police or security at all. I guess it's more important to keep the center where the tourists are safe.
Prague exploration continued, czech lesson, witches and toilets?
First of all I want to tell you about "Zelena Pro Vase Kroky", rough translation: Green for your steps. These pointers are all over Prague, suggesting you where to have a nice walk. They are color coded and then during the whole walk you just have to follow the coloured arkings on the trees. If you are also here and haven't tried it, it's time to do so.
On my latest walk in Kunraticky Les, a forest near the place where I work I saw a squirrel. I took a picture but it required a photoshop intervention to be able to share the squirrel with you. :) It made me think of home, where those little guys are in our garden.
Speaking of home, I am going there on May 23rd, as the start of my next business trip to Belgium.
In the weekend I heard that some people who have their internships in Wroclaw, Poland, would be in the city. When I met them I found out that their hostel did not keep their reservation, so they were tired and homeless. Of course they were adopted in the flat in Kobylisy. For sightseeing I took them to Petrin, which is still one of the best places to be, especially with nice weather.
On Sunday afternoon I had French/Czech class with Danka, outside at Vysehrad. Thanks Danka for the nice afternoon in which I learned a lot. I'll make an attempt at saying it in Czech: Jsem samouk, ale ucit se spolu taky je super.
Yesterday night I heard from Magnus that on 30th of April you are supposed to be outside with friends, preferably around a fire to keep away the witches. I called Kachne and she said that she was at such a party with her friends. What was even better was that she invited us. I had a great evening, without fire, but with nice wine and cool people. Thanks!
Last update on the status of the toilet in our flat: Repaired by Petr Jiskra, AIESEC Key Account Manager for InBev. Thanks Petr!
On my latest walk in Kunraticky Les, a forest near the place where I work I saw a squirrel. I took a picture but it required a photoshop intervention to be able to share the squirrel with you. :) It made me think of home, where those little guys are in our garden.
Speaking of home, I am going there on May 23rd, as the start of my next business trip to Belgium.
In the weekend I heard that some people who have their internships in Wroclaw, Poland, would be in the city. When I met them I found out that their hostel did not keep their reservation, so they were tired and homeless. Of course they were adopted in the flat in Kobylisy. For sightseeing I took them to Petrin, which is still one of the best places to be, especially with nice weather.
On Sunday afternoon I had French/Czech class with Danka, outside at Vysehrad. Thanks Danka for the nice afternoon in which I learned a lot. I'll make an attempt at saying it in Czech: Jsem samouk, ale ucit se spolu taky je super.
Yesterday night I heard from Magnus that on 30th of April you are supposed to be outside with friends, preferably around a fire to keep away the witches. I called Kachne and she said that she was at such a party with her friends. What was even better was that she invited us. I had a great evening, without fire, but with nice wine and cool people. Thanks!
Last update on the status of the toilet in our flat: Repaired by Petr Jiskra, AIESEC Key Account Manager for InBev. Thanks Petr!
