Despite our prudish American sensitivies, Heather and I just got back from a trip to the famous Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, where we tried out the local "bath" or "banya" scene. For starters, English will only get you so far - Heather can fill you in on this. I did my best shouting through the bathing compartments to translate -- but adding to Heather's adventure here in the Czech Republic -- she had a few awkward moments with the spa ladies, not knowing quite what and when to do what. If you want to visit Karlovy Vary - also the site of a renown film festival each July - I advise you have some ability to speak Czech, German or Russian. I opted for German, but it was still challenging at times. Or, perhaps, I'm being hard on myself. Rather, it was the staff that was just so darn strange.
Take the waiter on our first night. He seemed to speak English and kindly sat us down. He gave us a menu to select a meal, but fried fish and mashed potatoes soon appeared. I pulled aside the German-speaking waiter and explained we received dishes we didn't order, but oddly received menus to place an order. The AHHA moment finally clicked when I realized he wanted us to order for the next night, but I explained we were there only one night.
The other funny moments came with the "English-speaking" waiter. Heather and I were just sitting around waiting while all these other pensioners came down to their fancy meals and ordered beer and wine. We, on the other hand, had nothing more than the fried fish. It was beginning to feel like an eternity that we sat there at an empty table. I thought for sure there was dessert included so after an appropriate amount of time I asked about dessert and the waiter opened his arms and said, "Yes, dessert is there." Heather and I looked at each other like, "Ah, could you have told us the how many courses and what was included in dinner from the beginning?"
This was just comical since the staff tried to act highly professional and kindly with all the other guests. With us, I think they found us to be odd balls. Maybe if we had some fur or jewels it would have helped. Heather and I were pretty much the Americans in town Sunday and Monday. We were the minority amidst a Russian majority. In fact, it looks like Russians are buying up property left and right. I have a feeling Russian will be lingua franca in town in years to come - or perhaps it already is!
But back to the baths... A lovely blond Czech lady helped us make our appointment and walked us through the treatments. She didn't speak much English and therefore insisted upon speaking German. She smiled profusely which was so nice - not something I'd consider typical Czech. This lady took her customer service profession seriously, which I appreciated. Because of our odd booking: 1 night, Sunday arrival at 4 pm, Monday departure at 3 pm. It presented major issues for us to schedule or massage and mineral bath. This was rather infuriating since we showed up at the office on Sunday night to schedule for Monday morning and spoke to a guy who told us to show up at 8 or 9 am without any problems. That was not the case. So we compromised: 1 pm "pearl" baths followed by 1:30 classical partial massage. Not bad, but we had to pack out of our rooms at 12 so we were dressed in our street clothes and carrying luggage around at the spa - definitely an strange sight for the Czechs, Germans, and Russians. We handled it smoothly for the most part. Other times we simply laughed, and laughed heartily. At one point I heard the masseuse tell Heather to "Sitzen sich." She wasn't quite sure what this meant so I yelled across the curtain for her to sit up. Somehow it worked. I definitely got a kick out of the hotel and spa staff speaking to me in German. I sort of felt I was playing my alter ego Katja.
The end of the story is that we paid 115 euros for two people, full breakfast, dinner or lunch, and 2 spa treatments. I think it was worth it. The staff made our visit more of a linguistic adventure. Fortunately, Heather and I had a good sense of humor through these sometimes incomprehensive situations, including that when Czech spa nurses tell you to take your clothes off, they just stand there and wait for you. For a moment, it truly seems like an altered realty where one's body is just a thing. Privacy is non-existent. You just deal with it.
Right now I'm glad to be back in my comfy pajamas in the comforts of my own home. It was a good bus ride there and back for 240 CZK. Our Hotel Humboldt Spa and Park was more than decent. It was quite nice, but we were never fully understood there in whatever language we attempted. Fortunately we have thick skin and active imaginations so we enjoyed our trip for what its worth - time outside of Prague, sipping mineral waters with loads of Russians, enjoying the beautiful houses of the city, shedding our outer layers, and eating fried fish that we didn't exactly order. I'm sure the flies on the wall were in hysterics. I know thoughts of this trip will bring smiles to my face for quite a while :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Getting to know my back yard
So, this morning at roughly 8 or 8:30 am my door buzzer rang. After following my detailed instructions from the airport, my friend Heather had finally arrived at my doorstep - and this after an airport bus, metro, and short walk. Woohoo! It was so nice NOT to have to go to the airport at 6 or 7 am. Rather, Heather looked at it as an adventure and was ready and eager to take it on.... hint, hint to future visitors.
Having eaten a proper breakfast and strong coffee, we made our way to Karlstejn (33 km; 45 min away) to see Charles IV's castle and former protectorate of the crown jewels. Although the Tour 2 doesn't open till June, we still enjoyed the rooms viewable on the Tour 1 and were grateful for the beautiful sunshine and castle glimpses to and from Karlstejn. We learned Charles IV was a bit of a philosopher king, with 4 wives, and spoke numberous languages. Good King Wenceslas is one of his ancestors. Wenceslas, a Christian, was murdered by his jealous brother, Boleslav, a pagan who wanted to rule the kingdom. I finally know the story of Saint Catherine who was Charles IV's favorite saint since he won his first battle on her name day. Saint Catherine refused the advances of a pagan King who decided to tie her to two wheels and tear her apart. Miracularly, she survived the wheels, but then succumbed to the sword. These are just a few of the quick facts our guied shared with us AND I actually retained.
Our trip went like clock work, which is always a nice thing. Oh, one more thing, Heather and I had some tasty Czech gulash and dark Kozel pivo before heading back. Beer and Czech food go to together like a marriage made in heaven. I kid you not!
Tomorrow is church in the morning followed by a bus ride (one way under $10; 2 hrs 15 min) to Karlovy Vary - the famous mineral water and spa town. We are spending the night in the 4 star Humboldt Park Hotel and Spa. Yes, we girls are due a little self pampering. We have a double room booked with full breakfast, lunch or dinner, and 3 spa treatments for 115 Euro. I'm looking forward to the sauna and sub-aquatic massage (we'll see what that means!) and perhaps lymphage draining (no idea - sounds a little scary like the modern day use of leaches). Heather is intrigued so maybe we'll be able to let you know. On a serious note, I really hope Karlovy Vary and its mineral waters help heal my ailing joints - hands, wrists, feet, and ankles, in particular.
Karlovy Vary here we come! And if this works out, I just might bring my sister and brother-in-law or at least treat them to a weekend.
PS: Christina: No crystal tiaras scouted yet. We'll keep trying!
Having eaten a proper breakfast and strong coffee, we made our way to Karlstejn (33 km; 45 min away) to see Charles IV's castle and former protectorate of the crown jewels. Although the Tour 2 doesn't open till June, we still enjoyed the rooms viewable on the Tour 1 and were grateful for the beautiful sunshine and castle glimpses to and from Karlstejn. We learned Charles IV was a bit of a philosopher king, with 4 wives, and spoke numberous languages. Good King Wenceslas is one of his ancestors. Wenceslas, a Christian, was murdered by his jealous brother, Boleslav, a pagan who wanted to rule the kingdom. I finally know the story of Saint Catherine who was Charles IV's favorite saint since he won his first battle on her name day. Saint Catherine refused the advances of a pagan King who decided to tie her to two wheels and tear her apart. Miracularly, she survived the wheels, but then succumbed to the sword. These are just a few of the quick facts our guied shared with us AND I actually retained.
Our trip went like clock work, which is always a nice thing. Oh, one more thing, Heather and I had some tasty Czech gulash and dark Kozel pivo before heading back. Beer and Czech food go to together like a marriage made in heaven. I kid you not!
Tomorrow is church in the morning followed by a bus ride (one way under $10; 2 hrs 15 min) to Karlovy Vary - the famous mineral water and spa town. We are spending the night in the 4 star Humboldt Park Hotel and Spa. Yes, we girls are due a little self pampering. We have a double room booked with full breakfast, lunch or dinner, and 3 spa treatments for 115 Euro. I'm looking forward to the sauna and sub-aquatic massage (we'll see what that means!) and perhaps lymphage draining (no idea - sounds a little scary like the modern day use of leaches). Heather is intrigued so maybe we'll be able to let you know. On a serious note, I really hope Karlovy Vary and its mineral waters help heal my ailing joints - hands, wrists, feet, and ankles, in particular.
Karlovy Vary here we come! And if this works out, I just might bring my sister and brother-in-law or at least treat them to a weekend.
PS: Christina: No crystal tiaras scouted yet. We'll keep trying!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Spitzer in Europe
It seems like the most talked about topic on both sides of the Atlantic this week has been the “fall from grace” of New York’s reputed “Sheriff of Wall Street.” Earlier this year my mother – who nearly never strays into the political realm – made some remarks about the now former governor which put Mr. Spitzer on my radar screen. In one of our conversations, mom mentioned, totally unprompted, “Finally, we have someone who actually gets things done in this state.”
Watching the news break on CNN International here in Prague, I was definitely floored. But, I fairly quickly picked my jaw up from off the floor; after all, in today’s age, the bar for what is considered “shocking,” I would say, has hit new heights. Infidelity is nothing new – neither is prostitution, just read the Bible. And, a press conference held by an adulterer with his wife at his side is all too familiar. Yes, seems like this Democratic super delegate has more than one thing in common with Bill and Hillary.
Mr. Spitzer now joins the ranks of other prominent public servants such as former head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Randall Tobias, who resigned in 2007 after being linked to a Washington, DC escort service. While Tobias had a long, distinguished career in the private sector before becoming Director of USAID and was ready for retirement or life at least outside of the public sphere, Spitzer was an ascending star not only in New York but even on the national political scene.
Being an American in Europe, one thing that rings clear is that what might fly on the continent doesn’t in the good ole United States. One of my colleagues succinctly summed up this pretty distinct cultural difference, remarking “What on earth was he thinking? Did he think we were France or something?!” Of course, I had to laugh at Joanna’s comment. She is only too right. The likes of France’s Sarkozy and his vacation trysts with an Italian supermodel, now his third wife, would not be tolerated back home. And, I, for one, am glad for it. Integrity – I’ll say it again – is a precious commodity, but it must remain the mark.
Watching the news break on CNN International here in Prague, I was definitely floored. But, I fairly quickly picked my jaw up from off the floor; after all, in today’s age, the bar for what is considered “shocking,” I would say, has hit new heights. Infidelity is nothing new – neither is prostitution, just read the Bible. And, a press conference held by an adulterer with his wife at his side is all too familiar. Yes, seems like this Democratic super delegate has more than one thing in common with Bill and Hillary.
Mr. Spitzer now joins the ranks of other prominent public servants such as former head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Randall Tobias, who resigned in 2007 after being linked to a Washington, DC escort service. While Tobias had a long, distinguished career in the private sector before becoming Director of USAID and was ready for retirement or life at least outside of the public sphere, Spitzer was an ascending star not only in New York but even on the national political scene.
Being an American in Europe, one thing that rings clear is that what might fly on the continent doesn’t in the good ole United States. One of my colleagues succinctly summed up this pretty distinct cultural difference, remarking “What on earth was he thinking? Did he think we were France or something?!” Of course, I had to laugh at Joanna’s comment. She is only too right. The likes of France’s Sarkozy and his vacation trysts with an Italian supermodel, now his third wife, would not be tolerated back home. And, I, for one, am glad for it. Integrity – I’ll say it again – is a precious commodity, but it must remain the mark.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
An American in "Schengen"
At this particular moment, I'm not a big fan of the European Union (EU) and the expanded Schengen zone, which took effect on December 21, 2007. What is Schengen? In a nut shell: a series of treaties and rules abolishing physical border controls between EU countries and 3 non-EU states. For citizens of the EU, the new Schengen zone means virtually seamless borders. And, for those of us non-EU, third-country nationals, it means bureaucratic hassles up the wazoo. I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.
Today I spent about 4 hours trying to figure out whether or not I was legally able to exit and reenter the Czech Republic this weekend. As of the beginning of March, I hit 90 days in the CR. Lucky me, I have not quite hit 90 days in the Schengen zone, so I can make my weekend trip to Madrid, where I plan to join my cousin John, his wife Val, and their little daughter Mary, whom I've agreed to babysit. To provide a bit of context, I do not yet possess a long-term visa, although I applied this January in Dresden - the nearest embassy or consular post outside of the CR - according to Schengen legislation. My category D visa, I'm told, is due in early April.
The big shocker of the day was news that I have until March 19 to travel freely within the Schengen zone. From March 19 to April 8 or whenever I get my visa, I should not exit the CR. What really hurts, however, is that my category D is only valid for the CR. Technically, I should apply for short term visas to visit Schengen countries outside the CR. That means if I want to visit Dresden (a mere 2.5 hour train ride) I should get a visa from the German embassy. This is shear madness!
The semi-good news is that once I get my long-term visa, I will then be able to apply for my Czech residency and then for a Schengen visa - and herein lies the clincher - "just like everybody else." Ouch! Yes, we Americans have lived charmed lives in Europe. For many this is the irony of ironies. All these years, we are the ones that have enjoyed the free pass - well, no longer.
I keep telling myself this a bad dream...I really hope I've somehow misread and/or misunderstood consular advice. I should clearly state that the summary above is my personal understanding of the Czech government's current application of the law. That is, don't quote me... I could very well be wrong. That would be great actually. If this truly is my new reality, it would be grand if the lawyers and beaucrats would have a second think...
Expect to hear continued ranting from this side of the Atlantic pond. First it was the dollar plummeting and now this... Americans living abroad in the EU are feeling the squeeze... and it ain't pretty! Looking on the bright side, I'm slowly developing a taste for Czech beer... it no longer costs 50 cents, but it is still cheaper than water.
Today I spent about 4 hours trying to figure out whether or not I was legally able to exit and reenter the Czech Republic this weekend. As of the beginning of March, I hit 90 days in the CR. Lucky me, I have not quite hit 90 days in the Schengen zone, so I can make my weekend trip to Madrid, where I plan to join my cousin John, his wife Val, and their little daughter Mary, whom I've agreed to babysit. To provide a bit of context, I do not yet possess a long-term visa, although I applied this January in Dresden - the nearest embassy or consular post outside of the CR - according to Schengen legislation. My category D visa, I'm told, is due in early April.
The big shocker of the day was news that I have until March 19 to travel freely within the Schengen zone. From March 19 to April 8 or whenever I get my visa, I should not exit the CR. What really hurts, however, is that my category D is only valid for the CR. Technically, I should apply for short term visas to visit Schengen countries outside the CR. That means if I want to visit Dresden (a mere 2.5 hour train ride) I should get a visa from the German embassy. This is shear madness!
The semi-good news is that once I get my long-term visa, I will then be able to apply for my Czech residency and then for a Schengen visa - and herein lies the clincher - "just like everybody else." Ouch! Yes, we Americans have lived charmed lives in Europe. For many this is the irony of ironies. All these years, we are the ones that have enjoyed the free pass - well, no longer.
I keep telling myself this a bad dream...I really hope I've somehow misread and/or misunderstood consular advice. I should clearly state that the summary above is my personal understanding of the Czech government's current application of the law. That is, don't quote me... I could very well be wrong. That would be great actually. If this truly is my new reality, it would be grand if the lawyers and beaucrats would have a second think...
Expect to hear continued ranting from this side of the Atlantic pond. First it was the dollar plummeting and now this... Americans living abroad in the EU are feeling the squeeze... and it ain't pretty! Looking on the bright side, I'm slowly developing a taste for Czech beer... it no longer costs 50 cents, but it is still cheaper than water.
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