Croatia's Dalmatian Coast - How Sweet T'is

One week of vacation is not enough. It takes nearly 7 days to let go and relax. Although I absolutely loved my July holiday on the Dalmatian Coast, in retrospect, if I could do it again, I'd identify one place (two max) and simply plop myself for minimum of 7 days, but if at all possible 10 or more. From July 19-26, together with my parents, I hopped from Split to Dubrovnik to Korcula to Hvar and back to Split. While I liked the diversity, it was a bit hard getting up for 6 am ferries and 7 am buses. Next year, if I go back, I think I'll play it a bit different. Live and learn - right?

Living history

This morning I walked to work to be greeted by an antique Soviet tank. Yes, right there in front of the National Museum - as part of events on Wenceslaus Square in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Soviet and Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia - sits an old tank with mock artillery audible in the background. The Soviet-led invasion's aim was to squelch Prague Spring - the reform package orchestrated by Alexander Dubcek, what came to be known as "socialism with a human face".

I really, really, really apologize I did not bring my camera this morning. It's not everyday Soviet tanks are on display. One thing I could not get over was the number of people lining up for pictures with the tank. Everyone had a huge smile on their face. I don't know - it seems to me such an historic symbol should elicit a more somber attitude.

With recent events in Georgia on the mind, I must say, these are certainly interesting days we live in.

Where has the summer gone?

Well, it has been a while... Where have I been? Simple answer: 1 week on the Dalmatian coast; side trips to Bratislava, Pezinok, and Dresden; entertaining my parents; and, oh yes, working very hard.

After nearly one month, my mom and dad, Mary Lou and Ed, are headed back to upstate NY on Wednesday morning. I can hardly believe it! It has been a wonderful time together. To give you a brief taste... my mom treated me to homemade pancakes with fresh strawberry sauce this morning and she also did a sewing job for me. Oh, and they cleaned my entire apartment for my birthday. It doesn't really matter how old I get, they love to do those special things.

Over the last few weeks we've had a number of adventures. We were up and down the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. We also made a trip to Bratislava where we met distant relatives on my dad's side of the family. This last Sunday I showed Dresden to my parents. They enjoyed giant bratwurst and raved about German coffee (not beer). Hands down - Czech beer is my parents' favorite. We also celebrated my birthday at Aromi - a restaurant I've been dying to try. To say the least, it was a full, rich, blessed time together.

So, my place is going to be silent when I return home on Wednesday night. Of course, I will still have German Eurosport to keep me abreast of Olympic developments, but I wont have my dad on the couch next to me, asking questions about the optimal height for a swimmer, commenting on the phenomenal abilities of Michael Phelps.

Looking on the bright side, following the departure of my final summer visitors, I hope to get more rest. For a change, I'm thinking it would simply be nice "to just be".