Adventures in the Czech Republic
Perspectives from a Fulbright Scholar
Although this blog is not intended to delve into my research, I feel like I should at least say a few things about it. My featured photo is taken at a colorful kindergarten that is not used as a kindergarten because of population declines attributed to soviet rule. This one is used to support foster... Continue Reading →
I had the great fortune this past weekend to be invited to go mushroom-hunting. My colleague Monika invited me to her family cabin on Saturday. You can actually get there by tram, end of the line. I was honored and touched by her family's welcome of me. Her mother, Karín, sister Símona, and grandparents, were... Continue Reading →
As part of that whole 'try not to assume anything' mantra that's necessary when living in a foreign country, it fits the best I think when someone invites you to do something with them some evening or weekend. You never ever know what will happen. Yesterday, Pavla invited me to come to her neighborhood of... Continue Reading →
The people of Ostrava are a special crowd. My observations are only my own and certainly don't reflect all Czechs and maybe don't even characterize Ostrava well, but here goes. The people I've encountered are some of the kindest, most sincere I've met. I've never in my life seen so many families with small children... Continue Reading →
I was very down on Saturday, with new developments in my home government. I won't dwell on that, but I knew I needed to get out in the sunshine and move my body to cope. It was a beautiful day for a bike ride and did help me forget for a short while. What I... Continue Reading →
When the university rektor invited me to a dinner for all university employees, it wasn't like I could say no. My colleague and office mate, a lawyer and social worker told me, "it's semi-formal, a short black dress and heels will be fine," I had my first heart palpitations. Then she told me we'd arrive... Continue Reading →
I'm finding that anyone who's been to, or is thinking about going to, the Czech Republic, has never heard of Ostrava. Rick Steves doesn't mention it. When you Google it, you're nearly always redirected to Prague. When I talk to Czechs and tell them I'm going to Ostrava or that I love it here, they... Continue Reading →
One day on a walk along the river heading south out of town, I happened upon a castle. Yep, just like that. This is no Prague Castle with towering spires and turrets. This is a good old-fashioned 1297 guard-the-waterways-from-the-Poles kind of castle. So it looks a little more like a fort than a traditional castle.... Continue Reading →
My landlord/research colleague, Monika, is kindly loaning me her mountain bike for the remainder of the cycling season. I took the path along the Ostravice river south for about 15 miles down to Frýdek-Místek and back again. I would argue this is possibly the nicest bike path I've ever been on. The path is basically level,... Continue Reading →
When Ostrava University helped me find a flat, I was told about this perfect place that had everything I needed, was close to the city center and to my office, and the price was right. And at the very end of the message was this: "...and it comes with a companion animal, Tobi!" Not what... Continue Reading →
Adventures in the Czech Republic 