the official Day, at least, is over for another year, no matter where you live! At least the American version is, as well as the versions transplanted to other places around the globe. And the meal? Well, let's just say that there were a lot of substitutions here!
As with most things, there is a story behind it all. My initial impulse to create a "transplanted" dinner begins with the memories of Michael's first Thanksgiving here and his efforts to provide a Thanksgiving meal for his friends. Bear in mind this was shortly after the Velvet Revolution and in a town much smaller than Prague. Contrary to my expectations, some of the details have not changed all that much.
I had a more-than-willing accomplice. As a matter of fact, Theresa, a good friend and teaching colleague, became the prime mover in the whole event. Little did I realize the impact of my original, tentative "What do you think about doing a Thanksgiving dinner?" comment. From then on, my major contribution was that of cheerleader! Theresa and Peter, her partner, have a great flat, almost made for entertaining. (They actually have a small room they were told used to be the servant's room! And that is totally believable.) They also have a circle of long-time friends. Already we're talking a ready-made party here! In addition, she loves to cook and is constantly looking for excuses to spend time in her small but terrific kitchen. I was more than happy to give her yet another one!
First, of course, is the fact that T'giving is a normal work day here. It is ovious that Czech holidays, not American ones, provide a day off. We decided on Saturday following the official day -- a pretty logical second choice, since everyone was busy on the official day and had to get up to go to work the day after! Next decision -- 3:00 beginning, no pre-determined end. Given the fact that the day and dinner are so traditional, the next decisions involved figuring out how to get as close as possible to our traditional expectations.
And therein lies the adventure! The American owner of Jama, a great restaurant/pub near Wenceslas Square, is among Pete's circle of friends. And quite naturally, Jama was serving T'giving dinner in style for expats and interested Czechs -- on the actual day. Simple! He was more than happy to get us a turkey -- fresh a day later -- from his butcher. And his butcher was happy to cut it in half for us. Got the picture? That's one-half to be baked in my small oven and one-half in hers! Of course there was the slight complication of getting it home. Again, no problem. Each half was wrapped separately, and cooperatively we lugged our own halves a long walk to the metro station and a long walk to our separate flats.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Theresa lives only one (long) block from me. When we go to Czech class together we just meet at the tram stop at the top of the hill, and when we want to unwind on a Friday evening we meet at the pub at the bottom. Handy, right? Also very handy for transporting dinner plates and cutlery as well as cooked food, then returning with leftovers.
This adventure had been in the thinking and planning stages for some time now. And in spite of various suggestions from students and adventures on the internet, I did not come up with fresh (or freshly frozen) cranberries. BIG disappointment, since the three staples in my own holiday dinners are turkey, stuffing/dressing, and my own version of cranberry relish. Oh I do love that relish! Because a cranberry sauce tops svickova, a favorite traditional Czech dish, I knew they "existed" here. But, it turns out, not raw. So I spent an extraordinarily long time cutting orange and lemon peel into teeny tiny pieces with a somewhat dull knife to add to the available cranberry sauce. In case you're curious, it's much softer than the Ocean Spray jellied variety -- it actually pours from the jar. And tho' I was assured in an online chat that Ocean Spray would arrive on the shelves "any day now", I never saw a can or a bag. But this substitute was tasty and provided about half the tartness I enjoy.
It also provided a marvelous humorous memory. At my local grocery store I asked a lady in the produce department for "brusinka" (cranberries). She didn't understand me and looked very puzzled, but when I showed her the word on my list told me they didn't have any. I thanked her and proceeded to shop some more. A few minutes later I hear "madame, madame." It is my produce lady carrying two jars of the sauce. She'd gone to another department, found it, and brought me a choice of brands. And then the smile! She told me she thought I'd used a word for kiss! So we had a good chuckle together, I thanked her -- and blew her a kiss as she walked away. I could hear her laughing her way back to produce. What fun!
Next unavailable item -- Pepperidge Farm or Arnold's stuffing mix. Obvious substitution there also. Buy my own bread, which I did. Four different varieties. Clean, cut, then saute lots and lots of celery and onion, part of the routine even when using the "starter". Because I'm a believer in veggie bouillon as a staple, I was already confident I could add some herb-y taste, and packets of marjoram and basil (already residing in my cupboard) contributed more. Missing? Sage! Still haven't seen it. I know the Czech word, I just haven't found it on the shelves.
Because I was teaching my relatively heavy schedule through all this adventure, I will be the first to admit there are multiple more shopping options in Prague, lots of little shops with lots of specialities, and if I had both the time and the energy, I probably could have found a few more things on my list. As it turned out, it was quite all right that I didn't make any further forays into the world of retail food!
Of course we invited my flatmate, Thomas. His contribution was his grandmother's Corn Pudding, a staple in all their holiday meals. And therein lies yet another substitution. No creamed corn here! Lots of kernal corn, but none creamed. So the preparation for the corn pudding began with finding a recipe for creamed corn. Which we did, and then improvised on. I believe I have a picture of Thomas mashing two packages of cooked frozen corn with our big soup ladle (we don't have a potato masher either!) against the sides of the big cooking pot! From there it took time, not major energy. And, of course, conversion of quantities. "Looks about right to me" was a common phrase Saturday morning.
Remember we're talking about a really small oven, so another adventure was juggling stuffing, corn pudding, and turkey cooking times. (The sweet potato dish had already succumbed to boiling, not baking, along with the winter squash.)
And yes, it all came together yet another year, and this time in another place. The turkey was one of the most beautiful I've ever done, although resting quietly on its side, Stuffing was different, and really good. Cranberry sauce was interesting, and while not a real substitute, a good thing in itself. Corn pudding will, when not quite so much work, become another staple for me. What a great adventure.
And the fun was just beginning!
I arrived early, of course, and other guests began to gather. When all the gathering was done we were a group of 16 people from seven countries, some with American English (and traditional Thanksgiving dinner) as their heritage, others (the Brits and the Irishman) with just another version of it, and the rest (more than half) with English ranging from fluent to at least a smattering. And what fantastic conversation. It is hard to imagine that Theresa had some games in readiness just in case people didn't talk. With only normal conversational tone, it got quite loud in the flat. What fun! When doing post-party analysis, I realized there were actually four distinct circles present with the only tie being to either Theresa or me. And it really worked!
The real question was how to get the conversation slowed down enough to start people through the buffet line. (We didn't; we just turned into shepherds and brought them a couple at a time.) I'm not sure when we would have moved from cheese and dips and crackers to dinner if we hadn't had a guest who needed to leave early. It was 6 p.m. when we finally cut turkey and began the "real" food.
So yes, Thanksgiving in Prague is over for another year. Even the turkey soup is nearly finished. And there are new baking and serving/storage dishes residing in my kitchen. Guess I need to create another excuse to use them!
And yes, I am so thankful. That is a daily, nearly hourly attitude. How grateful I am to have my wonderful family and friends in the States, to be here, to be healthy, to be blessed with such great new friends and terrific opportunities. It truly is a wonderful life. And I hope you are enjoying it with me.
Showing posts with label new friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new friends. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Day Tripping
And what a day! Křivoklát - - - - - -
Sometimes everything falls in place, seemingly effortlessly. Sunday, 10 August was one of those days. The sky couldn't have been more blue, the weather couldn't have been better, and the company? We certainly weren't Thelma and Louise plus one but we were, however, a trio of women ready for adventure. Toni, a friend and colleague, was the moving force. Our plan had even been moved forward a week, which meant happily that Iva, Toni's student, could join us. Iva's a doctor (neurologist) with regular "duties", mother of two teenagers who, miraculously, left on time for a week with their father, a dancer (for fun and exercise), a certified medical translator, and works for a pharmaceutical company -- makes me feel like a real loafer. She was ready to savor every minute and brought all her Czech know-how and love of weekend trips. That included securing a group rate (three's a crowd, remember?) on the train, a backpack with homemade blueberry bread, and an edited translation of the guide as we took our tour.
Křivoklát is real castle in a magical setting. High on a rocky hill amid breathtaking scenery, it was founded in the 12th century as a hunting lodge, then grew into one of the most important defensible castles of Czech kings, princes, and dukes. [I hope you'll take a minute to web search and see several of the beautiful pictures.] Křivoklát was rebuilt in various portions of the castle several times following damaging fires, but went into decline after it became a feared prison, final "home" to many distinguished guests, beginning in the 16th century. (I'd read about it earlier in connection with Edward Kelly, the most infamous alchemist of the 1500s. Now he's remembered with a large frescoe on the wall of a restaurant as well as in the history books.) In the 19th century the Furstenberg family restored it, adding Romantic touches as well as their library of over 52,000 volumes, only half of which are on display in the comfy library along with family portraits.
The train trip takes about 90 minutes, first on a normal inter-city train, then a quick transfer to a "motor train" which winds its way along the beautiful Berounka River, complete with a couple smaller castles, villages, weekend cottages, and even tents for campers. Once again my praise for Czech transportation. Even though this is not as touristy a site as other castles (thankfully), the on-time departures are regular and frequent. And trains are obviously the connection between out-of-the-way villages for the inhabitants.
A lovely pathway of brick pavers has been cut into a rocky ledge at the side of the river, complete with railing for those of us less hardy souls. It leads straight to the center of the town with its narrow, winding roads -- look and listen carefully before attempting to cross. You get only a few seconds' view of an oncoming car driving along the tight curves. Ahead is the cobblestone drive/walk to the castle which redefines steep, at least for me. It is so steep that once we began the climb it was nearly impossible to see the goal. And looking down on the winding road we'd left was almost like viewing an historical diorama -- little houses, "toy" cars, a hotel that had been on its site for well over a century, and a river that looked as tho' it had been etched in place by a woodcarver's knife. Breathtaking, literally and figuratively.
It is easy to imagine the fortifications when entering through a long, curved and vaulted cobblestone "tunnel". Of course it wouldn't be designed to give invaders a straight shot into the courtyard! Later in the day the walls resounded with the clatter of horses hooves as a large group left for a ride. Again easy to imagine knights and soldiers departing for whatever assignment they'd been given. During the summer the courtyard is filled with craftspeople -- woodcarvers, metal workers, brewers, serving folk, troubadours giving magic shows for children. It was almost like being transported back through the centuries to a time when the activity was necessary work for the maintenance of life within. An historical novel come alive! Then there is the tower, the inner courtyard, and at last the guided tour. Long, (Czech) detailed, and wonderful. Wish we'd known you have to ask for the printed English version when you purchase tickets -- often castle guides distribute them as the tour begins. The guide was a personable young man who appeared to be able to spend another two hours talking about "his" castle. In the library, nearly the end of the tour, we discovered he also speaks English, and learned it is a requirement for working there. How different from '91, my first visit, when it felt as though Michael was one of very few English speakers in Czechoslovakia!
What a "home". Again imagination can take over -- life must have been hard. At one point I commented I was grateful that I wasn't a soldier running up the narrow, winding steps to the fortifications. And the distance to the kitchen -- grateful I'm not a serving maid. Someone once mentioned to me that it is interesting people who talked about previous lives were almost always royalty or some member of the upper class, almost never a servant. Right!
Very late lunch in the courtyard -- traditional Czech food and great beer (of course). More walking around outside, then down the cobblestones to the hotel courtyard for an iced coffee -- it's made with ice cream here! -- up the path to the train station, and a lovely though crowded trip home.
What a day! I'm so glad you could join me for yet another incredible memory. Can hardly wait to see what's next.
Sometimes everything falls in place, seemingly effortlessly. Sunday, 10 August was one of those days. The sky couldn't have been more blue, the weather couldn't have been better, and the company? We certainly weren't Thelma and Louise plus one but we were, however, a trio of women ready for adventure. Toni, a friend and colleague, was the moving force. Our plan had even been moved forward a week, which meant happily that Iva, Toni's student, could join us. Iva's a doctor (neurologist) with regular "duties", mother of two teenagers who, miraculously, left on time for a week with their father, a dancer (for fun and exercise), a certified medical translator, and works for a pharmaceutical company -- makes me feel like a real loafer. She was ready to savor every minute and brought all her Czech know-how and love of weekend trips. That included securing a group rate (three's a crowd, remember?) on the train, a backpack with homemade blueberry bread, and an edited translation of the guide as we took our tour.
Křivoklát is real castle in a magical setting. High on a rocky hill amid breathtaking scenery, it was founded in the 12th century as a hunting lodge, then grew into one of the most important defensible castles of Czech kings, princes, and dukes. [I hope you'll take a minute to web search and see several of the beautiful pictures.] Křivoklát was rebuilt in various portions of the castle several times following damaging fires, but went into decline after it became a feared prison, final "home" to many distinguished guests, beginning in the 16th century. (I'd read about it earlier in connection with Edward Kelly, the most infamous alchemist of the 1500s. Now he's remembered with a large frescoe on the wall of a restaurant as well as in the history books.) In the 19th century the Furstenberg family restored it, adding Romantic touches as well as their library of over 52,000 volumes, only half of which are on display in the comfy library along with family portraits.
The train trip takes about 90 minutes, first on a normal inter-city train, then a quick transfer to a "motor train" which winds its way along the beautiful Berounka River, complete with a couple smaller castles, villages, weekend cottages, and even tents for campers. Once again my praise for Czech transportation. Even though this is not as touristy a site as other castles (thankfully), the on-time departures are regular and frequent. And trains are obviously the connection between out-of-the-way villages for the inhabitants.
A lovely pathway of brick pavers has been cut into a rocky ledge at the side of the river, complete with railing for those of us less hardy souls. It leads straight to the center of the town with its narrow, winding roads -- look and listen carefully before attempting to cross. You get only a few seconds' view of an oncoming car driving along the tight curves. Ahead is the cobblestone drive/walk to the castle which redefines steep, at least for me. It is so steep that once we began the climb it was nearly impossible to see the goal. And looking down on the winding road we'd left was almost like viewing an historical diorama -- little houses, "toy" cars, a hotel that had been on its site for well over a century, and a river that looked as tho' it had been etched in place by a woodcarver's knife. Breathtaking, literally and figuratively.
It is easy to imagine the fortifications when entering through a long, curved and vaulted cobblestone "tunnel". Of course it wouldn't be designed to give invaders a straight shot into the courtyard! Later in the day the walls resounded with the clatter of horses hooves as a large group left for a ride. Again easy to imagine knights and soldiers departing for whatever assignment they'd been given. During the summer the courtyard is filled with craftspeople -- woodcarvers, metal workers, brewers, serving folk, troubadours giving magic shows for children. It was almost like being transported back through the centuries to a time when the activity was necessary work for the maintenance of life within. An historical novel come alive! Then there is the tower, the inner courtyard, and at last the guided tour. Long, (Czech) detailed, and wonderful. Wish we'd known you have to ask for the printed English version when you purchase tickets -- often castle guides distribute them as the tour begins. The guide was a personable young man who appeared to be able to spend another two hours talking about "his" castle. In the library, nearly the end of the tour, we discovered he also speaks English, and learned it is a requirement for working there. How different from '91, my first visit, when it felt as though Michael was one of very few English speakers in Czechoslovakia!
What a "home". Again imagination can take over -- life must have been hard. At one point I commented I was grateful that I wasn't a soldier running up the narrow, winding steps to the fortifications. And the distance to the kitchen -- grateful I'm not a serving maid. Someone once mentioned to me that it is interesting people who talked about previous lives were almost always royalty or some member of the upper class, almost never a servant. Right!
Very late lunch in the courtyard -- traditional Czech food and great beer (of course). More walking around outside, then down the cobblestones to the hotel courtyard for an iced coffee -- it's made with ice cream here! -- up the path to the train station, and a lovely though crowded trip home.
What a day! I'm so glad you could join me for yet another incredible memory. Can hardly wait to see what's next.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Making Choices
Just amazing what a simple yes or no, one question raised or left unspoken, taking the lead or following can do to change a plan. My plan for Saturday was to take it easy, work on some preparations for classes, and generally have a low-key day. My plan for Sunday was to enjoy a couple hours at the Brevnov Monastery with a few colleagues I know and some of their circle of friends.
Let's talk about Saturday's choices first. One quick "yes" turned it all around. No taking it easy, no prep for me! Mid-afternoon found me waiting at a metro escalator, supposedly to join two others to see a documentary movie about Vaclav Havel. That changed when I agreed with Barb, the first to arrive, that it would be much better to view the movie at the beautiful old theatre in a shopping center built by Havel's grandfather. The family connection and a "real" setting made sense to me. Next came agreement to go back the way she'd come to meet two of her Aussie friends she'd seen thru' a big window in a cafe. Off we trooped, scooted chairs up to a tiny table, and had a marvelous time broadening the circle of friends, learning about teaching in other countries and other great life experiences. After some time and many words we agreed to part ways and get on with the remainder of plans for the evening. That lasted just as long as it took us to walk around opposite sides of the block and meet up again. Natural choice to have dinner together at the hospada (pub with good, usually inexpensive food) that was their plan. Since some supper somewhere along the way had been in the original plan for us also, we're on track here. Great food and more good conversation.
The next good choice was to continue the evening together as we got on with our original plan to visit the Globe bookstore. Our conversation turned to old movies as we walked over the cobblestones thru' narrow streets in a old part of town, an intriguing mixture of fascinating buildings all around us
The Globe is an incredible place. The front section is the bookstore -- "Please purchase books before sitting at the table" -- where all titles are selected individually by the owner. What an incredible selection! As we entered, Anne (another colleague) asked the "kid" behind the counter if he could answer a movie question which was stumping us. He couldn't, but a voice from the second level joined the conversation, then the person joined us. It was the owner, in for the weekend from Moscow.
Michael is a bright, young Chicagoan, obviously with a gift for making money, who currently lives in Moscow and manages two hedge funds. One of his favorite places when he lived in Prague 5-6 years ago was the Globe. When it fell on very hard times and was being closed a little over a year ago, he bought it and is still restoring it. He tries to visit every month, and our choices put us there at just the right moment. First we stayed in the front, talking books, checking out titles, all the good reasons one goes to bookstores. But then there's the back section. Towering high ceilings, walls painted a gorgeous deep red to showcase fantastic modern original art, a singer who sounded a lot like Paul Simon, an eclectic mix of styles and ages. What more could you want?
There is more. You see, the Aussie are going home via Moscow (a place where I briefly considered teaching). And Michael loved talking about the city. What it's like, where to go, what to see, how much it is misrepresented. Interesting to hear his thoughts on the government, possibilities for the future. After a while he got on with business and we continued talking about anything and everything. What a night! Back to the cobblestones, a long walk to the tram, and a quiet ride home, reliving some wonderful choices.
And that is only Saturday! A few days earlier I'd made another choice -- join colleagues from St. J. and elsewhere for a visit to the Brevnov Monastery.
Sunday followed the plan. Only I had no idea how it would expand. The day could not have been more beautiful, bright sunshine, blue sky, just a hint of spring with little buds thinking about popping out. Our guide was an intern studying for her guide certification, whatever that takes, who is a student of one on the colleagues. (This time the circle of friends expanded to 15.) The Brevnov is a Benedictine monastery, begun in 993, just up the hill from the Castle! And yes, we saw the archeological excavation under the present Basilica of the original church. Can you imagine the struggle, turmoil, pain and peace that ground has seen. Our guide took us walking and climbing -- what else! -- through the grounds, orchards, old mill, on and on with wonderful commentary. Then we entered the monastery, where a young monk became our guide. Oh my, the stories, frescoes, worn steps and corridors, history both recent and long ago, pictures of the renovations after the Communist era, photos of the two monks who returned from prison to die in "their home". Even heard from a distance an organist rehearsing on the newly restored instrument for a recording tonight. What an incredible place with an insider's view.
As you may know, Benedictine monks have to raise their own financial support. This group does so thru' its hotel and restaurant. And our reservations were for 2:30. The restaurant is rustic, charming, and serves marvelous food. I'm hoping to return next Sunday for lunch, just before the free organ concert!
Brevnov is "up the hill" from the Castle. The ride back led to a stop in the "New Town" and a coffee shop very near the Museum of Music. We (the group was now down to eight) even took time to visit another well-known Baroque church on the way. (They certainly are fancy!) When I finally returned, this had become an eight hour day! And what a great one it is.
I can hardly wait to see where the next choice will lead me.
Let's talk about Saturday's choices first. One quick "yes" turned it all around. No taking it easy, no prep for me! Mid-afternoon found me waiting at a metro escalator, supposedly to join two others to see a documentary movie about Vaclav Havel. That changed when I agreed with Barb, the first to arrive, that it would be much better to view the movie at the beautiful old theatre in a shopping center built by Havel's grandfather. The family connection and a "real" setting made sense to me. Next came agreement to go back the way she'd come to meet two of her Aussie friends she'd seen thru' a big window in a cafe. Off we trooped, scooted chairs up to a tiny table, and had a marvelous time broadening the circle of friends, learning about teaching in other countries and other great life experiences. After some time and many words we agreed to part ways and get on with the remainder of plans for the evening. That lasted just as long as it took us to walk around opposite sides of the block and meet up again. Natural choice to have dinner together at the hospada (pub with good, usually inexpensive food) that was their plan. Since some supper somewhere along the way had been in the original plan for us also, we're on track here. Great food and more good conversation.
The next good choice was to continue the evening together as we got on with our original plan to visit the Globe bookstore. Our conversation turned to old movies as we walked over the cobblestones thru' narrow streets in a old part of town, an intriguing mixture of fascinating buildings all around us
The Globe is an incredible place. The front section is the bookstore -- "Please purchase books before sitting at the table" -- where all titles are selected individually by the owner. What an incredible selection! As we entered, Anne (another colleague) asked the "kid" behind the counter if he could answer a movie question which was stumping us. He couldn't, but a voice from the second level joined the conversation, then the person joined us. It was the owner, in for the weekend from Moscow.
Michael is a bright, young Chicagoan, obviously with a gift for making money, who currently lives in Moscow and manages two hedge funds. One of his favorite places when he lived in Prague 5-6 years ago was the Globe. When it fell on very hard times and was being closed a little over a year ago, he bought it and is still restoring it. He tries to visit every month, and our choices put us there at just the right moment. First we stayed in the front, talking books, checking out titles, all the good reasons one goes to bookstores. But then there's the back section. Towering high ceilings, walls painted a gorgeous deep red to showcase fantastic modern original art, a singer who sounded a lot like Paul Simon, an eclectic mix of styles and ages. What more could you want?
There is more. You see, the Aussie are going home via Moscow (a place where I briefly considered teaching). And Michael loved talking about the city. What it's like, where to go, what to see, how much it is misrepresented. Interesting to hear his thoughts on the government, possibilities for the future. After a while he got on with business and we continued talking about anything and everything. What a night! Back to the cobblestones, a long walk to the tram, and a quiet ride home, reliving some wonderful choices.
And that is only Saturday! A few days earlier I'd made another choice -- join colleagues from St. J. and elsewhere for a visit to the Brevnov Monastery.
Sunday followed the plan. Only I had no idea how it would expand. The day could not have been more beautiful, bright sunshine, blue sky, just a hint of spring with little buds thinking about popping out. Our guide was an intern studying for her guide certification, whatever that takes, who is a student of one on the colleagues. (This time the circle of friends expanded to 15.) The Brevnov is a Benedictine monastery, begun in 993, just up the hill from the Castle! And yes, we saw the archeological excavation under the present Basilica of the original church. Can you imagine the struggle, turmoil, pain and peace that ground has seen. Our guide took us walking and climbing -- what else! -- through the grounds, orchards, old mill, on and on with wonderful commentary. Then we entered the monastery, where a young monk became our guide. Oh my, the stories, frescoes, worn steps and corridors, history both recent and long ago, pictures of the renovations after the Communist era, photos of the two monks who returned from prison to die in "their home". Even heard from a distance an organist rehearsing on the newly restored instrument for a recording tonight. What an incredible place with an insider's view.
As you may know, Benedictine monks have to raise their own financial support. This group does so thru' its hotel and restaurant. And our reservations were for 2:30. The restaurant is rustic, charming, and serves marvelous food. I'm hoping to return next Sunday for lunch, just before the free organ concert!
Brevnov is "up the hill" from the Castle. The ride back led to a stop in the "New Town" and a coffee shop very near the Museum of Music. We (the group was now down to eight) even took time to visit another well-known Baroque church on the way. (They certainly are fancy!) When I finally returned, this had become an eight hour day! And what a great one it is.
I can hardly wait to see where the next choice will lead me.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Wonder of Laundromats
Prague is the home of my new all-time favorite laundromat! So much to say about it - -
First, there's the name. Walking down Korunni (and yes, it is a bit of a hike to get clean clothes!) I almost missed the front door. It is in the lower floor -- not quite basement -- of a very old building. My pension is quite close to the center of Prague, walking distance (on a good day) from Wenceslas Square of Velvet Revolution history. So naturally the building is old. And the name is painted on the wall -- no signs extending into the sidewalk as an alert that the journey is almost ended. Suddenly, there it is. Andy's Laundromat. I'm imagining Andy as some young entrepreneur recognizing a need and finding a way to meet it (more on that later). Wrong. There on the wall are several pictures of "Our Andy", a really cute white Scottie. For me, that's a great way to start laundry time.
Second, there are the services. General laundromat expectations include working washers and dryers; detergent, bleach, and softener for sale; a few chairs -- comfort optional -- for the wait. Andy's has that beat, hands down. Washers/dryers aren't immediately visible; they're down the hall, past the computers, the "lounge" area, and the well equipped, safely enclosed playroom. And they do exist -- with English speaking staff to exchange your Czech crowns for laundromat tokens, sell supplies, and be sure any other need you may have is met. Speaking of service -- would you prefer coffee or tea? with milk and sugar? And no, you can't purchase it! By the way, you may also log on to the internet while your clothes are moving through the cycles.
During many moves, washer/dryer breakdowns, or treks away from home, I've had occasion to visit multiple laundromats. Clean clothes are a necessity; the bonus is the possibility of meeting interesting people. And Andy's may be the winner in this category also.
After only a few minutes, Don and I began to talk. He's an expat via London, roots in south GA, former Southern Baptist minister, living in the Czech Republic for six years, now a permanent resident, new home owner (mortgage approved just that afternoon), one of the pastors of the Unitarian church here. What a marvelous, wide ranging conversation. We stayed a bit longer than just folding our clothes, I think each feeling that the afternoon had given us a special gift.
Who could have predicted . . .? Here is one more new connection. So many common elements in our past. And here we are, enjoying the present moments, and talking about possibilities for future conversations. I am truly blessed and very grateful.
First, there's the name. Walking down Korunni (and yes, it is a bit of a hike to get clean clothes!) I almost missed the front door. It is in the lower floor -- not quite basement -- of a very old building. My pension is quite close to the center of Prague, walking distance (on a good day) from Wenceslas Square of Velvet Revolution history. So naturally the building is old. And the name is painted on the wall -- no signs extending into the sidewalk as an alert that the journey is almost ended. Suddenly, there it is. Andy's Laundromat. I'm imagining Andy as some young entrepreneur recognizing a need and finding a way to meet it (more on that later). Wrong. There on the wall are several pictures of "Our Andy", a really cute white Scottie. For me, that's a great way to start laundry time.
Second, there are the services. General laundromat expectations include working washers and dryers; detergent, bleach, and softener for sale; a few chairs -- comfort optional -- for the wait. Andy's has that beat, hands down. Washers/dryers aren't immediately visible; they're down the hall, past the computers, the "lounge" area, and the well equipped, safely enclosed playroom. And they do exist -- with English speaking staff to exchange your Czech crowns for laundromat tokens, sell supplies, and be sure any other need you may have is met. Speaking of service -- would you prefer coffee or tea? with milk and sugar? And no, you can't purchase it! By the way, you may also log on to the internet while your clothes are moving through the cycles.
During many moves, washer/dryer breakdowns, or treks away from home, I've had occasion to visit multiple laundromats. Clean clothes are a necessity; the bonus is the possibility of meeting interesting people. And Andy's may be the winner in this category also.
After only a few minutes, Don and I began to talk. He's an expat via London, roots in south GA, former Southern Baptist minister, living in the Czech Republic for six years, now a permanent resident, new home owner (mortgage approved just that afternoon), one of the pastors of the Unitarian church here. What a marvelous, wide ranging conversation. We stayed a bit longer than just folding our clothes, I think each feeling that the afternoon had given us a special gift.
Who could have predicted . . .? Here is one more new connection. So many common elements in our past. And here we are, enjoying the present moments, and talking about possibilities for future conversations. I am truly blessed and very grateful.
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