As in every December since I can remember, Christmas time came. My pocket decided that, for this time. I must stay in the Czech Republic for a change, and I was really happy with it, after all, chances like this rarely happen in life.
My flatmate flew back home since we were given some holidays at work and, this meant, I had lots of free time. Surprisingly, my coordinator came up with a very interesting programme for me: I had the opportunity to be kindly adoped by different families, so I could make the most of my Czech Christmas!
Because, sometimes, pictures speak more than thousand words and not to make it too long, I'll leave you with a kind of diary of my Christmas in and with the Czechs:
24.12.14: Christmas Eve at Marcela's
My flatmate flew back home since we were given some holidays at work and, this meant, I had lots of free time. Surprisingly, my coordinator came up with a very interesting programme for me: I had the opportunity to be kindly adoped by different families, so I could make the most of my Czech Christmas!
Because, sometimes, pictures speak more than thousand words and not to make it too long, I'll leave you with a kind of diary of my Christmas in and with the Czechs:
24.12.14: Christmas Eve at Marcela's
- Baking a typical Christmas cake with Teri.
- Playing Czech and Spanish card games with the kids.
- Carp soup and carp with potatoe salad for dinner.
- Czech traditions at the table.
- Presents from Little Jesus.
- The funniest indicent ever solved by a fireman.
- Prediction of the future with tin coins.
- Skype with Spanish family.
- Time for sharing photos, videos, experiences...
- Playing Czech and Spanish card games with the kids.
- Carp soup and carp with potatoe salad for dinner.
- Czech traditions at the table.
- Presents from Little Jesus.
- The funniest indicent ever solved by a fireman.
- Prediction of the future with tin coins.
- Skype with Spanish family.
- Time for sharing photos, videos, experiences...
25.12.14: Christmas Day at Natalie's
26.12.14: Trip to Prague with Jitka
- Exceptional view of Prague's heart (main square with huge Christmas tree and market).
- Typical Czech meal.
- John Lennon's wall and locks bridge.
- Visit to Prague Castle (changing of the guard inclusive)
- Lots of pictures across Charles Bridge (now I understand where the adjective bohemian comes from).
- Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane)
- Museum of communism.
- Typical Czech meal.
- John Lennon's wall and locks bridge.
- Visit to Prague Castle (changing of the guard inclusive)
- Lots of pictures across Charles Bridge (now I understand where the adjective bohemian comes from).
- Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane)
- Museum of communism.
29.12.14: Brdo with Katka
30.12.14: Trip to Olomouc with Eva
- Guided visit with personal translator :) - Two main squares and six Baroque fountains. - The Holy Trinity Column (Unesco World Heritage Site). - Astronomical socialist clock. - Church of St. Maurice and its old precious organs. - I tried duck for the first time. - Visit to a brewery with cinnamon flavored beer. |
31.12.14: New Year's Eve
Well, apparently I lost the pictures of my New Year's Eve, so I'll give you a few full senteces here. It was the last day of a wonderful year. I'd met a lovely Finnish girl, my new flatmate for few days. She was one of the previous volunteers and she came back to her "second home" for a visit. We were invited for dinner at Katka's house, together with Natalie's family. We were listening to Ricky Martin and Vojta Dyk while children were dancing. It was so funny!! At midnight Iida and I were watching fireworks from our kitchen and sharing experiences. We leaned out the window and wished everyone a happy new year in Spanish, Finnish and Czech. |
01.01.15: New Year
- The beginning of a very promising year. -Traditional sweet lentil soup and boiled eggs with Moomins (they say the more lentils you eat, the richer you'll be). - Colouring some decorations for next Christmas' pink? tree :) - Swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi (I'll repeat this plan in the following years for ever after). - Strawberry milshakes after the spa session as the icing on the cake. - Closure of the day with a Finnish film: Napapiirin sankarit (Lapland Odysseya). - Great day!! |
02.01.15: Finnish food
03.01.15: Trip to Vienna
- Ohh, the romantic Vienna....but befeore the arrival, some Czech carols, prosím ;) - Visit and tour of the Schönbrunn Palace (You'd probably have heard about Empress Sissi, well, this was one of her residences). - St Stephen's Cathedral (Vivaldi's funeral was celebrated here). - Eating tortilla in the streets of Vienna. - Carriage ride along the historic city centre. - Chocolate shops and Mozart everywhere. |
I wanted to thank Natalie for organizing this amazing holidays for me, and all the families for their kindness, hospitality and generosity. I have no words to express how grateful I am, so let's see if capitals help: THAAAANK YOUUU ALL!!!