Hiking With Katniss

The final stop of Eurotrip 2012 was Jicin, a small hiking town in the Czech state of Bohemia.  I prepared for visiting Jicin the way that all seasoned travelers prepare: I completed a bunch of puzzles of the town sites. (You can too, here!) You can only imagine my excitement at being in the center of my favorite puzzle picture!

We named this picture "Big Square, Tiny Emily".

I would not say that Jicin was hopping.  Mainly because we didn't see a single local for the first 15 hours of our visit.  Not one. Maybe they were intimidated. 

But we came to hike, so the next day - hike we did!  

This part of Bohemia is known for its extensive hiking paths and "large rocks".  

If only we had known what we were in for. 

We were told from the beginning that the only way back to our hotel is to hope you find a train station.  No specifics.  Just try and find a train in some random village and take that back.  

So, off we went.  Hiking from ancient castle to ancient castle, by way of the large rocks. 

Along the way we feasted on the local cuisine: fried lard in the shape of sausage and potato cakes soaked in oil.  To be enjoyed with a cold beer mixed with Sprite. 

It turned out that the castle we wanted to see was about 7 miles away and a rumored train station was about another 4 miles after that.  

So, we did what you might expect: we put the Hunger Games book on tape on speaker from Allison's pink iPod.  Then stowed it in my hoodie for easy listening. Because even best friends run out of things to talk about when hiking alone for 15 miles. 

After about mile 9, we realized that we probably were in the arena and needed to protect ourselves.  So Allison reenacted the sure-fire survival technique outlined in book one: (spoiler alert!)

I laughed until I cried. 

The Trosky castle was definitely worth the 9 hour hike.  From the turrets we were able to see the Czech countryside for miles around. 

We even took some engagement pictures!

Although we had made it this far, no one could really promise us the location for a train back to Jicin.  

So we played a little game called: Please Lord Give Us A Train Because We've Been Walking For Almost Ten Hours And Don't Want To Walk Another Three Miles To The Next Town. 

It's an older game.  You might not have heard of it. Hasn't really been played since the time of the Pony Express and the Industrial Revolution. 

And it turns out, we won!

I would like to thank Katniss and Peeta for keeping us sane.  

And the weather, for requiring me to hike in skinny jeans.

And the train, for choosing unlikely villages to stop in.   

To Jicin, for resisting the urge to learn English.

To an incredible memory. 

But most of all to Allison K Peterson, who asked me to go hiking with her. 

 

Terezin Concentration Camp

On my second day in Prague, I decided to make the day trip to visit Terezin Concentration Camp.  I knew that it was going to be emotional to visit such a nightmarish place, but as a huge history buff I felt that this was an important part of my personal education. 

I would have encouraged this as an important educational trip for the 30 American study abroad students that rode the bus with me to the camp.  However, after they screamed "Build Me Up Buttercup" for the sixth time on the bus I really stopped caring about their education.  As you know, I am not always a fan of Americans' choices abroad.  

Terezin was a beautiful town before the war, and continues as a functional town to this day.  

Terezin was the site of the Red Cross' official inspection of the camps in 1944.  To trick the Red Cross, the Nazis routed Jewish artists, musicians, children and athletes to Terezin to present a false pretense of intellectual camp life.  The Nazis even encouraged music, art work and children's theater during this period, the remnants of which still exists on the premises.  After visiting Terezin, the Red Cross approved the concept of camps. 

The flower pots in the main square were built up beautifully for the Red Cross, and were transformed into barbed wire fences after the Red Cross approved the conditions of the camp. 

Over 33,000 people died at Terezin during World War II - most from rampant disease caused by cramped living conditions.  The survivors were shipped off to Auschwitz on the railroad that still crosses the town. 

 The ghost of the past haunts this existing town at every turn.  How they continue to live here, I just don't know. 

What an overwhelming, emotional day.  Never, ever forget what happened here. 

Ooooooh Prague!

After an incredible trip to Kosovo, Bill Clinton and I were so sad to wave it goodbye. 

But, it was time to visit the Czech Republic with Allison K Peterson. 

I believe this airport sign was meant to be encouraging for a 5 am flight.  

It just would have been a lot easier to live, smile and fly if your airport hadn't lost my luggage.  I'm just saying. 

Well, Prague was upon us and Allison and I were somewhat overwhelmed.  It is beautiful. It is expansive.  It has unlimited activities.  It has confusing public transportation. 

So, if you ever go to Prague (do it!), here is a little to do list to help you:

1. Take a bike tour!  What an incredible way to experience the city. 

2. Stalk the Prime Minister.

Prague Castle is absolutely timeless. An iconic symbol of Prague's history. 

Plus, the Prime Minister and his family live there.  And good news!  The raised flag means that the Prime Minister is at home that very moment.  Which is really helpful for any random passerby who might want to know the precise location of the ruler of the country.  Security concerns?  None.  Those stylishly uniformed guards with bayonettes are all his security detail.  Sometimes they like to march around. 

3. Join a crowd to watch the European Cup. Then order paella to share.  

4. Find the statue of the naked men peeing.

5. Visit the Charles Bridge with a BFF.

6. Pose awkwardly in front of the Lenin Wall.

7. Drink absinthe en flambé.  Slowly.  

Ooooooh Prague.  Now I understand why they call you the Las Vegas of Europe.  

Will you hang out with us again next summer?

I Saw The Sign

It is no secret that the Czech Republic really embraces creativity.  How do I know?  Well, my first clue was the fact that our bike guide moved there to pursue her masters degree in Puppetry. 

The Czech people love art so much that they really took the time to develop unique signage.  No simple walk signals for these guys!

Dear Czech Republic: thank you for making me laugh. 

I'm not sure what is says, but I know that there are ninjas around here somewhere. 

Too detailed?

Van Trapp family crossing. 

Grandparent crossing.  Must bring a small child. 

I Take Shots. But Not Very Well.

Listen, I love to immerse myself in foreign cultures.  So when I was challenged to shoot local liquors at each of my campaign stops, I said yes.  Was it me who challenged me to this quest?  Potentially...I don't want to talk about it.

The challenge here lay in my traditional failure in efficient shot-taking.  Everything from my defenseless stomach to my over eager gag reflex was against this plan.  So I did it. 

First up: Plum schnapps in France.  I thought: "Schnapps? Isn't that like watered down flavored vodka? Done."

I was mislead. 

Second up: Roki in Kosovo. 

I wish I could accurately describe it.  It has a similar taste to gasoline. And poison. Mixed together.  

Finally: Slivovice in the Czech Republic.  

Our waitress compared this national liquor to Sambuca.  Mind you, Sambuca resulted in the one and only time that I have crawled under a bed and vomited in a foreign country. And passed out in a bus lane.  

But a challenge is a challenge.  And I was challenged..by myself...I don't want to talk about it. 

There is no deeper love of culture. 

Here's To Us, Baby Bear!

One year ago today I drove Baby Bear home from Morgan, UT. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's to one year, Baby Bear!