Happy Name Day, Marika!

Today we celebrate, Marika! 

Marika is of Danish origin (a variation of Mary) meaning "star of the sea".

Happy Name Day, Robin!

 Today we celebrate Robin.  Happy Name Day, Robin!

Robin is of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame"

Happy Name Day, Zdislava!

Today we celebrate Zdislava.  Happy Name Day, Zdislava!

It might be cold out, but it sure is beautiful!

The view from Charles Bridge on a brisk winter day

Charles bridge as seen from Old Town Bridge Tower

Mala Strana (Lesser Quarter)

Certovka (Devil's Stream)

Dome of Church of St. Francis

Orloj

The Strahov Monastery

Happy Name Day, Otýlie!

Today we celebrate Otýlie.  Happy Name Day, Otýlie!   

My Favorite Webcam

This is my favorite webcam in Prague because it's live!  It's in Old Town Square facing Orloj, the astronomical clock.  Every hour on the hour (until 9 p.m.) the clock chimes and you can watch the eleborate performance here
http://www.earthcam.com/czechrepublic/prague

Happy Name Day, Ingrid!

Today we celebrate Ingrid. 

The name Ingrid is of Scandinavian and Old Norse origin, and means ""Ing's beauty".  In Norse mythology, Ing, God of earth's fertility, rides the land each year to prepare it for spring planting.

Snowy Road

As I was driving home from Benešov, I noticed how beautiful everything looked blanketed in fresh snow.  A small stretch of the roadway is in a valley and the scene there was so picturesque that I had to pull over to snap a photo...

This little yellow house looked so serene amongst the trees and snow...

Catch Anthony Bourdain in Prague

Be sure to tune in to the Travel Channel on Monday, February 1st, at 10 pm Eastern...Anthony Bourdain finally travels to Prague!  Prague is all of his favorite things ...beer, smoked meats, and cigarettes.  He will be in heaven.

Happy Name Day, Zora!

Today we celebrate Zora...Happy Name Day, Zora!

Zora is of Slavic origin and means dawn or sunrise.

A walk through the village of Ostředek

My parents have a house in Ostředek, and one of my favorite pastimes in the winter is strolling around.  It's so very peaceful and I love hearing the various village sounds...dogs barking, birds singing, children playing, someone cutting wood for their fireplace (or perhaps their old-style kitchen stove).  The scents are wonderful too... wood burning, someone baking a delectable pie or bread, and the fresh air....it's just so wonderfully crisp!  We're pretty lucky because in some villages you can be overwhelmed by the smell of coal buring.  There's a little bit of that in the air in Ostředek too, but I happen to like it because it's a familiar scent of village life.

This is our beloved Čert, who always joined me on my stroll.  He loved catching snowballs and visiting all of the local dogs.  I'd always stop at the village grocer and buy him a parek (Czech hot dog) and he'd sit  just outside the door staring in...patiently waiting.  He was a best friend and will be in our hearts forever.

We miss you, Čert

The village of Ostředek

Happy Name Day, Miloš!

Dneska má svátek, Miloš. Happy Name Day, Miloš!

Milos is of Slavonic origin meaning meaning great, famous; peace; fame, glory.

It is also a pet form of the name Miroslav.

Happy Name Day, Milena!

Dneska má svátek, Milena. 

Today we are celebrating Milena ...Happy Name Day, Milena! 

Every day in the Czech Republic is associated with a name, thus "name day" or as we say, "svátek" (holiday).  It's not as big of a celebration as a birthday would be, but it's still something we Czechs honor.  It's not necessary to do so, but some people give a small gift, such as a bottle of wine, flowers, or candy.

Wintertime in Prague

As I sit here in Brooklyn, cup of hot tea in hand, I'm looking out of my window at the gray sky overhead and it reminds me of my time in Prague.  Although it's cold, Prague is still beautiful in January... especially when it's snowing!  It was wonderful walking around in a familiar city, yet when the snow started to fall and blanket everything in white, I felt as though I was seeing it for the very first time.