Sunday, September 12, 2010

Hi! Final Trip to Europe to the Czech Republic











It's been awhile since my last post. Had company and just getting back into the swing of things. Bare with me, regarding reading your comments and blogs. Now, As you can recall, I did two posts re my trip to Europe with my husband. All of these places occurred from a two week period. The purpose of this trip was to help me heal from my mother's death, as well as meet mother's family for the first time. Mother was borne in Czechoslovakia, which is now referred as the Czech republic. Prior to going to Prague also referred as Praha, my French relative connected me with Philip. Philip was a distant cousin, age 24, who spoke and could read and write in English. I began an e mail correspondence with Philip and we decided to meet when we were in the Czech Republic. Gerry, my husband and I planned to stay in Prague and then eventually meet Philip and go to his hometown, Ceska Lipa.The hotel we stayed at had a kitchenette and offered the greatest continental breakfast. We ate alot of cheese, salami, fruits, bread, and regular coffee unlike the thick and strong coffee in France. Prague is a very old city. There are alot of structures built in the 1700's. We put on our walking shoes and saw wonderful sites. At first, we were worried that people wouldn't understand us but that was rarely a problem. Prague has a no. of long,stone bridges, some for car s and others for tourists to take a slow paced walk. My favorite building was a Catholic church. Within this church there were 22 individual small altars. The church throughout it's history had add ons. This was a famous tourist attraction. Prague gad a no. of buildings with beautiful carved figures. There is a square that people build food from the different vendors in the square. At the end of the square is a museum and a large statue. One day, we came across a bridge where people were selling items from purses,jewelry, pictures. The prices were very reasonable. We were told that the Czech Rep. was less expensive to visit than most countries and we would have to agree. The Czech Rep. is noted for it's handmade glassware. I went nuts looking at the shops and bought some glassware for gifts. My mother always told me that her father had been a glassblower. We walked alot, by choice, but Prague has an old established trolley system that travels within the city. Although, We ate we lost weight because of the exercise. We traveled by a subway system to a stop where we would meet Philip. We meet Philip and his father(he spoke no English). Philip was our interpreter, we traveled for almost 2 hours to the city of Ceska Lipa. It's a small town. Upon arrival we meet Philip's mother and younger sister, Vandula. (she spoke some English). As we were moving into the living room, an elderly woman, Vera, approached. This woman is my mother's youngest sister. Aunt Vera and began to cry, hug and kiss one another. Aunt Vera couldn't speak English, but patted my butt indicating that both she , myself, and other family members had a large body frame. we just laughed. We sat, ate a meal and drank wine. Later that day, little did we know that a no. of family members were invited to Philip's house to meet us. Philip, for 4 hours did interpretation while food and wine was shared. All of my life, I have always felt some emptiness not having my Czech family, but now that was not so. My husband and I left the Czech rep., went back to France to return on a flight to America. This trip was great. I gave my French and Czech families a photo album of my family in America. They in turn, gave us a total of 4 bottles of wine, vodka which we had to smuggle through customs. We did it!I still have contact with mu European family. This trip was the key to help me to heal with my grief. When I think of Mom and get sad, I go back in my mind to what I have gained. Life is too short and I've learned that sadness , anger will take away what"s good in life and people.

29 comments:

  1. Hi Rose, I blew up your map of the Czech Republic because my husband's first wife's family were originally from Hungary --which is now Slovakia now... it's southeast of the Czech Republic. George has never been there ---and that family moved to the USA many years ago. They are all dead now.

    Great pictures---and I'm so glad you got to visit that area. Do you think any of them will ever come to the USA to visit you??? That would be so neat.

    Thanks for sharing, Rose.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. Rose - you sure did have the trip of a lifetime. I am so glad you shared the memories with us. Sandie

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  3. What a wonderful healing trip you had! Is that one picture Phillip and your aunt?

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  4. I am so happy for you. Sounds like a wonderful trip, a trip that I would love to make. All of my grandparents came from Czechoslovakia when they were children. Actually they are all in a picture on my blog today for Grandparents day.
    I am glad you had an opportunity to heal you heart.

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  5. Great photos. I've always wanted to visit Prague! Thanks for coming by. Getting comments makes spending the time blogging worth it!

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  6. Hi Rose, I'll be back later in the day to read this post. I was just closing down the computer and I saw that you left me a note. So you are up late also. Rose, get to bed!

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  7. Good morning Rose,
    So glad that you were able to make this trip. I've enjoyed reading your posts,

    Jane

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  8. WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIP FOR YOU ROSE, I AM SURE YOU HAVE GREAT MEMORIES EVERYDAY. THANKS FOR SHARING. RIZZI

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  9. What a cute story about your aunt patting your behind!!!! I do hope I get to travel abroad someday...I should take you and let you be my guide!!!

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  10. What a wonderful ending to your story--getting to meet your mom's sister, plus all of the other family members! I'm glad you found closure in your trip. The pics are wonderful!
    I've missed you in your absence. I'm glad you are back on line. Take care. Kathy
    PS My mom's family has large frames(and butts) too--I inherited it as well. LOL

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  11. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Your last words are so true. As I get older, I really miss my family. Counting mom and dad their was 10 of us and I am the only surviving one left. I miss them but do not dwell on it to much or I get down. I am so glad you got to make that trip.

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  12. Great recount of your trip. I was there two years ago but the Euro was so pricy I did not buy any glassware which I now regret not buying at least one piece.
    Joyce

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  13. Rose, this final post about your trip just gave me goose-bumps! You wrote it so beautifully. I'm so happy you were able to make the trip and find the closure you needed. What wonderful memories you have now!

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  14. To meet your Mother's sister must have been a glorious experience - sort of completes a circle. And I would guess that Vera meeting you was a way of connecting with her sister's life.

    Because of the Iron Curtain we did not hear alot about Czechoslovakia, but years later I saw a film about Prague and because of the number of old buldings still standing I knew I wanted to visit.

    Glad you made the trip, and it sounds as though it was as therapeutic as it was fun.

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  15. Rose,
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip - I understand how much it must have meant to you! What a treat to connect with family like that and that it has helped you! I understand loss all to well....
    Glad your back and all is well,
    Kathy

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  16. I sure enjoyed reading about your trip! My dad's aunt lived in France, and when she visited us in Michigan, she remarked that our coffee was like water! She said theirs was very 'thick' and she had to add several spoon fulls of instant coffee to the coffee we served to her!

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  17. I love all your pics of Europe! I do so want to visit! It is lovely, I like how they keep the old, we seem to get rid of it here! Glad you had a great time!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  18. Wow, Rose! What a wonderful trip you had. We are planning a vacation to Europe in 2013 for our 35th wedding anniversary. I'm even more excited after seeing your pics!

    Glad you had a wonderful visit.

    Love to you~

    Rebecca

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  19. Wow, those pictures are very impressive. It sounds like a fascinating trip. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
    xoRobyn

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  20. Great photos! It's fun to make memories. :-)

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  21. Sounds like a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  22. I know that must have been something for your Aunt Vera to finally be face to face with her sister's daughter. The albums were great parting gifts to your family - though their wine and vodka gifts weren't too shabby either. Great pictures (and thanks for making it so we could see them enlarged) what an amazing place. I didn't know Prauge had a subsway system, but I've seen their old red and white trollies on youtube. Seems like you had the trip of a lifetime and I know you enjoyed it, especially seeing all your relatives. Great to see you back here sharing it with us all.

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  23. Hi Rose: What a beautiful trip you made. How lucky you are to have made it. I am so happy for you. It sounds like you made beautiful memories and healed old hurts. Blessings dear friend, Martha

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  24. I don't know if you were reading me yet when I did my series on being adopted, and on meeting my biological family when I was 30 years old - point being, I understand the depth of emotion in meeting your mother's sister and family, the filling up of a hole that you've had over not having had them in your life. What a wonderful opportunity this was for you, and I know your mother would have been so pleased that you did this.

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  25. I think knowing where we came from is so important in helping us understand who we really are. How fun to meet relatives and gain a new family! Nice pictures and I'm glad you have those wonderful memories. How hospitable total strangers can be..and then they become wonderul friends!

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  26. Hi Rose! Nice you had company to enjoy! My son and I love company!

    Thank you for sharing your obviously Awesome trip with us! How fabulous!! I love your pictures and discriptions! The map was very, very interesting too!

    Have a Great Weekend, Rose!
    HUGS,
    Coreen

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  27. I've always wanted to go to the Czech Republic. Maybe some day we can take Molly. It's wonderful to visit the country of ones roots. I love the photos. Really beautiful! Have a lovely weekend!!!

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  28. I can't imagine having to be separated from my family and never being able to see them again. I'm sure it was a special time...particularly for your mom's sister.

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  29. Thanks for sharing your story. It's great to get back to your roots.

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