It's also available in english on this blog, in the category "our bulletins".
Merry Christmas !
Dec 13, 2011
Christmas bulletins
Our christmas bulletins are available in the OKO office. You can discover how is christmas in Spain, Germany, Wales and France ! The bulletins are in english and as well in our languages (german, spanish and french).
It's also available in english on this blog, in the category "our bulletins".
It's also available in english on this blog, in the category "our bulletins".
Dec 12, 2011
Ahoj !
We just came back from Prague where we spent the weekend with others volunteers.
And with Annabel and Hannah, we went to an exhibition on the saturday which takes place next to the clock in the old square. It called "Czech press photo" and it's photos about all the actuality during the year 2011 but it's only czech photographer !
And with Annabel and Hannah, we went to an exhibition on the saturday which takes place next to the clock in the old square. It called "Czech press photo" and it's photos about all the actuality during the year 2011 but it's only czech photographer !
It's very interesting, you can learn a lot about what happened in the world !
More informations on this web site : http://czechpressphoto.cz/en/
Nov 30, 2011
New Features for English Club blog
Nov 29, 2011
Christmas exhibition
From today, until January, the exhibition about Christmas is opened. Alberto, Annabel, Hannah and I prepared some posters about Christmas in our country, in our families.. What is the decoration ? What are the traditions ? What do we eat for this event ? How is the new year ? If you want to know how spend Christmas in Germany, Spain, Wales, Australia or France, go to have a look in the hall of the public library of Rychnov nad Kneznou !
Have fun :) !
Nov 25, 2011
What are we doing during the weekend ?
Good question !
In fact, since we are in Czech Republic, we didn't stay alot of weekend in Rychnov because we are very curious and we want to discover a lot of regions, cities, countries...
So, here it's a little summary of our visits :
- Rakovice (a village in the south of Bohemia, at 1 hour in bus from Prague) where we made a "tamdjem project". Let's me explain : it's an organisation which propose to the persons
who live in Czech Republic a volontary work. For example, this weekend, we were in a little castle and we had to prepare the castle for the winter, so we cut wood, we did some gardening and others stuff...
- Brno : one weekend in Brno
We wanted to discover the secondbiggest city of Czech Republic and oberved the difference
with Prague. It was a very nice weekend where we met again the others volunteers. And, we had the feeling that Brno is a city which mix modern and old architecture but it seems to be a very young and cultural city !
- Krakow : one short weekend in Krakow with a car.. Very difficult to find the good way.. but we arrived in the good place !
We discovered a new country, with a new language and a new money again. It was very nice. The city was so beautiful, and there was so much things to see. We didn't have enough time to see all the monuments but we visited the old city and the castle. To je hezky !
Nov 15, 2011
Nov 9, 2011
English Club 2011
I really hope to make English Club a fun and positive experience for everyone, and if you have any ideas for activities you would like to try please let me know, (for example: reading a from an English newspaper or magazine and discussing the articles). You can contact me anytime via email from the blog.
Nov 3, 2011
Halloween
On the 31st of October and the 1st of November was ourer next expetion on the topic Halloween.
The poster tell the history of halloween and explain the tradition of trick or threat and what you do on a halloween party.
The poster will still be hanging their till end of november in the hall of the libary of Rychnov nad Kneznou if you whant to have a look :)
As well we made a flyer with a horror story at the back and a cross word puzzel about the symbols of Halloween at the front.
This time we only had two activities because on monday only Alberto and Hannah where there.
The first was a game with a witch. The task was to put the hat on the witch with a blind fold on and the other children had to help by saying up,down,right or left in english.
For the older children their was also a quiz about the information on the posters to test if they had a good look at them.
The second activity was to draw a monster.
You had to pick a piece of paper from a pile that told you what you had to draw on the monster like three eyes or two heads.
Many funny monsters were drawn.
The poster tell the history of halloween and explain the tradition of trick or threat and what you do on a halloween party.
The poster will still be hanging their till end of november in the hall of the libary of Rychnov nad Kneznou if you whant to have a look :)
As well we made a flyer with a horror story at the back and a cross word puzzel about the symbols of Halloween at the front.
This time we only had two activities because on monday only Alberto and Hannah where there.
The first was a game with a witch. The task was to put the hat on the witch with a blind fold on and the other children had to help by saying up,down,right or left in english.
For the older children their was also a quiz about the information on the posters to test if they had a good look at them.
The second activity was to draw a monster.
You had to pick a piece of paper from a pile that told you what you had to draw on the monster like three eyes or two heads.
Many funny monsters were drawn.
Oct 23, 2011
European day of languages.
During the week of the European days of languages, OKO organised an exhibition for the childrens about the languages in Europe.
With Hannah and Alberto, we prepared posters for the exhibitions and activities for the childrens. 
One activity was a game with easy words in Czech, English, German, Spanish and French.
An other activity was a game with the capitals city, languages and countries in Europe
And the last activity was a quizz about Europe
Oct 19, 2011
On-arrival Training
From 27th of september to the second of october, we went to on-arrival training in Zbraslavice. It was just amazing and very interesting. We slept in a camp next to a lake and next to a forest. We were 25 volunteers of Czech Republic, so we met the others volunteers and we had now new friends. The volunteers came from Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Russia, Lituania, Bulgaria...
Moreover, the weather was so great, during all the week, the sun was shining ! So we made a lot of activities outside like Canoe, Tarzan park, games, fire, visit of Knuta Hora...
We are just looking forward for the mid-term training in february... :)
Oct 17, 2011
Oct 13, 2011
First time in Prague
Week end of 17th and 18th September
During this weekend, we took the train to Prague and visited this city. It was very great because the sun was shining all the Saturday, so we walked around the city all the day.
Also, during our walk, we visited a wine festival in a parg, it was very interesting to see all the dressed people, and to see the traditional czech dances and the songs but also to taste the czech wine.
And for the sunday, the rain arrived so we visited the Modern Art Museum which is so interesting and good.
Here, there is a little video with some moments we spent in Prague. Enjoy :)
Oct 6, 2011
Ahoj Rychnov nad kneznou !
After Adam, Christine, Joanna, and Nicola, we are the news volunteers for OKO !
A spanish guy is in the team :
- Alberto from Murcia (in the south of Spain).
"My name is Alberto, I am 23 years old.
I finished my studies of Interior Design and I want to meet a new country and a new culture to take a break before starting to work. And it's very good to improve my English and my Czech too.
I like sports, music, playing guitar, art, design, parties and,of course, travelling."
And after, a french girl arrived :
- Élise from Lille (in the north of France)
"I finished my bachelor degree's in audiovisual after 3 years of studies. I decided to make this EVS to make a break in my studies. I have a passion for cinema, music (I practice piano and guitare), photos, and art. I want to put a lot of myself into the organization OKO and be active in the city"
Anf finally, a german girl joined us :
- Hannah from Juelich (in the west of Germany)
"I just finished school and wanted a break bevor I am going to start studying next year. I am here doing qn EVS because I wanted some time to think about what i want to do in my life and I wanted to do something social and see a new country. In my free time I like to read, knitt and do sports. As well I like to listen to musik ang visiting concerts and of cours travelling, seeing new places and meeting new people. I am looking forward to my work in OKO and to realize my own ideas. "
We arrived in Rychnov nad Kneznou one month ago. We were very surprised of the city. Indeed, it's a small city but we can make a lot of activities like swimming pool, music, bike, sport, and.. zumba.
After one month, we start to get used to living in Rychnov, we know a few good restaurants, and bar. But we have to discover a little bit more the city because during our free time, we traveled a lot.
So Rychnov nad kneznou, here we are :)
Jul 12, 2011
Summer camp
fact #1
fact#3
fact#4
All signs on the earth and sky show it's a summertime! School is over! ;)
fact #2
To be honest it's unbelievable hot!
fact#3
We braved the heat and started to make preparations for summer camp HELLO 2011 which begins already on Saturday. Hopefully, we'll have a lot of fun in coming days! There will be English and computer lessons in the morning and a lot of outdoor free time activities in the afternoon – and this part is up to us, volunteers. We are currently looking for some games, energizers and other ideas to make an afternoon offer attractive. ;)
fact#4
Of course we will report back on what we've been doing in Pec.
Jun 16, 2011
All good things...
Time is running, Adam and Christine are already gone... Me and Nicola are still here but we realize, also our EVS adventure will be over in few weeks. Well, all good things must come to the end!
I hope you will find some time to take a look at our pictures and stuff (as usual, we meet in Společenské Centrum).
These days we are preparing goodbye exhibition and bulletin that will be a little bit a journey backwards through time.
So, the last exhibition is going to do a brief overview about things volunteers do in OKO. We want to share with you our experiences as volunteers, tell again what EVS is, who can take part in, how can you profit from EVS etc. I hope you will find some time to take a look at our pictures and stuff (as usual, we meet in Společenské Centrum).
Apr 15, 2011
Quiche Lorraine
Ingredients
Dough
250g Flour
125g Butter
A pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
50g cold water
To make the pastry, sift the flour together with a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter until you have a soft texture. Add enough cold water to make the mixture come together to form a firm dough, and then rest it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Roll dough on floured surface into a well greased pie dish.
Preheat the oven to 190°C
Trim
3 eggs
200g bacon
100 g grated cheese
10 cl sour cream
25cl Milk
Salt and Pepper
Put eggs, milk and cream in a bowl and mix with a whisk.
Add a little salt and pepper.
Add a little salt and pepper.
Fry the bacon in a pan for extra flavor. Drain well for removing grease.
Place the bacon on the dough by spreading them uniformly well in the mold.
Add the bacon over the filling and sprinkle with cheese.
Place the quiche in the oven for 30 minutes at 250 °C
Mousse au Chocolat
Ingredients
180g strong dark chocolate
30cl Milk
30g butter
3 eggs
15g sugar
Break chocolate in small parts and put in a boiler. Add milk, butter and cook on low heat. Toss regularly until it is getting melting.
Put it in a bowl. Add the egg yolks and toss slowly.
In another bowl whisk the white eggs
Incorporate white eggs and whisk in chocolate mixture.
Put the “Mousse” in the fridge for minimum 4 hours.
Bon appétit!
Apr 8, 2011
Mousse au chocolat, Brezels & żubrówka - Intercultural evening in OKO
Intercultural evening is now a thing of the past but we promised you recipes for some of our national goodies. There is the first one, for Polish PIEROGI.
For me pierogi is one of meal 'to die for'. Normally a recipe for dough is a little bit different (there are only 3 ingredients: flavor, water and egg) but in my family we prefer doing dough in the way as you see. It's more smooth and tastes better. Pierogi can be filled with meat, potatoes, cottage cheese, mushrooms, strawberries - be creative!
And: Smacznego!
Ingredience:
kostka margarínu
2 hrnky vody
kilo mouky
1 vejce
sůl
Postup:
Do hrnce dejte vodu a margarín a uved'te do varu. Pak přidejte 2 hrnky mouky a společně promíchejte. Po vychladnutí přidejte zbytek mouky, vejce, sůl a vypracujte hladké těsto - hotové těsto poznate tak, že se nelepi.
Z vyváleného těsta vykrajte kolečka, dejte dovnitř směs se žampiony a kysaným zelí a zabalte. Pierogi uvařte v osolené vodě (asi 5-10 minut - až budou plavat navrch). Na konec usmažte cibule a pierogi dozlatova na pánvi potřené olivovým olejem.
***
And here are the receipes for the cherry cake (in English) and the Brezels (in German):
Zubereitung
For me pierogi is one of meal 'to die for'. Normally a recipe for dough is a little bit different (there are only 3 ingredients: flavor, water and egg) but in my family we prefer doing dough in the way as you see. It's more smooth and tastes better. Pierogi can be filled with meat, potatoes, cottage cheese, mushrooms, strawberries - be creative!
And: Smacznego!
Ingredience:
kostka margarínu
2 hrnky vody
kilo mouky
1 vejce
sůl
Postup:
Do hrnce dejte vodu a margarín a uved'te do varu. Pak přidejte 2 hrnky mouky a společně promíchejte. Po vychladnutí přidejte zbytek mouky, vejce, sůl a vypracujte hladké těsto - hotové těsto poznate tak, že se nelepi.
Z vyváleného těsta vykrajte kolečka, dejte dovnitř směs se žampiony a kysaným zelí a zabalte. Pierogi uvařte v osolené vodě (asi 5-10 minut - až budou plavat navrch). Na konec usmažte cibule a pierogi dozlatova na pánvi potřené olivovým olejem.
***
And here are the receipes for the cherry cake (in English) and the Brezels (in German):
„Kirschmichel“ – Cherry cake
Ingredients:
8 Rohlík (1-2 days old)
500 ml Milk
50 g Butter
4 Egg (yellow part)
4 Egg (white part)
1 Kg Cherries
75 g Sugar
Cinnamon
- cut the Rohlík in slices and put them in a bowl
- then heat the milk, spill it over the Rohlík and wait ca. 10 minutes
- now mix the butter, the yellow part of the egg and the sugar
- then fold in this mixture with the Rohlík
- now whisk the white part of the egg and fold it in the Rohlík mixture
- and at last fold in the cherries
- now put some butter in a casserole and give the mixture inside
- then sprinkle some cinnamon on it and put it in the oven
- bake it for 45 minutes, 200 degrees
Brezeln
500 g | Mehl (Type 550) |
300 ml | Milch |
1 TL | |
1 Würfel | Hefe |
1 TL | Zucker |
40 g | Margarine oder Butter bzw. Schmalz |
etwas | |
1 Liter | |
3 EL | Natron (von Kaiser) |
etwas | Mehl für die Arbeitsfläche |
Fett für das Blech |
Zubereitung
Die Hefe mit ein paar Tropfen von den 300 ml Milch und dem Zucker verrühren. Ca. 1/4 Std. bei Zimmertemperatur gehen lassen.
Dann diese Hefemasse mit Salz, Mehl, der restlichen Milch und den 40 g Margarine oder Butter bzw. Schmalz zu einem elastischen Teig verarbeiten und nochmals etwa 1/2 Std. im Warmen gehen lassen. Der Teig sollte sich dabei verdoppeln.
Auf einer bemehlten Arbeitsfläche gründlich von Hand durchkneten und eine Rolle daraus formen. Diese Teigrolle in etwa 16 - 18 gleiche Teile teilen. Aus jedem Teil eine ca. 30 cm lange Wurst rollen, die in der Mitte eine Verdickung hat. Daraus dann Brezen formen und nochmals 15 Minuten gehen lassen.
Dann in den Kühlschrank geben und unabgedeckt 1 Std. stehen lassen. Vor dem Ende der "Kühlschrankstunde" nun 1 Liter Wasser aufkochen und darin 3 EL Natron lösen. ACHTUNG! Langsam einrieseln lassen, das Natron wallt ziemlich auf.
Die Brezen einzeln für 30 Sekunden in das kochende Natronwasser geben (die Brezen schwimmen), mit einem Schaumlöffel herausholen, abtropfen lassen und mit dem groben Salz nach Geschmack bestreuen. Danach auf ein gut eingefettetes Backblech legen (kein Backpapier verwenden, die Lauge zerstört es!). Wenn das Blech voll ist, in den kalten (!) Backofen schieben.
Einen Wecker auf ca. 18 Minuten stellen und auf 220°C (Gas: Stufe 4) heizen. Wenn die Brezen nach ca. 18 - 20 Minuten goldbraun sind, sind sie fertig.
Dann diese Hefemasse mit Salz, Mehl, der restlichen Milch und den 40 g Margarine oder Butter bzw. Schmalz zu einem elastischen Teig verarbeiten und nochmals etwa 1/2 Std. im Warmen gehen lassen. Der Teig sollte sich dabei verdoppeln.
Auf einer bemehlten Arbeitsfläche gründlich von Hand durchkneten und eine Rolle daraus formen. Diese Teigrolle in etwa 16 - 18 gleiche Teile teilen. Aus jedem Teil eine ca. 30 cm lange Wurst rollen, die in der Mitte eine Verdickung hat. Daraus dann Brezen formen und nochmals 15 Minuten gehen lassen.
Dann in den Kühlschrank geben und unabgedeckt 1 Std. stehen lassen. Vor dem Ende der "Kühlschrankstunde" nun 1 Liter Wasser aufkochen und darin 3 EL Natron lösen. ACHTUNG! Langsam einrieseln lassen, das Natron wallt ziemlich auf.
Die Brezen einzeln für 30 Sekunden in das kochende Natronwasser geben (die Brezen schwimmen), mit einem Schaumlöffel herausholen, abtropfen lassen und mit dem groben Salz nach Geschmack bestreuen. Danach auf ein gut eingefettetes Backblech legen (kein Backpapier verwenden, die Lauge zerstört es!). Wenn das Blech voll ist, in den kalten (!) Backofen schieben.
Einen Wecker auf ca. 18 Minuten stellen und auf 220°C (Gas: Stufe 4) heizen. Wenn die Brezen nach ca. 18 - 20 Minuten goldbraun sind, sind sie fertig.
fotky ZDE
Feb 28, 2011
To be or not to be... vegetarian
The easiest distinction between vegetarians and not-vegetarians is that the first group doesn't eat meat and the second one does. That's true, but for God's sake! not only meat! We eat (we need! we expect!) vegetables, mushrooms, salads, pancakes, lentil and fried cheese with tatarská omačka...
In Sebuzin, where we had mid-term training, ladies serving up the lunch asked us every time do we eat normal. They simply wanted to know aren't we vegetarians, what in my opinion all the time confuses a little bit kitchen's daily life. I can imagine how the cooking staff spend few hours brainstorming ideas and recipes how to put menu together when they hear there will be some vegetarians on board. ;) Anyway, the findings are always amazing.
Most of us were normal. But after some time we all dreamed about being vegetarian! Why? Vegetarian portions were more varied and somehow even fancy, while not-vegetarian meant to have meat meal everyday. I liked it of course, food was unusual tasty, but on the other hand at the end I was sick of meat. OK, I eat meat, I like meat but normally I don't eat it everyday and actually I can live without meat for some time – what still doesn't make me vegetarian...
Curiously enough, described food incident it's not only Sebuzin's case. ;) I took part in more trainings, workshops, youth exchanges – both in Poland and abroad, where we were (speaking about meals) group of normal-eating-people and vegetarians, and it seems to me that veggies are really in special care.
So, a tip for the next time: pretend you are vegetarian! Your stomach will be grateful! ;)
In Sebuzin, where we had mid-term training, ladies serving up the lunch asked us every time do we eat normal. They simply wanted to know aren't we vegetarians, what in my opinion all the time confuses a little bit kitchen's daily life. I can imagine how the cooking staff spend few hours brainstorming ideas and recipes how to put menu together when they hear there will be some vegetarians on board. ;) Anyway, the findings are always amazing.
Most of us were normal. But after some time we all dreamed about being vegetarian! Why? Vegetarian portions were more varied and somehow even fancy, while not-vegetarian meant to have meat meal everyday. I liked it of course, food was unusual tasty, but on the other hand at the end I was sick of meat. OK, I eat meat, I like meat but normally I don't eat it everyday and actually I can live without meat for some time – what still doesn't make me vegetarian...
Curiously enough, described food incident it's not only Sebuzin's case. ;) I took part in more trainings, workshops, youth exchanges – both in Poland and abroad, where we were (speaking about meals) group of normal-eating-people and vegetarians, and it seems to me that veggies are really in special care.
So, a tip for the next time: pretend you are vegetarian! Your stomach will be grateful! ;)
Feb 10, 2011
Mid-Term Training
Like Joanna already mentioned in her last post, the two of us were on our mid-term training. Time is really running!
For explanation: Part of the EVS-programme is to participate on 4 trainings. 2 in your homecountry (before you go to the project & after you come back home) and 2 in the country where you're doing your EVS. Maybe you remember that Joanna and I went last October to our "on-arrival training" where we met a lot of other volunteers from different countries and got some advice for our stay in the Czech Republich (for those who don't remember it check this out).
So last week we were packing our things for 5 days in SEBUZIN, a very small village close to Usti nad Labem. After our experience in Rakovice (on-arrival training) without heating but with mice, we all hoped to come to a nicer place - and our wish was fulfilled. We stayed in a very, very nice place with heating, tasty food and very friendly people (http://centrum.originalatok.cz/).
We've met most of the volunteers from our last training again and had a lot of time to share our experience.
-How are you? homesick or not?
-How is your project?
-Have you travelled a lot (and where)
-....
So we had a lot of stuff to talk about and got some new ideas for the rest of our stay in the Czech Republic. Besides we had some workshops concerning our work (e.g ideas for conversation clubs) and our freetime (e.g.nice places to visit). We've made as well a trip to Litomerice & Usti nad Labem.
So all in all a nice training with nice people :)
For explanation: Part of the EVS-programme is to participate on 4 trainings. 2 in your homecountry (before you go to the project & after you come back home) and 2 in the country where you're doing your EVS. Maybe you remember that Joanna and I went last October to our "on-arrival training" where we met a lot of other volunteers from different countries and got some advice for our stay in the Czech Republich (for those who don't remember it check this out).
So last week we were packing our things for 5 days in SEBUZIN, a very small village close to Usti nad Labem. After our experience in Rakovice (on-arrival training) without heating but with mice, we all hoped to come to a nicer place - and our wish was fulfilled. We stayed in a very, very nice place with heating, tasty food and very friendly people (http://centrum.originalatok.cz/).
We've met most of the volunteers from our last training again and had a lot of time to share our experience.
-How are you? homesick or not?
-How is your project?
-Have you travelled a lot (and where)
-....
So we had a lot of stuff to talk about and got some new ideas for the rest of our stay in the Czech Republic. Besides we had some workshops concerning our work (e.g ideas for conversation clubs) and our freetime (e.g.nice places to visit). We've made as well a trip to Litomerice & Usti nad Labem.
So all in all a nice training with nice people :)
 |
| Our group |
Terezin and 'Death of the handsome deer'
On the way back home from mid-term meeting (yes, it is already half of our EVS!) we visited former concentration camp in Terezin. It was easily a real history lesson for all volunteers who went there with us.
But actually it is good occasion to mention one of my favourite book, written by Czech writer called Ota Pavel. Its title is 'Death of the handsome deer' and it has something in common with Terezin. Namely, Ota Pavel was descendant of Jewish family and his 2 older brothers and father were sent to this concentration camp during the II world war. In one of the chapters author describes how his father risked life to bring his sons one last meal before they were sent away to Terezin.
"In the third year of the war, the order came for my brothers to go to the concentration camp, and at home my Dad said: Before they go, these boys need to eat meat. (…) Dad was not allowed to ride his bike, except to work, he was not allowed to leave the house without permission, and he could no longer catch fish; after all, he wasn't living on the Riviera, but in the Protectorate, under the close surveillance of the police and the Gestapo. He went to see his most excellent friend in Bustehrad, Doctor Quido Jerabek, who wrote that he was too ill to go down the mines. Quido had no idea that Dad was planning to go to Krivoklat Castle for the weekend. Dad left our Bustehrad home - number 54, without his star, which he'd ripped off and stuffed in his pocket (…). Dad cycled that night through Zehrovice and Lany. Along his path, the stars shone, whereas the one in his pocket just sat and read 'JUDE'. He thought about all the things that can possibly be thought about; About how twisted and warped the world was, and how before he went around like a lord in his American Buick and now he crawled along the ditches on his creaky bicycle like a poor Jew. He rode along the serpentines of Krivoklat and pushed his bike up the hill above Visnovka, and then he peddled along the Berounka river, where the foam gathered in the pools where the pike swam, just like they had the year before. The water roared just as it had then too, and the adders sprawled across the main road in the heat." *
Lastly, he brought home meet from deer. And they all survived the war.
Ota Pavel writes about wartime frequently in his books. They all are touching and somehow optimistic and very anti-depressing, especially when he cast his mind back to the childhood and fishing, that was his hobby from when he was a child.
If you want know better Czech culture, it is a set text. And there is a film based on this book as well.
To read more about author click here.
But actually it is good occasion to mention one of my favourite book, written by Czech writer called Ota Pavel. Its title is 'Death of the handsome deer' and it has something in common with Terezin. Namely, Ota Pavel was descendant of Jewish family and his 2 older brothers and father were sent to this concentration camp during the II world war. In one of the chapters author describes how his father risked life to bring his sons one last meal before they were sent away to Terezin.
"In the third year of the war, the order came for my brothers to go to the concentration camp, and at home my Dad said: Before they go, these boys need to eat meat. (…) Dad was not allowed to ride his bike, except to work, he was not allowed to leave the house without permission, and he could no longer catch fish; after all, he wasn't living on the Riviera, but in the Protectorate, under the close surveillance of the police and the Gestapo. He went to see his most excellent friend in Bustehrad, Doctor Quido Jerabek, who wrote that he was too ill to go down the mines. Quido had no idea that Dad was planning to go to Krivoklat Castle for the weekend. Dad left our Bustehrad home - number 54, without his star, which he'd ripped off and stuffed in his pocket (…). Dad cycled that night through Zehrovice and Lany. Along his path, the stars shone, whereas the one in his pocket just sat and read 'JUDE'. He thought about all the things that can possibly be thought about; About how twisted and warped the world was, and how before he went around like a lord in his American Buick and now he crawled along the ditches on his creaky bicycle like a poor Jew. He rode along the serpentines of Krivoklat and pushed his bike up the hill above Visnovka, and then he peddled along the Berounka river, where the foam gathered in the pools where the pike swam, just like they had the year before. The water roared just as it had then too, and the adders sprawled across the main road in the heat." *
Lastly, he brought home meet from deer. And they all survived the war.
Ota Pavel writes about wartime frequently in his books. They all are touching and somehow optimistic and very anti-depressing, especially when he cast his mind back to the childhood and fishing, that was his hobby from when he was a child.
If you want know better Czech culture, it is a set text. And there is a film based on this book as well.
To read more about author click here.
*English translation by J. Naughton
Feb 9, 2011
How green you are?
Our new exhibition, you can visit in Společenské Centrum, is about environment. Our goal this time was to show easy stepss we can do in our daily life to help save the planet. Why? Small actions made by lot of people bring big change! So, we can have a no-bath-week and take shower instead or maybe let's leave cars in the garage sometimes and simply walk or ride a bike to school or work...
During today's workshops we taught how to sort rubbish into correct bins, talked about environmental issues like global warming, littering, air pollution, daily use of water etc.
In 2 weeks there will be next open day in Společenské Centrum, so don't hesitate to participate in this event. Těšíme se na vas!
Na fotky z dnešní akce se můžete podivat ZDE.
During today's workshops we taught how to sort rubbish into correct bins, talked about environmental issues like global warming, littering, air pollution, daily use of water etc.
In 2 weeks there will be next open day in Společenské Centrum, so don't hesitate to participate in this event. Těšíme se na vas!
Na fotky z dnešní akce se můžete podivat ZDE.
Jan 10, 2011
Back in Rychnov
Yes, Christmas time is over and we are all back in Rychnov to continue with our work. The time home was very nice for me because I saw my family and friends for the first time after 4 months. And somehow it was like I've never left home.
Before coming back I was afraid that it would be hard to get used to the life in Czech Republic again but until now everything works fine :)
Last friday I was with Nicola and the two volunteers of Decko at the prom of the Gymnasium in Rychnov. It was interesting to see how it is celebrated here. In Germany we usually have our prom in the summertime after finishing all the exams. Furthermore, I was surprised that everyone could dance ballroom dances here - not so usual in Germany.
All in all it was a nice evening and a good start for our next part of EVS.
Before coming back I was afraid that it would be hard to get used to the life in Czech Republic again but until now everything works fine :)
All in all it was a nice evening and a good start for our next part of EVS.
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