Český Ráj

(Translation: Bohemian Paradise)

I just got back from a little overnight trip to an area of the Czech Republic known as Bohemian Paradise. The trip was through ECES, the school program I'm in, and it was great. There were thirteen of us, and we left yesterday morning and drove about an hour and a half to the town of Turnov, right near the Sudetenland. There we visited a newly renovated synagogue that recently celebrated its first services since before the Communists came to power. (Actually, it might have been before WWII, but I don't remember). Unfortunately the Czech Republic is having some trouble with neo-Nazis right now, and the gate and sign of the synagogue were subsequently vandalized following the services.

After visiting the synagogue we headed into the woods. We walked some beautiful trails that wound in and out of villages, and saw some idyllic houses. We got to tour Valdštejn Castle which was built in the thirtienth century. We also saw some great carvings that were carved right into sandstone cliffs in the middle of the woods. We also saw the ruins of an ancient castle. All in all we walked about 8 miles.

We stayed the night in a tiny town (tiny as in when we got there Karen, Meghan, and I went for a walk and there were no stores or street lights or anything). We stayed at a Pension, which is like a bed and breakfast. The place was a lot nicer than I had been expecting. Our tour guide went and bought a bunch of pizzas for us for dinner (since there was literally NOTHING in the area), and then we watched a Czech movie (with English subtitles). The movie was amusing, but a bit strange. They definitely have a different sense of humor.

This morning they gave us a great breakfast, including apples from the Pension owner's apple trees. After breakfast we went on a tour of a garnet gallery. We saw how they are cut and polished. Apparently they are own of the Czech Republic's gems (ha ha), and so the people are verey proud of them. Although we couldn't purchase them there, they did tell which two places in Prague were not run by the Russian mafia and actually have real ones. Since they are my birthstone, I may have to check that out, but maybe I will wait until the second week of November (hint, hint). Anyway, after the garnet gallery we toured another castle and an old farmhouse, and then we headed back to Prague.

Just a little sidenote: I just want to make a comment about toilet paper, because it is starting to get frustrating. First of all, I am yet to find toilet paper that is white. Toilet paper here looks (and feels) like the brown paper towels you find in most public restrooms in the States. It must be made out of recycled paper, but it is strange. It often comes in strange green or pink colors that seem to be trying to hide its brown/gray dingy-ness. The worst part about all of this is that half the time I find myself wishing for that stupid (yes, Mom, I just used "stupid") toilet paper, because THERE NEVER SEEMS TO BE ANY! My suite is given TWO rolls of toilet paper every Friday. There are four girls that share that bathroom. TWO. Midweek we run out. Other girls have asked the reception desk for more and they get turned down. Many public bathrooms, especially the ones you don't pay to use, don't have any either. Sorry to rant about that, but I find it kind of funny.

Anyway, I'm off with some people to find some place that will apparently be playing the Pats game. Hopefully they'll have toilet paper!