Gentle touch to vintage of Alfons Mucha

The biggest collection of Mucha's posters in Obecny dům. http://www.lendl-mucha.com/. 

Seasons

Actually I was expecting as bright colours as it's on the stained glass in St.Vitus Cathedral, or as vivid as on the pics in internet on Art Nouveau pages...But no, they are quiet pastel, calm and saturated as print of early 20th cent. allowed to be. 

Flirt

Ladies from the placards magnetize with their glances. Each image is full of symbolism and vitality. I met dramatic Sarah Bernard on theatrical posters, a couple from a Biscuits LeFevre-Utile  „Flirt“ , elegant females from cycles „Seasons“, „Days“, „Precious stones“...

Surprisingly among stunning ladies, flowers and fruits I found a political placard "Russia requires renovation" of 1922 and  even a sign of "YWCA" in Prague.

It was pleasant touch to the vintage and history. Highly recommend to everyone who visits Prague till July 31!  

   

YWCA in Prague

Russia needs renovation

Spanish Youth Exchange

Aaaaaa, omlouvám se všem, kdo čekají na moje novinky, no asi tak od 20.2. a celý týden před tím, byl ve znamení chystání zahraniční výměny se Španělskem z domovského sboru Josého. No a co se stalo 20.? Šťastlivě přijeli, aj přes to, že cestovní kancelář, přes kterou letěli stávkovala, no naše Španěli nezastavila! Ve středu v podvečer přijeli ke kompasu, kde si složili věci a vydali se hned do termálních koupelí v Rajeckých Teplicích, to abychom jim aspoň ten první den připomněli jaké to je být v teple, protože ty další to už nehrozilo :D Vyhřátí z koupelí, aneb lázní, jsme je rovnou vzali do klubu (bylo kolem jedenácté), kde nás čekaly pizzy. Ve čtvrtek čekala na naše Španěli prohlídka města a po vydatném obědě pro většinu španělská siesta, no pro některé to byl spíše čas zkoušky kapely. A večer na dorostu si pro nás tuším Lina připravila program. V pátek ráno jsme měli výchovný koncert, kde hrála právě kapela napůl složená ze Slováků a napůl ze Španělů. Byla jsem až překvapená jak jim to superně znělo. A kolik děcek ze škol přišlo. Bylo to úplně parádní, fakt nechápu, proč nám takovýhle koncerty neorganizovali, když já chodila do školy!! No a večer KECY. Téma zombies, které měl opět José a předcházel mu další koncert, videa apod :) V sobotu jsme si trošku pospali, ale kolem desáté vyrazili směr Banský Bystrica, kde noXcuse mělo hrát na baptistické konferenci. Před tím, než jsme tam dojeli, jsme objednali Španělům v kolibe typické slovenské jídlo/a. Jmenovalo se to sedlácký talíř, myslím, a byly tam halušky, bramborové placky a pirohy. Po příjezdu do BB,  a cesta byla fakt vtipná!!, jsme vyšli se na obhlídku městského centra, ale prostě klidně jsme se mohli jít jen projít, protože Španělům úplně k radosti stačilo to, že tam byl sníh - trochu jsem si připadala jak se školkáčkama na procházce :D A začalo nám do ho pršet, tak jsme se radš vrátili na koncert, který začal o hodinu později než měl, pro Slováky nezvyk pro Španěli norma.. Byla to ale sranda, jsem si přišla, jak kdybychom byli podplacený publikum noXcusákům, ale koncert byl moc fajn. Po jeho ukončení se sbalila aparatůra a jelo se rovnou na mládežku zpátky do Žilinky, kde nás před tím čekala každého bageta. Výjimečně měly chvály noXcuse. A že to teda byly chvály!! To je tak, když člověk na mládeži není zvyklej na ozvučený chvály. Tému měla Naďka: Racio vs emoce to taky bylo moc fajn, i když docela dlouhé, když se to muselo celé překládat. A po mládeži jsme ještě vyrazily do Voyage na pivo z čehož se vyklubala pěkná pařba! Radši to nebudu rozebírat, ale někteří překvapili!! V neděli shromko a po obědě v Escepe, který nám Evka připravila, hurá na španělský camp. Tak jestli e-camp býval vždy super atmoška a všechno, tak tohle mě neuvěřitelně překvapilo!! Španělé jsou ještě šílenější než Američani!! Asi proto, že v noci nespí... stačí jim jejich siesta po obědě. Nebo aspoň tak na mě působili. No pravda i já, co chodívám spávat v deset, jsem chodívala až ve dvě, takže jde vidět, jak bylo super :) No, ale ve středu odjeli :((((( 

Aaaaa, my apologize to everyone, who is waiting for any news from Žilina, well since February 20 and whole week before we prepared our youth exchange with Spain from the home church of Jose. And what happened on 20^th? They safely arrived, even though the travel agency was striking, well it did not stop our Spanish friends. On Wednesday they came to Kompas, accommodated themselves and headed right to Rajecke Teplice – spa. To remind them what is warmness, because in next days there was nothing like that in plan. After that we went to club for pizza party (it was about 11 pm). On Thursday we had sight-seeing tour and then after great lunch most of Spanish had their siesta, but some of them had to practice like 6 hours with band. And in the evening teenage meeting where Lina had a talk. On Friday there was educational concert, it was so great. There was band half from Slovakia half from Spain and they were just awesome. I was so surprised how many students came and also I was so jealous of them. Why we did not have anything like that when I was student!! And at the evening KECY. The topic was zombies, Jose was talking, and there was also concert, videos etc :) On Saturday we went to Banska Bystrica, where noXcuse had concert at one baptistic conference. During the travel, which was really funny, we stopped in koliba (typical Slovak pub) where we ordered typical Slovak food/s. It was called farmer plate and there were three typical Slovak meals (halušky, bramborové placky, pirohy). After our arrival to BB we went to see a city center. But we could had also gone just for the ordinary walk because for Spanish all they needed to have fun was slow, so I felt like with kids from a kinder garden :D When it started to rain we went back for the concert of noXcuse which started one hour later – normal for Spanish weird for us…. It was fun even though I felt like noXcuse brought also their own funs. After concert we went straight to the youth group meeting. Where Franch loafs was waiting for us. Naďka had a talk: Racio vs emotions. It was great – long because of translation but good. NoXcuse had worships and it was so awesome, well I think mainly because we are not used to have band for our regular youth groups. After youth group we went for beer to the Voyage pub – it was more party with dancing than just drinking beer but I will rather not to talk about it more. But some of us surprised!! On Sunday we went to church and after lunch in Escape we went to Spanish camp. And I have to tell you – if e-camps are super awesome with this special atmosphere this was even better what really surprised me!! I think Spanish people are even more crazy than Americans!! I supposed it was due to the fact they did not sleep at all. They just had their siesta after lunch and that was it. Well even me, who is used to go to bed around ten was going to sleep around two, so you can see how they influence me and how great time we had!! But they left us on Wednesday :((((( 

About briliant people I am fortunate to meet

Once (time flies away so fast that I would say „once upon a time...“ :)  I was offered to meet a girl  from Calgary YMCA (Canada) for showing a bit of YMCA here in Prague and also sightseeing. What do you think happened then? Brogan and me found out that we have a mutual friend!... You never know :) 

With Brogan McPherson

These etudes are devoted to briliant people I am fortunate to meet and also incredible moments happened to me here in Prague.

Once in Friday evening I was staying on a busstop waiting for a tram when a women asked me if I speak English. She was glad to hear ``yes`` and ask if I know where she needs to get off a tram 9 to reach the hotel she and her family stayed. She knew only the hotel name and a street where it's placed. I didn't know and switched on the tablet to find out it on a map. Google maps search don't really work off-line so I didn't even know where to look for...I asked people in my poor Czech but they didn't know as we'll. Finally one lady gave us the direction and the Irish family seeking the way to the hotel got saved...they thanked me and then the woman streched out the hand trying to put some cash into my hands...I said ``no,no money`` and they were gone to the opposite side of the road...I shouted ``Just wait for the #9!`` and heard someone's voice backward "Sorry. I heard you speak English. Could you please help me?'' I turned and saw a man keeping a map in his hand...to get his hostel he needed to get number 9 in the same direction with me. So were sitting in a tram, searching for the station he is to get off and talking about New York storm happend receintly, YMCA Festival gonna happened next year, places to go in prague and Czech food he is recommended to taste... :) that's how life is made with short ongoing stories and people who are in the way somewhere. Nice evening :)

Usually a child starts to speak when s/he is about 2, 5 y.e... I am really like a child here in Prague because after 2,5 months spent here and being silent I start to speak a little Czech. Recently I was proposed to help sometimes in kindergarten YMCA Skolka working with toddlers 2-4 y.o. They speak Czech better then me, but we still understand each other :) Kids are the best teachers and inspires. With them we became dreamy and pure again!

A few times I took part in therapy class for seniors leaded by Petr Veleta, gorgeous person and professional balley dancer and pedagogue. These classes opened another world for me, the pure and sincere as kids‘ world is. Each senior turnes to young and happy standing up and slipping elegantly on the floor in front of a group applauding. They dance despite dementia and 70-100 lived years. I am wondering how their life and their temper can be screened in each motion while they are dancing!

Hobby as something coming from inside can say a lot about who we are. Young people dancing with seniors can be only generous and kind. As Luciano. In fact Luciano introduced me to Petr Veleta and with them both I also deepened into life of modern National theatre in Prague, world of classic art here.  The theatre for me is a kind of harbour of relaxation. Especially I found myself delighted with music. I began to listen up to each sound of orchestra playing, trying to allocate sounds of seperate instruments. Sometimes I forget about what is happening on a stage watching into orchestra pit or closing eyes and enjoyng.

Dancing Ginger and Fred. Pic by sweet heart  Elly Walch 

One day I wrote: “Hot oatmeal cookies with milk were worth the efforts. Magic day. Today I found a friend. Her name is Lily. Lily is an English-speaking lady Pekinese originally from Czech. Lily has sweet caramel color and touching tenderness toward me :) Realizing that it was time to leave, Lily ran up to me, for a second reached out a tiny paw (literally!) and not waiting for a feedback ran out of the room... it was our second meeting. What will happen next? :) 

Betka, my Prague year Angel and boss too, encouraged me to join so called women „skupina“ in NGO for immigrants „Inbaze“. I met a wonderful Oksana there. A girl originally from the same Ukrainian area where my daddy from. I felt something very FAMILIar and native in a way how she speaks and found her extremly lovely to be a friend with! :)

There are people we meet and feel like we are familiar for years. I will not mention here every briliant person I am fortunate to know. But I just wanna say „THANK YOU“ and wish you all the best and warm! See you once again! :) 

Yours,

Anastasiya 

GLT in Slovakia

During the last weekend I had an opportunity to participate at one event named GLT (Group Leadership Training) Whole event was placed at the near village Terchová and we were living at cottage named Small Fatra. Accommodation was quite good even though the lower part of the cottage was really wet and cold, but after whole Saturday outdoor I think everywhere was warmer then outside. There were 23 of us, including people who were preparing food for us.  On Friday leaders introduced us the program and when we had thought we supposed to go to bed they gave us snowshoes and we went for a little walk to the mountains above the village. It was very nice and extraordinary to have such a trip during the night. Because when else you would go running it he field during the night, right? We went back about eleven thirty and fortunately leaders were so kind that they skipped the other program and we were allowed to go to bed. On Saturday as I said before we were outdoor whole day – building igloos. I have built igloo and slept in it before thanks to my experiences from Royal Rangers, where I went during my childhood and then was part of the leading team. But it was really interesting for me to learn how to built igloo correctly, but I would never thought about cutting snow blocks out of the snow and then building an igloo from them. It was really awesome experience, even though Swiss told us the snow is pretty bad for building anything. We interrupted our building twice – for food of course. There was one group in charge of preparing lunch for us. We had cheese fondue and then meet which we boiled in prepared broth + Miloš Myjavec brought us rise from the cottage. As a dessert we had chocolate fondue with fruits. We came to the cottage just to have time to take a shower before dinner. After dinner Janči had a talk about changes. It was very interesting for me, because, to tell you the truth I hate changes. But I am well aware of the fact we all need to know how to deal with them because they just filling our lives. As closure we had a short time of worships and prayers and then Magnificent nine pack their few things and went out to sleep to the igloos. I was not between them, so I will not try to describe how they liked the night, but when I remember how I had slept in the igloo I was really surprised how warm it was inside, at least as warm as to be able to sleep at night. Sunday morning was really tough. We had to wake up one hour earlier to have enough time to go to one mountain called Stoh. We have not made it to the top though, but it was nice trip. Even though just half of us went to the trip and other stayed under the mountain and sledged on the plastic bags. At the end we evaluate the whole weekend, to do all formalities.

To summarize it: I had a great time! Because it is not so usual to spent whole weekend outside with snowshoes on with so many great people and learn new skill can come handy one day.

You can see some photos below:

Wonderful week / Nádherný týden

Last week was just awesome. I do not know why but all week I just felt so much joy that sometimes I wondered if it is even good for me. Otherwise it was just an ordinary week. Every morning I shoveled the snow and I am telling you it was interesting how much snow has fallen every day. I think it was more and more every day. But I am not sure, maybe I was just more and more tired. Then I "worked" at the office every day and in the afternoon I spent time in a club with young people. I did not have my English conversation because children had still their holydays. And I think mainly because of that they did not come to other activities as they usually do. So there were less people everywhere but we still had really great time at the teenager´s meetings and then on Friday I and girls from younger teenager group we went to visit one of their formal leader who has a baby now. We made hot-dogs and talk about our new year´s verse which we have tossed in the church last Sunday. It says that we have our sins forgiven but we should not keep this news just for ourselves but to talk about it with others. I think it was encouraging for all of us, to remember this thing what is so well known but so easily forgotten. Then we went to Spanish party at club where we learnt many funny things about Spain, played their crazy games etc. On Saturday I had cleaned a house and then I realized I was having nothing to do at all. Fortunately Tomáš saved me and invited me to the trip to a nearby tower ruins with him and his mum. It was great trip enjoying just the fact I could be outdoor in our beautiful nature which round Zilina. I came home just in time to get ready for youth group meeting, where we were talking about our new year´s verse again. At first we were talking about our personal verses. I have tossed, well not me but Evka have tossed for me verse from Lamentations 3:39 and I think it pretty much fits my situation. Then we talked about a verse which was tossed for the youth group. It says: I am Your servant; give me understanding so that I may know Your decrees. Majo had very interesting talk about it but very very long so at the end I was not able to concentrate at all. And Sunday was so full - lunch at Danka and Ajo´s, movie with girls at my home and then visit to the other Tomáš who is sick all week with Aďka, Dušan and Tomáš. 

Minulý týden byl naprosto super! Ani vlastně nevím proč, ale celý týden jsem cítila tolik radosti, že jsem si občas říkala, jestli to vůbec je zdravý :D Mimo to, to byl naprosto obyčejný týden. Každé ráno jsem odhrnula sníh, co byl před domem a řeknu vám, nevím jestli každý den nasněžilo víc sněhu nebo jsem byla jen víc unavená, ale každopádně jsem se ke konci týdne začala těšit na neděli, kdy mi končila odhrnovací služba. Dopoledne jsem pak trávila v kanceláři, kde jsem "pracovala" a odpoledne s lidma v klubu. Jelikož v pondělí tu ještě měli prázdniny, tak jsem neměla svou angličtinu a řekla bych, že díky tomu, že to byl první týden školy, tak lidi moc ani nenapadlo dojít na ostatní aktivity, ale s těma, co došli, jsme si užili kopec srandy, jako obvykle. V pátek před klubem, jsme zašly s holkama na návštěvu k jedné z bývalých vedoucích, která je momentálně doma a stará se o miminko, co se jí narodilo a tam jsme se bavily o veršíku, který pro naši holčičí skupinku vytáhla Lucka a kde se psala dobře známá  a často opomínaná věc o tom, že si nemáme nechávat pro sebe tu dobrou zprávu, která nás očistila od našich hříchů, ale máme o ní mluvit s lidmi kolem nás. No a pak nás v klubu čekala španělská párty, kde jsme se dozvěděli jo zajímavé věci o Španělsku :D V sobotu jsem dopoledne s hrůzou zjistila, že jsem stihla všecko uklidit už v jedenáct a mám  neplánovaně volný den! Naštěstí mě zachránil Tomáš, který mě i s jeho maminkou pozval na výlet na nedalekou zříceninu, takže jsem nemusela celý den sedět doma nebo se poflakovat po městě. Večer jsem šla samozřejmě na mládež, která byla jako obvykle moc dobrá, no tentokrát docela hodně dlouhá. Nejspíš hlavně kvůli tomu, že na začátku jsme se hodinku sdíleli, potom každý četl svůj novoroční veršík a mluvil o tom, co pro něho znamená a pak měl Majo slovo na novoroční veršík, co vytáhl pro mládež. Můj veršík, který mi vytáhla Evka je z Pláče 3:39 a myslím si, že na mě celkem sedí. Mládežnický veršík je ze žalmu 119:125 a Majo na něj měl hodně dobré slovo, nicméně ke konci jsem se přistihla při tom, že nejsem schopná se jakkoli soustředit. Neděli jsme měla nezvykle plnou. Ranní shromko, oběd u Danky a Aja, film s holkama a nakonec společná návštěva s Aďkou, Dušanem a Tomášem našeho druhého Tomáše, který byl už týden nemocný.

Georgia - trip to Svaneti

Last trip with Petra (Czech). First trip with Madis (Estonia). Three days wandering around Georgia from one end to the other. Eleven hours in marshrutka in Mestia. The return trip was a racier with hitch-hiking from Mestia to Kutaisi. One experience after another, as it is usually in Georgia. But the experiences are priceless, that´s right. And we returned full of new energy. I'm already looking forward to go back there in the spring. Svaneti has amazed us. We went eight-hour trek from Mestia toward the mountain Ushba, which climbers called it "Caucasus Matterhorn". And this mountain aroused strong respect. It was a wonderful trip with wonderful weather. Even at night when we slept in all clothing we had with us. We climbed under the Ushba 3000mnm, we are treading in the snow, was dressed only in a T-shirt and enjoy the beauty and quiet. No one anywhere. The original plan was to find a small lake, but without success. At least Madis built his first snowman, we slipped ass over the hill and ate snow. Along the way we found out how convenient it is when you are able to at least somewhat speak to georgian. Because then marshrutka driver can offer to you for lunch, even when everyone else waiting for you in marshrutka.. And then take up directly in front of hostel. Tomáš and Florian warned us that hitchhiking of Mestia is quite expensive, so we are prepared for it, and Georgian sentence "We have no money, we are volunteers" fortunately helped. In hitchhiking back to Kutaisi Madis found his new talent, probably it will be his future job in Estonia (or maybe in Georgia also). For me cows were the funniest. When I was little, and I ran out, I always had to be home when the street lamps lit. Cows in Mestia it had pretty similar. It was sixth o´clock and all the cows mooing obediently in front of their door, came back of the pasture, and they wanted to go home. Morning they set off again, like usually at ten o'clock..on everything is enough time. Looking back I realize, most of the photos are either Usha or cows. I do not know what fascinated me more :). 

                                                                                                                          Libuše

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5TMIY8UEgg&feature=plcp

Etudes

Being honest, I was going to make the story structured and sequential... But it's so helpful sometimes to go far from structuring, planning, being logical... Here the etudes of wonderful, strange and/or touching episodes happened to me here in Prague so far. Hopefully you will enjoy the reading as me enjoyed these moments : ) 

The first impression about Prague citizens „rules“ it was that people don‘t really care where they cross roads. I came from Belarus where we got used to cross the roads following only green lights in defined places. Despite my habits in 3 days being in Prague I saw the benefit of crossing roads wherever and now I break the rules as well : ) 

I still remember the funny story happened to me in the very first evening in Prague. I came to a store (obchod) and couldn’t go out because the automatic doors didn’t identify me...Smiling security man said „Taková malá paní“, - then he raised his hand up and the doors got opened...Now every time going out of this shop I shake my hands above the head to let the smart doors to see me : ). By the way CR people take fourth place in a list of the tallest nationalities in Europe!

I’m also impressed how much respectful Prague people are toward elderlies. If an old man come in a tram/metro passangers sitting nearby an entrance at the moment will stand up and give the place. And elderlies take this as it supposed to be! In Belarus we have lots of grannies who can even kick you with a stick because giving her a sit you treated her as a granny J. Second thing which is seemed to be unusual for me is saying „Dobrý den“ („Hello“) and “Nashledanou” (“See you”) to everyone in a public elevator even in offices buildings! So lovely!

Once I went to a theater - Archa. Dancing performance started  with a short introduction which put the beginning for invisible dialog between performers and audience. In first minutes of the action I’ve got the impression that the audience invited to the reheasals and somehow we look at them not obviously like artists-impressionists probably looked at their dancing models.

The first action - "420 people" http://www.archatheatre.cz/cs/predstaveni/420people-vaclav-kunes-wind-up-itzik-galili-the-2nd-monkey/?date=2012-11-04 - simulated the clock mechanism. When spring comes clock require repair. It’s so symbolically for Prague.  I caught myself thinking that it is so similar to the story of the astronomical clock in Old Town Square, which were bombed in the last days before the liberation during World War II. After being destroyed much time was needed to watchmakers to restore the centuries-old mechanism ...

Expression of body language made me feel waving inside. And after the intermission I kept not obviously looking at... conflict between a dancer and a director-choreographer. This issue could be especcially understood by those who at least once was behind the scenes. After the play, discussion with actors began. It turned mainly to a topic of relationship between  actors and directors... We all are actors and directors of our lives, so we can easily draw parallels.

At the end of the recital, the debates were continued in the theater cafe. I was wondering again how much people attract people, random meetings are not accidental. Then the evening turned to  "Kasino" festival, where the works of young creative people were represented, ordinary people with simple and creative ideas that dared to show their ideas to the world. Brutal  youth gathering, inspiration and ... the next magical day came:-)

I knew a little bit more about Czech history and modern Czech people lives when went to a cinema for a movie "7-dni-hrichu" ("7 days of sins") http://www.blueskyfilm.cz/film/7-dni-hrichu. Good one. It's interesting to deepen into the international conflicts from person's prospective. Some common motives with "Katyn", "Alpine ballad" and etc. Touching love during the war story... I was surprised that I was not only one lonely girl in the hall watching...there was one more : ) the rest seemed to be couples in love : ) 

Bare lights of night lamps are sparkling through thick fog which covered Prague. Someone is singing a lullaby for a yellow sickle of the moon. Like a swing it is vanishing and appearing again straight above the house across a street. Amazing evening. Amazing Prague. Amazing life. 

With love, Anastasiya