Back to My Roots

   More than 25 years ago when my mother was traveling through Europe, she went to communist Slovakia and was able to meet her Dad's eldest sister, Kamila. She stayed in her one bedroom flat in Bratislava and was able to learn more about her Dad and his family history. My great Aunt was in her late sixties during that time. Now 20 years later, I too was able to travel to Bratislava this past weekend and meet my great Aunt Kamila for the very first time, stay in her one bedroom flat in Bratislava, and travel to my grandfather's home town Brvniste, Slovakia. It was an experience that's hard to put into words, but one thing I know for sure, I will never forget it.

    My Grandpa, Vladamir Kuchalik,  was born on April 2, 1930 in Brvniste, Czechoslovakia. In 1948 he escaped the communist country and left behind his friends, family, and everything he knew. He was certain that if he had stayed, he would have either died or spent his life in prison. Joining the U.S. Army in Germany, he eventually found himself in Las Vegas. My Grandpa was the kindest, sweetest, and funniest man I have ever known. I've always had an immense amount of respect and admiration for the man that he was. He was my best friend and when he died in 2011, it was heartbreaking. I think I feel so close to his story because he was so close to me. I decided to study in Prague for the very reason of having the opportunity to meet my family in Slovakia and learn more about the life my Grandpa lived and where he came from. Not only that, but it's really special that my Great Aunt Kamila was able to meet her brother's daughter (my mom), and now 20 years later still be alive to meet her brother's granddaughter (me). 

   I arrived in Bratislava Friday morning and took a taxi to my Aunt's home. She was waiting for me downstairs, and when I first saw her it was hard for me not to get emotional. I first noticed her eyes. A deep brown with a kindness that could be seen as soon as she smiled. Just like my Grandpa. I gave her a big hug and we went upstairs where she had fixed a plethora of food for me. Did I mention that she speaks no English what so ever? So communication was very difficult to say the least and all I had with me was a Slovak dictionary. I think the clearest conversation we had with one another was when I commented on how little she was and she responded by saying she was so old. I then told her no, and that she was beautiful. She then burst into laughter and I followed. We spent the afternoon looking through old pictures and trying to talk to one another, but failing. However, I did understand her when she told me she was happy. She then took me to the train station where I bought my ticket to Brvniste for the next morning and after we went to an old church where she took a few minutes to say a prayer. We spent our evening eating dinner and watching Slovak soap operas. As much as I wanted to be able to communicate with her and tell her anything and everything, it wasn't really necessary. Us just being able to meet one another, spend time together, and smile at one another said so much. 

   Early Saturday morning I woke up and began my journey to Brvniste where I was meeting my Aunt's cousin Stanoslav. When I got off the train, I saw this little elderly man holding a bright pink flower and when I saw him I just knew he was waiting for me. He shook my hand and told me that this was the train station where my Grandpa first began his journey to America. He then welcomed me and gave me a run down of the days plans. The actual town of Brvniste is about 20 mins away from the station and only has 1,100 residents. Our short drive to this little village was absolutely breathtaking. Rolling hills of lush green grass and trees were endless. It was like something out of a movie. The best way I can describe the town of Brvniste is simple, yet charming. There were people out doing things like building sheds, painting fences, feeding chickens, and children riding bikes. We arrived at Stano's home and there we ate coffee and home made apple strudel from the apple trees in Stano's backyard. It was the most heavenly thing I've ever eaten. He then took me to the spot where my Grandpa was born and where his home used to be. It was surreal standing in the very spot where he was born in the very country he was from. Stano then informed me that my Grandpa had another living sibling, Vera, and that we were going to visit her too. Vera lived just down the road and when we arrived I met her, her husband, and her two sons Vlado and Jano. We all had lunch together and again looked through old pictures of my Grandpa's brothers and sisters. My trip to Brvniste was an unforgettable success. 

   I made my way back to Bratislava and spent my last evening with Aunt Kamila. We did the same thing as the night before, eat dinner and watch Slovak soap operas. In the morning we had coffee, bread, and jam together and then Aunt Kamila walked with me outside to the taxi. We gave one another a big hug and said our goodbyes. 

   I have a very special love for my Grandpa and I wish with all my heart that he was still alive so that I could share all of this with him. He would be so happy. It's extremely fulfilling knowing that I have already accomplished my main goal for coming here. I was able to go back to my roots this weekend and learn so much about my Grandpa, his family, and even myself. This is an experience that has made me a better person and it's something that I will carry with me forever.

My Great Aunt Kamila and I taking selfies. :) 

After our walk around Bratislava.

Stano and I at the train station.

Where my Grandpa was born.

Where my Grandpa's home used to be.

All this land belongs to Kuchalik's.

My great Aunt Vera and I. 

My Grandpa when he was still living in Czechoslovakia. He was a stud.

<3 

Bones, Churches, and Wine Make for a Good Time

   This weekend was jam packed with enthralling spunky adventures the first being Friday's trip to Kutna Hora! We woke up bright and early and made our way to the old medieval town about 90 mins outside of Prague. Our first stop was the Cistercian Monastery aka the bone chapel that contained bones of some 40,000 medieval plague victims...yes, all completely real and once belonging to actual people. Creepy, morbid, and disturbing are words that come to mind to describe this place. The bones were arranged in various weird shapes. There was even a chandelier made entirely of bones! However, I'm not going to lie, it was pretty cool and probably my favorite stop of the trip. We then visited St. Barbara Cathedral that is considered to be the finest example of late gothic architecture in Bohemia. Fun fact, due to it's silver mining Kutna Hora was the second most important town of medieval Bohemia and competed with Prague for political power and prestige. This cathedral was beautiful and gave a view overlooking the whole town which was quite stunning. After a short lunch break, we continued onto the Museum of Silver, which was an exhibition that portrayed the entire process of the extraction of silver and production of silver coins. They also took us on a 250 meter long walk about 35 meters underground through a mining shaft built between the 14th and 16th century. There were moments where I had to completely hunch over and literally squeeze through the shaft because it was so small. I don't suffer from claustrophobia, but I had a small freak out moment because for a good time when I was hunched over and walking I realized there was literally no where I could go if something went wrong. It was a scary thought, I recommend you don't allow yourself to go there if you are ever in a situation like that.
   On Saturday we left Prague once again and headed towards the South-Moravian town Mikulov where we had lunch and then took a hike up this massive hill that overlooked the whole town. The weather has been unpredictable lately, but as soon as we reached the top, the sun decided to come out and it really made the view just breath taking. After snapping some photos and relaxing a bit, we continued onto Lednice, a place that is actually on the UNESCO Heritage List as a great example of design landscaping. This park was so incredibly peaceful and angelic. We spent about 1-2 hours walking around and enjoying the weather, nature, and each others company. Our final stop for the night was Nemcicky for wine tasting and it was here we all got a little saucy. I've never been wine tasting before, so I didn't quite know what to expect. We tasted about 10 different wines starting from white, to rose, then to red. We were all fairly exhausted after walking all day and barely having any food in our system. I think it's safe to say we were all feeling pretty good after the tenth sample. We then walked upstairs where we finished our evening with dinner and unlimited wine. It was certainly a successful trip, but after spending the entire weekend away from Prague I'm happy to be back enjoying this lovely Sunday in the city of a thousand spires :)

The bone chapel in Kutna Hora.

The beautiful St. Barbara Cathedral.

Kutna Hora

Example of medieval gothic architecture. 

Moravia

Such a pretty town.

Our walk around the park in Lednice. 

Wine tasting!

Perfect way to end a long day.

 

FOMO

   So I know that I have been seriously slacking in my posts and for those of you who actually take the time to read this, I apologize.

   I’ve realized that I am suffering from FOMO, or fear of missing out. I think this is a good thing because it is making me appreciate literally everything I do, but I have this fear that someday in the future I’m going to look back on this experience and think that I could have done more because there is just so much to do! Every so often I have to stop and just remind myself that I am actually here, in Europe, living in Prague and it’s the most incredible thing I have ever done. When I take the time to stop and appreciate everything around me, I can’t help but just smile. I feel so grateful.

   OK. Now on to my latest and most exciting adventure…

   Last weekend my roommate and I had the opportunity to go hear the Dalai Lama speak…in Prague. Which just made it all the more special. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it was an experience that I’m certain I will carry with me forever. I first just have to talk about how adorable he is. He was just a tiny old man who was so silly and had probably the most contagious laugh I’ve ever heard. He had a deep little chuckle that just made the whole audience light up. He was that old man that you just wanted to take home and make him be your grandpa.

   The topic of discussion was: Respect and Compassion in Today’s Society. When he first appeared on stage, he opened with expressing his love and respect for Czech Republic’s former president Vaclav Havel, describing him as the most humble and kind man. Since being here, I have noticed the love the Czech people have for their former president and the pain they feel in knowing that he is no longer here for them.  Havel died in 2011, and the Dalai Lama made a promise to him that he would return again to the Czech Republic once more and speak to the Czech people.

   One of the biggest messages the Dalai Lama was trying to convey was to be happy and care for your self and let all the stress of everyday life wash away. Life is too short to be stressed and overwhelmed with little things that really in the end just don’t matter. If you can find peace within yourself, then you will look at others with understanding and respect and the world will ultimately be a more peaceful place. He said that Man is the ultimate destroyer of peace, but we also have the power to make this world something beautiful.

   Towards the end, the Dalai Lama allowed people in the audience to ask questions and there was one man who stood up to speak, and what he said is something that was so touching, I will never forget. He was a man from Cuba and he came with 5 other men from his country. He asked the Dalai Lama for a message to bring back to the people of his country who are currently experiencing fear and violence. The Dalai Lama responded saying that patience is the answer. Be patient and good things will happen. The tragedies that happen in this world are sometimes out of our control, but with patience you can gain the strength to overcome it. It was truly a very moving moment and everyone in the audience felt it. I'm so happy and feel so fortunate to have been able to experience something so special.

   Now onto school! I successfully passed my Czech Language class with an A. Woo! Yesterday was our first official day of classes, and I must say I think my classes are going to be pretty great. This semester I am taking Holocaust/Jewish Studies, Modern European and Czech Politics, Czech Film, and Czech Art and Architecture. With having classes on Monday and Thursday only, it gives me plenty of time to travel and see the world, something our professors actually encourage. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m not complaining.  

   I don’t want to be the lame overjoyed girl that keeps talking about how happy and wonderful everything is, but I just can’t put into enough words how incredible it is being here. This experience is everything I hoped for and then some. Everyday I feel like I’m growing into a better and more accepting person. Life is truly beautiful and I’m enjoying every second of it :) 

   There are a lot of exciting activities in the mix for this weekend. On Friday I will be traveling to Kutna Hora which is an old medieval town in the Czech Republic where there is a super awesome bone chapel and medieval silver mines, and then Saturday and Sunday USAC is taking us to Moravia where we will be attending a wine festival and taking part in other super fun things that I will make sure to write about! Also in the near future I will be traveling to Bratislava to meet my Great Aunt, and then the weekend after that possibly Germany? Poland? Ireland, maybe?  The possibilities are endless!

Below are just some photos of what I’ve been up to lately.  

Dalai Lama speaking in Prague.

Paul is my new favorite cafe/study spot.

Charles Bridge :)

The lovelock bridge. 

I love wandering the streets of Prague at night with great friends. 

Faceless babies

The most beautiful city ever.

Language Class? Czech. Boating on the Vltava River? Czech. Absinthe Bar? Double Czech :)

   Ahoj!

   This week has been the start of our intensive Czech language classes and let me tell you, intensive doesn't even begin to cover it. Every morning for the past 4 days we have all gone to our 9 a.m. class and endured 5 hours of Czech basics. One of the first things our professor taught us was how to say beer and how important it was for them to know it had it be "velky" or large. That just gives you an idea of the environment I'm in and how awesome and relaxed it is. The class has been extremely difficult, but I can now confidently tell someone my name, say hello, tell them where I'm from, ask how they are, and I now even know how to go to a restaurant and order a complete meal. I've found myself walking down the street and listening in on people's conversations and getting so excited when I know what they are talking about. I'm surprised at how quickly I've been able to pick up on everything, but then again when you are seeing, hearing, and living in the language I guess things come a little easier. You don't really have a choice but to embrace it all.

   Today after class, our professor took us to a quaint restaurant for lunch. They didn't speak any english and we had to speak only Czech to order. Everything from ordering our drink, soup, meal, and check was all in Czech. It was so rewarding to be able to understand everything you were reading on the menu and more rewarding to feel comfortable in speaking the language. However, I must say, I've only been here two weeks and I'm already tired of eating meat and potatoes but that's beside the point. 

   After lunch we took the bus down to the Vltava River where there was a boat waiting for us for our "Farewell Boat Tour". It's too cold come the end of the semester for the boat to be on the river, so they had it early for us...three months early. When we boarded,we were each handed a shot of traditional Czech liqueur and then told to go upstairs where we were able to sit outside and enjoy the most perfect view of my favorite place on this planet, the Charles Bridge. For two hours we enjoyed one another's company, drinking beer and wine, eating an assortment of snacks, and meeting our professors for our classes all while looking out and seeing the sun glisten on the river with all of Prague around us. It was pure bliss.

   Now on to the Absinthe Bar...which was SO cool. I was a little intimidated because we have all heard of Absinthe and the crazy stories told because of it. But I'm in Prague, so I had to go (my excuse for everything). It was located in Old Town and about 20 of us went in an attempt to try their Absinthe slushies. We knew we found it because the whole place was decked out in green with hundreds of Absinthe bottles filling the whole bar. The bartenders were very charming and friendly and everyone was able to try their Absinth drink of choice. I was timidly hanging out in the back when the bartender called me up and asked me what I was getting. I told him I wasn't sure if I was going to get anything, but he convinced me in trying the Strawberry Absinthe Mojito. He then told me that he loves Americans because of their beautiful smiles and when I handed him my money, he gave it back to me and shot me a wink. Day made. Have I mentioned how much I'm loving my life right now? 

   The weekend is just around the corner and the Prague Pub Crawl is in town. It's not something I would normally partake in but....well....I'm in Prague, so I kind of have to go ;) 

At the traditional Czech restaurant getting Czech speaking on.

The complicated menu that I can totally read...kind of :) 

A really beautiful cathedral we stumbled upon.

The Charles Bridge

Absinth Bar!

Bartender at Absinth Bar :) 

My strawberry absinthe mojito. Yummy.