The Eco School

On the outskirts of Prague, Czech Republic there is an Eco School where students can visit and have some opportunities to learn about the farm, where food comes from and how it reaches the table and help with farm animals up close and personally.



Just a short hike down the hill we found this rustic stable. The woods around this area had many hiking trails and were thousands of years old....just on the outskirts of Prague.



A view of part of the garden that is prolifically producing vegetables. There is a little store on the grounds where people from the nearby housing area can purchase the fresh vegetables.



Mr. White Whiskers....a resident of the Ecoschool/Farm

Fulbright Hungary/Czech Repub Highlights

Elisa and Karen K


Dr. Hana Ripkova, Head of the Czech Republic Fulbright office and Jean



Huong, Amy and Rod


Lori, Martin G and his wife. Martin was one of our Fulbright hosts in Brno.

Karen B visiting with Hana's husband, Pavel.



Carridy

Jen and Diane
Since returning from the Fulbright trip people are asking what was the highlight of the trip. So many places and events come to mind...the first night in Budapest, the cruises on the Danube and Vlatva Rivers, special dinners in wine cellars and on rooftops. But the highlight for me was the people who I met as a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. We started as 16 elementary teachers from across the United States but quickly came to rely and depend on each other in this unique travel situation. We met many wonderful people along the way; Fulbright hosts, tour guides, lecturors and others associated with education in Hungary/Czech Republic.



Demonstrating with the American Language Montessori teacher a lesson typically given to youngest students on Practical Life: Water Pouring. What a lovely lady she was.




Having a gelato in an outdoor cafe on a very hot day in Budapest. Joining me is Huong and Karen K. After our cool treat we walked back through the streets of Budapest to our hotel.



Andrea, our tour guide throughout Hungary stands in front of the statue of her Great Grandfather who served in the military during the days of Hapsburg rule.



The Fulbright Group poses in Budapest, Hungary at the Heroes Square.



Our Fulbright Group posing together at the top of the mountain near Brno, Czech Republic where we had an amazing cave/underground lake tour.



My Fulbright colleagues Rita, Michelle and I are victorious in winning the most rounds in how much did you learn about Prague and the Czech Republic. We are wearing our grand prizes: stickers on our hands.


This was an interesting tree found as we toured around Prague castle. Dr. Rod and I take a minute out of hiking to pose in front of this giant...




What could be better when colleagues that I teach with just happen to be in the neighborhood and join our group for the Prague Castle tour. You will probably recognize these teachers from Corral Drive: Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Melhaff.

Kutna Hora Bone Church

Across Europe there are some ossuaries, holy places that hold the skeletal remains from earlier times. Walking into the bone church in Kutna Hora gave me an unsettled feeling at first. Viewing the bones as art seemed to give a sense of reverence to the experience. It was like being in the middle of a very unique movie set. After about 15 minutes I had to take a break and walk outside. While in the church, I felt uncomfortable about taking pictures. Here is a link to another blog: Captain Oddsocks, that shows some of the images of the Kutna Hora Bone Church in a very respectful manner. :
http://captainoddsocks.blogspot.com/2009/04/kutna-hora-bone-church-prague-czech.html

These are a few photos I took around the area of the bone church in Kutna Hora.

Liberty Statue

Not to be confused with the Statue of Liberty in NYC this statue was constructed after the second world war as a tribute to the Russian troops that freed a grateful Hungarian nation from Nazi occupation. However as the Soviets took over Hungary the sentiment of the statue changed and today is inscribed:
"To the memory of all of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, and success of Hungary."
From whatever angle one might see the statue it is an inspirational view as the lovely lady holds up a palm leaf for peace.

Just where are we?

Touch Down...

A view somewhere over New York City

Over a very snowy place is it Greenland or Iceland!!

The photos were taken out the plane window as we left Prague for JFK...
So just where are we?

The Farewell Dinner/Cruise

A farewell cruise on the Vlatva River with the Fulbright Teachers and the Prague hosts was a melodic way to say farewell to Prague and our Fulbright Adventure. First it was doubtful that we might cruise because the river was expected to rise dangerously high. Fortunately for our group we were able to take the cruise and then ended the evening with a dinner/folk music inside the Charles Bridge museum. It was a lovely ending to the 6 week summer seminar and although we were sad to say goodbye....we are ready to return home...after all school is starting soon!

A photo opportunity with Hana Ripkova, the Czech Fulbright Director, myself and my friend Frantzie, another teacher on the summer seminar.


One of the band members...














A view of the sights on the Vlatva Cruise...

Huong and I are getting ready for the cruise!

You might some of the most interesting people at St. Charles Bridge

The Eiffel Tower in Prague

The Eiffel Tower...but we are not in Paris. This replica of the Eiffel Tower was built as an observation tower when Prague hosted the World's Fair. Here we go....climbing up 299 winding stair steps shouldn't be THAT difficult now should it!!

Here is a glorious view of Prague from the lower viewing deck. Do you see the green dome that marks the top of St. Nicholas's Church? We will go there tonight for an organ and opera concert called Ave Maria.
Half-way up is a great view of the city. Take notice of my hair here...looking good, right!
Completing the final steps we can see the rooftops of Prague. The square red and white buildings are most likely flats or apartments built during the years of the communist regime.
A view from another side of the observation deck.
My hair is now a little on the wild side after huffing and puffing up those 299 steps. I had to take this picture myself as my hiking partner is a little nervous about heights.
Looking down at the sites around the base of the observation tower.
The Vltava River from up high.

Prague on a hazy day.

One more view of St. Nicholas's church..

As we started hiking down Petrin hill I paused to take this picture of the Eiffel Tower replica observation tower from a different angle. Little did I know how badly my feet would be hurting by the end of the day!! But a glorious view of a glorious city is worth a blister or two!!

Riding the Funicular up Petrin Hill

On our last Thursday in Prague 4 Fulbright friends decided to have an adventure and ride the 'Funicular' up Petrin Hill. What's a funicular, I hear you ask. Well imagine taking the trolley in Rapid City, putting train wheels on it and have it go up the side of Harney Peak....Would you want to take a ride like that...I know you'd love it. Learn a little more about the Funicular and Petrin Hill at: www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=604





We are inside the car...oops forgot to take a picture of what it looks like. We stood in the first part of the car to get a good view of 'where we have been' .












Hang on tight...here we go! It feels fun to ride up the hill backwards and see below.



















Wow...we passed quickly through the tunnel. It made me wonder what happened to the sun for just a moment.












We are still moving quickly as we rise up Petrin Hill.

As we rise up higher you get a good view of the track and tunnel.

It feels like we are climbing through the trees!

Climbing even higher and the east bank of the river side emerges.

We are close to the top now and can see the Vltava River clearly!





Here we are at the top of the Funicular.














At the top of the ride, take some time to smell the roses....

The Observation Tower at the top of Petrin Hill....next challenge: you know it! Let's climb up the 299 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of the tower :0)
We can do....let's go!