Late September Peaches!! (unbelievable...)

When we were at the farmer's market in Ceske Budejovice the last Saturday in September, we stopped by one of the vendors...our dear friend who often sells us eggs and shelled walnuts. She had a plastic bag full of small dark colored fruit, saying something in Czech that we didn't understand. We bought the whole bag for 30 kroners.  Mark thought they must be plums, which were still in season. Neil, however, noticed that they were fuzzy and thought.....peaches?!?
When we brought them home and cut them open....voila!

Can you believe it?! Purple and red peaches harvested in late September right here in South Bohemia. They were/are absolutely delicious.
I have enquired with my Czech colleagues in Horticulture what the name might be. They're looking and will report back. They believe it to be a very old cultivar that has been grown here for some time. Apparently our vendor has her own trees from which these came.

Here's a picture of other plums and the treasured peaches that we got that day. The little yellow plums are also a late variety, as most of this type were ripe in July and August when we first got here.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official University of Minnesota or Fulbright Program blog. The views expressed are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations, or the University of Minnesota.

Off to the Opera!

Well, what an opportunity we had the second evening that we were in Prague for the Fulbright Orientation. Off we all went, all gussied up, to the National Theater to see Mozart's Don Giovanni!

Of course, it was at night time, so this picture (above) is from earlier in the afternoon when we passed the Theater on our Arts Tour.
Here's your ticket (courtesy o Fulbright--Thanks!)....do come along (get your top hat or long gown on, pl

We had prime seats in the center balcony of the theater to get a grand view of the orchestra and stage. Mark took a few picture before the opera started as, of course, photography wasn't allowed during the show!

Well, Neil got a bit cut out of the picture...

 Mark, however, shines gallantly but a bit serious!

What you must know, of course, is that this is THE THEATER where Mozart first conducted Don Giovanni on Oct. 29, 1787!  And here we are in the same theater some ~223 years later. You can almost see Mozart down there merrily conducting with his endless enthusiasm!  Pinch me....it's so!

Don Giovanni was originally entitled: "I1 Dissoluto Punito, ossia il Don Giovanni" (The Reprobate Punished, or Don Giovanni). Mozart wrote this to be first performed in Prague, as he liked the way Bondini's troupe performed "The Marriage of Figaro" nearly one year prior to this.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official University of Minnesota or Fulbright Program blog. The views expressed are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations, or the University of Minnesota.

Food in Prague (Praha) and the Cubism Restaurant!

Well, of course, we dined exquisitely while in the lovely city of Praha.....from sumptuous breakfasts at The Vila Lanna, to Fulbright Orientation lunches at the Vila, to dining out on the town at night and on the weekend.
Where does one begin, but with the first course of Czech lunches or dinners...soup!  Here are some tasty ones we delighted in.
Many Czech soups are with a clear broth with added garlic, vegetables, pasta or potatoes. This one was delightfully tasty with a chicken stock base, parsnips, carrots, fresh herbs (parsley, lovage).

And then how about a creamy, fresh tomato soup surrounded by dollops of aged Balsamic vinegar, a floating island of mint and chives with crusty grilled bread coated with pesto to add the necessary textural "crunch"?

Then, on to the main courses.  Sometimes they were in restaurants or often just from street vendors, as there were so many delicious smells wafting up and down the city streets....who could resist old Prague ham or Prosciutto?

 Mark couldn't resist!!

Then on to desserts....where else, but let's start at the Cubism Cafe and Restaurant...recently refurbished in its original cubic delights. The outdoor cafe was too cold and rainy the day we were there,

 so upstairs we went on the Vytah (lift), rather than the stairs (shown here....so difficult to do with a wheel chair!)

 and sat, reading out English newspapers, to sip coffee and have some delightful desserts while soaking up the cubic ambience.

Mark chose his favorite...strawberry crepes with lots of whipped cream (of course!). I can just hear my Mother, Bea, saying 'Mark, have some more crepes with your whipped cream!'

Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Neil dined on Raspberry tart...

Then, off we went back to explore more of the city.  Mark spots an interesting sign (in his new glasses!)...

Hmmm...it says it all

although maybe talking about food would be our primary function here on this blog, eh?

More to come on our Prague trip with the special reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence, the Theater, and many more sites!


Disclaimer: This blog is not an official University of Minnesota or Fulbright Program blog. The views expressed are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations, or the University of Minnesota.

Lovely Vila Lanna Stay in Prague (Fulbright Orientation)

During our trip to Prague for Neil's Fulbright Orientation Week, Sept. 13-19, 2010, we had numerous experiences to share with everyone. First, is the lovely Vila Lanna where we stayed.

The Vila was built in the late 1800s by the Lanna Family, who were from Ceske Budejovice! There is a statue of Mr. Lanna here in our city.
The Czech Academy of Sciences purchased the Vila Lanna in 1957. It is used to host conferences and serve as a residence for guests of the Academy. We felt very special to be able to spend a week in this lovely Vila which is located up on the hill overlooking Prague near many embassies (we were near the Chinese, Egyptian, and Canadian embassies, as well as the U.S. Ambassador's Residence).

Here we are standing near the columns on the patio outside of the Vila. A lovely spot for morning coffee..

 Some of the outside gardens, along with the Gazebo (made us feel right at home!)....

The patio and solitary columns to add vertical interest.....a great idea to add interest for a large patio space.

Under the porticos and porches outside, as well as the walls and ceilings inside are numerous paintings and artwork that are dreamy to behold:

Of course, the grand staircase, hallways, and conference/dining rooms were lighted with gorgeous Bohemia chandeliers, making our morning breakfasts, lunches, and dinners so delightful!

A wonderful place for our Fulbright Orientation....it made the whole event such a gala affair.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official University of Minnesota or Fulbright Program blog. The views expressed are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations, or the University of Minnesota.