Biking from Czech Across the German Border

We boarded a Czech train on Friday morning, see picture below, for a 1 1/2 hour ride through the Sumava National Park. It was very picturesque, rolling hills and many lakes. We then hoped on our bikes for a ride through heavily forested rolling paved bike paths. About two hours into our ride, we crossed over the German Border. This was the Iron Curtain, separating East from West, (Czech from Germany) closed in 1948. Up until 20 years ago, this was heavily fenced and guarded. Today we just crossed over, no passport control, no guard gate, nothing, foot and bike traffic only. Our altitude was high, the day cloudy, so at points we were freezing. Although the main ride, 29 miles, had some hills and gravel paths, it was an easier and more enjoyable ride thru the countryside. Roz was proud to accomplish the 29 miles. Glenn, along with 9 others, chose to do the 15 additional optional hilly miles, showing up 2 hours later totally beat and numb from the waist down. We're both proud of our accomplishments.

Bike Trip Cesky Krumlov, Czeck Republic

We joined our bike trip, Vermont Biking Trip (VBT) yesterday.
Yesterday was a short 8 mile warm up ride outside Cesky, today out towards the country outside of Cesky. Basically you settled in a hotel for 2 days and then ride around the area returning to the hotel. We are a group of 16, all from the states, all great folks and many participants that ride alot. For one couple, this is their 8th VBT trip, another their 4th. I was joking around saying that a least there's proof that VBT gets all the riders to the end. Today's trip was a total of 27 miles, which Glenn accomplished amazingly. By the way, this easy trip rating had lots of hills today. I (Roz) took advantage of the Headstart ride, which was a van ride to the top of the beginning first hill, and caught another ride up a hill. I promise you, I did plenty enough hills today, the proof is in my butt, only few miles less than Glenn. The scenery is amazing beautiful, great way to see a country. Wish I could have taken more pictures, but I was too busy trying to breathe riding up hill on the bike. The guides promised us this was the hardest day. Tomorrow off to catch a train and then ride across the German border that is only open to bike and foot traffic, closed in 1944. Got to go, soooooo tired and it hurts to sit here.

Prague has so much history

We really enjoyed Prague and could have spent another day or two. Spent good portion of the day touring the Jewish Ghetto, now historic Jewish Quarter. This area is a UNESCO protected site and is the 3rd largest tourist attraction for museums in the world, behind the Louvre and British Museum. Sadly as you tour through, plus the experience of a very small Yom Kippur services we attended, you sense Hitler accomplished what he set out to do. This was once a vibrant Jewish community with 70 synagogues, now maybe only 15oo registered Jews receiving services in the community. Overall between the Nazis followed by 4 decades of Communist rule, this country is very non-observant in all religions. We have alot to share about Prague with you when we return.

P.S. to Linda: Czech is a Slavic language same as Russian, Polish and Yiddish. I hear so much familiarity from various conversation, but it's difficult to string together.

Prague, Czech Republic

We have spent our first full day in Prague with Rabbi Hoffberg from New Jersey, currently with a very small conservative congregation in the Old Jewish Quarter here. We drove out to Terezin, about 30 minutes from the city. Terezin was a concentration camp, but not a death camp. It was a transit station to other concentration camps. It was very interesting, learning so much and amazed to see what works of art, musical compostitions, operas, plays, etc. that we generated at Terezin during the time of war and destruction. We joined the Rabbi for Kol Nidre tonight and plan to return in the morning. Wishing everyone a meaningful fast. Shanah Tovah.

Roughing it at Cooking School, but we Graduated!

The cooking school was great but we worked hard. Each of the 4 classes were over 4 hours in length. In our spare time we were able to: soak in the wood burning, wine barrel, hot tub which reached 120 degrees; do laundry without the benefit of a dryer; tour the Chianti wine area, olive producer, sheep cheese farm and weaving mill. We enjoyed all we cooked, making some 60 recipes. Some recipes we won't repeat at home such as octopus, full squid, guinea fowl (head, feet, feathers) and other not to be mentioned!

Casa Ombuto, Cooking School in Tuscany

We're loving the Villa and Cooking School in Tuscany. The property is about 1 1/2 hours from Florence, quite remote in the hills of Tuscany, it's so beautiful. Notice the wood burning wine barrel hot tub, taking 5 hours to heat. We wanted to try it out today but it's now up to 110 degrees, so we're blogging instead. We had no idea that hunting season for Wild Boars began yesterday. We woke to the sounds of hunting dogs running around with bells on and hunters posted in various locations. We double checked that Dick Cheny wasn't around before we ventured out for a hike! Cooking school is so much fun, food is delicious. It's a great group, there are 13 of us, all Americans. We have 3 orthopedic surgeons in our group (only 2 know each other) so Glenn is feeling quite comfortable in their presence.
Got to run to class!

Cinque Terre, Itaty

To our dear travel friends, does this town look familiar? Portovenere looks like Portofino and so does every town in Cinque Terre. The colors of the buildings in all these towns look alike. Cinque Terre is known for the 5 mile hike between each of the 5 fishing towns, only accessible by foot or boat until 50 years ago. We reach the first town, Riomaggiore by boat. Two of the links between the towns are washed out and closed from the prior night’s rain. We hike what we can. The last link between towns 4 & 5 is 1 hour 45 minutes on an extremely unpaved and uneven rock steps (lots of them). It’s not easy but there are surprisingly lots of people on the path, mostly prepared. Thanks Robyn for making me do all those step ups. Adrienne, kudos to you for hiking the entire path!