Czech Republic - Jihlava

Mia had school vacation last week and some friends of ours invited Mia and I to go and stay with them in the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia). We had a really nice time and I especially enjoyed not having to plan all of the details, and instead be shown all around!  Our hosts were absolutely wonderful and showed us a great time! We stayed the first part of our trip in a small city called Jihlava. It lies on the Bohemian border and has an immense History. The preservation of the city was not quite the same as you would see in Germany, but I think slowly they are preserving the gems that are there. They had a very interesting zoo as well. I was a little sad because the animals didn't seem to have very large spaces, but they were doing a lot of construction, so hopefully soon they will have larger space to roam. Jihlava was a neat city! So grateful to have had the opportunity to go there!

The church and City Hall in the Market Square

Ok ... I never in a million years thought I would eat this, but you know what they say ..."When in Rome, do as the Romans do" and so, as recommended, I ordered  Tatarsky - raw minced beef.  I could easily be a vegetarian, so it was quite a stretch for me - but it was actually quite good!

The old tower wall!

The market square...

This was really cool. It was a very old building with paint peeling off. Underneath the surface, were beautiful old paintings...

Here is one of the painting from the building above - if you look carefully, you can see it the Last Supper...

Quite a traditional old Czech street...

A black bear...

Mia loved this one - a GIANT guinee pig (it said these were native to South America - not so sure I would want to come across this thing in my yard :-)

The leopards were in small enclosure - it was sad to see, but interesting because we have never been face to face with such an amazing animal. And at the same time a little intimidating too! 

This made us laugh! In the city center, they had a Mcdonalds "walk through" - not a drive through :-)

Jihlava at night!

Their money was  hard to get used to. You have to divide it by 25 to figure out the amount of money in Euro. 2000 Koruna equals about 80 euro...  

Weekend in Bamberg

We try to go back to Bamberg as often as possible. It is a little tricky though with the kids sports schedule. The football Season has ended though and Camden had a break in soccer, so were able to go back last weekend. Both Bailey and Camden had an invitation to spend 2 nights at different friends houses, so it was just Bryan, Bailey , and I at our apartment for the weekend. I don't think Bailey was too thrilled at first (spending the weekend with her parents ;-), but she ended up having a really nice time too (sans Siblings :-)).   Oh how I love Bamberg (have I mentioned that before??? :-)). We got there Friday evening, dropped Camden and Mia off at their respective friends and then rode bikes to our other friends' house for dinner. Biking is definitely the best way to go...  On Saturday, we woke up and went to a few of our favorite shops and then out to Lunch at one of the Breweries near our apartment. Then we walked to another Cafe to meet up with another group of friends. A couple of those friends invited us to Schlenkerla for a Bock Bier (a specially brewed batch of beer that they offer here this time of year). We walked home, watched a movie. Slept in a little on Sunday (because the time changed already here), and then went for a run with Bryan and a friend. The entire time too, I knew that Mia and Camden were also having fun - which made the weekend even that much better. Have I mentioned I love Bamberg???? :-)

Bailey and Bryan at Keesmann

Outside of the Restaurant - so cute!

Outside of the Wunderburg Church was this car waiting for a wedding party - so cute!!! My friend was married in this same church 65 years ago - cute to think the same type of car may have waited for them back then!

The Wunderburg area of town...

The had pumpkin carving in the downtown for the kids. Halloween is slowly becoming a "holiday" here. It isn't in full swing yet, but slowly....

I feel so at home when I am in Bamberg!

Inside the Schlenkerla Brewery. Such Character! Look at the ceilings!

Friends!!!

Bock Beer - every Brewery has a special batch of beer that they make this time of year called Bock Beer. When it runs out, it runs out ...

Inside the Brewery - Bamberg is a Catholic town for sure!!!

As we left the Brewery and started walking home, I took this photo. Have I mentioned I love Bamberg?

Homecoming

Bailey's school had Homecoming this weekend. Saturday was filled with sporting events, including the big football game against Ramstein High School. Sadly, their team lost, but Bailey had fun cheering and we had fun watching! We have some friends that moved to Ramstein this summer, and their son plays on the team, so it was fun catching up too! The games were followed by the big Homecoming Dance. I think Bailey is very happy to experience all of the American traditions, and for that I am so happy that she has the opportunity to do so! I thought she looked so pretty! I still can't believe she is old enough to be a sophomore in High School, but I guess I have to get over that :-)!!!!

Cheering for the Homecoming game!

Bailey and Bryan before the Dance...

Bailey and her date on the way to Homecoming

Fall Colors

Growing up in Maine, the foliage was always gorgeous! While it doesn't quite have the reds and the oranges that Maine has, the leaves have been quite stunning here lately....

Hard to see the foliage in this one, but the sky was beautiful!

Crafty Girl...

Mia LOVES arts and crafts. In her school, they not only have an art class each week, but also a separate "WTG" class, which is where they make stuff (they are building a bird house from scratch for the next couple of weeks...Amazing)! Anyway... her latest thing is getting on Youtube and following the tutorials on how to make things. She has learned lots of Origami, "fork weaving etc." The other day she hopped on and learned how to finger knit with yarn (she had learned the basics from her friend in Bamberg already). The funny thing about it, is that she has such patience to sit and focus and work on it for a long time (with my ADD-like personality, I would have given up 10 minutes into it :-). So the other morning - BEFORE SCHOOL - she finger knitted 3 rows of yarn, then braided them together to make a scarf. In 20 minutes! We all kind of looked at her with our jaws dropped. I love her little passion for art! She teaches my parents a crafting class each week via face time too - so I have to say: Watch out Grandmommy and Grampa - get out the yarn - you will be finger knitting this week :-)

The finished product...

She is a lefty, so it is hard for me to figure it out :-)

2 of the finished rows...

finishing up the third row...

Such a cool craft for a 9 year old!!!

The Bike License - Mia is legal!!!!!

I know I have mentioned "the bike License" at least a couple of times, but after a couple of months of; classes (20 hours to be exact), studying, memorizing rules, police visits, and lots of street practice - Mia has passed the Bike Test! This means she can officially ride on the streets (not just the sidewalk) by herself. ANYWHERE, by herself. She has learned about any and every possible scenario that could possibly occur, and she has passed both the written tests (there were 2) and the actual riding road test that was administered by the police as well.  All 4th graders in Germany are required to take this class and it is amazingly in depth - Basically a driving test for 4th graders!  Mia has spent many days at the table studying the rules and memorizing traffic signs, traffic patterns, and traffic rules. Did you know that if there is a 4 way intersection without stop lights or stop signs (yes, they seem to have lots of these in our new city), you must yield to the vehicle or bike furthest to the right? So many little details to memorize! *Sorry that the photos are sideways, backwards, and upside down - I just was so impressed with the in depth curriculum, I had to share a bit :-). These are just a FEW of the pages in Mia's notebook (it doesn't even include the actual book that they were given to study as well!). The tests were part of her HSK grade too. The school even has bikes on hand for all of the kids - it is that important!

One rule - You should always ride the distance of 3 bikes behind the person in front of you - who would have known :-) . You also must use your right or left arm to signal turning at each turn.

Pedestrians zones mean that bikes are not allowed. If the street light only is meant for Pedestrians, then you must get off your bike and walk across.

On a path meant for bikers and pedestrians, always pass on the right, and identify yourself when needed by using your bike bell (a requirement by German Law). You also must have a bike light on the front and back of your bikes at all times (by law) to be used when it is dark or raining.

Lots of European Street signs to memorize...

Here is an example of the intersections and yielding to the right... (sorry it is upside down :-))

More examples of  traffic patterns and potential situations... If there is construction ahead of you, you must hand signal and then ride a safe distance around it....  

even more examples

I knew these Traffic Police movements existed, but I'm not sure if I ever had to actually memorize them? Mia knows them well now!

The occasion even made the local paper - can you spot Mia :-)

One happy girl with her license! 

Officially stamped by the Polizei (police)

Even the Eye Doctor came to give their stamp of approval that the kids are road ready :-)