Czech Republic

Getting married abroad, in a most glorious city (Prague, Czech Republic)

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Prague scene
Beautiful Prague, Czech Republic

My husband and I met each other when working for the same company in the U.S. It was an instant attraction. It wasn’t long before I officially moved in with him. After about two years together, our love grew very strong. The day then arrived when we decided to get married, which was soon followed by a request for my hand in marriage from my parents. What a sweet old-fashioned gentleman! The whole period was quite romantic. I’d share more details of that romance, but hubby told me that some details he’d like to keep just between the two of us. I must respect that. Instead, in this post I will concentrate on just the preparations and events surrounding a marriage abroad. From this point until after the wedding, hubby will be referred to as “fiancé”. Continue reading →

Ball leaning next to rock in corner of old abandoned pool

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Empty ages old pool with ball and stone

This used to be an in-ground pool where my husband swam as a small child. The water was eventually drained and later used as a make shift football (soccer) field. Now the ball is resting quietly up against a rock in the pool’s corner. The walls are as colorful as the autumn leaves upon its muddy bottom.

Picture taken in the countryside outside of Prague, Czech Republic

If only I could go to a Czech spa right now!

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Mariánské Lázně1
Mariánské Lázně in Czech Republic

In my husband’s home country of Czech Republic, if you are a bit under the weather or recuperating from a major illness, your doctor may prescribe a two to three week in-patient treatment at a spa (or lázně in Czech), which is covered by health insurance. There, patients are evaluated by a doctor specializing in balneotherapy (treating disease by baths) or physical therapy, who assembles an individual plan of procedures and treatments. Those range from drinking (the mineral waters!), bathing (not only in the mineral waters, but also in waters infused with herbs, fruit, salts, hops, malt extract, and others), wraps, massages, exercise, special diet, etc. Continue reading →

Summer work abroad in Poland

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Poznan main square
The Old Town Square in Poznań, Poland

One day in the summer of 1992, I was hanging out at my university campus bus stop near the student center. The bus stop had numerous flyers advertising various activities. One read “Teach English in Poland through the Local Democracy and the Citizen’s Foundation in Poland.” Continue reading →

Yummy! Strawberry Dumplings (Jahodové knedlíky)

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Strawberry dumplings
Bohemian Strawberry Dumplings

Most of my posts are mental health-related, but I have kept my promise and written about other interests that enrich my life. One of my many loves in life is cooking. I’ve written a couple of food-related posts in the past. Today I’m sharing my Czech (Bohemian) mother-in-law’s Strawberry Dumplings (Jahodové knedlíky). They are indulgent yummy balls of paradise. We ate them last night for dinner. Czechs usually eat them as a lunch, with 6-8 dumplings per person, but most people outside of Czech Republic may consider them a dessert. Three to four dumplings would be plenty for that. Continue reading →