WE'RE BACK! (JUST A LITTLE "TICKLER"...)

Below you will see an aerial view of our resort. It is furthest to the left with the two sea-fed lakes. We also had access to the two resorts to our right. In order, the three are Jasmine Village, Alladin, and Ali Babba resorts.



We returned home very late the night of the 28th...actually early morning of the 29th. Just getting back into the swing of our life in Prague. All in all, it was a wonderful two weeks in Hurghada, Egypt...full of sea, sun, sand, lots of relaxing family time, and animals! We will tell you all about it....soon!

Until then, a very happy New Year to all!
Maylia, Jeff, and Ella

Our Bags are Packed and We're Ready to Go...

But will we?

This has most definitely been our worst weekend in Prague, hands down. Ella started getting a cold on Tuesday. No big deal. She's had quite a few colds and we've learned to let them run their course. But this one took a real turn for the worse on Friday night. Such a cough! So, after two sleepless nights, we decided to visit our doctor. (He's fantastic!) Turns out Ella has the beginnings of a double ear infection. Poor Little Munchkin! We, of course, assumed we would pass on Egypt this year...started thinking about getting Ella a Christmas tree (instead of admiring the neighbors through the window across the street!)

But, our doctor said that lots of families come to him with such problems before a vacation - often on the day they leave! Since we gave him "4 days notice", and we caught the ear infection before it got too far along, he's confident we'll still be able to fly this Thursday. Now that we've started her on the meds, Ella does seem to be on the mend. She has a lot more energy today. Unfortunately, she has A LOT more energy than either of us! Jeff and I are also sick...no ear infections, but sore throats, runny noses, sneezing and coughing. 'Tis the season!

So, we figure if Ella's ok to fly, we'll fly. We can recuperate better in warm, sunny Egypt than cold, rainy Prague, anyway! We'll keep you posted...or maybe we won't. If you don't hear from us for a couple weeks, take that as a good sign that we're busy soaking up the sun and swimming in the Red Sea. If you do hear from us, it'll probably be to tell you that we're enjoying Christmas in Prague this year, consuming a plethora of antibiotics, ear drops, nose drops, and throat lozenges, and decorating the Christmas tree.

Fingers solidly crossed...
Maylia

Svatý Mikuláš

This is a Czech tradition we would like to bring home with us. Well, I'm not sure Ella is sold on it yet...it was a bit scary! But, Jeff and I had a blast. December 5 is a very special day here. The streets were crowded with families starting at dusk. The squares and Christmas Markets were particularly good for spotting Mikuláš, the Devil, and the Angel...




The costumes were great - some were exceptional. While waiting to meet Jeff, I saw two HUGE devils that scared the crappola out of me! One even had a real whip that he cracked as he walked down the middle of a busy street...this was in front of two cops! No problem...Gotta love it!

So the basic premise is that St. Nicholas (Sv. Mikuláš) comes around to all the children on the evening of December 5. He asks them whether they have been good or bad. He brings along a devil and an angel. If they have been bad the devil will give them a potato or some coal. If they have been really bad he will take them away with him! Ella and I were "marked" by a devil while she slept...



The angel is there to protect the children. After their wrong-doings have been brought into the open, Sv. Mikuláš will request they sing a song or recite a poem. If he is happy with the performance (it outweighs any bad behavior) they are rewarded with a small gift, typically fruit or a sweet. It's the whole reward and punishment theme. Some of the devils are REALLY scary! Certainly enough to keep me in line throughout the year! And this little guy, too, wouldn't you agree?



As you could tell from the video, parents often feed the devil some info. It is common to actually hire a group to come to your house or for a neighborhood to pitch in and have them come around to all of the houses. In some smaller areas groups just go from door to door, and in return they are given beer or a shot at each house...things really get crazy towards the end of the night!

The sights of Prague continue to astound...tonight was a full moon and the weather was mild...so beautiful.





~Maylia

Bonus photos: Ella before and after the celebration.

Special Blog Supplement - Holiday Season Music in Prague

The streets are full of music in Prague, especially during the holiday season. Here is a sample of what we heard during our walk this past Saturday.

Just outside the Prague Castle...



A spontaneous choral performance in a tunnel within the castle walls...



On the Charles Bridge...



Lullaby and goodnight...
Maylia

Getting into the Vánoce Spirit

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...in London and in Prague. Over American Thanksgiving weekend, I enjoyed a fantabulous whirlwind weekend in London with wonderful Michelle and parents, sister, and niece. (Jeff and Ella got some quality daddy-daugther bonding time.) WOW! The lights! The excitement! But nothing matched the excitement of seeing Michelle!!!! We had lots of fun...on "the Eye"....

on a double-decker bus...in the spa...at the theater...in Soho...at Harrods...

on Carnaby Street...on Regent Street...in the hotel lobby...

...WHEREVER! Thank you Rosenthal/Zack family for a spectacular time!

I was also very lucky to spend a quick hour with a good friend from my Acadia days, Steph. Her little family grew by one about 2 weeks ago and it was really exciting to meet both Benji (whom she was pregnant with the last time I saw her) and little Spencer.

Not to mention the surprise and pleasure of seeing Becky (another university pal) and her family! If I'd only known my flight was to be delayed 6-hours, I could have had a more relaxed visit...

So the Christmas spirit was upon me - beginning with the decorations and lights of London, followed up on my return to Prague with singing "Jingle Bells" and "The Little Drummer Boy" at music playgroup on Thursday, and Friday Ella opened the first door on the advent calendar. (DHL-supplied, Lindt chocolate-filled...BIG PERK of Jeff's job! Ella opens, we eat.)

We filled our weekend with Prague Christmas Markets! Friday night, we stopped by the market at Namesti Miru at developed a strong taste for svařak. Jeff even learned to make it - so we can keep the Vánoce Spirit flowing!

Saturday we did a walking tour from the Castle, across the Charles Bridge, and into the big Christmas market at Old Town Square.

Sunday was more shopping and a glimpse of the market at Wenceslas Square.

And Sunday evening we joined Lucie and Alice at a Svatý Mikuláš (St. Nicholas) celebration at a soon-to-open Rodina Centrum (Family Center). The event was so much fun! Ella had a blast and I am looking forward to visiting the center after it opens in January.

Tomorrow is the big day for Svatý Mikuláš...we'll head downtown in search of him, and the angel and the devil.

Nejlepši Vánoce!

Maylia

Yeah...a new look

Just experimenting with Blogger's templates.