The legend of Bruncvík

A few steps from both Malá Strana bridge towers, on the pillars of Charles Bridge by the Vlatva River, stands a statue of a knight with a golden sword. He’s the prince Bruncvík, who according to the legend, ruled the Czech people in the ancient times.

"One day, I left my wife at home and set out on a journey. I had decided to gain a lion for the Czech crest. After many dangerous incidents, where I was the only to survive, I met a nine-head dragon fighting a lion in the forest. I took the lion’s side and helped it to kill the dragon. When it was all over, we both dropped down with exhaustion. Iwoke up first, and freaked out when I saw the lion sleeping next to me. We had fought the monster together, but how could I know I'd not be the wild animal's next prey?

So I climbed into a large tree and waited for the lion to wake up and go away. But when the lion woke up, he came to the base of my tree and waited there. I was tired, and sore, and hungry - but I stayed up in that tree. On the third day, I fell out of the tree. I was sick with fever, and too sick to move. For three more days, I lay at the bottom of that tree and all that time, the lion cared for me and brought me food, and nursed me back to health. After that, we became inseparable friends.

In later adventures I gained a magic sword, which overcame the enemies all by itself. All i had to do is say "Blade, heads off!" and off they rolled. It was great! On our journeys, myself and my dear friend the lion, proved our boldness and became very famous for our heroic deeds.

But after more than seven years, I felt it was time to go back home in Prague. To my very surprise, when we returned, I founded my wife Neomenia, celebrating her weeding. She though I would never return! So I snuck my wife's ring - which I had worn all the time on his adventures - into my wife's goblet of wine. When she drank her wine, and saw the ring, she recognized it immediately. She called the wedding off, thus sending her ex- bridegroom into a mad fury. Of course, she came back to me, and I took over the rule of the land for another 30 years.

It is said I was wise and a just ruler, and that’s why the land blossomed under my rule. In honour of my faithful lion, I ordered the use of the crest with a white lion and a red background, which has been the symbol of the Czech Republic ever since.

The lion grew old by my side, and died of a broken heart just days after my death, sitting at the side of mygrave.

My miraculous sword was walled up in the pillar of Karlův Most, in the spot where a statue of my lion and myself stands today. When the dark hours will come, St Wenceslas will rise from the dead, take my sword, and save the day."

Pluto už není plenetou

‘Astronomers meeting in the Czech capital have voted to strip Pluto of its status as a planet”

Poor Pluto suddenly ripped off the solar system planet list. And why? Apparently a planet must be round, big, turn around the sun and have and original orbit… For me it seems quite big though, but it seems he copies Neptune’s orbit.

Never mind, some folks, 2500 so called scientist, got together here in Prague and decided that Mr.Pluto wouldn’t be a member of the club anymore. Maybe it’s better for him. Some times you don’t see that you’ll be better somewhere else, until they actually put you out the door. I think they had too much “pivo na hospodu” and decided it would be nice to have only 8 planets, you know to have even number. The world is endlessly changing; soon we’ll start seeing Tibetan monks on the phone…

So now we should call him “dwarf planet”.

“Hello my name is Pluto and I’m a dwarf planet” Poor guy…

I’m at work and the day is over. My Czech colleagues are playing golf in the open space. Yes golf. Don’t know who is winning but they seem very concentrated, even more that when dealing with tickets. At least this is a clear example of “team work”, they all want to have a try and the discuss plenty of things. But I can’t tell you what, as they keep speaking in Czech and I don’t get a thing.

I should pack my things and go too, but I have a salsa lesson at 6p.m. Maybe I’ll go to the mall to make some time.

Hezky víkend!

Gemini

I’ll try to be brief, as I don’t have much time. I’m a busy woman now…

WORK
Have not much work to do. I keep on reading about payments, invoicing, cost managing, revenues, expenses and crazy staff like that. In fact it’s quite interesting, but reading all the time, it’s getting harder and harder. I need to get started in something more, lets say, exciting. I need adventure, excitement some stimulation. Otherwise, I’ll end up sleeping upon my desk.

SOCIAL LIFE
Apart from that, I keep meeting new people and new places from this incredible city. Last Friday we went to the Yacht Club - and yes, there’s one here – where an Australian party was being held. We had some drinks and dance. Nice. Then we went to Zero again and we ended the night in Mish-Mash. Last time we went there, I said it was the last time. Well, this time I must say the same thing. It’s quite a horrible and over flooded with hysterical young people place. We had too many drinks that night, so couldn’t say at what time we got home. So, Saturday just flied through. We stayed at home all day.
Then on Sunday we went on a tour with Emilie. Here's a view of Mala Strana & Stare Mesto from the mini eiffel tower in Kinski's park.

After we went dacing to the beach. Let me introduce you to my friend Kamila, she's simply great. It was hilarious to dance on the sand while the cuban musicians played.

LOVE
I’m lucky here! The sun, the stars and even the moon are on my side. Miluju te Boz!

HEALTH
I think I’m ok. I’ll see the doctor on the 31st for a check up, ‘till then lets say I feel fine.

MONEY
Uhhhh, no good at all.

Too much shopping.

Hard work for pumu

Pumuka, after a hard day of work.

We had a team exercise, during the training; i can't tell you much, but it was dead fun. We ran around Prague, trying to work as best as a team.

The truth is that i was exhausted, but not because of the exercise, but mainly because the previous night we went partying till 4, so i was desperately in need of a nice and long "siesta". As i said before, hard work for the lady!





But as you can see, with my team, we were always way ahead the competence!!!

Como de vuelta al cole

I’m sorry I’ve been away for soo long. I just came back from an incredible week in Ukraine and at the same time I got back to work. I’ve got a lot to update. I don’t know If I have that much readers, but to those I know, Dani, Ramoncin, Vitorina, Thelma & Louis, George of the jungle and of course my baby David (not many girls though, ummmm) I apologize - here I’m only listing the ones that occasionally post a comment, so if I’m missing anyone, just leave me a message.

So, as I was saying I’ve been on a trip to this Far East country, which stands between Europe and Russia. It was more of a “last minute” decision, but it turn out to be a great experience. We were four. George and Ivan were looking forward to meet the Ukrainian female population, we all have heard about. For me, it was the closest I have been to a “Soviet” country, let’s say it this way. I know Prague’s been under the Soviet power for some long time, but it has changed a lot these past years. Ukraine, on the other hand, it’s a country that’s not used to have visitors, as it is happening nowadays. And you notice that straight away. For instance, hotels are expensive and not good quality at all. Another thing is that you hardly find information points, so most of the time is thanks to your guide or to what you “manage” to ask to locals, that you make your way through. I say MANAGE, because communication, most of the times is a big barrier problem. First, we had to learn the alphabet, so that at least we could more or less read. This was like a game for us, and George and I just loved it. We read everything we could, even if it had no sense at all!! Not a lot of people speak English there, it is always Russian or German, and of course Ukrainian. But that didn’t stop us from having a great time.

I will give you more details about this adventure soon. Wrapping up, I must say that this country that’s almost as big as France and Germany together is worth visiting. And not just because of the hot Ukrainian girls (and yes, I must admit they are “beyond belief”). It has an extremely interesting history and a lot to visit. Unfortunately Ukraine’s been through many wars due to its important geographical location and it’s been through a terrible nuclear disaster, that’s still today, 20 years after, is in everyone’s thoughts. But is a country willing to be open to foreigners and dreaming about sharing their culture. On the train back form Odessa to Kiev, we share the compartment with a man and a woman. Even though there was the language barrier, we were able to explain we were on a trip, visiting their country, and they were so pleased to hear that. George and Ivan, had a similar but funnier experience on another train, they shared compartment with an old Russian couple, that not only offered them some food, but went drinking vodkas all the way. Two bottles were done to be exact. Apparently the four of them ended completely drunk. ;) Borrachuzos!

Now, here I am, back in Prague. It looks as if the summer is almost over; the temperatures have gone drastically down, and it rains quite often. To je škoda. I’m back to work, yes after 6 months vacation I’m back to reality. So far, it’s not that hard. I’ve met a lot of nice people, from all around the world. In Prague’s office there are 60 nationalities working together out of 1800 employees, if my numbers are right… Not bad, right? Of course, we work in English, my Czech is not that good, but I’m pretty sure I’ll learn it - mostly because we are 20 on my team, all Czech except for me!