Full Moon in Prague - and a little Czech history

October 1, 2012 - Michael

It's just after midnight here in Prague. This is the first night I haven't been able to sleep. It's not jet lag, though. It's the cigarette smoke wafting in through the open hotel window on this mild fall night. The full moon also shone in for a couple of hours before moving on. I have many thoughts about the history of the Czech's you may read on my journal (Michael's journal). Probably best for mature readers.

Today the Czech Republic is a prosperous and free nation where something like 70% of the population consider themselves nonreligious, although they are proud of their religious history as seen by the hundreds of churches they have preserved.

Today we toured the preserved Jewish Quarter. The oldest synagogue in Prague, the Altneuschul or Old New Synagogue, was built in the 13th century and is still in use today. 

The last photo for this blog post depicts one of two vaults in this synagogue that were used to store money to pay the exorbitant taxes imposed on the Jewish community in earlier times.

And Andrea adds: The present Prague seems to be a model for tolerance and acceptance. My heart has more hope for humanity than in past.

Tour guide, Hero

9/29/2012
Our walking tour guide, a Swedish/Persian woman, a fabulous narrator of Czech history from ancient time to present day. My favorite lesson was learning about Jan Hus, a religious and national hero who epitomizes the independent soul of the Czech people.
And a quote for the day:

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is is unaware . Martin Buber
Israeli philosopher and one of the leaders of the Zionist movement.

Library visit

9/29/2912
I love surprises. When we walked in the library a huge sculpture- a column of books stood before us. Followed by flying pages of homework as hanging art in kids area, books by Sis in Czech.

Blue Skies

Sept. 29th
The blue skies and bird song of the morning here in Prague have prompted a song to fly from my heart.
"This is my song oh God of all the nations. A song of peace for all lands..."

Hear song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Vs08RkP-M

Prague - just starting

9/28/2012
We waked through the old town quarter just to get acquainted with this historical city. I love everything - even the cobblestones call to me, seemingly whispering the stories of the mix of humanity who have tread upon them. Today we take a guided tour and tomorrow I will attend church in the 16th century St. Nicholas Baroque church before spending the day in the Jewish Quarter. What do you think these little stone stubby pillars were for?

Charles Bridge arch.

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Every doorway beckons us to explore further.

Waking up to Swiss Alps. We landed in the sparkling Geneva airport. One more plane to Prague.

Generous readers!

Thank you Jo, Amy, Susan, Sherri and others who encouraged students to make bookmarks that will create connections with readers on the other side of the world. This is a huge suitcase full of books, markers and bookmarks! Really really really cool bookmarks handmade by my favorite people - readers, kid readers!  I have to weigh it to make sure it won‘t cause a plane crash! Forget taking clothes! My luggage is full of stuff like this.
!.

One relative discovered...

September 24, 2012
We just received a letter in the mail from a relative, Mary Steinhauser who escaped to Shanghai during the Holocaust when she was 4 years old.  Mary wrote a book about the victims and survivors of Theresienstadt.

You may read a summary of Mary's escape at the online Museum of Tolerance. We will meet her in Vienna in less than two weeks.

Dude

September 20, 2012

The Dude is gonna miss us when we’re gone, but Nathan will take good care of him.