Visit with the Beck's

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Today we all went up to Ostrava, north and a little east of Brno by a two hour car ride. We saw a couple castles up on the hills as we drove along. Crazy to think about how many there are over the countryside that they are just common place. We didn't see anything of the town. When we told the Brno Czech's that we were going to Ostrava they just curl their nose up and furrow their brow and ask why. Apparently there isn't much of a draw to the old mining town. They consented that it was okay when we explained that we were going to visit friends. We met the Beck's at an Italian resturant that had a play area which was great for their three year old daughter. Then Beth and I went back with Vera to their flat on the 12th floor of a pani-lock. (Pani-lock's are communist massive housing. They are prefabricated concrete panels, locked together on site to create a massive rectangular apartment building) Vera has done great things with the place and doesn't feel a bit depressing as the old communist buildings usually do. We had a great time chatting and playing with Anna. Emily, who is not quite two weeks old, slept nearly the whole time. Just as we were about to leave she woke up enough for us to see her pretty blue eyes. Nathan and Vera are now missionaries with GEM and work at the FishNet English school up in Ostrava. Vera is Czech and Nathan is an American raised in Ecuador as a missionary kid. It makes for some great stories!

After getting home I hiked up the hill beside Gloria's house to take some pictures of the city. Gloria had just been talking about hot air balloon races in Brno today and when I got to the top of the hill three hot air balloons had just taken off and one was still being filled. After a couple rolls of film I headed back down the hill the long way. I love that the sunset isn't until around 10pm. When I headed down the hill at 9 I still needed my sunglasses. How awesome is that!?

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Photos

Bethany cheating at hopscotch
We had some time while waiting for the Beck's to catch up with us at their apartment. Thankfully some kids had left us a hopscotch game.

Brno from Medlanky hill
Just to the right of the tall white building is Spilberk castle and just to the left, nearly hiding behind the white building is Petrov Cathedral. The two main symbols of Brno.

Comments

[Ed Larsen]

Thanks
Jennifer, Thanks for your blog. Enjoy reading your journal and seeing the photos.

[Maria Jose]

questions
Hello, I've read your entries with great interest. In fact my husband and I and my two boys, age 8 and 10, are doing the same route you have done via car- praga, brno, buda. it all sounds wonderful.I was wondering if you could give me some safety tips about travelling to these places, especially with two children. thank you and thanks for your travelblog maria jose