Countries, Europe, Flying, Halloween

Go Golem-O-Ween for Halloween in Prague

And we’re scaring up something different here for you… go Golem-O-Ween for Halloween in Prague.

Anybody who has been to Praha, and if you haven’t you should, will have bumped into Golem.

Maybe not on the streets of the Czech capital although the little clay clout is known to prowl the neighbourhoods.

But in the book stores and ka-ching shops of Prague where he is a go-to kids book, cuddly toy and Czech merch.

Bohemian mischief

Golem, no, not Tolkein’s boggly-eyed bad hobbit, but no less menacing.

Namely the animated anthropomorphic clay creation of Rabbi Judah Loew Ben Bezalel in the late 16th century.

When he took the mud from the Vltava River and brought it to life to defend the Prague ghetto.

If all this creationism sounds familiar then yes you’re right to mention that the First Man Adam was created from mud.

Now that the Czechs put on a show for Halloween and bring their unique Bohemian flair to it should come as no surprise.

Kafka to climbing babies

Handy: King Charles Bridge, Prague

And to explore the city’s dark side the museum dedicated to the great apocalyptist Franz Kafka is a great place to start.

Praguers, of which the Metamorphosis author, are by nature mischievous.

As you’ll see near the Kafka Museum where two steel figures, representing politicians, on a map of Czechia peeing on the country.

While you’ll notice too figures hanging from rooftops holding umbrellas.

Before you even get to the babies climbing the TV tower.

Ryanscare

Cheers: Strahov Brewery

All of which you can see for yourself with a city break, flying with Ryanair.

You can fly to Prague with fares starting from €29.99.

Africa, Caribbean, Countries, Culture, Europe

World Book Day – a leaf through the world

Happy World Book Day… I’ve been turning over a new leaf by re-reading some old favourites from around the world.

Some will be yours, others I’d recommend as they namecheck places you’ll want to visit, and the people too.

Czech’s in post for this classic

On the King Charles Bridge in Prague

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis: Or you can have The Trial.

OK, I’ve not read either, but I have checked out Kafkaesque Prague, his home city.

And he’ll be glad to know that the Czechs still retain his take on the world around him and its leaders…

Bureaucracies overpowering people often in a surreal, nightmarish way.

Anne’sterdam

žCan I be trusted on a bike? In Amsterdam

Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl: It’s chilling to listen to the audio of Anne‘s words in the diary she wrote in her family’s hideout in Amsterdam.

And I make no apologies in saying that I choked up.

When I heard that the vibrant young girl destined for Auschwitz had wanted to become a journalist.

Anne, of course, made a lasting impression, and has gone on to inspire generations of chlldren and adults alike.

Eastern Eden

Cool for cats… in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Olive Schreiner’s The Story of An African Farm: Olive may not be on every, or any, schoolchildren’s radar in the Northern Hemisphere.

And athough its style is of its time, the 19th century, this chronicle of South African life in the Eastern Cape, is required reading.

A feminist and ahead of her time Olive railed against the prejudices around her .

And she also moved in some pretty famous circles. Required reading.

Crusoe in Tobago

Give ‘em rope: With Levi and Bandanaman the goat in Tobago

Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Tobago: And if you’re lucky enough you can even reprise the actions of some of your favourite literary characters.

Like in Tobago where Robinson Crusoe swept ashore and took years to get off.

For all his protestations I think he probably enjoyed it. And we know that he made some friends of the local goats.

The Odyssey

Spoiled and ruined at the Acropolis in Athens

Homer’s Odyssey: And this one I did read, or at least study, and then parts of it.

As a Classics scholar (or messer) at school.

I had my own odyssey trying to make my way through Munich Airport and on way to Greece and over to its islands.

There’s nothing like walking in the footsteps of your legend’s… so there’s an invitation to you.

And it’s been flagged up that I’ve been down this road before with this book collection. See if my choices have changed and tell me your faves.