You ever heard of “Snow Snake’s” 7/12/08 Day 143

Day 143 (Slide show) (Video)

When I went to the ski shop yesterday I asked for some Telemark skis and boots. I thought if I used this type I would keep it slower and stay under control. It’s been 23 years I think since I have been skiing and I don’t want to jump into it to fast. Yesterday I was trying to remember the last time I went and I had a hard time remembering when it was. I keep thinking I had gone somewhere in Utah or California but I hadn’t. It turns out that the last time I was skiing was in the four corners area of Utah. I was the golf pro in Moab and had a chance to go helicopter skiing in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. That was a great day but it doesn’t seem that long ago. Oh well its hell to get old.

Now back to the Telemark issue. This equipment isn’t like I was hoping for and the boots are very painful on my left foot. So because I can’t get them to work properly I have to ski with them in a downhill mode. The skis are swimming all over the place. But I think the problem is the boots. I’m making them work.

On the first run I traversed across some powder to another run and after a few turns I got my tips crossed and ‘Down I Went” a header. “Damn snow snake.” I was very pretty surprised. It seems I landed on the right side of my face and smashed my sun glasses into my check. At the time I was a little shaken but didn’t know about the blood until I got to the bottom and Andrew saw me. I had a handkerchief but the blood was frozen by then and so the only way to see it was to have Andrew take a picture. The whole thing was a bit funny and so I thought I had better head too the summit. I needed to get to a sink and wash up. By the time I got there, maybe 30 minutes, I was surprised to see the right side of my beard red with blood. No wonder I was getting all these funny looks on the gondola. There was a lot more blood then in the picture by then. It’s just a small scratch but a war wound none the less. The bad thing was I lost a piece of my Jilbo “Glacier Glasses.” I will have to get in touch with them to see if I can secure another one.

The day was great though, the mountain is nice and the snow is great. For a Saturday the lines were non existent. The run selection is all right but there isn’t quite enough black runs. The place is very large though with mountains on both sides of a valley floor. (Trail map) It’s fine with me though because I would be on them and that’s not a good idea until I get my ski legs back. After such a long break it will be better to take it slow and easy.

Andrew says we will get some new snow tomorrow afternoon so I’m going to go back to the ski shop and trade in these skies and boots. I’m not very happy with this equipment. The boots, the ski’s and the bindings are all too sloppy for me.

Hell, it has to be the equipment it can’t be me.

The weather today is -10c and last night it was -16c.

The fiasco in Livigno 6/12/08 Day 142

Day 142 (Slide show)

A few days ago I mentioned I had a chance to go skiing in Italy at a resort called Livigno. After talking with a few folks these past few days I found out that this is a nice resort that is near St Moritz, Switzerland. I’m going to be driving with a guy named Andrew who is a Snow kite adventurer and snowboarder. He is 23 and lives for the snow. He reminds me of myself a bit when I was that age. Even though Livigno is in Italy we will have to drive through Switzerland to get there. I’m very excited and a little nervous since I haven’t been skiing in such a long time. But I know it is like riding a bike, it will come back to me. Andrew had another friend who was to go be he dropped out so it is just the two of us.

I was to meet him at a bus stop near his house here in Prague at 9pm. That was a tough haul using the metro, trams and buses to get there with all my bags. I made it and he was waiting there for me.

We drove all night arriving in Livigno very tired at around 7am. As we passed through Switzerland we had to go through a one lane tunnel that was very interesting. Also right at dawn we came across a castle ruin that looked like a good photo but when I got out too take the picture it was so cold I couldn’t get to the car fast enough. But for the most part the ride was long and hard. Another problem was Andrew’s car is an old Toyota and has a cassette player. He only had one tape, the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction. I got rather tired of that.

Upon arriving in the village and finding the right condo complex where this Polish group was to meet us we found them already there. It’s now 10am and I wanted to get there first but Andrew disagreed so we took our time instead. This was a major mistake. We were the last to too sign up with this outfit of 98 Polish students and we didn’t ride in the bus to protect our spots so when we meet the two guy’s running the group they had our bed for us. We were to share a fold out couch in the kitchen of a two bedroom condo with four other guys.

Something’s Wrong (Junior Watson, Bluesman)

The two morons from Poland running this fiasco had way over booked it and we weren’t the only ones to have a bad situation thrown at them. The whole thing was a joke. Rooms set up for 3 to 4 persons wee being crammed with 5 to 6 people. And then we found out that their friends got separate rooms.

So after about 5 hours of yelling and swearing by many folk’s including me I was telling Andrew that we should go back to Prague. We had paid 100€ as a deposit but I was ready to lose it. The roll out bed was in the kitchen next to the front door and I knew there would be no sleep there. After about 4pm the morons quit talking to us. This didn’t sit well with me. I told Andrew that we should check with the Ski Information office and if that didn’t work we should go somewhere else, maybe another resort or something.

It was a bad time to get in this kind of a spot because the village was booked out for the weekend. Our hope was that the information office could find a cancellation. Well there is a lot more to the story including Andrew begging at one point but at about 7pm we were in our own condo which was much nicer and in the end after loosing the 100€ deposit we paid about the same. It showed us how much those two Polish trip organizers were making. This was a very long 48 hours. But a good nights sleep and I’m skiing in the Italian Alps tomorrow.

David Černý’s “The Pissing Boy’s” of Prague Day 139 3/12/08

Day 139 (slide show)

Strange things happen when you least expect them. A couple of days ago I was hanging out waiting for a small break in the weather. Sure I was trying to work on this blog but I’m very bored. At about 2pm I was able to go for a short ride and while I was out I couldn’t help thinking about how confined and trapped I feel. I decided that the next day I would start looking for some place to go. I will just get on a train and head out for a few days. Well when I woke on Tuesday morning I checked the Couchsurfing site and there was a post by a lady I knew saying that she was having to cancel her ski trip because of work. She wanted to see if anyone would go so her brother wouldn’t have to pay for everything. Martina and her brother Andrew had planned to go to Italy skiing for a week and now they needed someone to help with expenses. Andrew wants to leave on Friday. I just about pissed my pants; this was just what I needed. I couldn’t respond fast enough. The resort/village name is Livingo and it is very close to St Moritz. They had 3 feet of new snow two days ago and more expected. The cost was cheep because it is still pre-season. I’m very excited about this chance. I can’t even remember the last time I went skiing. I will have to think about it later, there is so much to think about. Lot’s to prepare.

Later that night I decided to go to a pizza party with some other CS’ers. I really didn’t have time but I had promised a few days ago that I would be there. I hate to fade on friends who invite me to something so I went. I ran into a guy named Jared who was in town for a couple of days. He is from Santa Barbara and as we were talking he wanted to see the city tomorrow and no one else could go with him so I stepped up. I have so much to do before leaving on Friday but I volunteered and so tomorrow I’m meeting him at my favorite meet up spot, The Bohemian Bagel for a walk around the city. I hope it warms up because it is very cold.

So today I’m going to tour the city with Jared. I have my favorite places to go and I figured I could be out until 4PM I sent a note to Andrew telling him I would be out until then so we can hookup at that time. Jared is a nice guy and he showed on time which I like. I took him to the usual spots like the Metronome where I saw a nice piece of graffiti of a couple of pirate’s. Then we moved around to the Castle area. (Panorama view from the Cathedral of St. Vitus at the Prague Castle) I hadn’t actually been inside the walls yet so that was fun. We were there at noon so we got to see the changing of the guards. It was so cold though. I was getting a headache from the wind. Of course I didn’t have the right hat on ether.

There was a place down by the Charles Bridge that I haven’t seen yet and I heard about the exact location the other day. It’s called “The Pissing Boy’s” I was told. I see though that he just calls it “Piss” which seems incomplete. It’s a crazy piece of art by the famous Czech artist David Černý. He did the Babies on the TV Tower and many others. It’s very funny and if you send a text message to a number and wait for a few minutes the boys will piss the message in the pool. I typed in George Bush. Very appropriate I thought. I would love to meet this guy and have a beer. I’m sure it would be a fun night. Wouldn’t it be fun to get a couple of actors to dress up as the Moron and Darth Vader and play like children in the pool while being pissed on? That would be a good UTube moment.

Just after 6pm I found out that there was a small meet up where I could see Martina, Andrews’s sister. Jared took off about 4pm and we planned to meet again later. I went to a cybercafé and got in touch with Andrew.

It turns out the plans have changed slightly and we will be tagging along with a Polish student group of 98 people. They will be in busses and the two of us will drive. So that makes 100. I asked him if there might be a problem that we weren’t with the group and he said “No problem.” It sounded alright and we could save on the lodging. The resort Livingo is about a 9 hour drive and we would leave on Friday night. Things seem to be falling together and I was happy to be able to talk to Martina about her brother and the trip.

When I arrived at the restaurant she was there but as I was asking her questions so many people started to show that we didn’t get to talk long. As it turns out she hasn’t ever been to this resort anyway. She wasn’t able to give me very much information but I was able to see some folks I haven’t seen for a while. Daniel, my friend from Prague who helped me with the customs was there. So was Alexey, both of these guy’s I haven’t seen in awhile. Cameron from Chicago and Pavel from Russia were there. Had a good time but I new when to leave and was back at my flat by 11:30. I have so much to do. I will leave in two days.

Adventures at the “Aero Cinema” 30/11/08 Day 136

Day 136 (slide show)

A couple of days ago I made a big mistake by agreeing to meet a guy and his two friends from Great Britain. It’s been very cold here and I found out he wanted to see the city so I asked him, this is in an email, “where would you like to meet, I can go anywhere” said the fool. (Me) I was trying to be nice again and it cost me big. He said he would meet in front of this statue in the city at 6pm. Why can’t I remember that when it is cold never meet anyone outside, always meet in a café or bar. I was there on time as always but this guy and his friends never showed. After 1 hour I split but I was frozen. I should have figured. I never heard from him either. He vanished like a “fart in the wind”

Mental Note: In the winter, never go to a meeting point if it’s outside.

Well last night I found out there was a film festival going on at a very nice art theater that I actually tried to find a few months ago with no success. The festival has an Ingmar Bergman tribute and has been going on already for a few weeks and I almost missed it. I did miss the great films that Max Von Sydow stared in. But there was a good film I haven’t seen tonight so I left early to try to find the place. The name of it was The Ritual. So I was looking forward to a great night at a new theater and a film I hadn’t seen.

After a small struggle I found the place and realized why I hadn’t been able to see it before. It is on a small street of high rise apartment buildings. You have to walk through the front door of one of these buildings and go down some stairs to the center area of the complex. I don’t know how else to describe it. These buildings are about 14 stories high and are squared to make a city block. In the middle is a common area and in some there is a park but in this one there is a theater. It’s crazy. The front doors are from the 50’s as you would find in an old theater in the States back then. It’s hard to describe this place but I think you should hear about it. So here is my best shot. As you walk in it’s rather dark as you enter a lobby area and on the left is the bar area where you can get beer or wine. On the right I’m thinking I would find the concession area. Not at this place there is a nice setting area where folks are either waiting for or coming out of the theater. I was trying to find the popcorn and fortunately I didn’t ask or I would probably been asked to leave. There is no food here. The wine is served in a nice glass which folks take into the theater and then bring back out after. It’s very civilized. I felt like a criminal because I brought a pack of M & M’s and had to sneak them quietly into my mouth not because of the theater rules but because of my fellow film buff’s. It was very funny. At one point the guy in front of me heard me do something and turned around like I spit ice on him. I didn’t hear anything.

Sorry I digress, but the theater is quite nice. There are reasonably good seats and the sound was a very good Dolby Digital System. I meet a few new folks afterward in the waiting area over a glass of wine. They had been to every one of the Bergman films. It was a great evening and would have been just a bit better to have a date but I couldn’t find anyone on this night. I forgot one more thing, the film of course is in Swedish and the subtitles are in Czech. A great film though and a real shocker in the ending

Alright now it is Sunday morning and I found out I lost my public transfer sometime last night. I can’t believe it, I can’t loose this. Remember how much trouble I had to get it. Just think of the torture I will have to go through to get another one. I’m sure I will loose an appendage over this. These Czech lady bureaucrats at that office are merciless. They could teach that asshole Don Rumsfeld new techniques. I have to find it. As I was dreaming last night I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind of that idiot in the theater turning around and glared at me. Then it struck me, He might have heard the small calculator case where I keep the card fall on the floor. I thought he heard me tear the package of

M & M’s open. Damn, I know that’s it.

It’s now 2pm and I’m heading for the theater. As I enter there isn’t anyone of importance around so I went straight for the theater area. There was some kind of class going on but I just acted like I was supposed to be there. As I made my way to where I sat I couldn’t see anything, it’s to dark. I put my glasses on and tried to see under the seats but nothing then I remembered my pack has one of my Pac safe carabineers on it. These carabineers have a combo lock and a LIGHT. Damn I knew I bought these for a reason. Within 30 seconds I had the calculator case and my pass inside.

I left quickly before someone tried to ask me any questions, I don’t know how I would have answered them. They would have been yelling at me in Czech as I ran away. I took a few pic’s on my way out for you. I love the place.

The “Mammut Climbing Gym," Prague 27/11/08 Day 133

Day 133 (slide show)

There isn’t really much to talk about these past two day’s. I know this blog is getting boring but that’s because I’m bored. I need to find somewhere to go. This weather is a bummer and I don’t like this sitting around.
I think I have the slide shows working better now and that should make a difference while you’re viewing the pictures. I’m going back and repairing all the previous days as fast as I can.

I meet a guy who wants to do some bouldering and he invited me to a “Boulder Bar” which I have heard is a bar with a wall. Seems crazy but I wanted to check it out. The roomer around is that bar’s put a small wall in to give you something to do while drinking. Imagine that in the states. There would be way too much liability for a place to try it.

So I was to meet Gerald at this place in an area that I wasn’t familiar with but I figured I could find it. I was kind of tired because I rode my bike for an hour and stayed up late last night working on the Mount Olympus post. I got to the area just in time and saw a sign that said “Lezecké centrum Mammut.” I was thinking, man this place is sweet. As I was going around back to the door I asked this fellow “Is this the Bolder Bar?” He mumbled and nodded yes as we both walked in. You know I should no better then to trust a guy that mumbles. This is a very nice place and a great lay out. There were several rooms with various routes. There is also a nice work out area and of course a bar. I put my shoes on and hung out for a while. Around 6:30pm I still hadn’t seen him, he’s now an hour late. As I was walking around I started to notice it getting crowded and remember that he told me it wouldn’t be crowded. Something’s Wrong (Junior Watson, Bluesman) I found out the “Boulder Bar” is around the front of the building and the wall there is about the size of a 4x8 sheet of plywood with a piece of carpet as a landing pad. What a bust. Why would there be two places in the same building and why didn’t he tell me that. It turns out that he likes the small bar because sometimes the let him climb for free. I told him they should pay us to climb on it, but what the hell. I made my why home and decided to try another day.

Dobrá Čajovna, Tea House 23/11/08 Days 129-131

Day 129-131 (slide show)

I woke to more snow today and heavy snow too. I don’t think there will be any bike riding for awhile. I’m trying to eat properly and working out 5 times a week but I worry it won’t be enough when the riding season comes. Right now my weight is 166 which is just about right. I was 150 to 155 when I arrived in Prague and that was to thin. I found a scale at a thrift store so now I can monitor my weight better. I think this winter is going to be long and cold. Not much happening today but I did attend a tea tasting party at a really nice Tea House named Dobrá Čajovna. I learned a lot about tea from many parts of the world and something I didn’t know is that Prague has had tea houses for over 500 years. It is quite a science with many different nuances. This tea experience was a special event and the owner let us come before opening hours so we would have the place for ourselves. I had an interesting day but I’m a coffee guy and it would be hard for me to switch I think.

On day 130 I stayed in and tried to figure out the Photo bucket application on this blog. I’ve hated the slide show app and after a few trial and errors, with a bit of pounding on the keyboard I think I solved it. My friend Nikolas who climbed Mount Olympus with me sent me a note about the posts of the climb. He was having trouble controlling the speed of the slide shows and it bothered me to think of my friend being frustrated. I have fixed the problem I hope. So Nicholas if you read this let me if things are better now.

I’m working on a slight change of plans in the “Round the World” trip. I had always planed to fly to Los Angeles after cycling around Central Europe, leaving sometime in Late July. I looking now at sending my bikes and gear back to an east coast port and flying there. After retrieving my stuff at that port I will buy a van or camper truck and drive across the country taking a northern route through Canada and the western states. I’m working on this and will let you know how it turns out. Flying would be such a bummer when I could drive it and see the country at a much slower pace. It’s a Bold and Audacious way to finish the journey.

On Day 131 the weather was strange and a little warmer. I was all set to go into the city to run errands when the sun came out. I jumped on Betsy for a ride but it was a bust. I need to watch out for these sucker days. You know who the sucker is. I got out there and rode down the hill only to find ice in every shady spot. I almost dumped poor Betsy and could have really hurt myself. Going down hill on ice is not a lot of fun. I was able to find a dry spot on the other side of the road to come back up but this was a mistake. I see some of the Czech riders out in this stuff but there on mountain bikes with big knobby tires. I wouldn’t be surprised if they haven’t fallen a few times too. Enough of this I thought and I headed into the city a little late.

I pounded out the second day of the Mount Olympus climb tonight. It took until about 2am. I wasn’t watching the time. I just kept righting away and when I finished I was surprised when I looked at my watch. I had such a good time on that climb it was fun to relive it. Now I need to get my Greek friends to approve it. I hope Nikolas and Mr. C. like it.

The John and George Café/Restaurant 22/11/08 Day 128

Day 128 (slide show)

Well I woke to more snow. There is about 2in now and it is still coming down. A few CS’ers posted that they were going biking today and I had to laugh. I would have liked to see that post a few days ago.

After working on the blog for a while I thought I would get over to “The Lennon Wall” and see what happens. I thought I could get some nice shots of the snow around the wall but it started to melt before I could get there. There wasn’t anyone around so I had a piece of there great carrot cake and some of the best tea around. It’s listed as George’s favorite. I’m not sure what kind it is but it has a definite Indian flavor and is served with honey. It’s very tasty. I relaxed there for a while and then made my way to the supermarket where I fight my way through the isles as the old Czech gals try to kill you. It is quite a different experience shopping here. There is still a communist flavor about the food stores. And another thing is if you mess up at the check out counter your in for a real tongue lashing by an old bag that has a beard longer then mine. I think they are actually jealous and want a beard as long as mine. Later on another day I will bring my camera and do a post on this experience.

I just got my bikes and it snows 20/11/08 Days 126,127

Day 126, 127 (slide show)

I was very tired and a little sore this morning. I didn’t get in until 3am and had to walk about 5k because the night tram didn’t show up at my stop. It was a nice night so the walk was good. I’m just glad it wasn’t very cold; you wouldn’t want to get caught out on that walk in the middle of January. I would like to go to that Juke Joint more often, (“The Blues is Alright” Albert King.) I figure if I want to see another show at U Malěho Glena again I would have to take a cab. That would probably run about 450kzc (est. $23.00) Not to bad but after then whole nights expenses it’s a bit pricey.

I was going to go riding today but I couldn’t muster the energy. It’s about 8c and a little windy but a good day to ride. I should have gone, I can’t miss these days. I did get something done though, I built Renee and she is looking great. She has a small problem with the front brake cable though. It seems to have stretched a bit. I will send a note to my friend Rob and get a second opinion.

On Day 127 I have an appointment at the warehouse where my crate is at . Remember CS Cargo? I want to check on the condition and get a quote on shipping my stuff back if I decide to do that. Right now I’m thinking it would be a good idea but will have to see how things work out. I don’t want to loose that crate though.

Today was the first day of snow and that didn’t sit to well with me. I just got my stuff and it snows. At least I have some warm clothing though. I think I’m in for a long winter.

After a little shopping in the area I went to my friend Alexey's house. He lives close to the warehouse and I've been wanting to see his bike. It gave me a chance to see another part of the city.After spending a few hours with him I headed for my flat. It’s on the other side of the city if you recall and takes a while to get there using all the local modes of transportation, Metro, Tram and walking or bus if I want.

A Blues infusion at "U Malěho Glena, Prague" 19/11/08 Day 125

Day 125 (slide show)

A crazy day today because I tried to ride but it started to rain and mist as soon as I got out the door. I was disappointed because it had gotten warmer during the night. Most of the time this would bother me but I wasn’t feeling too good and I don’t want to risk catching a cold. I’m meeting a few friends at a café later this afternoon and I hear there is a David černý piece of art there I’ve heard about. If you remember he is the artist that put the babies on the TV Tower in žižkov here in Prague.

Well I made the café and what a crazy piece of work. Its in a dark area so that makes it hard to get a good shot of the thing. The story is that it’s a mockery of the Kings Knights but I’m not sure about that. Something tells me there is more to it. It’s fun to go around the city and try to find all of his work. The good thing is I have only seen three pieces and I have many more to go.

Several days ago I had decided to find this Blues Club I had heard about. So after getting a schedule of the gigs I decided that today was the best night to go. Wednesdays are “Blues Night” and I need a Blues infusion.

I was very surprised at how great the place was. It is a cavern under a restaurant. The seating is for 25 to 30 people max and the sound is unforgettable. The cover is only 200 czk and the band was the “Rene Trossman Band.” He was very good and claims …bathed in a pure juice of Chicago Blues.” I think I have to agree, he played some old favorites and several pieces of his own. It was a real fun night and I got to talk to Rene about the States, since he is from Chicago, and told him I was a lifetime member of the Santa Barbra Blues Society. He actually knew of the group and had sent a few CD’s to a local DJ at a radio station in Santa Barbara just recently. So I’m giving the place and Rene a little plug. Another great thing happened on this night. I made some new friends from Dresden, Thomas and Grit Neumeister who for some reason took a liking to me and invited me to a Blues Festival in Dresden in May. It sounds like a good time and maybe I can do some riding there as well. So if you’re ever in Prague and want to see some good Blues or Jazz then U Malěho Glena is the place I recommend.

I’m back on the saddle again 18/11/08

Day 124 (slide show)

I got up early today so that I could get to the bike store early. I needed to get the bike pump quick. Even though its only 6C I can ride today if I have some air for the tires. A bike pump and a little chain oil was all I needed before heading for my flat. By noon I was out riding “Betsy the Buzz” she is my fast city bike that will do well around here with the hills. After riding for over an hour I can feel I need to get back in shape. My legs are burning and I’m gasping for air. But it feels good; my ass needs to get back in shape too, ouch. I was last on the bike on July 11 so I guess I’m going to be a little soft.

After a few adjustments with the brakes and derailleur’s, Betsy was purring like a kitten. I stopped in a park and planted my camera in a tree to get these shots. It was quite funny for these two local ladies who were walking as they saw me set the camera then hurry to ride out in front of it. I would do these circles and they couldn’t figure it out. It is a nice day to ride even though I’m very cold.