Quiet Weekend
We had a quiet weekend for the first time this week. A good soaking Saturday morning led us to alter our plans. We had intended to go to what may arguably be the most beautiful city in the Czech Republic, Česky Krumlov. However, since Silas is outlawed from going on any castle tours, he and a keeper would have to spend the whole time outside. Since everything was wet and there was a chance of more rain, we decided to stay local.
Our fun started Friday night when Lucy went to a Primary ice cream party and spent the night with a family from church. They watched an American movie in Czech with English subtitles. It was Alvin and the Chipmunks. Meanwhile, back at home, the rest of us watched a Czech movie in Czech with Czech subtitles and Kristine giving a running commentary. We were quite a sight - Kristine, Silas, Peter all snuggled up on the couch watching delightedly and Caleb on the far end of the couch, his head propped up by his hand with a look of utter boredom.
Anyway, on Saturday we took the #19 bus to the end of the line, walked past a most creeping looking old apartment building (there were no flowers in any window boxes or plants on any decks), and entered the woods. Our goal was a complex of small lakes that had been excavated from marshland starting in the 15th century for carp production. The shallow lakes, some of which had numerous small islands, are host to an amazing quantity of waterfowl. The dikes between the lakes are lined with old oak trees, forming a canopy.
Small aside...These are the sorts of roads that really appeal to me. When I was little we had a print hanging in our living room that showed a country road with trees lining it. I used to sit and imagine where it led. Now, when I am on roads like this, I find myself in a most remarkable spot where I am simultaneously reminiscing, enjoying the present scene, and imaging future possibilities. These roads are magic for me.
Because Silas had an early, short nap he was ready to go do stuff in the afternoon so Caleb, Silas, and I went on a little bike ride. The plan was to go a little west of town and hope to find some plum trees along the side of the road so we could make plum dumplings. Three and half hours later we returned. No plums, but we had a small bag of pears (there are fruit trees planted along the side of the road that you can just pick from) and had seen a lot of the countryside, including the town of Lipi three times. At one point, biking on a narrow lane, through trees, along a fishpond, I asked Caleb if he could understand why I would like to never have a job again and just stay here. He said, "Yeah, I understand. I hope you understand why I want to go back and be with my friends!"
We finished the evening with another movie and a pear crumble.
Today for church we watched the videos of the semiannual General Conference that took place last week and then had the missionaries over for Mexican food.
All in all it was a weekend much like we would have had in Minnesota, but no sign of snow here.
Peter
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It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Much better than our skiff of snow we had to endure yesterday.
Someday someone might be able to explain to me, since I have yet to understand, WHY people purposely do carp production. Those things may eat all the gunk but they are disgusting!
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