One year ago we took possession of the flat, moved in and became property owners again. What has happened in this past year? SO MANY things!
On our visits to Olomouc estate agents we noted a distinct unwillingness to rent flats to Englishy expats with three dogs and one cat. Can't really blame them – I mean, who in their right mind would let their property to an English couple?
Hence our first-floor flat purchase which, by the end of March, was all done and dusted having gone thorough bureaucratic efficiency, appropriate hoops jumped through, fees paid and signatures added to goodness only knows what in ultra-triplicate triplicatiness. Our move merely involved walking across town with suitcases, picking up the cat and dogs from the kennels, buying a mattress and kipping on the bare parquet floor until such times as the rest of our things arrived.
That the big blue container containing furniture and possessions got unecessarily held up in Prague for two weeks by the removals people severely tested the patience, but in the end the boxes were all brought in and stacked at various points around the flat. The following months would involve navigating around cardboard monoliths on the hunt for things that must be in there somewhere...
This time last year was also a period of heavy snow, a real contrast with the present balmy spring conditions. It has been a pleasure to once again watch the rotation of seasons.
It was not immediately obvious how the dogs (and cat) would take to crossing continents, but they are wonderfully adaptable creatures. I'm sure they still dream of chasing monkeys, but the Czech Republic has its very own kind in the form of red squirrels and cuddly hedgehogs, which they have regular opportunities to meet.
Finally, the refurbishment of kitchen and bathroom was completed. Although not perfect, and still in need of 'finishing off', it looks grand. The loft bed with walk-in closet storage was made.
Part of the point of moving away from Hong Kong last year was to immerse ourselves into another culture. In truth, the Czech ways of doing things are not so very far removed from those of the UK, but the language difference is the difference: it makes for something close, yet far away. Just when you think you're getting somewhere, a new linguistic rule comes along to sew chaos and confusion into the humble English 'foreign language brain cell'. And that's when the local beer, that nectar of the gods that tastes even better than it sounds, leaps into action transforming everything into a pleasurable experience with its delicious and healthy amber hue.
With much pleasure we discovered that Olomouc, and the Czech Republic at large, has a vibrant artistic and musical scene – from classical to math rock, from Iggy Pop to local Hana folk, all have willing and receptive audiences. And it's cheap – often free! One of the most memorable nights was an evening of contemporary dance at the University, an unexpected performance that blew my socks, pants and string vest away.
This year has also included Toastmasters, the talk-shop for improving presentation skills, and the English book club, both thereby being the vehicle for the making of many good new friends.
Trips this year to nearby cities of Prague, Bratislava, Vienna and Krakow enabled a greater appreciation of Central Europe – that great hinterland with historic connections and a rich cultural heritage. With extra memorable trips to Velehrad, the foundry of Czech Christian spirituality, to Přírodě, the superb village of historic architecture, and twice to the nearby hilltop castle of Bouzov, the whole year has been an eye-opener in many ways. Amongst other trips, November included a wonderful trip to sunny Seville, December for Brenda meant Hong Kong, January saw us in London where we met up again with a long-lost friend Cashain, and March took us on the recent trip to Bangkok and a visit our good friends Jan and Karin in Chiang Mai. Before leaving Hong Kong in 2013, we said that we wanted to travel and not merely have holidays anymore: well, that's certainly happening!
In August arrangements were made for my aunt's piano to be brought over from the UK – very nice it looks too. In November we popped over to Gloucestershire to attend Chris's very important birthday (and go to the pub), and in February hosted a Burns night supper for the first time, with real haggis, neaps and tatties, and between us polished off a bottle of the lovely smooth Glenmorangie. Only a week later Brenda also had a very important birthday of her own, which we celebrated with the first party of the new flat. Phew!
Amongst our visitors, lovely daughter number 2 Alys came to see us and travel around a bit, as did Paul, Joanne and James to sample Czech beer at the Svatováclavský pivovar, Brenda's PhD mentor Professor Chris Forlin stayed long enough to get a taste of Czechishness, and Chris & Kev with Kev's sister Bev stopped over on their mammoth summer tour of Europe. At Christmas lovely daughter number 1 Rachel became a person of engaged proclivities with Tom, so there was much rejoicing and making of merry.
Oh yes, and I've writtended things. Short stories, poems, blogs, longer pieces. For those of you waiting for the finished articles, they are forthcoming, but will take a while to complete. Part of the deal is that I earn a crust by teaching English a bit here and there, in local firms and at the University, and that takes up a little time. I have also abridged a version of Aesop's Fables (and helped do the same with Huckleberry Finn) for a Czech publisher and led a seminar on creativity and blogging at the University English department. So, in case you were wondering, I've been busy in this regard and still have much to do.
Twelve months ago there was, of course, no way we could have predicted the course of the year. Similarly, this anniversary is as exciting in projection as much as it is in retrospect. But to find out more, you'll just have to watch this space.
Comments