Vraclav

Prague isn’t that big a city, especially for a capital, but not so when you compare it to Vraclav. A small village that is an hours’ walk from the nearest station of Vysoké Mýto, Vraclav is slightly remote. But that’s OK when you are building a largely self-sufficient house, as Sarka and Jakub are doing.
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Cya Steph, G’day Lozza

Steph has now returned to the big ol’ USA, happy to be going home, sad she wasn’t teaching in Spain, but had good times in Prague We went to a Spanish restaurant followed with a few drinks.

Next day I met Lauren who happened to be in Prague for a few days! She was mid travel with her folks, after spending a month discovering her roots in Ireland.

JTV - April 2008

A catchup of recent JTV action.
With Super Special FX Sumo, YoYoMaster, Bug Guys, Velcro Wall and more and Girls on Slippery Slides.

japanprobe | tvinjapan

+1 Skill: Sewing

Ahh the little skills you learn while traveling; How to order a drink in 12 languages, how to clean an entire load of washing in the bathroom sink, the ability to sleep through anything, and now sewing. Well sort of.

My Jeans were looking a little worse-for-wear, so I took faith in a £1 sewing kit. My previous sewing experience consists of threading needles for mum, and finding (read: stepping on) all the pins she left around the house. But if Phil can worm his way past Star City’s ‘no ripped jean’ policy with a kit from 7-11, surely I can fix these little holes.

About 2 hours and 12 meters of string later, my jeans were “patched”. I wouldn’t start sending me measurements for your next formal outfit, but at least you can’t see what colour underpants I’m wearing anymore. It will probably all come undone once I wash them, but thats a long way off (another backpacker skill).

Those kids in China must have loads of fun. I know you all want to see my handy work, so here it is.

Random Prague 3

The sun is making a frequent appearance now, and I finally begin to appreciate being in Prague! But it also means the tourist season is starting to ramp up big time. All the more reason to go to a less known park and avoid the crowds. Continue Reading…

Hanami in London

Up in this half of the world, its heading into Spring time. In Japan, that means Cherry blossom season, or “Sakura” (which means “shit” or “god damn” in Czech FYI!). And Sakura means Hanami - Having a picnic under the trees in one of the many large Parks in Japan. So why not Hyde Park in London? There was a large Hanami party organised by a Japanese group so we tagged along. But of course, this is London. While the trees are blooming, its still cold, and still wet. We lasted about 2hrs in the park before moving to a pub near by instead. There were a few brits and an american girl there all with much better Japanese than mine, but at least I can get 50% whats going on. (Here in Prague im lucky to get any words haha).

Before Hanami however, I went to Portobella Road Markets (basically full of antique crap from peoples attics, but still fun and busy despite the weather) and inside a boutique chocolate shop that has an amazing smell that hits you as soon as you walk in! They were all very expensive (like Ł10 for a small bag) but looked great, and many seemed to be dark chocolate with only a couple of ingredients (vegan friendly!).

The Quest for Astor

For whatever reason, I keep going back to Astor Quest in Bayswater, London.
There is nothing particularly special about this hostel, but it does stand out above the general crappy-standard of London hostels, and you simply can’t beat it’s price and location combo, and general Bang-for-Buck. Continue Reading…

PRG -> LTN

I was planning a short trip back to London to pick up a bag I left (I broke my rule of 2 bags only damnit), sort some things, buy some things, and catch up with Naomi before she left the UK. I’ve been wary of these so called low-cost airlines, using weird airports, early flights, and low baggage limits, but this time Continue Reading…