This and That and Some More...

The travel situation worked itself out nicely. After deciding that the flights are just too expensive an option, since I am on Smike International, Inc., business and I have to answer to the CEO (he's a real frugal character),I investigated the train option further (thanks for the advice Patrick). I did find a direct (meaning same train all the way, but about 50 stops) one to Split, Croatia from Prague. Considering I had such a lovely time on the train from Budapest to Prague, I am hoping for the Hollywood treatment yet again, especially since this one will be nearly an entire day, about 21 hours. I stopped off at the book store to pick up a book and am actually excited to see if I can get through the book during the train ride. Normally, I would be very upset right about now, considering things are not working according to my pre-set plan of action. Those of you who know me well can attest to my temper, so I am finding my newfound calm a little frightening in that it is a place a I rarely traveled. Acceptance can be amazingly, refeshingly relaxing. Basically, I lose a day of being somewhere, except for the train, and since this trip is so long, that's fine.

While checking out old town Prague, or Praha, as is used here, I dashed into the liquor store to buy some gum (really, that was the intention). However, I noticed a large section of Absinthe. Now, I have had the stuff that they sell in America which has been reformulated to pass our tough FDA regualtions (bit of sarcasm here) and it is nothing like the legendary stuff of history books. To be fair, other countries have banned the real thing as well for health reasons. I think they say Van Gough cut off his ear after drinking it, so that tells you something. Well, tell me no and that makes me want to try it (within reason mama). I asked the worker to sell me the best, most authentic stuff. He, of course, seemed happy to comply. I paid about $13 USD for a small bottle, read airplane size bottle, of the stuff and ventured back to a quaint little park hidded just off the main touristy part of old town. I found this park because I had been eyeing some real estate to renovate nearby. I sat on a white park bench and opened my treasure, anxious to discover the mystery of Absinthe. Did I mention I had purchased some gum? I unscrewed the cap and took a sniff at the bottle. It smelled of roots and black licorice/anise. We mostly know of it as candy, but the candy is made from the dried root of a European leguminous plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) with the extract of this plant used for Absinthe. Another ingredient offering flavor is wormwood, are you getting the picture here? It is typically green, though this Czech version was light brown and still had the roots and floaters in the bottle (I guess like the worm in Tequila). I tiled back the tiny bottle and as the first few drops entered my mouth I felt the gag refex immediately. The liquid burned as it slid down my throat and further into my digestive track. I swear I could feel the path it took as it finally found a resting spot in my stomach. I waited a moment to see if anything out of the ordinary occured. Nothing. I tilted it back again, then repeated this about ten more times before I finally finished the stuff. Each time, I washed it down with the water I had so smartly picked up along with the gum. I had to chew two pieces before the tase of the Absinthe subsided. I sat and waited, then realized it was just a scam. This stuff too was a pale imitation, and not even authentically green! Nevertheless, it was mildly amusing, sitting in the park, pretending to be bad with my covert consumption of Absinthe.

On the walk, sometime after the Absinthe, it happened. Not a reaction to it, but a wonderful experience with a fellow artist. At least I think this actually happened, lol. I typically wander aimlessly when I travel because I always find the best encounters this way. This day, it happened again, just by meandering with no destination in mind. I came across a man, up on a ladder doing some painting. Upon further investigation, I realized he was creating a faux wood effect over the entire entrance to a hotel. Now, I have been doing this for over a decade in my homes (and homes of my clients) in Los Angeles, so this situation proved most exciting. I immediately took out my camera and starting taking pictures, much to the interest of this laborer. He stopped, then looked at me admiring his craft. Then, like I would have done in this situation, he tried to communciate with me, sensing ourselves simpatico. He spoke no English, and I no Czech, but we somehow managed to speed the next fifteen minutes together, "discussing" his craft. He showed me his formula (much like my own) and even showed me his secret ingredient, something I never ever, ever would have considered or thought about as something to use. This alone, this gift from him to me, completely made my trip worth it. I am eager to try his formula. He even showed me the European tools the master craftsmen have been using to perfect their technique for jobs in the major European museums and other historic sites. After WWII, a lot of rebuilding took place and many materials had to be "faux" for cost and availability reasons. In any case, I think I can replicate his tools as well when I return. I traveled back the next day to inspect his job (cannot stop being a designer even when I am trying to investigate real estate), and was amazed by his brillant work.

Another design element that must be discussed here, due to my shock about it, is the ubiquitous use of 2x2 inch cut granite stones which are placed together on the ground tightly, forming walkways, driveways, sidewalks, entrances, and the list continues. They use different colors to form various patterns on the ground, making the miles upons miles a typical tourist journeys not so horrible as the artwork beneath their feet entertains the mind. They use this material instead of concrete - even the curbs are larger cut pieces of stone. The roads, of course are made of granite and other hard stone cut into probably 6x6 inch pieces. I had really forgotten this aspect of European cities, and still marvel at the availability here of the materials I use (and pay dearly for) during my renovation work back home. I am probably one of the few tourists who even cares about such matters, but it is part of what I love about being here, walking on such beauty, carved from the earth and placed back artistically.