November 30
Hello everyone!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kazakhstan, yet won’t miss
the morning trudge to the bus stop through howling winds in temperatures
regularly dipping below -30’C. One of the reasons we moved to Prague was the
more moderate climate, where winter can be enjoyed rather than endured.
That’s not to say the Czech Republic is a tropical paradise.
Colleagues here are already warning us that the temperatures will dip sharply
to uncomfortable levels during the next couple of months. This fact is tempered
by the inevitability that the capital will look stunning wrapped in a blanket
of fluffy, white snow. Indeed, on a recent risk assessment trip to the south I
was introduced to the breathtaking beauty of central Europe when snowflakes
decorate the region.
Though it has threatened to do so, the weather system has
yet to dump significant volumes of snow onto Prague. The image of a winter
wonderland is thus currently restricted to our imagination, or looking at pictures on the internet such as the one below. In spite of the
lack of snow, though, the city is certainly gearing up for the magic of
Christmas.
It’s just my opinion, but Christmas seems more magical in
this part of the world than any other I have experienced. The atmosphere of a
central European city in winter seems remarkably relaxed. The build-up to
Christmas in Britain is stressful, pressurised by expectation of satisfying the
commercial hunger of the general population. December in Thailand and Singapore
bizarrely combines artificial snow with blazing sunshine and shorts. Koreans,
and indeed I, worked and studied on Christmas Eve, resulting in no time to
foster a ‘Christmas spirit’.
It may be because the old Christendom has had hundreds of
years to perfect it, but places such as Prague and Dresden (see the next blog
for that adventure) seem to have struck a harmonious balance between the bustle
of the markets and a friendly air reflecting the fact that this is the season
of goodwill. The wooden toys and trinkets are a reminder of days gone by,
before Father Christmas was asked for a PSP (though I was probably guilty of
such lustful commercialism when I was younger), whilst the mulled wine and
cinnamon rolls called 'trdelnik' warm the masses as they peruse the stalls of local
produce.
Masses is an apt word to describe the incredible number of
people who turned out for the first day of the Prague markets this Saturday. It
is normally something I would avoid like the plague, but any agoraphobia or
fear of being pickpocketed was trumped by the desire to see the lighting of the
tree in Old Town square. A mighty green conifer currently soars over the wooden
stalls below; not that you would know its original colour if the lights are
turned on, as they have been since the big countdown.
Ignoring the outrageous electricity bill that the tree must
be racking up, it is a wondrous sight that is sure to bring a smile to the stoniest
face. Bright pear drops fall lazily as snakes of lights flash white warmth
across the square, with colourful baubles twirling in the breeze within them. A
giant circular star sits proudly on the top.
There are three sets of markets in central Prague: Old Town
square (the busiest), Wenceslas Square (the longest) and Republic Square (the
cheapest mulled wine). All are worth a visit, and within a short walk of one
another. All of them have a friendly, warm atmosphere that has the potential to
make you tremendously excited for Christmas. It has certainly made me eager
with anticipation for the holidays, even without any snow falling.
Love you all
Matt
hey Kris Angel nice photos,
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