New Zealand

Hello!

Now we are ready to travel to New Zealand!

This is a very unusual and multicultural country where the spirit of native Maori peacefully exists together with English traditions. New Zealand managed to keep balance between aborigens and "invadors" and avoided conflicts.

New Zealand has official languages: Maori and English.  

Česko

Ahoj!

This time I take you to Czech Republic. Fasten your seat belt!

 Czech republic was mentioned first time in 9th century, when those lands were united by Przhemyslovichs. Historically, Czech republic consists of Bohemia, Moravia and partly Sylesia. Czech is divided on 13 regions (kraj) and the capital.

If to speak about history of Czech republic, it is very rich as it was influenced by totally different cultures such as Austro-Hungary, Slovakia, Germany and later, Soviet Union and it left its mark. But I will not go into very details because Czech managed to preserve its national spirit.

What do we know about Czech? Beer? Architecture? Resorts? It is what Czech is famous for. But did not you know that the University of Praha is one of the oldest in Europe? Or that Bohemian glass is being produced for already more that 8 centuries? Or that there are whole centences in Czech language that do not contain any vowels and stress is being put on the consonant letters? And more, more, more...

Zlata Praha the capital of Czech is claimed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the whole Europe and maybe even the world. For me this city is been always associated with the shining spring sun, reflected in the cobbled roadway. Such a picture... Praha's grad which the centre of the city represents the unique architectural ensemble and appears to be the example of gotic architecture. Celetná ulice is one of the oldest streets is the city. It gained its name from the name of cookies which were sold there centuries ago. In the Middle ages this street was a part of the trade way from Eastern Czech. it leads to the Staroměstské náměstí, the main square of the city.

There many picturesque cities in Czech and I will tell you a legend about one of them. This city is called Rabstein. The legend tells that one day the feudal lord was being on the falconry when one of the falcons killed the raven. In the stomac of the raven the stone was found. One magician told the lord that he owns the stone and if the lord return it he will be rewarded. The lord returned the stone to magician and suddenly that place was covered with the darkness. People were frightened, but when the darkness was cleared everyone saw the castle appeared among the mountains. They called it Rabstein which is translated as "Raven stone". Till nowadays you can see the old walls of this castle.

I think it is not necessary to tell you about Czech beer, you know better than me that there are thousands of different beer brands which are prepared according to the old traditions and every single brewery keeps its own secrets.

To start with

GUTEN TAG!

 I am greeting you in German because this time I take you to Austria! Austria... The most vivid fantasy of mine. Let us start.

IN GENERAL 

National Emblem

National flag 

 Originally in German language Austria is Österreich, which is translated as "Eastern country". This name was noted firstly in 996. The official language is German (Austrian German) Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian.
 The flag of Austria consist of three stripes: the white one symbolizes waters of Danube and two red stands for the blood of Austrian patriots which was shed for the independence of Austrian republic. The official religion is Roman Catholic.

 

 For me Austria had always been a country of wonder. Why? Firstly, because of outstanding beauty of its nature. Green Alpine meadows, mountain lakes surrounded with snowy Alps are so picturesque! Alps and alpine skiing in Austria it is a single topic.

There are so many different ski resorts that anyone can find something that suits him exactly. But Alpine slopes are not only about skiing. There are opportunities to try snowbiking or snowkiting. If you are already interested, you can find more information on http://www.austria.info/ru/winter-urlaub-oesterreich


 Then I should mention architecture. As a person who studied arts and was preparing to become and architect I cannot neglect this topic. The Vienna is a real old European capital, where every stone is pierced through history and can tell you a whole story. Austria is often called " A country of palaces" as there are plenty of palaces and castles which witnessed the epoque of balls, gorgeous dresses, gallantry and honor. Till nowadays Austria keeps the spirit of that great history of Austria-Hungary and its architecture guards this spirit. But entrancing fairy palaces are getting on peacefully with modern buildings. This combination making you feel that you are travelling through time and as you turn to another street you step to another century.


I will not speak about national celebrations but Vienna's balls merit attention. "When Vienna dances, the whole world watching". You forget about the time and again you are in eighteenth century. Probably the most significant event of the ball season is The Vienna Opera Ball. You can find out more on http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/opernball/Allgemein.en.php. You will not lose your time - but you will get aesthetic delight reading it!
Doubtless, it can take not hours, but ages to discuss Austrian culture - especially ballet and music. Who does not know Mozart or Strauss? A country of Waltzes - another nickname of Austria.


One more thing I want to tell you about - strudel. It is one of the Austrian treasure which Austrians are very proud of. In the past, when music was played only live and when getting dark the candles were lightened no one would marry a girl who cannot bake a strudel! It was an old tradition to consider a girl ready to be a wife. There are plenty of legends created about it. One of them tells that the Austrian Emperor's perfectionist cook decreed that the pastry for strudel should be so thin and elastic that it should be possible to read a love letter through it.

For those who are fond of cooking I give a recipe:

APPLE STRUDEL

Strudel Dough
2 quarts cooking apples, cut fine
1 cup seeded raisins
1/2 cup currants
1/4 pound almonds, blanched and chopped
1 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter

Combine all ingredients except butter. As rapidly as possible, spread apple filling evenly over three-quarters of the stretched, buttered Strudel Dough. Drip some melted butter over filling. Roll up, trim edges, then place in pan. Brush with remaining butter from time to time while baking.

Serve slightly warm

I could write more and more... But I would stop here. See you next time in another country!

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to my first blog! I used a lot of imagination to decide what to tell you and finally I came up with idea to write about the countries I am dreaming to visit. Of course, if I could, I would visit every single country and speak with every single person in the world. But I should try to be more realistic. Let me imagine that every year I am being given an opportunity to visit one country of my choice. Where to go first? Where then? What I expect to feel? I will select some countries and tell you how I feel about them. I may seem naive, but do not laugh -  I will only play with my imagination. I will include in my description some interesting and original information such as national traditions, celebrations and cuisine. Definitely, each of this topics could be a subject for thousands of books and researches, but I am not a scientist. I am just a girl who is facinated with the pure striking beauty of nature, culture and ethnography. So I invite you to the world of my dreams! Are you ready?