h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Kes 2 things- I've not seen you for a couple of days, so I thought I'd come visit, and you list an interest in Prague- I'm going there at the end of the month (I'm so excited!! ) any tips?

Joanna xxx

Yes - you bet! How terrific! I'll post some info. here real soon - tomorrow at latest. Tell me a bit about your tastes - music, theatre, buildings, churches? food, drink - I'll give you the potted guide - it will be a pleasure. How fantastic for you!

See you back here soon

Well, I'm only there for about 5 days, and some of the time will be taken up attempting to be mean to people from the International Monetary Fund...

...but where should I go and where shouldn't I? Where's decent places to eat? Exactly how confusing will the natives find English? Exactly how hard will I find it to pronounce the number four?

OK - I'll give you all that. Your last question first (you are observant). Answer - nearly impossible. Phonetically, it approximates to:

Shteergje

More tomorrow - sorry - must fly RL calls me!

Ooh I've just found Radio Praha online....

Princess,

You lucky lady! Prague is one of my favourite cities. I have been there several times.

Dobry den. Yak se mash?
Good day. how are you doing?

Jsem dobry, a te?
I'm good, and you?

Velme dobry, dekui
Very good, thanks.

Ya jsem oshraletz - kupi mui na pivo
I am an alcoholic - buy me a drink

OK - that's enough basic (phonetic) Czech for you to get by on.

The solution to the "four" problem is simple.

Tri krat pif, prosim - oh - yestje jedno.
Three beers please - oh - and another one.

I'll go through the things that I would re-visit. If they're not your thing - tell me, and I'll spread into other areas. This is a random, unordered list - use a map to be efficient. BTW - the trams are slow but reliable; taxis are diametrically opposite.

Don't know if you're staying with a family or what ... There's not so much English spoken as in Western Europe, but enough people speak a little. They may also speak French or German (German - avoid if possible - don't mention the war, etc.)

Eats: Restaurants can be expensive - check the prices. Try doing what the locals do. Get breakfast at a milk bar (Mlekarna) - fresh milk, fresh bread, fruit - very cheap. Eating houses (rather than posh restaurants) are good value, but stick to three stars or better, otherwise it gets very greasy. Try the local staples - "Hovesi e knedliki" - beef and dumplings, or a huge range of sausages. Fish? Carp is a delicacy (honest - it's good - try it if you get the chance).

Drinks: Everything available at a price. Do you drink beer? perhaps you might consider it. The Czech republic is a beer haven. The original "pilsener" comes from the town of Plzen (outside Prague). so the premium beer is Plzner Prazdroj. In Prague the best local brew is Staropramen, but even the stuff served in paper cups at railway stations tastes great. For nights out - try the restaurant breweries (not posh) U Fleku (city centre) U Kalecha (a bit of a suburban exploration). By the end of the evening they give away garlic bread and bacon in an effort to sober people up and get them to go home.

Culture: Yes - plenty, all good. National theatre, National opera - good productions, low prices. If a show called "Laterna Magica" is still going - must see - nothing like it anywhere else.

History\buildings: The castle (Hradcany). Allow a whole day. It's no ordinary castle - it's an entire medieval fortified town on a hilltop - castle, palace, cathedral (of St Vitus), streets of 14th century houses. The cathedral has a breathtaking rose window; the alchemists' street is now shops - you can get some very interesting, not too expensive glass jewelry there. (Oh yes - crystal glass - first rate - glasses - carry at your own risk, but the jewelry packs flat).

Down the hill from the castle, towards the city centre - Karluv Most (Charles' Bridge) over the river Vltava\Moldau\Danube. Only one of its kind (14th century again) left.

(Obvious musical note: Make sure you have Smetana's "Ma Vlast" - especially the "Vltava" movement in your head when you walk over Charles' Bridge - it's exactly right - a brilliant tone poem).

City centre: Vatslavskaya Namesti (Wenceslas Square) European - mix of public buildings and shops on a rectangular "square". The statue of Prince (not King) W sits at the top of the square - used to be a student rallying point in the bad old days.

Old Town Square: Staromesti Namesti - medieval town square, with market. Lots of old buildings; clock with mechanical figures; Must see the Tyn church on one side of square - completely "landlocked" - surrounded by merchants' houses and shops.

Almost every church is worth a look inside. This city completely escaped bombing in WW2 - its architecture is unparalleled.

How's that for starters? Questions? ask away - my pleasure to help you.

oh my... doesn't it sound wonderful actually I may get to go twice....

Aparently I'll be staying in an apartment in Praha 1... and I have my cd of Ma Vlast, seeing Vltava is high on my list of things I'm pleased to do...

So I'm going to think of questions....

Like I said - very happy to help. You should be nice and close to the city centre - very handy. As\when\if I think of anything else, I'll jot it down over the weekend, and add to the notes, but your questions will probably be good triggers.

I confess to a little envy of your good fortune ... but not enough to subtract anything from it!!!

What else? Ah, perhaps a health warning. The national spirit - Slivovic - plum brandy. Rumoured to have been used for the Soviet space programme. By all means try it, but remember the following:

- stick to reputable brands - the cheap stuff is a killer. "Jelinek" is the best brand.
- it is ridiculuosly strong - very small doses only
- unfortunately, you drink it neat, and in one go.
- the correct toasts are "Na Zdravi" (To health - implies "of all") or, if one-on-one "Zdravi tobye" (Your health)
- sit down immediately after drinking. Do not attempt to move for a couple of minutes.



Zdravi Tobye, Princess
Kes

Are there any major *don'ts*? cultural things not to do, things not to say, places not to go & stuff?

Zdravi tobye, Kes

Good point, Princess.

Yes, there are a few:

Avoid speaking German, or praising Germany, unless sure of the company. The western provinces (mainly Bohemia) were claimed by Germany before WW2, leading to the occupation of the whole country.

Avoid the old name of the country, (Czechoslovakia); also Slovakia. The Czechs were against the recent division of the country.

Be wary of discussions about Communism. Czechoslovakia was a liberal communist regime until August 1968, when the Russians invaded. It then became very hard-line, relaxing only during the last 10 years. People might favour any of those regimes - you'll never know which 'til the argument starts!

I'm not aware of any places that you shouldn't go. (At least, I managed to avoid arrest)

I'll kep thinking - you keep asking. When are you going? You said end of month?

... but before you go ..... another favour (grovel, grovel) ...

I've done a first draft of the item on hidden meanings in Bach's "Goldberg" variations. It's at http://www.h2g2.com/A433748
Could I ask you to take a look, and give me your opinion?

*Rushes out in search of suitable cakes*

Thanks, princess.

*Re-enters with paper bag*

Back to the vanilla slices - nothing else left. Never mind.

Princess of Darkness ... and ACE of Style! Thanks.
I tried your suggestion of blockquotes for the Vivaldi verses - it looks great!

What can I offer in return, other than virtual vanilla?

Well i do have one bit of news. Remember the Levin reconstruction of the Mozart Requiem we talked about? There is now a recording. He's made one with the conductor (Helmuth Rilling) who helped him with the research. It is:

hanssler classics CD 98.146 of Mozart KV626 / 341 Requiem and Kyrie

Thanks again - see you soon.
Kes

Thanks for the info Not that I can speak German anyway, so that kind of puts an end to that- I just shan't try.
I'm going on the 21st of this month, the travel agent called this morning to say I could come and pick up my tickets!

Ace of Style... I kinda like the sound of that! and vanilla slices- always a favourite.

Oh, and I read the Goldberg Variations entry. Its fascinating Its funny, but I never tend to think of Bach as a regular human being with a sense of humour, who would kind of stick out his tongue at critics...

Going on the 21st - just over a week! By air, or rail? If I think of any more tips, I'll tell you, but I think we've been through most of them.

Thanks for the observations on "Goldberg". Any style comments, "Ace"?

Something to think about - let me know your opinion: Once these articles are "polished" and proofed, we have met the terms of the original project. Actually, exceeded it, because we have an item on Handel to go with the main article. Taking the project as a whole, should we now submit it .... or should we try to add more? The most obvious thing (and I keep avoiding looking at it!) is that not all the major composers have their own entries!

You can bring your experience from the astronomy project to bear on this .... Oh, yes ... how do I notify the Uni. of our status?

See you later - thanks again for your help.
Kes

By air. I don't think I could change train in a foreign language...

Which composers do you think deserve entries? & I can't think of any more style comments, atm...

A good thing to do may be to ask someone like Fragilis the Melodical to look over it, now...

I don't actually knows what happens to the finished project yet- I emailed Peta over a month ago to say mine was as done as I could make it, and Its got no further....

*puts ginger cake on table* I have a favour to ask- can you look over my pictures at an exhibiton entry again? its here http://www.h2g2.com/A416837

*Takes slice of cake*
Never could resist a bribe and a smile
Going to take a look.

I've read through it a couple of times, and compared it with earlier notes. I think that's it - no mistakes (not that I spotted!), and it flows very nicely. I think it's ready to go. Let me know when you submit it - I'll then wander along and say something nice about it to get the approval process rolling.

Nicely done, Princess.

http://www.h2g2.com/F48874?thread=75789 - I figured I may as well submit it already, because at this rate its not going to get reccommended any time soon :-) Thanks, Kes. :-)

You're welcome, princess. Now visiting ....