Erasmus Experience

Today, I'm thrilled to share with you an unforgettable cinematic experience centered around the  film Marketa Lazarová. After some exploration, I stumbled upon Marketa Lazarová, a gem of Czech cinema renowned for its mesmerizing storyline and cinematography. As the opening scenes unfolded, I was drawn into the world of medieval Bohemia. Set against the backdrop of the 13th century, the film follows the journey of Marketa, a young woman from a noble family, and Mikoláš, the son of a rival clan leader, as they navigate the complexities of love and loyalty amidst the backdrop of feuding clans and political intrigue. What truly captivated me about this film was its stunning cinematography. The film amazingly captures the rugged beauty of the Czech landscape, with sweeping shots of rolling hills and forests that transported me to another time and place. Each frame is a real work of art, composed to evoke a sense of both grandeur and intimacy that perfectly complements the narrative of t...

  Jeseniky is simply amazing. Wait a minute...YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ARE JESENIKY. Shame on you 😂 It is a national park in Checkia, and let me tell you it is gorgeous.  You may asked what to do there right? Well if you like hiking and are not in the Lebron James condition, you are in luck. The mountains or rather hills are not very steep and easily walkable by foot. On the other hand, if you are a fan of winter sports, you may consider going on a ski trip in the winter months.  I recommend managing your booking in one of the villages, such as Vapenna, because of the lower cost, accessibility by train or car, and necessary infrastructure (shops, bars...). If you are going to spend a few days here I recommend visiting a nearby place called Black Waters, yes that is the literal name of the place. It got its name after the typical colour of the water, which is actually seen as black, due to the soil. Here you can find numerous lakes, that usually have places to sit and you can ...

Today, I want to share an incredible experience I had in the Czechian National Park, Jeseníky. The park itself was breathtaking, and I'll delve into its beauty in my next blog post. But what truly left a mark on me was the accommodation. I stumbled upon it on Booking.com (where else?) and booked it because, let's face it, it was one of the cheapest options out there. Just €53 for two days and two people. Yes, you read that right! When we arrived, a charming old lady greeted us at the door of this grand house. She kindly asked us to remove our shoes, and we happily obliged. Stepping inside, I felt like I was entering someone's home. She was so delightful that I almost wanted to adopt her as my third grandma! 😅 The first order of business: paying the bill. And here's where it gets hilarious. This sweet old lady couldn't operate a card machine to save her life😂 So, I had to manually input all the details. And no, I didn't cheat. Now, let's talk about her Engl...

Czechia is apparently one of the most atheistic countries in Europe, which is surprising given the abundance of churches in its cities.  When searching for Gothic cathedrals or beautiful churches, the first thing that probably comes up is a picture of Czech churches. Anyway, I decided to investigate how the ceremony, or rather the Mass, is conducted. In Olomouc, they have a very interesting Mass on Sundays, conducted in English. Yes, in English. The church is located close to the main square and appears quite simple from the outside. It lacks flashy architectural features, golden statues, or sculptures; just a simple staircase leads you to the entrance. The priest endeavors to conduct the service in English, although he is still learning, so one must be patient with him. What was particularly interesting is that they only choose someone to read the scriptures a few minutes before the beginning... and this week, he chose a newbie... ME 😂 I was a bit nervous, but in the end, I think...

Prepare to be dazzled because I unearthed a hidden gem right here in Olomouc: the Zoophilist's dream, also known as Olomouc's ZOO. Is it worth visiting? Is just like any other ZOO? Is it big and has any attraction? Yes. Yes. Yes. All true, it is amazing and I am not exaggerate.  Now, you might be asking yourself: Is it worth a visit?  Is it just like any other zoo?  Does it have any special attractions? Well, let me tell you, it's a resounding yes to all those questions!  This place is nothing short of amazing, and I'm not even exaggerating. First things first, let's talk about how to get there. It's a breeze, really. You can hop on a train to a nearby village or catch a bus that drops you off just 500 meters from the entrance. But here's the kicker: if you're between the ages of 15 and 60 and fancy a stroll, you can easily walk from Olomouc itself. It's about a 2-hour walk, but it's a delightful one. And while you're at it, why not make a pi...

  What a title, right? Are you curious? 😁 No doubt you're wondering, who the heck is Moravia, right? 😂 Well, it's a part of Czechia, of course. Czechia is divided into three major regions with interesting names: Bohemia - named after the tribes who inhabited it (the Romans named it and the name stuck) Moravia - named after the Morava River (despite its less-than-pleasant brown color 😅) Silesia - named after the mountain and river (surprise, surprise 😂) And now, the name of the grandmother is... Opava! 😲😲 Yes, you heard it right. Opava is the grandmother of Czech Silesia. In her youth, she was in good health and was the largest and most important city in Czechia, but now her granddaughter Ostrava has taken her place. Nevertheless, Opava is still a somewhat important and sizable city with 55,000 inhabitants. Seriously, what's there to see here? I would recommend visiting one of the parks. There are so many of them, it's hard to miss one. My personal favorite is the ...

  Have you ever woundered if someoune is actually stupid or just pretending to be? We all know that guy who can be having IQ of a 160 or just 60 Well I have the Czech author actually described that person, in his tale Good Soldier Švejk. Although, it apperently represent Czechs, but I believe he just describes my friend Janez form Graz. Today, let's embark on a adventure into the world of The Good Soldier Švejk, a timeless classic of Czech literature. First things first, if you haven't met Švejk yet, allow me to introduce you to this goofy friend. Character was written by Czech author Jaroslav Hašek, it is a satirical novel (for those who don't know it it is ment for mocking someone or something) set during World War I as he navigates the absurdities of military life.  Believe me it's funny so read it😀 Picture this: a world where chaos reigns supreme, bureaucracy is king, and common sense is in short supply. Now, Švejk emerges as a beacon of hilarity, armed with a quic...

Are you ready to learn about a golden city in Europe?? It's not made out of gold, but in the past was one of the richest. Do you know which one it is?? It is Prague, the capital of Czechia. Picture this: cobblestone streets winding through centuries-old architecture, secret gardens tucked away behind ancient walls, and hidden cafes serving up the perfect cup of joe😀 That's the vibe you'll find in Prague. Take your time to admire the intricate facades of historic landmarks like St. Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle – after all, there's no rush in this city. Feeling hungry? Wanna eat? No???? Believe after the whole day of walking you will want to grab a bite😁 Head to one of Prague's quirky eateries or street food markets for a taste of local cuisine. From hearty Czech classics like svíčková and knedlíky to street snacks like trdelník, there's something to satisfy the craving. And don't forget to wash it all down with a refreshing pint of Czech beer. After re...

 The weirdest church in the world must be in the Czech Republic. No, you don't agree? I mean...have you been to Kutna Hora. No, then shut....😡 Just kidding, but it really is one of the most terrifying places in the world I must say. It is located near Prague, approximately 1 hour by train and it was one of the most popular places in the past due to the silver mining culture there.  So, yes they were rich and built big cathedrals 😂 and they are astonishing, just breathtaking. One of them is the Cathedral of St.Barbara probably the Cathedral of Kutna Hora, the name is not surprising since this was a mining city (and she is a saint patron of miners). Its stunning Gothic architecture is just amazing and stained glass is the closest thing you can call perfection. You really must see it it's just woooow😁 Before I tell you about the creepiest place on the planet I will talk about another cathedral and a museum. Another cathedral is closer to the main train station and is also unde...

Quick, what is the first thought when you hear Metamorphosis??? No, not the song, that is super popular these days🤦 Your first association might be the OG - Ovid's Metamorphosis or even Shawn's Pygmalion if you love Victorian Literature😁 Well...not if you are Czech. Then your first association will be Kafka's bizarre Metamorphosis. Yea, THE Kafka's work😁 Imagine:  When you wake up in the morning, you probably have breakfast, a shower, and take a s... Now, your name is Gregor Samsa, traveling salesman, you wake up as a gigantic insect. Yeah, that happened to the main character in the work. Kafka didn't take any time to joke around, he gave us a big pile of WTF from the start. Now, you might think waking up as a bug would be cause for alarm, but Gregor takes it all in stride. Well, as much as one can when you've sprouted extra legs overnight. The magic begins when Gregor's family discovers his creepy-crawly makeover. Let's just say family breakfast take...