Lunch

After all that walking around we worked up quite an appetite. 

And look what we found:

Appetite killer.

A common Czech practice. Selling a parts of a pig on the side of a road to all those who do not have the space or time to raise their own pigs. 

After totally losing my appetite at the sight of that we walked into the restaurant.

This place is know for it's assortment of wild meats including boar, pheasant, venison, as well as many others. I thought ordering the garlic soup was a safe (meat free) choice but I was wrong. I dipped my spoon into the bowl only to find chunks of ham floating around. Luckily they took the soup back and brought me meat-free potato soup and a big salad.

Hello Prague

First stop Tehov, the countryside where Linnea's dad's family had their summer home. The sold the cabin a few year ago but we were lucky enough to meet new owner and walk around the property. 

Czech Countryside

On the way to the house.

The Hardlund Home.

Chatting with the new owner (on the right)

Beautiful property.

 Next Stop, Konopiště Chateau. Established in 1280, this chateau located about 30 miles south of Prague was last home to Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Unfortunately it was closed for the season but we were still able to walk around the grounds.

The Chateau.

I Spy...              ...A PEACOCK!

 

Looking up at the Chateau.

The Chateau from the lake.

The lake.

Berlin-4

In case you missed the previous posts about my trip to Berlin just click below:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

On our final day in Berlin Linnea, Annette and I took a boat tour as a way to see the important sites from another perspective.

 

 

The evening ended with a lovely walk through a park and then dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant. Berlin in a city with unbelievable amounts of green space. There were parks (large and small) everywhere!

   

Thanks you David, Annette, Bella and Ceci for such a lovely stay. I had a wonderful time being together again, it felt so natural. Actually at one point it felt like we were back in Ithaca. The girlies were checking to see if Lilo was on Skype and at that moment another neighbor called! After briefly talking with him and then talking to Lilo later that evening it really felt like I was home.

Highlights from the weekend (no particular order):

German Breads

Touring the city by bike

Sleeping and living in a home (not a room)

Gallery hopping on Satutday night

Girls night with Ceci and Bella

Family game night featuring pimply pim and the coin game

Berlin- the new and old

Rogacki

Nefertiti's Bust

Gates of Babylon

Berlin Wall and Check Point Charlie

Home cooked meal

Inexpensive food prices

& many more...

Berlin Part 3- Rogacki

After watching Anthony Bordain's No Reservations in Berlin I knew I just had to go to Rogacki while I was in Berlin. Rogacki is a traditional, unchanged deli from 1928.

The place was full of cured meats, smoked fish, fresh fish, pickled vegetables, and side salads of all kinds.

Lots of freshly smoked fish.

Unbelievable!

 The selection of smoked fish was truly unbelievable. They had any fish you could want including eel!

Pickled things.

After the feeling of being overwhelmed by options subsided we were all able to find something the eat. I ended up choosing smoked mackerel and I could not have been happier! The two fillets only cost 4 euros, so cheap! I also got pickled cabbage slaw and pickled celeriac. Everything was phenomenal and the atmosphere definitely added to the fun. The place was crowded with people of all ages but everyone working looked like they could have been there since the 1920's when the place opened. Once you had your food the only place to eat was standing elbow-to-elbow at tall tables.

 

Smoked Mackerel with pickled celeriac, and pickled cabbage slaw.

Part of the Gang.

Annette and Ceci

Demolished.