Easter= Whippin' Time

Since getting back from Budapest 2 weeks ago, there has been some sunlight in Prague. While that means all the vampires have disappeared, those of us with season affective disorder are faring far better.

Last weekend was Easter, which Czechs celebrate in a very special way. About 85% of the country is atheist, so Easter is more like a day off from work than a religious holiday. The special Czech traditions include painting eggs, eating sweets, and whipping women. Yes, whipping. On Easter Monday, the men of the Czech Republic make whips out of willow branches and colored ribbons (yes, very manly) and proceed to whip the women, who then supposedly have good luck. This practice is carried out by children and grown men alike. Petr, my Czech friend, said he had to go home to the mountains for the weekend to whip his mother. Professor Zaruba said he had a lovely holiday but his sister did not. She cannot sit down because their cousin whipped her all day!

Because I have been in Prague for the past few weekends, I’ve had some time to do day trips and loaf around the city. I went back to Zizchov to see the babies crawling up the TV tower on a clear day, and climbed a giant mountain to see the national monument to Jan Zizka. I also went to a flea market run by the Vietnamese mafia. They sell Gucci purses AND brass knuckles!

I also tried some sweet new restaurants and pubs. I found “the best falafel in Prague”, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to the falafel in Berlin. And I went to a secret pub in a converted cinema where they played a Czech cover of “Holding Out for a Hero” from Footloose and the entire Grease soundtrack. Czechs just love Grease.

Unfortunately, I actually have some real reading and paper-writing to do. Again, I find that the “study” aspect of “study abroad” is a burden.

Nascle!