Italian Cooking Class

This month we had an Italian Cooking Class.  The chef was Stefania Lenzotti, the owner of an amazing Italian food shop: La Dispensa Italiana. We learned so much about the ingredients and techniques on how to prepare the dishes. When it came to knowledge, one fact that surprised everyone is the fact that when olives come into Europe and they sit on the dock for 2 weeks, they can be considered "European olives".  So, its always important to check olive oils when you buy them.  If they say made by "European Olives" don't buy the oil.  Plus olive oil is one of the most counterfeited items. Stefi told us that it was better to buy sunflower oil than cheap olive oil. When it came to cooking, I think all of us were so surprised when we added carrots and celery to the mixture for the bruschetta.  It was soooooo good and such a nice surprise for everyone.  Stefi did a great job separating people into groups for the dishes and everyone was able to go to the different "stations" and see what they were doing.   After the class was finished, Madeline and I went back to her hotel to use of one the perks they give their guests: free entry to the Lesser Town Bridge Tower.  Each room could have two people, so even though I didn't stay with her, I was able to go with her.  We were the only ones in the tower for 10-15 minutes.  It was really cool.  First we went to the first deck and then we had to walk up several flights of stairs (the last set was really narrow and steep) to get to the top.  The views were amazing and I couldn't believe that I hadn't been there before.  It was such a great day!!

                                                                so many ingredients!!!

                                                                        more

                                                                    and even more

                                                                        team risotto

                                                                        team lazy lasagna

                                                                    

                                                                        team bruschetta

                                                                        yummy risotto

                                                                    team tiramisu

                                                                        bruschetta

                                                        sooooo good!!!

          we were all finished eating and Helena was still making extra bruschetta topping

                                                                            Italy

                                                                        Israel

                                                                        Denmark

                                                                        Norway

                                                                                Croatia

                                                                            USA

                                                                        Brazil

                                                                    Slovakia

                                                                Czech Republic  10,589

                                                   

                                                   

                                                       

                                               going up the tower on the Charles Bridge

                                                                going all the way to the top

A Friend's Visit

A friend of mine whom I met in Georgia, while we were both teaching there almost 13 years ago, told me she was traveling to Berlin.  She asked if I was in Prague, so she could stop by before heading to Vienna. Thank goodness our timings worked out.  We made plans to meet in the evening when she arrived.  Before that, in the afternoon, Leos was contacted by a person new to trading stocks and wanted to ask him some questions. We had time, so we agreed to meet her and her boyfriend.  They came from Berlin for the weekend. We had some nice chats and it was good to meet them.  After that I needed to go to the train station to pick up my friend, Madeline.  It was so good to see her again and catch each other up on our lives!

                                                                         Taiwan

                                                                        Germany  10,580

                                                                            China

                                              recreating the same photo she took 12 years ago

                                                                

Ice Skating for Great Table (JTBC, South Korea)

Today was a great day for ice skating.  There were blue skies and the morning was just beautiful.  I was interviewed by a Korean tv program called Great Table.  I had my interview in Czech, so that's going to be hilarious to watch. The program should come out next month. The interviewer and cameraman were really nice.  We had a fun time even though it was so short.   I was so happy that there were only teenage girls on the ice because if there were any boys on the ice, it would've been a bit hectic.  Jay, I'm so sorry that I didn't check the photo better to see that your eyes were closed.  We'll have to take another picture in the summer!  It was great meeting you two.  Hope to see you again!   After ice skating, Leos and I went for lunch in the center because I worked up an appetite. 

                                      

                                                                    South Korea  10,578

                                               

        

                                      

                                                                lunch with Leos

First Real Snow in Prague

It was so nice to FINALLY see Praha under some snow.  It wasn't that much, but it still made the park areas look nice.  A few days later all the snow melted, so I am happy that I went on a nice walk when it was white outside.  

                                         we went to a pop-up book/card display in the center

                                                            cookies at my student's house

New Years Eve and Day

For New Years Eve we decided to just have a relaxed one and stay home.  We made open sandwiches and had our prosecco and were just fine.  There were so many signs and announcements throughout Prague saying that fireworks were illegal for the New Years celebration.  Those rules didn't come into effect at all.  We were actually able to see fireworks from the comfort of our apartment.  On New Years Day we went for a nice walk around the city.  The sunset was amazing at night.  The colors in the sky were great.  It was a nice new start for the New Year.  I wish everyone good health and happiness for the New Year!  I can't wait  to see what 2025 has in store for me.