Hotpot/Chinese New Year Celebration

One of my friends invited another friend and me to her house for hotpot. I was so excited for the hotpot because it had been a while since I have had it.  She also invited a neighbor and her family to join us.  It was so nice to meet everyone and share a delicious meal.  I didn't want to go empty handed, so I made Chinese walnut cookies, but added a bit of chocolate on top. The cookies vanished in no time. We had some fun with their bird and it was flying around the house going on people's heads.  It was quite funny and I was able to get some pictures before the bird flew off again. It was such a fun afternoon filled with delicious food!!  We'll have to do it again in the near future!  Thanks for everything!!!

                                                                    yuzu tea is heart shaped cups

                                                                lots of teas to choose from

                                                                spicy and regular broth

                                                                        China

                                                                            Japan

                                                                            Czech

                                                                        Czech  10,430

                                                                            Slovakia

                                                                                Czech  10,432

                                                                            so cute!

                                           

                                                                    Japanese sake

                                                                            sake

Masopust

Leoš wanted to go to a Masopust celebration.  He checked online and there were so many places to choose from.  Finally, we decided to go to Zadní Treban.  Once we arrived to the village, there were so many cars parked everywhere and the main road was closed.  Luckily, we were able to find a spot to park the car.  My friend recently went to a Masopust celebration and the Czech President was there.  She was even able to take a photo with him.  I was really hoping that the President would attend this Masopust, but I think it was too small of an event.  Regardless, we had a good time and enjoyed some nice food. I do not think hygiene control would've been too happy with how the meat was being served.  There was a man that was basically separating the meat from the bone with his bare hands.  Just before serving Leoš, he took a bone and starting to suck the meat off of it.  I had to turn away and laugh.  I couldn't believe what I saw.  No one in the line cared though.  It was a great way to see how Masopust is celebrated in a small village.

                                                                delicious langoš I got

                                                            long line of people waiting for meat

                                                                the meat was "cut" by hand

                                                                meat that Leoš got

                                                            had to take a picture of the village

                                                    eating some retro candy we got at Masopust

                                       Masopust celebration in Praha next to the Charles Bridge

Anniversary Trip

Leoš and I wanted to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary and we thought it would be nice to do a day trip to Germany. Leoš found a bridge in nature that makes a nice circle when you are able to see the reflection.  Unfortunately, it was still quite cold and the water was still frozen.  We weren't able to see a perfect circle from the main view point, so we walked around the area to try and find a good angle.  We were able to see somewhat of a circle, but we will need to visit again in the spring, summer or fall in order to see it properly.  It was a nice way to get into some nature though.  On our way back, we stopped in Usti nad Labem to have some Indian food.  Last summer, Leoš had a game in Usti nad Labem and I found a very good Indian restaurant.  I wanted to go again with him, so that's why we stopped there for dinner.  The food was great again and did not disappoint. It was just funny that we stopped in a city for Indian food in the Czech Republic. It was a great day!

                                                                        let's go to Germany!

                                                                    still too cold!!

                                                       found a new flavor in the supermarket

                                                         signs were in Polish and German

                                                            this time we could see a circle

                                                        from this angle you could even see me

                                                            sitting between heaven and hell

                                                                

                                                        bread stuffed with a meat mixture

                                                                            naan

                                                                        gulab jamun