Author: Ethan P

This narcissism more like narcotics

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Noticed

18.06.2019

Prague, Czech Republic (21 of 30)

On average Americans spend over three hours a day on their smartphone. In my lifetime I experienced how the internet became integral to modern society even though our species prospered for over 200,000 years without it. After exploring Prague for a month, it is apparent many more people can be seen reading books in public as opposed to folks in Austin. Czech bookstores are visible throughout the city and seeing someone on the tram or metro reach for a novel out of their bag is commonplace. Since most Czechs use the metro to commute where cell reception ceases underground I think it encourages locals to find activities such as reading to occupy their spare time. What good is a device without a Wi-Fi password?

When others are found staring at their iPhones I noticed a woman reading as she waited for the tram. Her eyes followed the words on the pages of her book secreted underneath a book cover as she made sure to glance at the trams passing by the stop. Despite the commotion and tram bells, she appeared to be fully engaged in the activity. Focus is something my generation appears to struggle with largely because of the dot-com boom. Everything on the internet seems to act like a casino competing for our attention, time, and money. I believe there is something to be learned from the woman reading in a place where refreshing Facebook feeds has become an oddly natural way to pass time in the 21st century. Technology should be used as a tool to enhance the quality of life, but with the exponential growth, it appears to be sucking the life out of us. So it goes.

Come together, right now

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Location Notations

17.06.2019

Prague, Czech Republic (20 of 30)

Letná Park is one of the most renowned parks in Prague for good reasons. It offers copious amounts of grass for sports and picnics, trails to walk, and even a skatepark where the largest monument of Stalin used to stand before it was destroyed in 1962. After a busy day at work or a day of walking around the city, many can be seen gathering at Letná for the beer garden it offers. Eating dinner with fresh Czech beer while sitting in a space that overlooks Prague is something many enjoy once the sunny days of spring emerge.

The park benches surrounded by chestnut trees provide a suitable atmosphere for ending the day as the sun sets over Prague. As people move back and forth between the tables and the beer stands I noticed the two pourers that worked together proficiently to provide others with the cold beer they sought. After I spent the day trotting all over Prague with my professor’s sons and now my new friends we ended the day at Letná to relax with an old friend of mine. Brian from my hometown is traveling Europe this month with his brother who graduated from UT this past May. Since they are in Prague for a few days we decided to meet at the end of the day at the garden as a group. Catching up with old friends is always something to look forward to in life especially when both individuals are simply coming together to share each others time.

Every step counts

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A Thousand Words

16.06.2019

České Švýcarsko National Park – Jetřichovice, Czech Republic (19 of 30)

Rain is appreciable especially when it brings clouds and lower temperatures to craft a perfect day for hiking. I drove from Mittelndorf early in the morning back to the Czech Republic to find a town that was 10 miles from where I hiked previously. Jetřichovice was a simple North Bohemian town located on the outskirts of České Švýcarsko. Near an abandoned sanitarium I found a free parking area where a national park sign could be found in front of a trail. After talking to some hikers, I learned the seven-mile trail through the mountains made a loop back to the starting point and I decided to start the trek.

Finding a trail less congested with other people made for a marvelous experience. It differed from the other in the way that it had marked paths along the loop that led to viewpoints high on top of the surrounding mountains. Stairs, ladders, and even a bit of scrambling was used to reach these areas that I found to be the highlights of the hike. The second viewpoint was the one that established a picture in my head of what makes České Švýcarsko so special. Endless hills, tall trees, and magnificent mountains could be seen with a small village visible in the distance. The epic church bells rang for an extended period and I saw a family taking in the scenery around them. They looked at the points of interest scattered through the region, some which I later found could be accessed on the trail. Sights like these could have never been obtained near Prague and the vast difference the countryside provides is a reason many Czechs have summer cottages. The land offers serenity and a source for the mind to take a step back and enjoy the natural world.

A Bohemian road trip

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Weekend Miser

15.06.2019

České Švýcarsko National Park – Hřensko, Czech Republic (18 of 30)

In north Bohemia, České Švýcarsko National Park can be found fused with Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany. The two countries share the region associated with the famous Elbe Sandstone Mountains, where hikers and climbers can be found along the many trails and rocks. I rented my first car and headed to České Švýcarsko early in the morning to experience the legendary trails and heavenly scenery. The area I found to hike was packed with many Czechs and Germans that escaped just like I did to enjoy the day.

I parked my car and hiked the trail many start with from Hřensko to Mezní Louka. As I hiked the steep elevation found at the beginning of the trail in my sandals everything felt right. The sandstone mountains surrounded me, the tall trees alleviated me from the sun, and the sandy ground provided a nice break from the cobblestone streets of Prague. After the first three miles I came upon the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Pravčická Brána is a landmark of the Czech Republic and the tavern built next to it during the 1800s provided a place to chow down on some sausages with mustard and bread for my lunch break.

The trail provided the break I needed from the busy city. In under two hours I was able to travel from Prague to the northernmost region of the Czech Republic and it only set me back five dollars to park and hike for the day. It was much different going back to photographing landscapes, especially this time making sure to include people. Since Germany was only a few kilometers north of where I was parked some hikers I met recommended I check out Bad Schandau where The Painters Way runs through. Famous artists such as Caspar David Friedrich have been known to wander this trail to find inspiration for their artwork. I then found accommodation in the small German village of Mittelndorf where I ate amazing schnitzel at a local restaurant. The problem solving I faced throughout the day made it the most meaningful experience I have had so far in the Czech Republic and I hope to have more like it.

The method of stop, tap, spin

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Small Wonder

14.06.2019

Prague, Czech Republic (17 of 30)

About half of the citizens in the Czech Republic own a pet. Most own dogs for the companionship and familiarity they offer to their owners. Seeing dogs in the park, on the tram, at the bar, and in strollers are common sights in Prague. Opposed to the US people here tend to keep to themselves rather than asking to pet and play with every pooch that walks down the street. The lack of small talk and language barriers work well for the Czechs just wanting to mind their own business.
 
Muzzles are fairly common in Prague regardless of breed. Technically dogs not in closed carriers must wear a muzzle, but I only notice them on public transportation and sometimes on the streets. On the flipside, leashes are not seen as frequently, but those off-leash seem to follow their owners very diligently while keeping to their own business. Its appeasing to know a fine of up to $900 can be issued to those who don’t pick up their dog’s poop keeping the city unsoiled in this sense. I generally applaud Czechs for being responsible pet owners and having well-trained dogs.
 
As I was walking through a park close to New Town, I saw two older women conversing with their dogs at the side. I couldn’t help myself from getting eye level with the Frenchie, a popular choice of breed for Czechs. I enjoy seeing dogs at this level with their owners as it adds a sense of what the world must be like for these smaller pups. Different perspectives seem to add a dramatic twist on photographs giving them a greater sense of wonder. Using a lens that lacks zoom has not only brought me closer in proximity to the subjects I photograph, but also closer to thinking about moments in an ordinary yet creative sense.

To travel the path less traveled

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Not from these parts

13.06.2019

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic (16 of 30)

Český Krumlov ranks second under Prague for being the most visited tourist destination in the Czech Republic. A small romantic town surrounded by the well-known Vltava River, ancient Český castle and flanked by the mountainous green terrain makes perfect sense why many decide to make their getaway here. The streets consist of tourists mostly from Korea, Japan, and China largely due to a deal made with Czech Airlines that offers inexpensive tickets from these countries. Despite the crowds, Český Krumlov offers an experience without the constant excursion and activity nagging I have seen in other parts of the world making it feel less touristy as a whole. The Czech Republic also ranks number seven on the safest countries to travel in the world which is great added reassurance to anyone traveling the country.

I have never seen more selfie sticks in my life. Everywhere I look people with these contraptions can be seen capturing picturesque Instagram updates in front of the stunning architecture and epic vistas. Despite the magnificence, I think it is quite silly and would rather capture more natural and intimate moments in the environment but to each their own. Today I took a hike to a timeworn monastery which overlooks Krumlov and found it remarkable no tourists were exploring this area past the town. I only ran into a couple of men riding horses, two older ladies, and a solo mountain biker on my outing. The sense of bliss and isolation the trails just outside of town offered made me certain this place is something special. Despite the constant foot traffic, there are ways to get around it and experience Český Krumlov from a contradictory perspective others tend to pay no attention.

Everything, everything was alright

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Architecturally Speaking
 
12.06.2019
 
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic (15 of 30)
 
As a native Texan, it can be easy to forget how massive the range is compared to other states and countries. The area of approximately eight Czech Republics can fit into the area Texas engulfs. It only took three hours to travel from Prague to Český Krumlov via bus as I quickly found outside of urban Prague to be mostly countryside. Český Krumlov has a population of 12,000 and is located in southern Bohemia only 25 miles north of Austria. The small town obtained its name from the river that bends around it, creating an ideal place for a fortified castle nearly as large as Prague Castle.
 
It is fascinating to visit a place that remains original from the time it was constructed during the 13th century. The intricate architecture, town square, and small streets that lack vehicles add a sense of originality to the town unobstructed by modern society. It is lovely to walk around and explore without the need for public transportation in a place that is 22 times smaller than Prague. I found my first day here very refreshing as it lacks the busyness and ambiance of Prague in exchange for mother nature. Among the crowd consisting primarily of tourists, I was able to find spots to photograph free from cars, signs, and other hindering backgrounds. A smile stretched across my face as I thought to myself how incredible it is to be able to experience this journey for the excuse photography provides.
 

Enjoy the process

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Around Here

11.06.2019

Prague, Czech Republic (14 of 30)

Everywhere I seem to turn in Prague beer and gelato are always in abundance. What even makes it better is these two elements are drastically inexpensive when compared to the states. I simply cannot go a day without beer and ice cream when it is consistently a dollar. There’s no other way to go than indulging in a large Pilsner Urquell at meals, a Czech specialty born and brewed in Plzeň. It was the first blond lager ever made and where the type of beer often called pilsner originates. This bottom fermented beer is light, golden in color, and always topped with three fingers worth of foam. Upon arrival to Prague, the foam appeared to take up so much space in the mug that I felt I was being cheated. I later found out Pilsner Urquell requires beer pourers all over Czech to pour their beer in a very specific and consistent manner to obtain the desired result. I now enjoy the foam and have learned it not only calms the carbonation but also brings out the rich flavors that the pilsner offers.

Finding Czechs enjoying gelato just like beer is a common site to see. Whether it’s at a park, after the metro, or on a hot summer day children and adults alike can both enjoy the creamy creation. Just near the Vltava River, I saw a mother with her daughter taking a moment to enjoy the day. Czechs as a whole seem to find time for this and the smaller things in life like walking, reading, and enjoying each other’s company are very important to them. I think there is something to learn in spending time to appreciate things like this in the modern age. A process from start to finish opposed to convenience can often be a beautiful thing.

Up all night

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The Nocturnalist

10.06.2019

Prague, Czech Republic (13 of 30)

The clubs in Prague are unconnected to what I have seen before. As bars start closing in the states the party is only getting started in Prague. It is typical for nightclubs to stay open until four with the weekend nights not ending until the sun is shining bright. When night arrives think of Old Town as Prague’s entertainment district similar to something like Sixth Street in Austin. However, rather than everything being confined to a street, the bars and clubs are spaced throughout the district. Often a variety of music is offered and separated by the different floors of the venue. Music like Jazz, Latin, and 70s Rock are popular and easy to come by and can sometimes all be found under the same roof.

I was hesitant a first to bring my camera to a place everyone else was dancing and partying. However, I did think it would be quite cool to capture moments on the inside as well as the ones I was focusing on the outside. I entered and walked down a couple of floors to what felt like a basement, but with a bar and an electronic scene. Immediately I saw the two DJs running the show with music and lights timed accordingly. Both of the guys were full of energy and appeared to be enjoying themselves so bringing the camera close wasn’t an issue.

Prague has something for everyone and it is always changing. Exploring the city at night deserves just as much praise as during the day. Partying is far from the only activity at night. Walking around to view the monuments and buildings contrasts the typical representation as many are lit up when night falls. You never quite know what you will stumble upon and I think that’s part of the beauty Prague offers

Sliding to shred

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Weekend Miser
 
09.06.2019
 
Prague, Czech Republic (12 of 30)
 
Despite the bumpy roads and busy streets, the skate scene thrives in Prague. It was something I wasn’t expecting as I thought to myself about all the cobblestone, tram lines, and insufficient crosswalks. The sport tends to get a bad reputation as a whole because public streets and sidewalks often are the sites for grinding rails and kickflips. However, Prague has several skateparks spaced throughout the city which gives skaters a community as well as a haven to work on their tricks. These parks also help keep skating off the streets and in the parks. It is a win-win for both sides.
 
However, when it comes to longboarding anywhere there is a decline there is an opportunity. This sport is much different than traditional skateboarding. Participants often gear up to flash down steep streets while making sharp turns. With Prague’s excellent public transportation system, it gives longboarders a chance to pick and choose exactly where they want to ride. The longboarders I encountered today were able to get to the top of Petřín Hill via a cable car for just under a dollar. At the top, an observation tower that resembles the Eifel tower sits at one-tenth its size. Once there they had 327 meters of asphalt to ride downhill. As they blazed down and made turns I could hear the sound the slide gloves made to provide the rider with additional friction. That was when I found myself finding shortcuts down the hill to obtain a position to photograph, and see the sport up close for myself.