Page 52 - Cindy Salas Murphy San Diego Woman Magazine

TR A VEL

boy or girl and have prepared
at least one beautifully sung
song or poem to recite in
front of these strange visitors.
Even though the devil with
his rattling chains and cold
stare may seem horrifying,
St. Nicholas and the angel are
there to protect you. After
all, you will be rewarded
for your good behavior and
talent with a gift of oranges,
nuts, or candy.
Speaking of traditions, do
we really eat carp on Christ-
mas Eve? Not only do we eat
it, but some families keep
a live carp in their bathtub
in the days leading up to
Christmas. This very popular
custom is a favorite, especial-
ly among the kids. Therein
lies only one problem. How
do you let this slippery family
friend that has been named
and played with for days
become a dinner? This is not
always an easy task to explain
to the crying youngsters.
However, there is one thing
you can keep even after the
carp is long digested—its
shiny scales. If you keep just
one in your wallet, it’s sup-
posed to bring you good luck
for the rest of the year!
On the surface, Czechs
may seem pessimistic or
even prickly individuals with
a healthy level of sarcasm
and brutal honesty, which
is especially true for the
older generation. If you ask
someone how they are, be
prepared to hear the whole
story as most of the time, you
will not get a simple “Great or
Good.” Additionally, Czech fresh in the minds of our el- become a progressive nation our country. Also, be sure to
people are thrifty, extremely ders. As my grandfather used with a thriving economy travel to smaller towns off the
resourceful, do-it-yourself to joke, “Guests are coming, as well as an exciting travel beaten path to truly expe-
experts with bartering ten- add some water to the soup!” destination. While admiring rience the many ways that
dencies and unique ingenu- But deep in our hearts, we priceless architectural won- make us so uniquely Czech.
ity. Some of these traits are are friendly, jovial, and social ders, gothic castles, rivers, Who knows, you might be
embedded in our society as people that like to give, even and shops at the main tourist enchanted by an experience
our country has gone through if we don’t have much to give. sites, be sure to pay atten- that will forever capture a
a colorful history of battles, During the last decades, tion to the culture, stories, piece of your heart and soul.
wars, and occupations still The Czech Republic has and legends that encapsulate

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