Friday, November 28, 2008

Family Tree


Well, my boss, Daniel, surprised me with a trip to Hodslavice, Czech Republic. My Aunt Karen sent our family tree. Most of my father's mother's family is from this town in the Czech Republic. Not only did I get to walk around town and the church (built in the 1500s), I also went to all five houses my family was from. The house never change from the time they were built. They keep records of every person who lived in the house from the time it was built! I found all my family.

Check out the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015038&l=50ded&id=145900207. I wish I could tell my grandma all about it. It will be a memory that I will always cherish.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Vienna!


Well I just spent a fly by night weekend in Vienna! It was crazy. My first time on a train! We caught the noonish train and arrived at the hostel around 8ish, I think. It was so so cold. We couldn't find the hostel called the Do Step Inn. But we finally did, then hit the town. We walked all over, even into a starbucks! Yes, I can feed my addiction even over here! Even the manikins looked european. I think on some of the window fronts would not be good for little American eyes. But over here it was a common, way to common. The buildings on the other hand were so beautiful you wanted to look at it all, but your body reminded you how cold it was and your feet how long it had been. So we woke up the next morning, went to some Christmas markets. You could have just ate the food the whole time and done nothing else and you still wouldn't have tried everything. The bake goods were soooooooo good! I feel like I ate like 10 a day. lol. I did try the mulled wine, not a fan. I finally found what I was looking for, a Christmas Pyrimad about Christ's birth. They had lots with deer. I mean deer, really? Not, even reindeer. Weird. And for a good price. It was 20 euro. I was really happy. I also got a hedgehog made of wood and pinecones it looks like. Hedgehogs are wild here. So I thought it was fitting. We saw so many building, fountains, stautes, arches, and churches I can even start to name them all. In fact I don't know the names of many of them. Sad, I know. Oh, and I did try Chestnuts roasting on a open fire! They were really good. More Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015073&l=af9f5&id=145900207

We went to Stephansdom. It was awesome. The church was so beautiful and huge! We went on the Catacombs tour. It was really really cool. They said no pictures, but I had to take atleast one, so I took two. We came out from the tombs in the square to lots of snow. It snowed the rest of the day. We hit up one more christmas market and a cafe, went to bed. The next day was much bettter, well the weather was. Church on the other hand. The sermon was like he read right out of Chicken Soup for the Chirstian Soul. He said the word "Jesus" 3 times! It touched a tear duct or two but to touch the heart it takes the word of God, which was missing. Thank goodness for the readings. We finished the day with some more churches and a christmas market. Then we raced to the train around 3pm. Making back to Cesky Tesin about 9pm. It was lots of fun! There was so much to do. I def want to go back. I have a list now of things I want to do (eg Stephansdom tower, the ferris wheel, both Palaces, the gardens, maybe a play or concert). Still more pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015084&l=b0d4f&id=145900207
Stay tuned for tomorrow! First train ride by myself to Praha for the day!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Daily Discovery 2!



Today Jola made us lunch! We had pudding; no instant here. We had to boil milk and pudding powder. This is how they sell milk in the store. It comes in a 1 liter box on a shelf (yes, not cold). Check out when it expires!


p.s. Today I found doughnuts! Life is good.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Daily Discovery!


I discovered Czech flower shaped Christmas cookies that are awesome!!

The ones I had were red in the center. They were so so so good. Must find more :)

Package Ideas

Everything listed below either can not be found here or I just simply miss the American type
Ideas for what to send in Packages:

  • Crunchy Peanut Butter
  • Peanut Butter Flavor things: Nutterbutter Cookies, PB cookies mix, PB candy
  • Bag of Chocolate Chips
  • Anything with Chocolate Chips in it: Cookies, cookie mix
  • Real Liquid Vanilla
  • Jiffy Corn Bread Mix
  • American Cheese Flavor: Cheese-its, Chips
  • Chips and Salsa (medium)
  • Anything Spicy or Mexican Flavored
  • Root Beer
  • Beef Jerky
  • Rice Krispy Treats and/or just a bag of Rice Krispies
  • Honey
  • Big Marshmallows
  • Hot Chocolate Mix
  • Muffin Mix: Blueberry, Lemon Poppyseed, Banana Nut, Mix Berry
  • American Candy
  • Starbucks Coffee
  • Ziplock bags: All different sizes
  • Brownie Mix
  • Itunes Gift Cards (to rent english movies)
  • Harry & David Pineapple Salsa

I will be updating this list periodically.

Mailing Address:
Ashley Angerman
Na Niva'ch 7
Cesky-Tesin
73701
Czech Republic

Czech Futbol

I had my first opportunity to play futbol (soccer) with some Czechs this weekend at our youth retreat. Women don't normally play futbol here. They were very nice and let me play as well as three other girls. Much to even my own surprise I scored 2 goals and had 3 shots off the post. They play on concrete cover in a green type cloth with sand on it. They use indoor soccer shoes. The sand makes for a some what slippery surface. Running on the hard surface compounded by the fact that I haven't played soccer in six months makes for some very sore muscles. Oh, and I also played four games of volleyball. I leave in a half hour to play some more futbol and volleyball. Thank goodness for Icy-Hot! Who needs a gym when you have youth outreach!

Did you find the right Ashley?

There are two Ashley's of all things serving in the Czech Republic for the LCMS only a bus ride apart. If you are trying to find Ashley A, then you're in the right place. If you are looking for Ashley E go to 'Ashley's Czech Adventures.'