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#1
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Czech Republic trip report
Just back from a week at the 'Hotel Ski' in Nove Mesto na Morave (a
resort in Moravia). Can't really comment on the winter set-up, but it certainly seemed ideal for cross-country (Langlauf World Cup location, stadium right in front of hotel). Amazing to think that this former eastern block nation will be joining the EU in less than a year. You drive through the back of beyond to get to this place, past seemingly lifeless, gloomy grey factories springing up out of nowhere in the midst of green fields and forests, small villages with traditional cottages and the inevitable adjoining smallholding next to high-rise Soviet-style residential blocks. Even in the 3* Hotel Ski prices were very low (eg a large Chivas for 72 Czech crowns, just over 2 euros?!). I was stuck with full board at £25 per day - being responsible for a group of teenage French grass skiers, had to keep an eye on them, the local Czechs appeared to be seriously lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the accommodation was spacious (in my case an outside bungalow with kitchenette, fridge/freezer, lounge, big tv, hifi, shower etc all to myself, the kids all had big rooms each with lounge and tv inside the hotel). Didn't have the opportunity to eat elsewhere, but the menus outside a couple of Nove Mesto restaurants included the likes of steak and chips at roughly 3 euros, 50 cl Czech beer at 20 krona (40 pence!) and during a couple of shopping trips to the relatively well-stocked supermarkets (shelves were still relatively empty 5/6 years back, I'm told) we had plenty of change from a 500 kr (£10) note in filling the trolley with soft drinks and snacks for the trip back. Away from the likes of Prague itself you'll find hardly any people who speak English (a very few speak some German), no signs in anything comprehensible. I'm definitely thinking of coming back on a less regimented trip before prices really start to accelerate prior to EU entry, it's a fascinating place. Virtually every young female who hadn't actually got natural blond hair seemed to have died it blond. Strange. If you're into cross-country, enjoy eating indescribable sausage-based dishes, like your beer and blonds and want a very low budget holiday, Nove Mesto is the place for you! Pete |
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#2
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Czech Republic trip report
In message , PG
writes Bed was rock hard, What, compared to France? That's HARD. Virtually every young female who hadn't actually got natural blond hair seemed to have died it blond. Strange. What colour do they dye it where you are? Here, it's gotta be bright pillar-box red. enjoy eating indescribable sausage-based dishes, like your beer Please make it winter NOW. It's almost too hot even for beer! -- Sue ]|( |
#3
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Czech Republic trip report
"PG" wrote:
[...] lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the [...] I think you will find it is a matter of the culinary circumstances to which one is accustomed. Different blocks of Europe have different habits and if your metabolism is asking for a different blend of fat / carbohydrate / protein, then you can feel hungry and irritated. For example the Anglo-Saxons eat large fried breakfasts with plenty of fat but these have no equivalent in either the Mitteleuropa block or the Latin block. Once your metabolism adjusts (a vacation is not long enough) then all is well. |
#4
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Czech Republic trip report
On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 18:54:14 +0000, funkraum
wrote: "PG" wrote: [...] lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the [...] I think you will find it is a matter of the culinary circumstances to which one is accustomed. Different blocks of Europe have different habits and if your metabolism is asking for a different blend of fat / carbohydrate / protein, then you can feel hungry and irritated. For example the Anglo-Saxons eat large fried breakfasts with plenty of fat Not often, they (we) don't. I mean, I like a nice fry-up as much as the next man, but it's hardly a typical breakfast, is it? If you had to generalise, I'd guess that a couple of slices of toast is much more typical but these have no equivalent in either the Mitteleuropa block or the Latin block. Once your metabolism adjusts (a vacation is not long enough) then all is well. I don't think this is a major factor, TBH. In general, I'd say the dietary balance is quite similar across Europe, although there's a major difference im how we get it. For example, the French aren't big on vegetables with their main courses, tending to eat much more salad instead. The more eastern countries seem to have more of a taste for fatty meat which we Anglos aren't used to, and often don't serve it with gravy or sauce of any sort, so again it doesn't match with our norms. Not sure what the answer is - open your mind, perhaps, and try and eat more like the locals do? -- Ace (bruce dot rogers at roche dot com) Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club. |
#5
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Czech Republic trip report
I worked in the Czech Republic on contract for 7 months. I frequented
Czech company Canteen every lunchtime . At first it was a bit of a challenge/survival course but then after a while I thought hell it cant be that bad. All these fantastic looking Czech woman who worked at the company were scoffing back the grub with a bottle of Czech Wine or beer with no obvious side affects . There was actually a salad bar but this was hardly touched. It was a strict stable diet of Fatty Meat & a plate or dumplings, Lovely !!!!! Ace wrote: On Thu, 06 Nov 2003 18:54:14 +0000, funkraum wrote: "PG" wrote: [...] lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the [...] I think you will find it is a matter of the culinary circumstances to which one is accustomed. Different blocks of Europe have different habits and if your metabolism is asking for a different blend of fat / carbohydrate / protein, then you can feel hungry and irritated. For example the Anglo-Saxons eat large fried breakfasts with plenty of fat Not often, they (we) don't. I mean, I like a nice fry-up as much as the next man, but it's hardly a typical breakfast, is it? If you had to generalise, I'd guess that a couple of slices of toast is much more typical but these have no equivalent in either the Mitteleuropa block or the Latin block. Once your metabolism adjusts (a vacation is not long enough) then all is well. I don't think this is a major factor, TBH. In general, I'd say the dietary balance is quite similar across Europe, although there's a major difference im how we get it. For example, the French aren't big on vegetables with their main courses, tending to eat much more salad instead. The more eastern countries seem to have more of a taste for fatty meat which we Anglos aren't used to, and often don't serve it with gravy or sauce of any sort, so again it doesn't match with our norms. Not sure what the answer is - open your mind, perhaps, and try and eat more like the locals do? |
#6
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Czech Republic trip report
"funkraum" wrote in message ... "PG" wrote: [...] lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the [...] I think you will find it is a matter of the culinary circumstances to which one is accustomed. Different blocks of Europe have different habits and if your metabolism is asking for a different blend of fat / carbohydrate / protein, then you can feel hungry and irritated. For example the Anglo-Saxons eat large fried breakfasts with plenty of fat but these have no equivalent in either the Mitteleuropa block or the Latin block. Once your metabolism adjusts (a vacation is not long enough) then all is well. Well, I've lost count of the different types of cuisine I've tried out over the years, and although I can usually eat anything, without a doubt this was the worst !! It just tasted really bad. I've lived in several European countries, and the Czechs have definitely shifted the Brits off the bottom of the culinary league table ... Pete |
#7
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Czech Republic trip report
On 11/11/2003 14:42, in article
, "PG" wrote: Well, I've lost count of the different types of cuisine I've tried out over the years, and although I can usually eat anything, without a doubt this was the worst !! It just tasted really bad. I've lived in several European countries, and the Czechs have definitely shifted the Brits off the bottom of the culinary league table ... This brings back memories of a my first ski trip with school to Bulgaria, I recall the food on the flight and in the hotel was awful. To be fair I also remember they had an evening at a local restaurant which I think was OK. Ian |
#8
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Czech Republic trip report
"PG" wrote in message
... "funkraum" wrote in message ... "PG" wrote: [...] lacking in the sense of humour department. Frankly I thought the food served up was pretty disgusting, although the Austrians at the same race camp thought the cuisine was great. Pretty similar to their own, in neighbouring northern Austria, I suppose. Bed was rock hard, but the [...] I think you will find it is a matter of the culinary circumstances to which one is accustomed. Different blocks of Europe have different habits and if your metabolism is asking for a different blend of fat / carbohydrate / protein, then you can feel hungry and irritated. For example the Anglo-Saxons eat large fried breakfasts with plenty of fat but these have no equivalent in either the Mitteleuropa block or the Latin block. Once your metabolism adjusts (a vacation is not long enough) then all is well. Well, I've lost count of the different types of cuisine I've tried out over the years, and although I can usually eat anything, without a doubt this was the worst !! It just tasted really bad. I've lived in several European countries, and the Czechs have definitely shifted the Brits off the bottom of the culinary league table ... Pete Have you ever eaten Dutch or Norwegian food? Try some before putting either country above the UK in any culinary league table. Your comment places you quite firmly in the stereotypical narrow-minded, blinkered, American numbskull category. Is that where you want to be? Do you want to reinforce people's prejudices? ___ Michael MacClancy |
#9
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Czech Republic trip report
PG wrote:
Well, I've lost count of the different types of cuisine I've tried out over the years, and although I can usually eat anything, without a doubt this was the worst !! It just tasted really bad. I've lived in several European countries, and the Czechs have definitely shifted the Brits off the bottom of the culinary league table ... I wasn't aware the Brits were at the bottom of any culinary league table. What is so wrong with British food? Is it the diversity of foreign influences such as Indian, Chinese and other European regions that bothers you, or is it the traditional British dishes? The only thing I see wrong with British cuisine is that there is not enough of it and the high streets are over-run with American owned multinational chains selling high fat, high sugar, high salt and low flavour rubbish. |
#10
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Czech Republic trip report
"Steve Haigh" wrote in message ... I wasn't aware the Brits were at the bottom of any culinary league table. What is so wrong with British food? Is it the diversity of foreign influences such as Indian, Chinese and other European regions that bothers you, or is it the traditional British dishes? The only thing I see wrong with British cuisine is that there is not enough of it and the high streets are over-run with American owned multinational chains selling high fat, high sugar, high salt and low flavour rubbish. I totally agree guys. British cuisine has not been lower league for a very long time. On my door step there are Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Arabic, Indian and a British Fish and Chip restautants. We are, dare I saw it, spoilt for choice. Unfortunately we have our share of "fast food" chains as well. Even our supermarkets are filled with once exotic items we could only get at ethnic retailers. I do understand comments about Czech cuisine though. My uncle works at an embassy in prague so I visit quite a bit. Thankfully its a beautiful city and country. |
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