Hi,
I'm back from Prague. The town was amazing, despite the hordes of tourists. I'm taking my laptop home so I can label pictures. I'll try to post some tomorrow.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Off to Prague for the weekend
I'm off to Prague this weekend so I won't post much again until I return on Monday. I hope to have a lot of pictures by then. But before I leave, I wanted to note of a large difference between US and European research groups...especially in the summer....European groups expect you to take time off.
The group looked at me in horror when I said I wanted to work the first weekend. They were right. I shouldn't have come in. Nobody was in the lab and the lab director even made me sign in before I could enter the building. since the first weekend, I've taken every weekend off. Last weekend Andy and I went to Vienna. This weekend, Prague. Next weekend...probably Switzerland. The list goes on and on. Anyways. I look forward to all these travel and I hope that the weekend travel pays off with increased focus during the week. (hasn't happened much yet because I'm too busy planning my weekends). Alas...today I'm taking the train so I'll probably read some articles on the way.
Anyways, I'm off to Prague. Have a great weekend!
The group looked at me in horror when I said I wanted to work the first weekend. They were right. I shouldn't have come in. Nobody was in the lab and the lab director even made me sign in before I could enter the building. since the first weekend, I've taken every weekend off. Last weekend Andy and I went to Vienna. This weekend, Prague. Next weekend...probably Switzerland. The list goes on and on. Anyways. I look forward to all these travel and I hope that the weekend travel pays off with increased focus during the week. (hasn't happened much yet because I'm too busy planning my weekends). Alas...today I'm taking the train so I'll probably read some articles on the way.
Anyways, I'm off to Prague. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
So what can one do during their third week in Bratislava
....in short...not much....I've seen all the touristy sites and its too hot to hike (its too hot to do anything but roast actually). Plus, I'm afraid to go outside because I'll get eaten by killer mosquitos (they chase me in my office as well, I already have 20 bites). Tonight is actually quite nice. A rain storm came by this afternoon so the wind picked up and the town cooled down a bit. I actually got to wear jeans this evening! I haven't worn jeans since the Matterhorn!
Anyways...so I've been trying to find things to do to keep myself busy during the evenings. However, this week proved to be easier than most. Andy visited for four days last weekend and we took the time to explore more castle ruins, the entire old town of Bratislava, and even took a day trip to Vienna. Andy was able to experience the cheap and hearty food from the mensa and even got to see the mean dogs when we returned late from Vienna. (a really funny story here about how one late tram can lead to a pile of crazy happenings, to be told when I get around to labeling pictures from that weekend).
So back on track...this week I got to spend some more time with my labmates. I should explain a bit about my labmates, they are a family. I mean that literally, not figuratively. Nearly everyone in the group is related to each other some how. My advisor, Olga Malkina, is married to Vladmir Malkin. Together they have produced many wonderful articles and two human offspring. Like their parents both daughters, Elina and Elena, study physics and mathematics. Elina currently resides in Zurich with her husband (also a scientist) while Elena lives at home with her parents. Elena is engaged to Stano, who is a graduate student with her father Vladmir. Elena officially works for another professor in the university but she spends most of her time in the same lab as her parents. Then there is another student, Michal. Michal is the only non-related person in the group. But it doesn't matter because he practically lives at the Malkin house (they have a couch just for him). Then are some extraneous people like Peter (engaged to an organic chemist down the hall) and Stefan (my office mate whose connection to the group I still haven't figured out yet). I don't think this intermarrying thing is common in Europe (anybody else see this type of activity in their group?).
While I gently tease the group about this closeness, its actually really neat to watch them work.
Research is much more collaborative, in fact, its like 5 people thinking in the exact same way, like some sort of organic research mind blob that moves in several directions at once....okay...maybe I'm not describing it properly.....its really hard to explain. One member of the group looks at the other and the other person nods and says "Yes I agree" even though no words were spoken. I feel like an outsider...Of course some of that may be due to the fact that the group conversation switches between Slovak, English, German, French, and then English, Slovak, etc, etc. Its hard to keep up.
I say that I feel like an outsider, but the group is actually very warm and welcoming. Vladmir and Olga treat me like their own daughter and tell me to call them if I have any problems. In fact, they told me to call them if anything happens while in Prague...they will come pick me up if necessary.
So I mention the group because this week has been a time of celebrations. On Wednesday, we celebrated Elena's birthday. We all went to a pizza place in the suburb where everybody but me lives. I took the time to snap this quick picture of the group.
From left to right you see Michal, Vladmir, Olga, Stano, and Elena (on the phone). Peter and his fiance decided not to come.
Today (Thursday) we took the afternoon off to celebrate Peter's upcoming nuptials. The group bought him a bowl made of fine china (famous in Slovakia) and he responded by bringing in bottles of Slovak wine. The entire group sat in the computer lab and drank wine for two hours. Then everybody left to go home. On Friday, the celebrations continue (without me because I'm going to Prague) with a "Sports Day" for the entire Slovak Academy of Sciences. The entire academy visits a park across the street (actually a small mountain). For most of the day they will play sports like volleyball and tennis or hike through the park. Around noon, they settle for a soup with drinks. Then, since its Friday, they probably all go home. (I however will be en route to Prague so I will miss out on the festivities).
Despite all the celebrations, work is still be accomplished. I started some calculations today...they all died. Not surprising. But I started calculations anyways...I'm always relearning linear algebra. More to add later. Well, its time to head home before the dogs are released. I'll post more later.
Anyways...so I've been trying to find things to do to keep myself busy during the evenings. However, this week proved to be easier than most. Andy visited for four days last weekend and we took the time to explore more castle ruins, the entire old town of Bratislava, and even took a day trip to Vienna. Andy was able to experience the cheap and hearty food from the mensa and even got to see the mean dogs when we returned late from Vienna. (a really funny story here about how one late tram can lead to a pile of crazy happenings, to be told when I get around to labeling pictures from that weekend).
So back on track...this week I got to spend some more time with my labmates. I should explain a bit about my labmates, they are a family. I mean that literally, not figuratively. Nearly everyone in the group is related to each other some how. My advisor, Olga Malkina, is married to Vladmir Malkin. Together they have produced many wonderful articles and two human offspring. Like their parents both daughters, Elina and Elena, study physics and mathematics. Elina currently resides in Zurich with her husband (also a scientist) while Elena lives at home with her parents. Elena is engaged to Stano, who is a graduate student with her father Vladmir. Elena officially works for another professor in the university but she spends most of her time in the same lab as her parents. Then there is another student, Michal. Michal is the only non-related person in the group. But it doesn't matter because he practically lives at the Malkin house (they have a couch just for him). Then are some extraneous people like Peter (engaged to an organic chemist down the hall) and Stefan (my office mate whose connection to the group I still haven't figured out yet). I don't think this intermarrying thing is common in Europe (anybody else see this type of activity in their group?).
While I gently tease the group about this closeness, its actually really neat to watch them work.
Research is much more collaborative, in fact, its like 5 people thinking in the exact same way, like some sort of organic research mind blob that moves in several directions at once....okay...maybe I'm not describing it properly.....its really hard to explain. One member of the group looks at the other and the other person nods and says "Yes I agree" even though no words were spoken. I feel like an outsider...Of course some of that may be due to the fact that the group conversation switches between Slovak, English, German, French, and then English, Slovak, etc, etc. Its hard to keep up.
I say that I feel like an outsider, but the group is actually very warm and welcoming. Vladmir and Olga treat me like their own daughter and tell me to call them if I have any problems. In fact, they told me to call them if anything happens while in Prague...they will come pick me up if necessary.
So I mention the group because this week has been a time of celebrations. On Wednesday, we celebrated Elena's birthday. We all went to a pizza place in the suburb where everybody but me lives. I took the time to snap this quick picture of the group.
From left to right you see Michal, Vladmir, Olga, Stano, and Elena (on the phone). Peter and his fiance decided not to come.
Today (Thursday) we took the afternoon off to celebrate Peter's upcoming nuptials. The group bought him a bowl made of fine china (famous in Slovakia) and he responded by bringing in bottles of Slovak wine. The entire group sat in the computer lab and drank wine for two hours. Then everybody left to go home. On Friday, the celebrations continue (without me because I'm going to Prague) with a "Sports Day" for the entire Slovak Academy of Sciences. The entire academy visits a park across the street (actually a small mountain). For most of the day they will play sports like volleyball and tennis or hike through the park. Around noon, they settle for a soup with drinks. Then, since its Friday, they probably all go home. (I however will be en route to Prague so I will miss out on the festivities).
Despite all the celebrations, work is still be accomplished. I started some calculations today...they all died. Not surprising. But I started calculations anyways...I'm always relearning linear algebra. More to add later. Well, its time to head home before the dogs are released. I'll post more later.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Ooopss...long time...no post
Looking at my post log, I realized that I haven't posted in 6 days!! Incredible. I am no remedying that problem with a post about a Budapest (four weeks and four countries ago, I'm a little behind). I just posted pictures from the 4 day orientation in the lovely and enchanting town of Budapest. Ten scholars from across the US (CA, MA, MO, IL, KY, NC, ????) and across disciplines (but mostly bio and chemie) met on a boat on the Danube on Sunday May 16th. After introductions by Agi and Chris (people who work for the Institute for International Education, our host organization), we started a week of lectures, tours, travel, food, and little sleep. (like 4 hours a night if we were lucky).
Budapest is actually two cities, Buda is the older (tourist inundated) part on the west side of the Danube while Pest is the more residential east side). Nearly all of our time was spent in Pest because the IIE offices were right next to the Hungarian academy of sciences on Roosevelt Ter (plaza) in Pest. Sunday night we visited a traditional Hungarian pub (forgot my camera so no pictures). Monday we sat through a lot of lectures and then visited a wine bar where we partook of a large amount of wine and water carbonated at the restaurant. The next day, we sat through more lectures, visited the Hungarian academy of sciences, saw the chemistry building of a Hungarian college, and saw the symphony (a true highlight of my experience). On Wednesday we took off for a day trip to Bratislava....I didn't take any pictures of Bratislava because I knew I would return later. On Thursday, we sat through seminars in the morning and then some of us took off for some Turkish baths. After relaxing for 2 hours in the baths of various temperature and mineral content and enjoying the 2000 year old building, we left for a dinner cruise across the Danube. After the dinner cruise we visited a "budha bar" with small huts overlooking the Danube and a giant statue of Budha on the dance floor. After the buda bar, we visited the beer garden that had chairs on the side of the walls...it was very odd. After returning to the boatel at 2am, I packed up my remaining items and slept for two hours before waking up at 5am to catch a 7am flight to the states. Phew.... a very busy week indeed. Anyways...here are the pictures...enjoy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/chariteach/BudapestOrientation02
Budapest is actually two cities, Buda is the older (tourist inundated) part on the west side of the Danube while Pest is the more residential east side). Nearly all of our time was spent in Pest because the IIE offices were right next to the Hungarian academy of sciences on Roosevelt Ter (plaza) in Pest. Sunday night we visited a traditional Hungarian pub (forgot my camera so no pictures). Monday we sat through a lot of lectures and then visited a wine bar where we partook of a large amount of wine and water carbonated at the restaurant. The next day, we sat through more lectures, visited the Hungarian academy of sciences, saw the chemistry building of a Hungarian college, and saw the symphony (a true highlight of my experience). On Wednesday we took off for a day trip to Bratislava....I didn't take any pictures of Bratislava because I knew I would return later. On Thursday, we sat through seminars in the morning and then some of us took off for some Turkish baths. After relaxing for 2 hours in the baths of various temperature and mineral content and enjoying the 2000 year old building, we left for a dinner cruise across the Danube. After the dinner cruise we visited a "budha bar" with small huts overlooking the Danube and a giant statue of Budha on the dance floor. After the buda bar, we visited the beer garden that had chairs on the side of the walls...it was very odd. After returning to the boatel at 2am, I packed up my remaining items and slept for two hours before waking up at 5am to catch a 7am flight to the states. Phew.... a very busy week indeed. Anyways...here are the pictures...enjoy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/chariteach/BudapestOrientation02
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Hiking to a Castle
So Saturday night, Elena (the daughter of my host and a member of the research group...the whole family thing to be explained when I get around to taking pictures of my research group) called to tell me about a day hike that one of her friends from the university just organized. All she said was that four people were going hiking the next day and that I was invited. Since I obviously had nothing better to do and I was anxious to see the Slovak countryside, I said yes right away. And I'm very glad I did.
All the guidebooks I looked at told me of the glorious Slovak countryside and how hiking was a common past time for all Slovak residents. Since one of my main goals of this trip (second to ground breaking research, of course) was to experience the country as a local, I excitedly prepared for the trip by packing light (only water and some food in my backpack) and waking up early (Slovak's are early risers..most places open at 7am or earlier)
So I set off to the bus station at 9am (not really that early but early for me) and met up with Eleana. We actually didn't leave for the trip until 11am because we had to do some last minute shopping for food and the buses left later than we expected). After a short 20 minute bus ride to the Bratislava suburbs, we disembarked and headed for our goal...which at this point...I thought was a leisurely walk through the woods. An hour into our hike, which proved that the Bratislava countryside was quite lovely, Mike..."our guide for the day" pointed to ruins on a distant peak and said...that's where we're going... (I was going to post a photo here but Blogger won't cooperate).
Anyways....I peer into the fog (the day was incredibly rainy and foggy) and I see ancient ruins surrounded by a lush landscape!!! Wow...this totally turned my day around....I couldn't wait to see these ruins up close....two hours later...we arrived and I saw some really cool ruins from th 13th Century..
According the bratislava.com
All the guidebooks I looked at told me of the glorious Slovak countryside and how hiking was a common past time for all Slovak residents. Since one of my main goals of this trip (second to ground breaking research, of course) was to experience the country as a local, I excitedly prepared for the trip by packing light (only water and some food in my backpack) and waking up early (Slovak's are early risers..most places open at 7am or earlier)
So I set off to the bus station at 9am (not really that early but early for me) and met up with Eleana. We actually didn't leave for the trip until 11am because we had to do some last minute shopping for food and the buses left later than we expected). After a short 20 minute bus ride to the Bratislava suburbs, we disembarked and headed for our goal...which at this point...I thought was a leisurely walk through the woods. An hour into our hike, which proved that the Bratislava countryside was quite lovely, Mike..."our guide for the day" pointed to ruins on a distant peak and said...that's where we're going... (I was going to post a photo here but Blogger won't cooperate).
Anyways....I peer into the fog (the day was incredibly rainy and foggy) and I see ancient ruins surrounded by a lush landscape!!! Wow...this totally turned my day around....I couldn't wait to see these ruins up close....two hours later...we arrived and I saw some really cool ruins from th 13th Century..
According the bratislava.com
" The ruins of the Pajstun castle are found in the forests of the Small Carpathian Mountains, above the small Borinka, 25 km far from Bratislava. The access on foot to the castle takes 45 minutes, with one light climb that leave from Borinka village. The Pajstun castle was for the first time mentioned in the 13th century and made part of the frontier castles complex. The castle was the seat of estate until the 1810 when Napoleon's soldiers destroyed it."
I've posted pictures of my trip here
http://picasaweb.google.com/chariteach/CastlePashtjun
Anyways...the purpose for this post...when someone in your lab asks you to join them on a hike...say yes...and bring your camera.
http://picasaweb.google.com/chariteach/CastlePashtjun
Anyways...the purpose for this post...when someone in your lab asks you to join them on a hike...say yes...and bring your camera.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Exploring the city on my own....and getting hit on
My host was MIA today so I decided to set out and explore the city on my own. I have to say that I really hated Bratislava at first, I thought the city was dirty and messy, and boring. It turns out that I was correct, about my part of town. I went back to the city center this afternoon and took the time to really explore the old town. Its actually quite nice and modern with a pedestrian only zone for about 25 city blocks. Trams run along the Danube and through parts of the zone. The Pedestrian zone is paved with bricks and kept very clean.
The city also plans lots of events downtown too. Today I walked in on a wine tasting party. Vineyards from all over the country offered tastings for 10Kr (about 75 cents). You could rent a wine glass for 50 Kr ($2) and then visit one booth after another. The tasting were 50 mL which doesn't sound like much, but can add up quickly. Hence why I only tried two (very excellent) wines. I stopped trying wines when a rather boisterous group of Australian men tried to hit on me. I quickly ran to the other side until they had enough "tastings" to annoy everyone else in the party and finally get kicked out. Phew...that was annoying. Anyways....
After the wine tasting...I visited the main square and ordered boiled corn from a street vendor who then proceeded to give me corn and then ask for my number....what is it with this town....do they think they can hit on any woman? Anyways...I want to write more but I think I have to leave before I get eaten by dogs...more on that another time. Do videenya!
The city also plans lots of events downtown too. Today I walked in on a wine tasting party. Vineyards from all over the country offered tastings for 10Kr (about 75 cents). You could rent a wine glass for 50 Kr ($2) and then visit one booth after another. The tasting were 50 mL which doesn't sound like much, but can add up quickly. Hence why I only tried two (very excellent) wines. I stopped trying wines when a rather boisterous group of Australian men tried to hit on me. I quickly ran to the other side until they had enough "tastings" to annoy everyone else in the party and finally get kicked out. Phew...that was annoying. Anyways....
After the wine tasting...I visited the main square and ordered boiled corn from a street vendor who then proceeded to give me corn and then ask for my number....what is it with this town....do they think they can hit on any woman? Anyways...I want to write more but I think I have to leave before I get eaten by dogs...more on that another time. Do videenya!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Trapped in Lab
Every night from 19-19:30, the building I work in is locked. No one can come in or out. The reason: because its an eastern European country? I have no idea. Some lady always sits in the front desk and watches us come in and out of the laboratory. She doesn't do anything but watch people buzz themselves in. Perhaps this job is a relic of communism where every one had a job but not everybody worked? Anyways, I mention this strange fact because I forgot that the lab was closed from 7-7:30 and tried to leave at 7:10 to meet some friends downtown at 7:45. Now I'm stuck in lab with no chance of making my 7:45 meeting and no way of telling the people I will be 15-30 minutes late (they don't have a cell phone and no one is answering the phone at the hostel).
Woe is me!
Woe is me!
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