Prague Diaries - Week 4

Wednesday August 25th
My interview with Johnson & Johnson is at 2. I spend the morning doing further research in to the company. The first think I think about when I hear J&J is baby products, those sweet smelling products of childhood. They are of course involved in much more, oral health care and diagnostics to name but two. I also give a quick scan through their 09 financials. This served me well in previous interviews and is always a healthy sign of a potential employee going that little step further, particularly in light of the nature of the job.
At 1pm I hit for the tram stop near the apartment and catch the no 5 to Namesti Republicky. From there I change to metro and five stops later I am at my destination, suitably early. Thankfully it's a milder day so the suit isn't clinging like last Monday's sweatgate. I decide to grab a quick bite after locating the offices. They are across the road from the metro stop, very handy. A croissant and a bottle of water later and I head for the offices for interview. After a brief wait in reception i meet up with Supervisor Jan. He suggests a casual style interview over a coffee, fine by me. We discuss my previous employments and my personality. Jan then discusses what it is the role entails, a little bit about the company and his vision for the future. It all sounds good but he ends with a cautionary note. He feels that I have an excellent profile but thinks that I am perhaps overqualified for the junior role. He is ideally looking for fresh graduates who he can shape. With six years rounded experience I don't exactly fit the bill. I try to allay his fears by stating that a job is a continual learning experience. I'm not sure it's worked. We shake hands on a pleasant one hour meeting and go our separate ways.
I take the same route back and kick back for the evening.
Thursday August 26th
The apartment searching continues apace. There is a bit of a sting in the tail over here when dealing with estate agents. They will do their utmost to find you a place but at a cost. They take a commission of 1 months rent. This comes on top of paying a deposit and your first months rent. It is certainly steep and has no grounds for reason actually. Surely the landlord should be paying this commission and not the tenant. Time is running out however and all options are on the table.
There is a daft.ie equivalent called bezrealitky but the standard of apartment doesn't usually match up to those offered by the agents. There is also the problem of finding english speaking agents. Zuzana is now at work all day and so I am looking after the viewings and discussions. We had spotted a nice place in the desirable area of Vinohrady the night previous. I had inquired as to a viewing with the english speaking agent Mike. He agrees to show me around today at 1. I grab tram 33 and about 7 stops later I am but a 5 minute walk from the apartment. The immediate impression is that it is an area of beautiful old buildings and very central, all good so far. Mike arrives, a youngish Czech gent with good English. We go inside and the public areas are all well preserved and clean. That's a good start. I've noticed that a lot of the public areas, stairwells usually, aren't always well maintained. Mike tells me that the Management Company is Italian and cleaning and neatness ranks top of their agenda. The apartment is on the 3rd floor, we take a lift there. A lift isn't always a given in these old buildings so that's another bonus. There are residents in the apartment at present, a small frail muslim man with his daughter and sprightly grandaughter. This is a bit of a nuisance as I can't have a proper root around with them on my shoulder My first impressions of the apartment are excellent. It's small enough but at the same time not too small for our needs. The good thing is is that it has a nice modern feel inside, all mod cons that could be expected. It also has a second small bedroom which was important for me. I want to have friends and family come visit when they like.Further, it has a small utility room with washing machine. Now this mightn't sound like much and perhaps I'm being pedantic but this is great news to my eyes. The thing is a lot of Czech's have their washing machine located in their bathroom. This seems utterly bonkers to me and I'm glad it's not the case here. It shouldn't be such a big issue but strangely it is. It's just weird ok!
On departure we meet the owner briefly. He speaks English as well, which is a help. He assures me that if we want anything added to the apartment, or indeed anything taken away, than all we needed to do was ask. I thank both he and Mike and assure them that we will be in touch. I suggest that Zuz might want to view it also. I was right. I call her at work and give her my thoughts. She says that she will come view it on her lunchbreak. I call Mike back and he agrees to the request. When she gets there our muslim friends are praying. It's Ramadan you see. Not exactly ideal, but she sees enough to agree with my earlier thoughts that this place could be the one.
We don't commit straight away as I have another viewing tomorrow.
I stop off at Namesti Republicky on the way home to pick up a copy of the Prague Post. This is a weekly English print publication, which has an invaluable listings section. Movies, Pubs, Concerts, Gigs, Dining. It has it all and is an excellent publication, although not cheap at just over €3.
Friday August 27th
Another day, another apartment viewing. This one is with a different agency in the historical area of Vysehrad. I look up the tram details and note them down. I take a route that will get me their with time to spare so I can find the place in time for our 11am appointment. The first leg of the tram journey is fine, the number 9 to Paleckeho Namesti. I am to change there to tram number 10 as per my posts. This leg of the journey is to be 2 mins in length. Five minutes in to the trip I'm beginning to think I've made a haims of my notes. These schedules never overrun. I jump off at the next stop stepanska to check the timetables. Sure enough I was heading in the opposite direction and had noted tram 10 instead of the correct tram 7. I now need to call the agent as it is 5 to 11 and I am going to be late. I make the mistake of turning my back to the tram stop whilst making the call to Mr Tíchy. 'I'll be there in ten Josef, just a little mistake on the tram connection'. Fine says he, no problemo. I turn my back to see tram number 7 pulling out. Oh fuck. Next service for tram 7 in 14 minutes.
I have no option but to wait for the next tram and then about 7 minutes later I am getting off at Albertov. It is now 25 past 11 and I get a call from Mr Tíchy inquiring as to whether I'm lost. 'on the way' I say despite not knowing which street or turn it is I should be taking. I take a lucky turn and end up at the apartment circa 11.30. A less then pleased Mr Tíchy shows me around. The public areas leading up to the flat are in some disrepair and the lift isn't working. Not a good start. The apartment itself is spacious and well fitted out. It's also a good 3000 crowns dearer then yesterdays place and it hasn't really earned the right in my opinion. I thank Josef for the viewing and head for home.
I give Mike from yesterday a ring and tell him that we would be happy to take the apartment in Vinohrady. He says he will talk it over with the owner and get back to me on Monday with details of the next step.
Friday evening is to be spent at Zuzana's friends Misa & Petr, by way of a barbeque invitation. They had been kind enough to collect us from the airport on our arrival in Prague so it was nice to catch up with them again. Misa has some English, Petr has none although it never felt awkward at any point. They live in a new apartment right out in the suburbs of Prague, a 25 minute trip by tram and bus. An evening of chat, beer, peppered chicken, pork and steak goes down a treat and by 11 we are fit for home. We take the city train back to Namesti Republicky and grab a tram from there. 2 stops later and we're home. Good Night all round.
Saturday August 28th
An early start at 9am for no other reason then we were awake. Hate that. No plans for the afternoon so I just surfed some job sites and found 1 suitable position. I send off my CV with cover letter and cross the fingers. Zuzana is busy working on finishing her thesis.
That evening we go for a game of bowling with one of Zuzana's close friends Karolina and her boyfriend Josef. A couple of beers and an hour of bowling later and Zuz and I emerge on the wrong side of a narrow defeat. My game is rusty!
We head for a pizza after the game and then bid the guys good night. It was a nice relaxed evening with good company and we agree to meet up again.
Sunday August 29th
A good lie in is just what's called for. A couple of cups of tea and a browse of the Sunday papers on the net. Apart from going to the cinema in the evening we have sweet fa to do. I catch a stream for the final round of the Johnnie Walker in Scotland. Superb effort from Eduardo Molinari and fully deserving of his pick for the Ryder Cup. Harrington gets a pick also which is good from an Irish point of view but he doesn't deserve it. His game is in bad shape and he hasn't done anything of significance since the PGA in 08.
We head to an arthouse cinema to catch a Czech movie called Kajinek. The movie is subtitled in English. It tells the true story of a hitman named Kajinek who appears to have been the 'victim' of a miscarriage of justice. This came about largely as a result of police corruption. The first half an hour annoys me with flashy cut aways more reminiscent of a tv series like CSI. As the film goes on however it develops nicely as a thriller. There are a few plot holes but overall it's an above average effort.
A nice way to wind down what was a complete weekend.
Monday August 30th
As I have still not found a job I am required to visit the local welfare office, in this case the EURES office. This is a Europe wide labour resource and provides assistance in much the same way FAS do back home. The office is only a 20 minute walk from the apartment. I meet with the English speaking agent and she quizzes me on my activity in the job market since I arrived in Prague. I explain to her in detail what I have done. She provided me with some websites and contacts to help aid me further. A parting note is an appointment in a months time should I not have found work by then. I really hope it doesn't come to that.
I pick up some groceries on the way home. I'm slowly getting used to the labels and what to look out for. Not much is needed as we move in 2 days.
I watch a copy of Angelina Jolie's new movie 'Salt' to wind down the day. It has been billed as a female Bourne but it comes up short on that front. None the less it's definitely watchable and Jolie plays the cold, ruthless mercenary very well.
Tuesday August 31st
A blustery and showery day outside and not much to do. I apply for a position with the Regus group. It's a position in their accounts department and they are a well regarded company with an expanding workforce.
We are due to move to our new apartment tomorrow. We should really have read the lease on the short term. Down at the bottom in that terms and conditions section that is usually glanced over is a 10am departure date on expiration of lease. We had thought that we would leave in the evening after Zuz had finished work.
I ring the agent attached to out new place and state that we have to be out of our current spot by 10am tomorrow. He gets in touch with the landlord who happens to be away in Amsterdam. Oh Oh. I'm starting to get visions of me waiting outside the door of our new apartment all day waiting for the Landlord to get back from his Dutch jaunt. I get a call back from the agent later in the evening to tell me that the landlord will be flying back tonight and can meet us at midday. 'Any chance he could do 10 says I?'. One more call and 10am is agreed. Phew!
This means we now have to pack up tonight and book an early taxi across town. Zuz will take a few hours of work in the morning to help with the move. Beer and dinner break up the monotony of dinner.
Tomorrow starts the next 12 months of our Prague experience.

read more

Prague Diaries - Week 3

Wednesday August 18th
One of the many formalities a foreigner has to go through is register with the foreign police if your intended stay exceeds 30 days. I take my intrepid interpreter Zuz along to ease me through the paperwork and translate. They can only issue me with a temporary pass lasting 30 days as I don't have a permanent address yet. Our initial accommodation is for 30 days only. Once full time accommodation and employment has been found then my new employers will look after the paperwork from there, thankfully.
I do some research in to language courses upcoming. My few basic words and phrases are limiting so the sooner I get my head in to a course the better. There are intensive and more casual courses and I decide I'll jump in at the deep end. The intensive course runs for two weeks along the same times as a full working day. This is followed by 2 weeks of evening classes lasting 3 hours twice a week. The next set of classes begin in early September. I hope to be in employment by then so may have to opt for private tuition or full time evening courses.
Thursday August 19th
I apply for two open positions with Johnson & Johnson, one a reporting position and one a general ledger position. I am limited to American & British multinationals who have English as their business language. Czech is required for nearly all other positions. Thankfully quite a few shared service centres have opened up in Prague over the last few years so I'm hoping that I can find something suitable in one of them.
The rest of the day is spent browsing sites for available apartments. Our 1 month stay in the current apartment ends on September 1st so we need to start searching. There are plenty available, finding the right one though will prove to be difficult. It will be hard to match the perfection of our last place in Limerick. This time round I am anxious to get a 2 bedroom apartment so that we can have friends and family come visit when they want. The rental market is dominated by 1 bedroom apartments. The apartments are a nice mix of the beautiful old style brick, the hideous panel buildings and the increasing numbers of new developments in the suburbs. We are keen to stay close to the city centre and so limit our search to the Prague 2 district. Prague 1 is just ridiculously expensive although technically it is slap bang city centre so it's to be expected. We also include Prague 5 in our search as Zuz is working there and the area has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years.
Friday August 20th
The day starts with positive development. Karlá from the recruitment agency handling the J&J positions wants me to come in for initial interview on Monday morning.
That afternoon we go to look at an apartment in Prague 2. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, the real thing didn't match up to the pictures and so it was a swift no.
We took a nice stroll back along Vinohradská with its beautiful tree lined streets and parks. It's a hot day and so a few beers will go down a treat in the superb Riegrovy Sady park. They have a couple of open air bars there but there is one particularly big one there with a stage playing music and a nice mix of a crowd. Vinohrady is ex-pat central so there are a plethora of accents floating around. A nice buzz and a few pilsner with Zuz rounds down the day nicely.
Saturday August 21st
The sun is in for the weekend, temps of 29 means there's only one place for it. Unfortunately the Czech Republic is a landlocked country so no natural beaches. There are plenty of special parks however, solely kitted out for sunbathing and swimming. We head to one about 20 mins from the apartment in Zizkov. A nominal entry fee, mainly for the upkeep of the swimming pool I imagine, and we're in. The first thing to hit me is the number of women bathing topless, they're all at it and more power to them. I bring along 'Every Dead Thing' by John Connolly which I'm reading at the moment and mix it up with some nice relaxing sunbathing. Zuz takes refuge in a shady position and reminds me of the dangers of the sun. I'm sun starved so I give her little heed.
We come back that evening to find some guy has responded to an advert we placed seeking accommodation. He is willing to show us it tomorrow. It's in a historic area of Prague 6 so we decide to plan a day around the viewing.
Sunday August 22nd
Another scorcher awaits. We have an early lunch the head to catch a tram to the city centre. Once there we catch tram 22 to our destination, Bilá Hora. This is definitely one of the most pleasant tram routes through the city. It meanders down the riverside, up by Prague Castle and out in to some pretty leafy neighborhoods. The journey takes about 20 mins in total. We arrive at the terminus for this tram and spot the high walls guarding a large green area. Beyond that is the Bilá Hora (White Mountain) site. It is the site of the decisive first battle of the Thirty Years War that was fought in 1620. Situated in the park is Letohrádek Hvézda (Hvézda Hunting Lodge),a product of the Renaissance that was built in the 1550's for Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol. Ferdinand was obsessed with numerology and the building was conceived as an intellectual conundrum - the angular walls and roof are arranged in the pattern of a six pointed star. It has been carefully maintained inside. When we visit there are many artifacts and manuscripts as well as an exhibition of local art upstairs. It provided a distraction from the melting heat for an hour. The walk back out takes a tree lined route of about a km and again provides some shade from the sun. All in all the park is huge and goes on for miles.
We make our way towards our 6pm viewing. Having walked about 15 mins beyond the tram terminus I'm beginning to wonder if we have left Prague altogether! The area is almost entirely residential with hardly a shop or restaurant in sight. This doesn't look promising. We eventually arrive to a modern apartment complex and receive a viewing from the sister of the owner. It's a beautiful spacious apartment and it's priced about the top of our budget. I'm afraid however that the location os the killer. We're looking at a half hour commute to the city centre and we both agree that that just isn't what we're looking for, especially as we don't have a car.
Monday August 23rd
Zuz starts her new job @ GE today so it's a 7.30 start for her. She starts at 8.30 and has a 25 minute commute by tram and metro. I'm also up early to do a little prep for my interview with the recruitmant company. It's another melting day outside and not exactly suit weather. I decide against the tie. I'm thankful that it's only a 5 minute walk to catch a tram and the office is only a five minute walk from my stop 2 on. The shirt is already beginning to moisten up when I reach the recruitment office. Well when I say reach I mean reach the general area where I think it is. I walk around for a few mins, all the while getting more stick and now beginning to panic because it's almost 10. I have to call the office, only for them to tell me I have passed it out. I turn on my heels and get there a few mins late. They are understanding thankfully and the receptionist leads me to an interview room to await Miss Baraková. Our meeting lasts but a half hour and is a very relaxed affair. She states that I am well suited to the roles I had applied for and that she would be forwarding my candidacy. I leave encouraged and with good reason. She calls me back an hour later and tells me that J&J wish to interview me on Wednesday.
The rest of the evening is spend browsing for that elusive apartment.
Tuesday August 24th
A day with nothing planned and as it's another hot one I decide to head for Riegrovy Sady park once more. It's only a 10 minute walk from the apartment so I head off with my Connolly novel for company. The sun goes in around 2 so I head for one of the bar's in the park and have a few beers in peace. Happy days!
I spnd that evening researching and preparing for tomorrows interview. I need to get this job situation sorted pronto.

read more

Prague Diaries - Week 2

Wednesday August 11th
Woke up to thunder and lightning storms and flashes of hail hammering the window. What? This is August in Prague. Where did this come from? With the weather as it was indoor pursuits would be the order of the day. I had yet to finalise my travel arrangements for Switzerland the following day. An exhaustive search of the options took up most of the afternoon. I had tagged the train as being the most suitable option but further investigation turned up the fact that it would have taken 16 hours and cost as much as a flight. Mad when you consider you can drive Prague to Lausanne in 8 hours. The train route however went through Germany and was anything but direct. The least favourable option was an overnight bus trip. It would take 14 hours in total and was the cheapest option. I decided however that getting off a 14 hour bus trip and sitting an interview wasn't the ideal preparation. Flights it was then, expensive as they were. I booked a 4 leg return flight, departing Prague Thursday afternoon and flying to Paris where I would get a connecting flight to Geneva. From there I would catch a 40 minute train trip to Lausanne. Booked a hotel near the station for convenience purposes and that was that, itinerary confirmed.
I spent the evening researching the company and then tried to get a good nights sleep.
Thursday August 12th
I wake with a spring in my step, consume a light breakfast and pack my suitcase. I walk the 20 minutes to the central station to catch the airport express bus. The heat is stifling and I'm beginning to smell my own sweat, not a good sign so early in the day. The bus to the airport is jammed which doesn't help the cause. Stifling heat, too many bodies and a bus trip, all the components of a hellish trip. Thankfully it's only a 35 minute trip. I get to the airport a good hour and a half before departure. Straight to the Air France desk which is surprisingly quiet, ask a few questions that have been occupying my mind. Chief among them was how long it wouls take me to go from Gate 2D to 2F in Charles De Gaul to catch my connecting flight. I am informed it can be walked in 15 minutes. Good says I, I only have an hour. No delays essential, mind. I board my Air France flight to Prague and am immediately encouraged by the warmth and hospitality of the airline staff. As with Aer Lingus it makes a refreshing change. The flight is half empty, which is nice. I take up my seat, 29D, right in the last row and the three rows ahead of me are all empty. I haven't seen that before but it gives a nice sense of space in an all too often claustrophobic environment. The flight is 1hr 15 mins and is thankfully bang on time. Complimentary snacks are a nice extra.
I land in Paris and set speedily on my way to Gate 2F.It's well signposted and I get their with the minimum hassle. I get to the gate and have a quick scan of the crowd bound for Geneva. Suits and expense accounts seem the order of the crowd and for once the stereotype fits succinctly. This flight is full but it is but a short jaunt, 45 mins in total. I avail of the snacks for a second time, this time it's an assortment of pretzel type chews. I was determined not to pull a George Bush and managed it gracefully.
I land in Geneva around 7.30. There was a nagging thought that I had forgotten something since I landed at Prague Airport earlier in the day and then it hit me. Not only had I forgotten a tie for my interview but also my cufflinks in to the bargain. Fucking hell, typical. Shops at Geneva Airport circa 7.30 were closing for the day and I needed a tie at the least. I found one a mens fashion store that was open. Picked out a simple red tie and asked the assistant for a price. €125 he says, my jaw dropped and I thought fuck this, it ain't worth that and it's been an expensive enough trip as it is. It was an Ermenegildo Zegna tie for anyone interested. Sorry Ermenegildo but you are taking the absolute piss. I could have got the same effect for 30 quid in Debenhams.
I buy a return train ticket to Lausanne. €35 quid for a 40 minute trip, yep I'm in Switzerland now alright. The train trip is pleasant, some nice scenery to take my mind off the tie and cufflinks quandary.I arrive in Lausanne around half eight and think I only have to step off the train and I'll be at the fron door of the hotel. Oh no, I should know better then to take hotel directions literally by now. I walk the main street with my suitcase and suit in tow. No sign of the hotel so I eventually have to ask for directions in another hotel. It's at the back of the station I'm informed. Off I traipse again, very hungry and thirsty now, to find Hotel A La Gare. Roughly ten mins later and I've found it. A pleasant girl with pidgin English gives me my key and off I go. I drop the bags and return downstairs to get some grub. The Hotel doesn't do dinners so I pop next door to a matter of fact Italian restaurant. I see they serve pizza so that'll do fine. The waiter is the closest thing to Manuel from Fawlty Towers I've ever seen, the waddle and broken English and all. The only difference is he is sporting a tasty mullet. I laughed but not out loud and not in his face. I was starving after all. A glass of beer too please monsieur. Down it lands and I nearly swamped it in one. A Margarita followed in about 15 mins and I neck it in record time. €20 lids for the privilege. Yep, I'm in Switzerland alright.
I return to my room and do a last hour of research before tomorrow. I mentioned that I'm behind the train station. Well ya, that wasn't the brightest booking. The constant drone of trains landing meant my sleep for the night was going to be minimal and so it transpired...
Friday August 13th
Sleep was about a 2 hour affair at best. The mixture of anxiety and screeching trains had seen to that. I go downstairs for breakfast at 7.30. The stomach was in that horrible nervy state where you literally have no appetite. I manage a croissant, a glass of orange juice and a glass of water. Anything else and I probably would have thrown up. I return upstairs and stick my suit on, crisp white shirt underneath, cufflink-less mind you. I thought if even I had some dental floss I could pull the sleeves together somehow. I don't so I just have to grin and bear it. The interview was scheduled for 9am. I decided to leave a bit early in the vain hope that some shop would be open and I could pick up a tie last minute. Of course there wasn't and so I had to venture on. I found the offices relatively easy. I'm met by Bernard, who I had previously held a telephone interview with. He is decked out in shorts and a t-shirt. Hang on, amn't I supposed to be in a leading Swiss finance house? I was informed it was casual Friday and all of a sudden I don't feel too bad about missing a tie. I'll still keep the jacket on all the same. A bit of casual chat and I'm soon at ease and ready for the interview. We are joined by a fellow Financial Controller and the interview begins. It's a pretty standard fare interview and lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes. I am pleased with how it went apart from one small mistake on a journal entry test. I'm told to start looking around at accommodation options before I leave so I naturally assume that I have this wrapped up. Up yours Friday the 13th!
I leave delighted with myself and give a quick call to Zuz and Mom to update them. I grab a cup of coffee and wind down for an hour. Next up is catch a return train to Geneva Airport. I land at Geneva with two hours to kill. I grab a water and a bar of chocolate. €9 quid please, I feel weak. I now know why the wages are so grandiose here. I grab the flight to Paris, another half empty one. I then kill an hour in Charles De Gaul before grabbing the final flight back to Prague. This one was again quiet which I was a little surprised by. Where are all the weekenders? I get back in to Prague and run to catch a bus to town. I grab the one that only goes to Prague 6 so have to catch the metro the rest of the way. I get in home about 10 o clock and just collapse in to bed. I need a good nights sleep.
Saturday August 14th
A good 12 hours sleep i reckon, absolute bliss. The best sleep I've had since arriving in Prague and long overdue. Zuz has been at home for 2 days and arrives back this evening. I spend the day watching some streams of the first day of the premiership. Good to have you back. The Spurs v City game is an exciting one but alas no goals. Spurs should have had about 5 but Hart is inspired. Hard to watch a keeper of Given's quality on the bench. I hope he gets a good move to Arsenal.
Zuz gets back around 9 with dinner in tow as well as a bottle of slivovic. Yikes!
Dinner is consumed and washed down with a shot of the warm stuff.
Sunday August 15th
Not a whole lot happens today. Liverpool against Arsenal is watched on a decent stream. The pool unlucky to get pulled back in the end. Facepalms for Joe Cole & Pepe Reina. They won't be as bad as last season I reckon.
Monday August 16th
The day starts off with good news. Zuzana has been offered a full time position with GE after successfully completing an interview the week previous. The pressure is on me now to find gainful employment. I was sure that the call confirming the job in Switzerland can't be too far away. How wrong I was.
I wasn't even afforded the decency of a call to inform me. Instead I receive a 3 line email starting with that line all job hopefuls dread 'we regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful'. I am beyond devastated. I had assumed that it was but a formality after both interviews had gone so well. I'm told the mistake on the journal was the reason and that just pisses me right off. They choose to overlook a 6 year unblemished record in favour of a small mistake on a journal entry.
I spend the rest of the day saying nothing and generally feeling like shit. This was a position I really wanted and one which I would have made a success of. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
I immediately set about applying for jobs in Prague once again..
I round off the night by watching Utd's fist game of the season against Newcastle on a stream accompanied by a few bottles of Urquell. A handy 3 nil victory, some good news to finish an otherwise black day with.
Tuesday August 17th
I need to get health insurance sorted whilst I still don't have a job. I head to the closest health insurer, a 15 minute walk away, with my interpreter Zuz for company. I get cover for a month for roughly €40. The process is relatively straight forward which is a relief. The only other task completed that day is a weekly shop. I'm getting used to the food by now. A lot of meat which isn't a bad thing.. I've also developed a fondness for their white rolls which kick cuisine de france out the door. Never thought I'd say that.

read more

USPGA 2010

Well that was a tournament to remember, so many talking points and another European winner in what has been a purple year for European golf. Martin Kaymer moves to 5th in the World Golf Rankings and solidifying his place at the Ryder Cup after his playoff win over Bubba Watson. The playoff was level up the last before Watson got adventurous from a poor lie and found water. Kaymer played the safe option and took the honors. He didn't look overcome with emotion, rather pleased with a job well done. It is a win that should come as no surprise. Although he wasn't tipped up extensively prior to the tournament Kaymer has been in the world's top 20 since 2009, reaching a career high of 6th w/e January 24th 2010. This came after his win at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. In 2009 he recorded back to back victories at the French & Scottish opens. In total he has had 27 top 10's including 6 European Tour victories in his career to date. His major record this year wasn't too shabby either, an 8th at the US Open and a 7th at the British Open. With all that in mind why the hell didn't I back him?
My money went elsewhere. My main bet was McIlroy on the nose and he came close to delivering. A frustrating day that seemed dominated by good par saves rather than the hot birdie streaks which he is capable. He played a peach of an approach to the last and gave himself half a chance. Unfortunately he was a bit timid with his putt and didn't play through the break. Joint third in the end, same finishing position as the Open and going in the right direction. What was impressive this week was his maturity in not letting his frustration get the better of him.
I had a couple of e/w bets on Darren Clarke, Tim Clarke & Brendon De Jonge. All made the cut but didn't make an impression on the weekend.
The main talking point however concerns the fate of Dustin Johnson. He teed off at the last with a 1 shot lead on -12. His unfortunate playing partner, Nick Watney, who had started the day with a 3 shot lead, bombed to a +10 score of 81. It was ironic that he should be playing with Johnson, a player who had suffered a similar meltdown when playing with Graeme McDowell in the final pairing of the US Open this year, finally signing for a 82 after starting the day with a 3 shot lead.
Johnson cracked his drive wide right in to the galleries. It landed on what can only be described as scrub land, with a sandy lie. Now to millions watching, myself included, there is no way that we came to the conclusion that he was in a bunker lie. That was how Johnson read it also. He therefore assumed he was safe in grounding his club before address. Wrong as it transpired....
He played his second to a valley below the green, knocked his approach on from there and missed a par putt that would have given him outright victory. As it transpired it wouldn't have mattered anyway. He knocked in his bogey and assumed he was off to sign his card before beginning a 3 way playoff with Watson & Kaymer, who both finished at -11, Kaymer by sinking a difficult par putt on 18.
Word began to filter that all wasn't right with that second on 18. Apparently his lie was deemed to be in a bunker, this despite it being trampled on all day by thousands of spectators, and he was wrong to have grounded the club. After a lengthy hearing Johnson was given a 2 stroke penalty that put him back to -9 and in a tie for 5th. A truly heartbreaking way to finish, especially after he drained a beauty of a putt on 17 to put him in the lead. To his credit he came out and gave interviews to the waiting viewers and took it on the chin.
The rules officials decreed that notices had been put up on the locker rooms that all sand areas were classified as bunkers, on a course which has hundreds. Mark Wilson of the PGA

The No. 1 item on the local rules sheet [which all players and caddies receive] was that all of the areas of the course designed as bunkers would be played as bunkers. ... Although some of those areas outside the ropes may have changed from what a tour player might expect [to see in a bunker] ... Dustin, in this position, just didn't recognize that fact.

A sad end for Johnson then but this was a tournament high on excitement and one that won't be forgotten too quickly.

read more

Paul Hession

Little Sprints, Great Strides; The Fastest Irishman in History.

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. - Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life

Paul Hession has been running many short races for the best part of 18 years now. The headline might suggest a decorated national hero but sprinting operates well below the radar of the average Irish sports fan. 100mts and 200mts are his chosen disciplines, 200mts his preferred and one to which he has excelled to a world class standard, even attracting the moniker ‘fastest white man in the world’. A backhanded compliment perhaps but then again the sprinting world is dominated by black athletes, particularly those of West African descent. In fact for the last quarter of a century not one white athlete has made the final of an Olympic 100mts. In his book ‘Taboo:Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We Are Afraid to Talk About It’ John Entine makes the point that “no white, Asian or East African has broken ten seconds in the 100metres”.
With all this statistical dissuasion a young Irish sprinter might well decide it’s not worth it. There’s been an inner steel within Paul Hession from an early age, however, a ruthful determination to challenge convention. His first foray in to international Athletics came at the World Junior Championships in 2002 followed by the European Senior Championships in the same year, this at the age of 19. The following year brought his first taste of success on the international stage, a silver in the 200mts at the World University Games. As the competition suggests Paul was now a full time student, studying for a medical degree at NUIG. A course requiring such mental endurance and ability mirrored the physical demands on the running track. Throw in to the mix our famously temperate climate, not conducive to fast sprinting, our basic training facilities and you get a picture of the challenges that were prevalent. “I think the importance of self-belief cannot be exaggerated. Oftentimes, the mind is the limiting factor. If you don’t believe you can do something then, more often than not, you will never even come close.” said Hession in 2007, a year of great significance in his development as an athlete. Squeezed in between in 2005 was another medal at the World University games, this time a bronze in the 200mts. 2007 was the year in which he broke the Irish 100 and 200 metre records twice, helping to imbue a sense of self belief and confidence that bigger nuggets were only around the corner.

Leave the beaten track occasionally and dive in to the woods. You will be certain to find something you have never seen before – Alexander Graham Bell

The life of a professional athlete can be a lonely one, particularly in a singular discipline such as sprinting. Paul Hession left the track beaten on more occasions than he won. He continued to dive in to his training, however, steadfast in the belief that his perseverance would reward him in time. Sure enough he was soon reaching times he had never seen before, each one bringing him a step closer to the ultimate glory for any professional sprinter, an Olympic medal. His 2008 efforts brought about a semi final berth in which he finished fifth, missing out on a place in the final by thirteen hundreds of a second. Such are the margins and finer by which sprinters rejoice or recoil. It just so happened that 2008 was the year in which a sprinting phenomenon scaled the heights. The Jamaican Usain Bolt pushed sprinting to the forefront of World Athletics like the great Michael Johnson had done before him. Indeed he smashed Johnson’s world record in the 200mts whilst also beating his own record on the way to winning gold in the 100mts. Hession would find some solace later that year by claiming silver in the IAAF World Athletics Final in Stuttgart. Track Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Year awards at the annual Athletics Association of Ireland awards dinner rounded off 2008 for Hession, recognition by his peers of the great strides he was making in the world of sprinting.
A misty eyed romanticism has built up in Ireland about the 2012 Olympics in London. Geographically it’s practically on our doorstep and there is a feeling that Irish athletes may well excel on the back of a familiarity with climate and a reduced travel schedule. Those factors alone of course won’t success bringeth but they’ll give Irish athletes an edge in arena’s where hundreds of seconds make or break careers. Paul Hession will be 29 by the time the 2012 Olympics come round and arguably at the peak of his career. Thereafter he will be approaching the twilight of his career and it would be fitting therefore if he could go out on the reflected glory of an inspirational career. It would no doubt be reward enough for every spike mark he has left on the terrain of every running track throughout his distinguished career.

read more

Prague Diaries - Week 1

Wed August 4th
This was it. The big move was finally here and a new life abroad awaited. One backbreaking suitcase and an equally overbearing hand luggage were to be my only companions for Aer Lingus flight EI0646 from Dublin @ 18.30. Well I lie, I did of course have human companionship in the form of Zuzana. This was a joint move and one which he hoped would transpire to be a prosperous one.
Packing everything was of course a nightmare. Despite our best efforts to turf out the unnecessary in the weeks leading up to the move, we still managed to accumulate 13 boxes worth of 'stuff' aside from our suitcases. They are now safely ensconced in my parents garage until a permanent address is confirmed.
The flight itself was extremely pleasant. Aer Lingus is a low cost operator these days but it still maintains the all important customer service element. I'm not about to start slamming Ryanair because I'm an admirer of what they have done for air travel but the difference in attitude towards customers is marked.
On arrival at the airport we were met by a friend of Zuzana'a who along with her husband gave us a lift to our short stay apartment (1 month to be exact). The apartment is located in Prague 3 and is in a beautiful old building. The whole area in fact is surrounded by the most striking buildings. Plenty of shops and restaurants too as well as being only a 15 minute walk to the central station. 10 minutes further and you are in Wenceslas square, perfect really.
Thursday August 5th
First full day in a new city. I'd been to Prague a couple of times before but that consisted of visits to the tourist hotspots around the old town square. I read in a time out guide to Prague that Zizkov, where we were now living, is renowned for it's rowdy pubs and quirky outlandishness. There are quiet a few pubs around, it'll take time to decide whether they are rowdy or not, by Irish standards at least. The morning is spent lying in for me, long days traveling don't you know. Zuz has two interviews scheduled. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. I tag along to the one in the afternoon because we were in town anyway. I had picked up a vodafone prepaid sim so as to have a Czech number for the flood of calls that would surely arrive! All looking for me to sign a contract of employment! Tagging along transpired to be a bad idea, 2 hours reading through magazines in the Czech language in the waiting room. Yes, 2 hours reading magazines in a language I didn't yet speak. It was like being a child again seeking out the good pictures at least. If anything it focused the mind on getting to grips with the notoriously difficult Czech language.
Interview over and a return home by tram and metro. The trams are efficient and clean, as indeed is the metro. This is how public transport should be. Oh and it's cheap as well. Happy days. Still having no food in the house we go to the restaurant/bar across the road. Menus in English, wahay! Also delicious pints of Pilsner Urquell for a quarter of the price back home. Suitably refreshed we retire home to catch some shut eye.
Friday August 6th
The weekend has arrived. Zuz was of course anxious to get home and see her family so caught an early bus home. She had an interview in Brno on the way. I stayed behind in Prague because I had a telephone interview @ 3pm with a finance house in Lausanne. I'm glad to report it went well and they wish to see me in person. With that out of the way it was time to pack a bag and catch a train to Zlin to join up with Zuz. I wasn't looking forward to a four hour trip on what I had been told were fairly outdated trains. Punctual yes, comfortable no. The trains were the sort I was used to seeing in old European movies where carriages were the order of the day. I guess these can be fine depending on the company you have. It started off well, an attractive girl in her twenties who spoke English. 'Mluvíte Anglicky' (Do you speak English) is usually my first port of call. Just as we were to depart we were joined by 3 others. The first to arrive were a couple, also in their twenties I'd guess, followed by a sleek Czech guy dressed completely in black, bald, fifties I'd guess and the look of a ruthless serial killer. Think John Malkovich, only more brooding. He sat directly across from me of course. His intense stare was something I didn't really want to deal with for 4 hours. He listened to music on his phone for most of the trip, interspersed with the odd loud deep laugh. He also drank water from a brown paper bag. I considered telling him how utterly weird that would look back home but then decided against the bother. The attractive student type listened to music also and thankfully informed me when we needed to move carriages about 3 hours in to the journey as the train was splitting.
The other two carriage companions spent most of their time eating chocolate loudly, didn't think that was possible, but their strained efforts proved otherwise. Inexplicably the guy took his shoes off and planked his feet on the seat opposite, next to the attractive student. I couldn't help think he'd have his jaw re-aligned if he tried that on an Irish train.
Anyway 4 hours later, tired and I was in Zlin. Zuz picked me up and drove me to her parents place. I had a chicken dinner and a couple of bottles of Staropramen. Only fit for bed after that.
Saturday August 7th
Zuzana'a father Jirí picked us up at 1 to go for lunch in one of his favourite restaurants, in the forest above Zlin. It was a picturesque setting, we even had some dears run through the forest only a hundred yards from where we set. I decided to try a local specialty, named shepherd's pan (english translation). It was an assortment of vegetables, lamb, beef and pork in a rich sauce. Nice stuff, would eat again. After lunch was over we went to visit Zuzana's grandparents on her fathers side. As with previous visit's they were most accomodating. Her grandmother, as indeed all relatives are when guests visit, was laying out the table with plates of food. This just after we'd eaten a hefty lunch. I tried to nibble away at a few bits despite being stuffed. Of course it wasn't only food. Out came the infamous Slivovitz and no amount of gentle 'no I'm fine' was going to cut it. This is the Czech equivalent of poitin and Zuzana'a grandfather makes his own regularly. Ended up getting through 5 shots of the stuff. The trick is to drink slowly, otherwise the glass will keep being refilled. It's powerful stuff and we still had Saturday nights drinking to come. After leaving the generous hospitality of the grandparents we made a courtesy call to Zuz's uncles new place. A beautiful spot nestled in the hills overlooking Zlin.
Back home and with 15 minutes to get ready for the night ahead. Change of clothes basically and out the door. A friend of Zuz, Jana and her boyfriend Tomas picked us up. We hit one of the towns beer gardens where we were later joined by another friend, Petra and her boyfriend Pavel. My pidgin Czech provided much amusement but I know they were secretly impressed. Thankfully they were all adept English speakers so the conversation flowed as well as the pilsner. We got through a lot, soaked up by a pizza half way through. After the pub it was on to one of the local clubs. It was located at the end of a dark alley and looked like the entry to a warehouse. No entry fee and a closing time of 4am, nice. The music was the same commercial stuff pumped out back home and to be honest it was the same sort of vibe you get in local clubs the world over. The views were probably slightly better though to be fair. A couple of hours was enough and a taxi took us back to snoozeville.
Sunday August 8th
Awake with a sore head and a dodgy tummy, overindulged to be sure. A scheduled train departure of 3 was put back to 7 to allow further recovery. I managed a bit of beef for lunch to try and get some energy back. We got a lift to the station from Zuz's mum. Half way there we hit a traffic jam, a red light was stuck. Not what we needed on an already tight schedule. A quick detour had us in the station with 5 minutes to spare. The train journey took 3 and a half hours, the last 2 spent on one of the modern pendelino trains. I had a strong coffee on board which wasn't the brightest move. An already dodgy tummy flared up and I thought I was going to spew on a couple of occasions. I was glad to see Prague come half ten. A tram home and bed for some much needed sleep.
Monday August 9th
It was probably about time we got some food in to the house. The nearest supermarket was a tram stop away. We decided to walk, not the brigtest idea as it happened. Heavy rain showers meant the walk took about an hour. The wearing of flip flops didn't help matters. We got to the local 'Albert' supermarket and squelched around it for a half hour filling a few bags of hastily conceived dinners. The first home cooked meal that evening was good ol spag bol. Can't beat the old reliables!
Tuesday August 10th
The best day so far weather wise so we hit one of the local parks in Prague 2 and soaked up some rays. A lunch in one of the adjoining restaurants captured a nice relaxing afternoon. It seemed like the first day of pure relaxation since the move, every other day had been filled with traveling or rushing of some sort.

read more