Where's The Godfather?

Sicily! What a fun place! And I must say, the weather was a lot better than Prague.

First, Rainer and I took a tour bus up to Catania. A place that thrives in the shadow of Mt. Etna - the giant active volcano on the island. Interestingly, the city of Catania has been completely destroyed by volcanic eruptions and rebuilt seven times over the centuries! My dad would call that poor city planning.

I'm also going to take a moment to point out a charming small village at the base of Mt. Etna called Nocolosi. Of course, Rainer found the best coffee shop there.

After Catania, Mt. Etna, and Nicolosi... the tour bus was bound for Modica. Modica was generally a Spanish city in Sicily with distinct Baroque architecture. It is also well known for its chocolate!

I loved it... but I didn't find The Godfather :(

Reunited And It Feels So Good

It's been just over a year now since I lived in Malta and this was my first trip back. Honestly, a piece of my heart is still here with the place and the people I love.

There's an energy in Malta that is difficult to describe. It entangles you and penetrates your soul. 

... And don't forget the Paceville party district - which was literally in the neighborhood I lived in... Heh.

It's wonderful to visit again. I feel like the people I befriended here will be friends for life.

Cheers, Malta :)

Prague Legend #3: The Bell In The Tower Of Tyn Church

As this story goes, there was an old rich noblewoman with many servants - all of which were treated with exceeding cruelty.

One body servant in particular regularly received insults and blows for her pains. One night, the noblewoman was preparing for a social event and the servant was helping her put on her dress. At this moment, the bells of Tyn Church began to ring.

Hearing the bell, the servant stopped attending the noblewoman and knelt immediately to say a prayer as had always been her custom at home. The noblewoman became enraged and started shouting curses and beating the servant for what she took to be laziness. She beat the servant so severely, that the servant died.

Unsurprisingly, the noble woman was able to pay her way out of murder charges and thought she could go on living normally. However, every time she heard the Tyn Church bell ring, she was reminded of the murdered servant girl.

In the end, her conscience gave in and she donated all of her property to the poor, entered a convent, and had a small bell cast and hung in the tower of Tyn Church where it would ring in memory of the dead girl.

Prague Legend #2: The Twenty-Seven Beheaded Bohemian Lords

In 1618, the famous (second) defenestration of Prague is generally regarded as the main event that kicked off the cluster-you-know-what that was the Thirty Years War: an incredibly bloody and destructive series of conflicts. It was the earliest set of wars I learned about where they described the death toll in the millions. Actually, it's one of the most interesting events in European history and I've spent a lot of time over the years reading about it.

Anyhow, back to throwing people out of windows. This event kicked off the Thirty Years War - and more locally, the Bohemian Rebellion of the Estates against Emperor Ferdinand II of Austria (not Australia, auto-correct!) In the two years that followed the defenestration, there were a series of conflicts between the Bohemians and Austrians that the Bohemians eventually lost decisively at the Battle of White Mountain (Bila Hora is on my list of things to see).

After this battle, Bohemia was greatly reduced politically from a kingdom to a client state of Austria. In 1621, the Bohemian lords responsible for the political, financial, and military backing of the Rebellion of the Estates were rounded up and beheaded in Prague at the Old Town Center. It was a long and bloody affair that lasted from five in the morning until one in the afternoon on June 21st, 1621.

These Bohemian lords are regarded as heroes and martyrs, having fought for freedom of religion, the rights of Bohemians, and maintaining the rule of the kingdom within Bohemia.

The plaza commemorates them with 27 crosses on the ground and a message.

According to the legend, the ghosts of the twenty-seven lords return to this place each year on June 21st and gather at the Astronomical clock. If the clock is working, it signifies the land is prospering. If the clock is not working, they return to their eternal resting places sad and dejected.

Prague Legend #1: The Old Town Astronomical Clock

As this legend of Prague goes, Master Hanus of Ruze altered and perfected the astronomical clock in Old Town Square 3 that was made around 1410.

It was so magnificent and beautiful, that it defied belief and was an instant source of pride to the people of Prague and its rulers.

The town council, intent on preserving the clock, the secrets of its construction, and the creation of another like it - or better, decided to blind Master Hanus.

In his sorrow and inability to improve the clock, or make others like it, Master Hanus asked to visit the clock in his blinded state to feel it's contours and enjoy it once more.

When he arrived at the clock, he reached inside and felt for a particular mechanism and tore it out - rendering the clock non-functional. At that moment his heart surrendered and he collapsed there, dead.

For many years, the clock was non-functional until a master craftsman was able to make the repair. Over the years the clock was silent, it was a reminder to the town councilors of their terrible deed.

Prague Museum Of Torture... Or, I Know Some Guys That Would Be Into This

I recently visited the Prague Museum of Torture. A bit commercialized... Nonetheless, I saw some fantastic things and expanded my imagination of what constitutes torture.

There were so many maiming implements. A tool for every purpose!

This one above is exactly what you think it is - a male chastity belt.

I know more than a few people who deserve the comfort of this chair.

These masks were utilized for shaming. If persons broke the law, committed slander or libel, or just disagreed with the ruling administration, they had to wear this comfy mask around town. All the rage!

This was interesting - an executioner's block that had, at one time, actually been used in executions.

A bit macabre, but exactly what I wanted today. All in all, a pleasant diversion from the norm.

Achtung, Baby!

I have just applied for my visa for the Czech Republic, in Berlin. Fun fact: you have to apply for the visa outside of the intended country of work/residence. In this case, that was totally "ok" because I was able to take a short bus ride and visit a good friend and former co-worker: Jason Durall.

It was really great to see him again and find him doing well in Berlin, his new home. I stayed with Jason at his fantastic flat on Alexanderplatz and fell in love with Berlin life - again!

This time, I saw two new things: the Pergamon Museum and Check Point Charlie. Both sights were incredible in their own right.

The Pergamon Museum is home to the Babylonian Istar gate... A marvel to see. And to think, what's in the museum is only a fraction of the size of what the full structure once was.

Check Point Charlie was always on my list... And I'm glad I had a chance to see it. Two of the stories I read there made me tear up, and I had a photo op at a significant piece of the Berlin Wall.