Sunday 23 August 2009

Ramadhan al Mubarak

Ramadhan is coming again, and this is the third year we have it abroad - furthermore in summer time. The weather is hot, torching and torturous. It really tested my patience, with my toddler crying, and sometimes throwing tantrum. Ya Allah, please help me.

I told my husband, are we making an unwise decision to come abroad at this particular time (when Ramadan falls in summer?) But it is unfair to go abroad with aim of having shorter and cooler fasting month - he said. Yeah it is sooo true.

Another thing, during Ramadhan, I miss my family, the busyness and chaos that we had while preparing dishes to break fast, the fighting, the noise, the weakness (I am usually the weakest one) - everything.

Luckily I have my husband and daughter here. My family and in laws, including Adam, I miss you guys so much. To my sisters and friends who are abroad, do survive. Yeah, I know the feeling of missing pasar Ramadhan (except Zarina, she´s going back to homeland next week, grrr...).

Salam Ramadhan Al Mubarak.

Thursday 20 August 2009

Czech please

Our tour ended up with a visit to Prague. A city where almost everyone who had visited told us beautiful.

It is undeniably beautiful. In addition, my love made a conclusion that any city, with a river runs through it, is beautiful. Based on every city that we had visited, all 5, yes. You are right honey.

And the river, besides adding beautiful touch to the scenery, cools down the temperature a bit. (Hey, it is summer, and the sun is torching hot). Everybody tries their best to enjoy both sunshine and water.

Again, I lost count on what the places we were visiting. Not because there were many places to visit, but this time we just walked around and made ourselves lost in the city. One thing for sure, when we were tired, we were heading back to the river bank.

And usually, besides the riverbank, he was re-ready himself for more and more pictures. The tripod - check, 50-200mm - check, 18-55 mm - check, lens covers all four - check, spare battery - check, card - check, visor - check and the list continued..

Summer in Europe is far different from our hot weather back home. It is dry, my skin flaked and itchy due to excessive dryness. Yeah I know, lotion and sun block, but these two were not enough. I kept complaining about the itchiness. And it killed my mood for providing a good subject for my crazy photographer.

Somewhere, somehow, it is just me. I love being in front of the camera and thank goodness for my camera-friendly ability. Those pictures turn out to be not bad (according to my discretion, hahaha).

And I think this guy sensed it too, so he encouraged me by capturing memorable shots with feeling and happiness. Just look at his smile.

In front of wax museum with MJ, Whitney Houston and Carlie Chaplin.

Da Vinci anatomic shot in front of the clock.

I love you, You love me, we are happy family, with a big great hug and kiss from me to you, won´t you say you love me too..

At the meridian line, which was managed by the Czech

At the square

This is the 'clock'

Us at the clock

People at the clock waiting it to strike

At the square

Again, at the square

A glimpse of Prague road

This is a monument created by a Jewish notable lawyer named Frank .... can´t remember. When I looked at it, the first thing that crossed my mind is the aim of Jewish want to control the whole world. Master of puppet like.

Eventually, he learned to smile and pose

At one of the parks, I found a pear tree - fruitful. At first, I wonder, did anybody eat the fruit? It´s a shame to let it waste. Then, this man arrived, shook a bough and ate the fruits. WOW! I wanted that too, so when my husband arrived, I asked me to do a favor and he got me 2 pears. (yes, I am short). The taste? It was the best pear I ever eaten, crunchy, juicy and sweet. Even Zara wanted for second one.

The bridge near the park with pear tree

At the riverside, with my Polska-shirted hubby

I remember this moment what led my hubby to take many photos of us. While he was busy taking pictures of the building, try to get the best reflection of everything on the water, a group of men passed by and teased him. "She is better than the buildings and bridge, focus on her". And we were laughing. I know that my husband loves taking pictures with reflection, so that did not hurt me.

A building that I love to look at

A better close up

The bridge

Another place that we loved at Prague is Narodni Museum. We took a lot of pictures, with flowers and statue. There is a 'rambla' in front of this museum and many people sit and enjoy the view. Magnificent!

Roses everywhere! My fave

If my mom was here, she will love this too. I mean the flowers, and she loves me, claro!


This is the view in front of the statue at Narodni Museum, the 'rambla' I had been talking about.

We let her free, polishing her walking skill, but it came with price. Dirty hands and pants.


He and Narodni Museum, smiling with his Czech cap and Polska shirt

Zara was clapping her hand happily. I think she likes the camera just like me.

A happy family, yuppee!!

A closer look (at daddy´s teeth)

Side view of Narodni Museum

The entrance to Communist museum

After a tired walk, it was either the park or restaurant. We were hungry but she did not like waiting for the food.

Luckily, when she tossed around, almost to crack a wail, the waiter saw this and came with crayons and some drawing. She was amazed by the new things. I never gave her crayons, afraid that it will go to either her mouth or eyes, but she managed well. So, next trip, I have to be like Kak Akma, stuff in lots of colouring books and crayons.

An opera house
At the tower, before the rain poured

A quick pose with Chopin, and the wind hated me this time. I looked....terribly bad

A theatre for ballet

Cuban bar is popular in Prague, and the cool vintage car added to the Cuba-ness

She was streching herself after hours of seating in the stroller

A Jewish synagogue
(We tried to get into one of many synagogues but the fees - pff turn us down)

This man can sax very good. He reminded me of Sheila Majid - cool Jazz

On the bridge with many statues, one of the famous bridge in Prague

View from Prague castle

Changing the guards, but not as impressive as Buckingham

View from the wall

Toy museum

At the catedral besides Prague Castle

The inside

The outside

Another photo-obsession of my husband is to take picture at night. I think he is good with it just like the reflection. Here are some of his take.









Well, what do you think?