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Praha, the City I was born in, then communist Czechoslovakia 1950. The
very first trip I remember was in my father’s fantastic bus, that he was
driving around 1953 or 1954 called Pullman, Skoda 706RO made in 1947.
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For that time and place, state of the art. Made only one piece, top
comfort, adjustable seats, toilet and for the kid my age unforgettable snack
bar in the back. It really wasn't much of the trip. My father was driving
charters all over Europe, at the time before his passport was taken away by
friendly "comrades" for too much of association with American-Czechs visiting
Prague, and receiving box of WRIGLEY Chewing gum from friend in Chicago for
the Christmas with the note attached saying: So you and your family have
something to chew on for the holidays. Anyhow that time my father was leaving
Prague for couple of weeks traveling around Czech Republic with one of the
charters, and my mother and I came to see him off. I have hidden in the back
of the bus and my father pretending that he doesn't know I'm there took off
and drove around couple of blocks. That was the excitement of the traveling
that got me hooked. Then followed school trips all over numerous natural
landmarks and castles scattered throughout the country.
When I got older, I've done some "tramping",
which is getting away from it all with just heavy blanket or sleeping bag ( if you could afford it), some bare
necessities and spending night by the fire under stars. Also various ski and
hiking trips either to
Sumava Mountains (south Czech Republic) or
Krkonose Mountains
(north) . And of course all the other trips on my
motorcycle to the Myslin
cottage and my grandfathers place Malovidy on river Sazava. One of most
important trips in my life was summer of 1968. Because of politics and our
family being blacklisted by commies we left for former Yugoslavia and from
there we were going to go to
Italy on to Canada. Destination Opatija,
Croatia.
Situated below mountain and Nature Park Ucka, Opatija is one of the nicest
places I've ever been to. Beautiful nature, parks, old Austrian villas,
seaside promenade and beaches.
Being young and single, my brother and I had spent a vacation we'll never
forget. Things in Czech Republic had improved slightly, while we were there ,
so we have come back.
Then Aug. 21.
1968., Soviet forces invaded Czechoslovakia and after that our family
was leaving again, this time for good. And just like "tramping", with nothing
but bare necessities we left Prague for
Vienna, Austria and from there
continued on to Barrie,
Ontario, Canada.
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