Supposedly today the Czech Parliament votes on tightening up public smoking laws.
Are we steps closer to a smoke-free Praha? If Czechs are as crazy about their cancer sticks as they are their drinks then I think non-smokers are in for more years of second-hand fumes. So excuse me while I reserve my applause until tomorrow for a successful vote on this ban.
When I extend invites to friends to come visit, along with the warnings about body odor, dog crap, and my spare apartment I include one about lingering cigarette smoke in hair, on clothes, even on your tongue. Yuck.
Three consecutive nights spent in smoke-filled spots during Gbemi's March visit left my tongue unable to register taste for a few days. A favorite dessert at a Thai restaurant tasted dead on arrival, and I thought my palate was just being fussy because the restaurant had substituted pears for mangos. For a while, the only meals that truly excited had to be high in sodium or extra spicy. Eventually, the “heaviness” on my tongue faded and I was able to enjoy more subtle fare.
Smoking and the way it alters the palate perhaps explains the saltiness of most Czech food. And from my eating experience I've found that the best way to counter the salt is with what else? Beer. So health-wise I'm getting walloped from multiple sides. I'm struggling to breath, raising my blood pressure and traumatizing my liver.
What's a non-smoker to do? Stay home? Many of us just suck it up—figuratively and literally. I could try to be more pro-active and do a search for eating establishments that prohibit smoking. I could, but I haven't because in an ironic twist—me, coming from New York where we segregate smokers out in the cold—I've gotten used to the smoke. I may grimace and cough, but I take my seat and order my meal. I don't even bother throwing nasty looks anymore. I get home, wince at the condition of my clothes and wonder about starting a dry-cleaning fund.
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How do you jump back into blogging after 10 days away and an additional 8 days of procrastinating after your return? Sheepishly and with some trepidation.
Getting back from Lagos last Monday, one of my first thoughts was of the blog: what to write (everything), when to write (as soon as possible). And of course, the pictures.
Wishful thinking. As soon as I started to replay the details of my 10 days of relatives and old friends, power outages, questionable suitors, bug bites, movie and restaurant outings, 30+ degree afternoons, political unrest, hyper-active children, et al, I began to dread typing. Information overload.
I reasoned that it was okay to ignore the blog for a few days, but when friends started to ask when I'd post again I knew I would have to get over my block soon and just dive—or belly flop—into it.
So here you have me. Not quite the “I'm Back!” post I had imagined for myself, but it'll have to do. Initial reaction aside I'd still like to write a bit about Lagos, and post my pictures online. That'll happen slowly though or maybe I'll surprise myself and get an unexpected creative burst and get it all out sooner than expected.
Spring is back in Prague. I'd shout “hallelujah”, but our winter was so mild a part of me is inclined to greet the change of weather with a bit of indifference. Not so the views. I was out this weekend catching up with friends and I couldn't get over how stunning the city looked, especially in the absence of overcast skies. It gave me chills to think that I was now a part of that quintessential European tableau that I had always fantasized about.
Ho-hum news: my trip to Krakow this coming weekend has been postponed. One of my would-be traveling companions is ill.
Good news #1: As of last Friday, I have a new nephew! Don't know his name yet, but I bet it'll start with an “F”. (His parents and three sisters have first names that start with the same letter.)
Good news #2: I'm returning to America—San Francisco—next week for a week-long work conference. When that's over I'll travel to my stomping ground—New York!—for another week. Super excited to see my friends and family again.
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Shipping out in about an hour for my flight to the motherland. Heading to Lagos for 10 days to celebrate Easter with relatives.
Quick notes:
The Comperes—mother and daughter—have been in town since Monday. Having them around has been like having a piece of Canarsie, Brooklyn, in Prague. Great conversations, great food and great company. I wish the timing of my trip to Lagos had worked out differently so I could spend more time with them.
Besides my lapse with the bits of chicken, I've kept up my meat-free Lent. But I tell you I cannot wait to pounce on a slab of bovine Friday!
Will try to post in Lagos, but no promises.
Cau!
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