Ode on Czech Summer - remembering holidays...

As I whizz down the hill on a borrowed (beautiful green) Trek bike I feel tiny flies embedding themselves in my teeth. Some have passed the barriers and I am now having my involuntarily early dinner of random protein. My grin widens, I am the typical grinning cyclist.

It’s close to 8pm and the sun will not touch the horizon for a while yet; I know I have time to enjoy the scenery although the shadow of my biking self (helmet included) grows longer.

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My camera is with me, and it’s as much a blessing as it is a curse. One part of me just wants to enjoy the ride, yet the photographer in me has to give in to the compulsion to capture these precious memories, moods and gorgeous late afternoon light. I don’t care when the occasional passer-by slows down and wonders what I am doing, crouching in the undergrowth, taking photos of bending blades of grass against the setting sun.

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I have always loved summer and early July is a particularly special time. Everything is green (admittedly a notch less saturated than the Cambodian version of my favourite colour), the hills are dotted with wild flowers, patchwork of crops almost gold, the air is sweet and days last forever. Forests bear wild fruits and a bit of patience is rewarded with delicious fragrant strawberries and blueberries no supermarket will ever sell. 

Purple grin and stained fingers tell tales of forest harvest and I saddle up my green horse and ride on.

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Shadows are now longer and I am glad I packed my fleece – by local standards I am a sissy. The air in the woods is cold and damp and the last light of the day is getting through and shines on the carpet of soft green moss.

I inhale deeply the essence of summer dissolved in every molecule of air.

It is my first full days at home; now over as I drop my keys and crack open a bottle of beer. Hydration is important even outside the tropics.

Jetlag all but forgottern, I ignore “Airline Disasters” TV show and watch daylight finally completely disapper and give way to the dark blue of the night.

I am already excited about tomorrow.

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