Plzen Relatives

Our stay in Plzen was filled with family. They are George's family by blood, mine by marriage on my father's side. No matter what the relationship, it was a real treat to get to know them. George visited and stayed with family members numerous times during time spent in the Czech Republic. Lloyd and I met them for the first time. George hosted a family dinner at a nice restaurant in Starý Plzenec. Here we are after dinner, missing only one person, who was behind the camera.

Inside the restaurant.

George Kalcik, here with his sister, Vera,

was behind the camera in the group photo.

The youngest family members enjoyed the evening, too.

While we are in Starý Plzenec, let me show you the school where Martin is the headmaster. It is just down the street from the restaurant. The school's website is in Czech, but the photos tell a story of a modern, forward-thinking private school.

One day we went to visit Karel and Vera Kalcik at their home. Vera made us a lovely lunch, and we enjoyed the sun on the rooftop deck with its lovely views. After lunch, Vera's mother, the 102-year-old Marie, visited with us. She was happy to see George again, and we were delighted to meet her. She has a lively twinkle in her eye.

After lunch, we gathered ourselves for an afternoon excursion. As we filed out through the kitchen, we were amazed to see Marie doing KP. I surprised her when I snapped this picture.

Two views from the deck. The Kalcik's live on the edge of Plzen,

and although there is a large, industrial city nearby, their

home enjoys a rural beauty.

The afternoon excursion took us to an air park, a lot chock full of old airplanes, tanks, and other items collected by a friend of the family. It was quite interesting. The interior of this plane was much like it was when it flew years ago.

Next stop: A quaint summer house in the South Bohemian mountains.