Compact archive October 16, 2007

Prague gets its own city railway lines soon. 9th December 2007 is the day when the lines connecting city parts and urban areas surrounding the metropolis under new labels and in shorter intervals start to work.

Prague joins European cities, where the so called S-Bahn forms an integral part of the public transport.

The new railway tracks are going to be highlighted in the public transport plan, in metro stations and stations of surface transport. Travelers will hear announcements about changing stations in the transport speakers.

S-Bahn trains are:
S1 Prague – Kolin
S12 Prague – Poricany
S2 Prague – Nymburk – Kolin
S3 Prague – Vsetaty
S4 Prague – Kralupy nad Vltavou
S41 Prague – Roztoky
S5 Prague – Kladno
S6 Prague – Rudna – Beroun
S7 Prague – Beroun
S8 Prague – Dobris/Cercany
S9 Prague – Benesov

The ticket system goes unchanged. That means, within the city is possible to go by train with a MHD (Prague Public Transport) ticket.

Train transport, within the metropolis, is used by 100 000 people every day, the MHD net is used by 2,75 millions. S-Bahn, according to the specialist, can gain trust by the dense rail net and by its speed, that should be faster than the underground.

Hundreds of contestants throughout the Czech Republic, Poland and South Africa had endured a grueling selection process in the preliminary rounds. Written examinations tested their knowledge of the traditional development of Pilsner Urquell and the brewing practices that create this distinctive beer. Each of the contestants had been required to choose a photograph depicting the embodiment of Pilsner Urquell and to write an essay explaining their selection.

The subsequent test was to demonstrate their ability to consistently perform the “perfect pour.” Such an art requires finesse, patience, and a steady hand. Technique differs for draught and bottle pouring, but either can be a difficult task. The contestants were judged on the draught technique, since this is the greater challenge.

Twenty-one-year old Erik Jönsson from Norway excelled in beer tapping with huge diligence. He did not allow so that the beer would owerflow. After that he hit the right rate.

Erik Jönsson gained a prestigious title Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender 2007 and he was introduced into the hall of fame of the Pilsen Urquell Brewery. “It is a great honour for me, the victory came as a surprise, even when I was prepared. The Czech representative was definitely a favourite .”

Smazak is possible to find on an every menu of an every common Czech restaurant. Usually it has its place booked in the ‘vegetarian’ section, and it is quite common that it stands there almost alone. The food of Czech vegetarians? Certainly. And now, maybe even one of the Czech national foods.

Smooth Cheese Flow
According to our member of the European parliament Jan Brezina, we could let Smazak be our Czech protected trademark. “It is a good business article and an original Czech idea.”

According to the organizer of the Prague Food Festival, Pavel Mauer we could get the trademark of traditional Czech food, however: “Important chefs consider Smazak a total hybrid, but really it is an opinion of the high specialized society. Folks like it… and me too.” And we just add: we in abc too.

It is true that we have not seen Smazak anywhere in the world; Edam cheese in paste of flour, egg and roll-crumb; fried gold; with Tartar sauce mmm. Served with potatoes croquettes or in a bun like a cheeseburger… There is indeed not a country, where you could get Smazak, only here.

What a bite of Smazak is like?
Maybe this free verse poem, written by an American called Butthead could bring some light into the matter (Smazeny syr is the whole name of Smazak).

Smazeny syr
By Butthead

the sunlight shines through the window
the beads of sweat lazily drip down my pivo
The syr arrives
golden brown
the oil catches the sun like crystals
glistening and glittering
First bite:
the syr oozes across the plate
mixing with the hranolky
“mmm just right.”
spoon on the tartarska
savoring
clogging arteries be damned
you’re only human once.