Eufrat Weekend at Elsyn Dvůr

We were invited by the Plzen school, Eufrat, for another week-end  trip to the country.  This time to the Šumava mountains to the hotel Elsyn Dvůr.

The occasion was to celebrate the Czech tradition of Svaty Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas) which occurs on the 6th December.  The custom is as follows: 

“Angels lower St. Nicholas, or Svaty Mikuláš, with a basket of apples, nuts, and candies, down from heaven on a heavy golden cord. On December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, three figures—kindly St. Nicholas who gives gifts to children, a Devil who comes to take bad children away, and an Angel who pleads on their behalf—form a procession marking the beginning of the Christmas season. The streets are filled with devils rattling chains, St. Nicholases with white cotton beards, long robes and bishops' staffs, and angels with paper wings on their way to visit small children in their homes.

Traditionally, St. Nicholas quizzed children on the prayer-book and the Bible. Today, however, the questions are mostly about the previous year's behaviour. The angel writes a record for each child in a large book and the children sing or say a poem to the saint. The devil rattles his chains, threatening to carry bad children off, but the angel, with a gold star on her forehead and dressed in a white gown, protects the children.

Good children receive stockings filled with tangerines, nuts, chocolates, and small gifts. It is said that bad children get old potatoes or coal in theirs. Parents and other relatives also give a St. Nicholas gift, which may be hidden so children must hunt to find it. After the children's treats, St. Nicholas shares a toast with the parents.”

So the children for the week-end could dress as a little devil or a little angel and they practiced their Svaty Mikuláš song for the big moment when he would arrive.

Sarah and Amber posing with some borrowed devil horns – only they both look far too angelic!

A great highlight of the weekend was the swimming pool, although Mum forgot the cozzies!!!!

Saturday evening and time for Svaty Mikuláš to arrive – there is much anticipation in the camp

At last they arrived and the anticipation quickly turned to tears as the devil was all too real for some of the smaller ones – even our two were stricken by the experience and all Svaty Mikuláš songs were completely forgotten

An amount of relief as they received chocolate treats and not lumps of coal. Posing with their Bulgarian friend, Plamin.

There was good heavy snow during the weekend in the mountains and the girls had great fun playing in the snow. 

We were not prepared with waterproofs or multiple changes of clothes though, so we were frantically drying slacks over heaters every afternoon while the girls had to go down to dinner in long johns much to Colin’s dismay.

 

A mighty battle raged with Teachers Hanka and Katka…

… and Sarah got taken down

View of the hotel and the yonder ski slopes.

There were horses on the farm, but unfortunately we didn’t get to ride them.

Colin and I spent the week-end in the dining room watching the weather come down and caught up on all our long overdue blogs.

Sunday and time to go; Cars are being dug out and snow chains fitted for the drive home.