Connectivity concerns

When one is about to embark on a longer business trip, he (or she) may start to think about today's possibilities to keep connected with the family (without paying a huge buck for international phone calls). Sure, there are social services like Facebook and IM services like Google Talk, but one excellent thing that comes to mind are Skype video calls.

I can't install Skype on my corporate laptop, but luckily I have two wonderful Linux machines that come with Skype pre-installed. Although neither one are brand new they are still fully working. My Asus eeePC 900 netbook has currently Crunchbang Linux, and my trusted Nokia N810 is running Maemo OS2008. Both machines have got WLAN connectivity. One major disadvantage in the N810 is that in can only do Skype voice calls for some reason.

A few more differences that matter for me: compared to the N810 the eee pc is still "quite big" to drag along, and the N810 gives way more operating time since its' battery can last up to seven hours (against two hours for the eeePC 900). Also, the N810 has got built-in GPS and a way better keyboard. If only it would do Skype video calls too!

But, to sum it up, I think I'm pretty well set for my business trip with either one of these machines. :)

Tour de Mäntsälä

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Time to show the world what we've got here! Though Mäntsälä is not a 24-hour metropol like New York, it's a decent place to live. In the centre are 1) the bus station, 2) hockey arena, 3) club house, 4) city hall, 5) a church on top of a hill, and 6) & 7) two supermarkets (third one would be Lidl a bit further away).

If you're wondering the bit funny lighting of the pictures, it's likely because they were taken at daybreak today. A strange twist on behalf of my cell phone's optics is a free bonus. ;)

Peak of the snow season

This has been a really good winter. It's been two months with more and more solid snow and tens of minus degrees. But for next weekend the forecast is around zero degrees of Celcius.. so here are a few snapshots from a day that might still be among the "highlights of winter 2010".

Einige Bierdeckel

Oh it's been too long since I've been to Germany..

Round the Baltic coast(ers)

Here's a few beer coasters to show from the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania).

In more detail, one from the "Beer House" in Tallinn, and Pärnu ölu.. hmm.. now what makes this one interesting is that I've never been to Pärnu.. and I'm not even sure if I've ever tasted that beer. ;)

The third one is from "Avilys" brewery in Kaunas.. It was a really nice place, and that coaster is a post card on the other side (the brewery paid for the postage)!

Czech out some beer coasters

This is a brief excursion to some of the Czech beer coasters I've managed to collect on my past trips. The most interesting ones are from smaller breweries.

Thoughts about the Czech kitchen

I'm a bit worried.. I've tried to watch my weight lately, and I've managed to even a few kilos. But now I'm going to take the trip to Czech Republic, a country that I associate with extremely delicious but also kinda heavy food.. such as roast pork with knedliký (dumplings made of white flour) or Hermelin cheese. How can I manage? What should I eat?

Bramboráky (fried pancakes made from potatoes) might be vegetarian choice, but it's not exactly a light dish in the end. Also, better to stay away from late night kebab this time. ;)

Salads are ok but they are usually flavored with mayonnaise. But what's good news is that healthy sauerkraut is commonly used in Czech cooking. Soup is called polévka.

To drink, naturally mineral water (such as Mattoni) or perhaps a sip of light Kofola - though, also original Kofola has 30% less sugar than Coca-cola or Pepsi. Any beer? Yes please. :)

(My main reference: Wikipedia's article about Czech Cuisine).

Hmm.. perhaps I've still managed to miss something essential?

They Changed Something (in Blogger)..

Oh no, my phone refuses to co-operate with the new interface for uploading pictures! How will I be able to make "live updates" from now on??

Wonders of nature

A rabbit, a fox, a man with skis, a 2-years old boy. Right? :)

Laskiainen

I'm aware that the "Pancake Day" occasion is originally based on a religious origin, but for me this Sunday was just about "pulkka and pulla". :)

Oh, and, Happy Valentine's Day too! 

Laavu @ Kotojärvi (Winter edition)

 
Oh, while I remember, here are a few pictures from last weekend! Still no sausages or even coffee with me. ;)

Just plans: Moravian-Silesian region

It might be that I'll be taking a trip to the Czech Republic again in the near future, so it's time to do a little planning just in case I would have some free time there.

Ostrava is the biggest city in the region and it thrives to be European Cultural Capital for 2015 (the other alternative might be Plzen).

From the site Ostrava 2015 I found some interesting information about sights that Ostrava has to offer. There are for example maps for four walking tours, and an interesting "did you know...?" section.

Especially walking tour route #1 in the city centre looks interesting. Among all the architectural sights there is also a mention about the "U Rady" pub which is said to be "legendary" and to offer the best Pilsner Urquell in Ostrava. Also The Hobit Pub is along the route, it should offer beer from a local Biovar microbrewery (I've been to this pub before but I didn't know about the local beer!).

Also walking tour #4, labeled "The route of utopian dreams" through Poruba district might be interesting. Poruba is residential district that was constructed in the 1950's in the "socialist realism" style. I've seen it briefly before. We've also been to the residential areas surrounding Dubina. I think it's very impressive area in its' own style.

The Vitkovice area is - alas - not yet fully open at this time of the year but there is highly interesting walking tour #3 in the area.

Walking tour #2 goes to the other side of the Ostravice river and climbs to a 315-metre tall hill that is made from mining waste.

Of course, as Czech Republic is "the beer country" I should also mention Stodolni bar street and guided tours to the Ostravar brewery. :)

Although outside of Ostrava, it might be interesting to visit for example the Hlucin-Darkovicky fortifications.

PS. Lots of good pictures in this Scyscrapercity thread.

A site finding

So far I've used http://www.hostelworld.com for most of my ho(s)tel bookings abroad, but tonight I found out about http://www.yeego.com. Looks quite good at first sight.. interesting.