castles in the air
I'm...facing a sudden and odd dilema.
My grandfather offered to build me a house
Well, not exactly. He came up to me, handed me an official project description (he's an engineer, he does blueprints for fun!), and told me that this is what he wanted to build on his vineyard...well on half the vineyard. But he is only going to build it if someone in our family is actually interested in living there. If no one is interested, then he's going to sell the land since it's in a prime building spot. It makes sense, the vineyard is a lot of upkeep and he's not getting any younger.
He said he wanted an answer "soon".
That's vague and I can only assume that "soon" means within a year or two, at least definitely after I graduate. I know he came to me, and not my mom for example, because as of right now I'm showing the most interest in wanting to live HERE. I do love it here, a lot...but I also know I have a very naive sense of what it's like to live here. Afterall I'm only here in the summer, before all the harvesting in the fall begins. And my only memories of other seasons here are as a 3-year old sledding down the winecellar hill.
I also wouldn't want to consider permanently living here until I have my Czech citizenship back, to make me a dual citizen of the US and the EU. We (my grandfather, mother and I) went to Mikulov yesterday to ask about it at the Area Council. They no longer do such things so we have to get our documents together and head to Brno to ask at the County Council. But...but it looks possible. Very possible. At least...that's the sense I get from this.
anyway, I did look at the project plan. The house...is beautiful. Forest in back, built on the crest of a hill that overlooks the man-made lake (which he helped plan, and where the yacht club he helped found sails), would still have one of the vineyards and peach mini-orchards, private location, grass, field, garage, parking, courtyard... In the plan, my grandfather offered up two versions of the house itself (A and B...I like A the tiniest bit more), both of which have the basement as sort of a guest-complex, and which have a half-indoor/half-outdoor pool, and lots of windows to take advantage of the spectacular view of the lake, hills, and castles. Simply, it's a beautiful family home.
Family home...what an odd thing to think about. The house is obviously made for a married couple and kids. Basically, more than one person. And while I know that eventually (many years from now?) I will more likely than not have such a family...it's not something I can decide on now. And, like I said, it would be a huge house for me alone. Huge and beautiful...and possibly made of wood. Which is very odd for Europe, especially this part, but so what.
I guess...now is when the time comes to start making grown-up decisions.
P.S. If you want a postcard from CZ, and haven't already given me your address, do so! I have plently of internets since my grandfather has DSL.
P.P.S. Those of you going to Oktakon, have fun and don't cook in your own armor/costumes. Good luck and take pictures!
My grandfather offered to build me a house
Well, not exactly. He came up to me, handed me an official project description (he's an engineer, he does blueprints for fun!), and told me that this is what he wanted to build on his vineyard...well on half the vineyard. But he is only going to build it if someone in our family is actually interested in living there. If no one is interested, then he's going to sell the land since it's in a prime building spot. It makes sense, the vineyard is a lot of upkeep and he's not getting any younger.
He said he wanted an answer "soon".
That's vague and I can only assume that "soon" means within a year or two, at least definitely after I graduate. I know he came to me, and not my mom for example, because as of right now I'm showing the most interest in wanting to live HERE. I do love it here, a lot...but I also know I have a very naive sense of what it's like to live here. Afterall I'm only here in the summer, before all the harvesting in the fall begins. And my only memories of other seasons here are as a 3-year old sledding down the winecellar hill.
I also wouldn't want to consider permanently living here until I have my Czech citizenship back, to make me a dual citizen of the US and the EU. We (my grandfather, mother and I) went to Mikulov yesterday to ask about it at the Area Council. They no longer do such things so we have to get our documents together and head to Brno to ask at the County Council. But...but it looks possible. Very possible. At least...that's the sense I get from this.
anyway, I did look at the project plan. The house...is beautiful. Forest in back, built on the crest of a hill that overlooks the man-made lake (which he helped plan, and where the yacht club he helped found sails), would still have one of the vineyards and peach mini-orchards, private location, grass, field, garage, parking, courtyard... In the plan, my grandfather offered up two versions of the house itself (A and B...I like A the tiniest bit more), both of which have the basement as sort of a guest-complex, and which have a half-indoor/half-outdoor pool, and lots of windows to take advantage of the spectacular view of the lake, hills, and castles. Simply, it's a beautiful family home.
Family home...what an odd thing to think about. The house is obviously made for a married couple and kids. Basically, more than one person. And while I know that eventually (many years from now?) I will more likely than not have such a family...it's not something I can decide on now. And, like I said, it would be a huge house for me alone. Huge and beautiful...and possibly made of wood. Which is very odd for Europe, especially this part, but so what.
I guess...now is when the time comes to start making grown-up decisions.
P.S. If you want a postcard from CZ, and haven't already given me your address, do so! I have plently of internets since my grandfather has DSL.
P.P.S. Those of you going to Oktakon, have fun and don't cook in your own armor/costumes. Good luck and take pictures!