Tag: community

Talking

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Why do you blog?

I guess that I started blogging as a way of sharing my thoughts. It wasn’t that I wanted to share with the whole world, a few readers would do.

I could just write in a journal but then I wouldn’t get the sense of community which blogging gives me. That was something which I did not anticipate and came as a very pleasant surprise.

Any feedback comes as a very welcome surprise and in this environment is generally a very positive one. If anyone can get any pleasure out at what I have written then I am more then content.

Community

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Daily writing prompt
What would you change about modern society?
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It would be easy to target any period of history and imagine what you would change. Society has never been perfect and my version of perfection would probably not match up with others anyway. It also depends on which culture you are from, each country has its unique values.

I am a Welshman who now lives in Czechia. So what would I change about Czech society? I would like to see it behave as a closer society, a community. I find Czechs, although not exactly selfish, are sometimes too insular and unwilling to step outside of their own bubble. It is rare to see someone caring for the local environment, but their garden looks beautiful. I guess that is the perfect analogy.

Come on people, say hello to strangers. The looks you get if you do this are ones of confusion, you can see them thinking, “Do I know you?” Talk to each other, pick up that piece of rubbish, and give that person a helping hand. Oh, and take care when you are riding your bike on the footpath, it isn’t a bike lane let alone a racetrack!

Mystery

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Just imagine what’s inside. Looking at buildings like this is always fascinating. I’m not brave enough to be an urban explorer, but watching their discoveries can be fascinating. Not being used anymore, what a waste. What is inside?

But even more interesting is to think about what it was used for. How many lives have passed through this place? What stories could it tell? Tales of joy and pain. Moments of stress, as well as calm. There must be so many clues, hidden inside.

From outside it looks scary and cold. And, maybe, it is just the same inside. Or perhaps there are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. There could be fascinating machinery from a bygone era. Furniture and decorations to show how people once worked and lived. Or, of course, it could just be empty, with the occasional remnant to give a clue to its past. Whatever the truth, the history remains the fascination.

© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish

Daily Prompt: Inheritance

Season’s Greetings

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Sunday was cold, really cold. When the wind blew, it blew straight through you. But it was the perfect day for a family walk to the Christmas Markets. It’s just not the same, if it’s not cold. So with the temperature hovering just above zero, off we went.

First, walking next to the river, the children playing and being cheeky. Not too cold yet, it was still light at this stage. But you could feel it coming. As we walked, the occasional gust would give us a shiver and make us glad of all the layers which we were wearing.

The closer we got to the town centre, the more the festive spirit grew. We started to see decorations, on lamp posts and bridges. And more people, not too crowded yet but others heading in the same direction as us. Our children were getting more excited. They had some money from their piggy banks to spend, their own choice, what would it be?

As we approached the markets themselves we could see the crowds, not too many people, but enough. Stalls containing all the usual goods. Hot wine, to warm my cockles, food both hot and cold. Seasonal decorations and gifts for all ages. Songs were being sung, children were dancing and the excitement of the season was upon us.

And then for the walk home. Via the old square and it’s Christmas tree, a beautiful sight standing next to the historical buildings contained there. Could the children make it? Both tired and cold now, but of course they could. Then, it was so nice to get home and begin to thaw out. And after dinner, some traditional Christmas biscuits and a cup of tea. Perfect.

© Neil Hayes and neilsworldofenglish