Boat trip in Everglades - Florida

Because we had just one day for Everglades National Park we couldn't do canoeing as we firstly wanted. But we pick alternative possibility - to drive through Florida water canals and see cost by boat. It was relaxing, just sitting on the boat and look around at mangroves and random crocodiles swimming around. However, with kind of boring guide retired woman and German tourist around, it wasn't so excited as it could be. But still, we enjoyed great Everglades nature beauty.

From here we set sail...

Eva and Lucy with random German models-tourists.

Our truly international travelling group - German girl Tabea and Czechs Lucy, Eva and me...

From water canal to the lake-sea.

This one we wanted to do firstly - canoeing.

Mangroves all around.

Everglades - it's crocodiles and alligators all around you...

Alligators and crocodiles in Everglades - Florida

One of the largest attractions in Everglades are crocodiles and alligators. While many people don't differ between these two species there is kind of big difference. Crocodiles live in sea and salty water near to coast of Florida and they are quite rare. There are not many of these unique animals left in Florida. The better situation is with alligators that live in freshwater areas of Florida. There is also difference in teeth of these animals. However, I'm not so good at biology so if you are interested go here.

This is our first crocodile. He waited on us just couple meters far away from Visitor center...

And I guess here start alligators. Correct me if I'm wrong, I didn't study it so much ;)

This one is like a pet. But still I wouldn't pet him at all...

I wouldn't like to fall down to this pond...

Alligators, birds and who know what else in Everglades in Florida

Everglade National Park is on of the most beautiful parts of Florida. Known for its alligators, crocodiles and birds population is unique collection of animals and plants. We arrived to Everglades in the night and kind of afraid of building our tent in the middle of unknown country full of alligators drove to a campground in the south Everglades. Fortunately in the camp there were many people and for the first look no alligators. So, we could build our quality tent from Wall mart for $50...

Next day it was nice weather, sunny and warm as every day of our stay in Florida. So we went to explore beauty of Everglades...

Mangroves are most typical plant in Everglades which is a swamp originally. "Walking Trees" have roots in the water and there are couple of species of mangroves.

And on the mangroves there are some weird kind of plants related to pineapple...

In Everglades there are different kind of birds...

We of course met some alligators, took a boat ride in Everglades canals and much more. Look forward on pictures tomorrow...

I'm back from the Spring break - trip to Florida

After 10 days I'm back in chilly Lincoln. We had awesome time in our round trip around Florida. We enjoyed the sun, ocean, beaches, Florida cities, national parks, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and much more. Unfortunately, it was so exhausting that I'm not able to write it all to you now. So, this is just the beginning and much more you can read tomorrow.

Well, another reason why I don't have time right now is that I'm going to Downtown Lincoln to some bars, because there is a St. Patrick's Day celebration, the large drinking day. So I can't miss to be there and see it. But just for a while, I promise ;)

So here is a little taste of Florida. Stay tuned for tomorrow.

There were a lot of palms, sun and sand beaches...

I didn't know that I have some relatives (my last name is Mrazek) in Florida and that they are pretty rich. We have our own pond with one alligator and couple birds over there :-D

Who was stronger, me or the alligator? To be continued...

And what did we see on the horizon? Stay tuned...

So, in couple hours I'm going to Florida...

It's here. Spring break started for us little bit earlier, we are leaving to Florida on Wednesday. But real spring break starts next Monday. Whatever, skip some classes for traveling is good change. Especially when we are going to Florida.

So, what is our plan for Florida - 10 days of traveling around the peninsula. We lend in Fort Lauderdale. Then we are going to Miami, Key West, Everglades, Naples, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, JFK Space Center and back to Ft. Lauderdale. Lot of stuff to do, so cross your fingers we to manage.

I don't know if I manage to get online on my journey. If so, I will tell you news from warm Florida. Otherwise, stay tuned for next Saturday when I'm coming back...

Pinguins in the Capitol...

Traveling, partying, all that stuff cost a lot of money. So where to get money and don't steal? That's the question for what everybody wanna know the answer. One of the ways (that's true that not very convenient) is to work... You can find a lot of jobs on campus. There is many positions opened specially for students - jobs in cafeteria, in offices, Recreation center...

However, it became a tradition that Czech Robitschek students work in the catering. What do we do there? Not so difficult job - we set up the tables, serve the food and beverage to hosts and then clean everything after them. It's pretty well paid but on the other hand there's not so much work but many people working in catering (except five Czechs many Americans are working there).

Last Saturday, there was special event which did we work on. The dinner for high society from Lincoln in State Capitol. Finally it wasn't so much fun that we expected. However, we have at least nice pictures in white shirts and boa ties which we had to wear...

Going to the site...

Feeding of penguins...

When the guys in the event are speaking we are eating ;)

Have you been to this part of the Capitol? ;)

11 at the night - the end of our shift and we have still energy to climb up on the snow hill next to our dorm - Selleck...

Good luck, guys!

March 1 was the last day for posting your applications for Robitschek Scholarship 2007/2008. Now our advisers Larry, Alan and Carmen are going through your application. They have your destiny and year of your life in their hands ;) Isn't it weird how one page of motivation letter and resume can totally change your life? Amazing!

About ten of you will be picked to have one-to-one interview, this year, with Alan Cerveny. What to do to be picked to final group of 5 people who are gonna be Robitschek Scholars 07/08? I can advise you one thing - be true to type (bud svuj!), show your interest and passion for studying in the U.S. Alan is a great guy who will help you feel comfortable during the interview. Don't be afraid of the interview. Actually, I wouldn't even call it interview. It's more friendly chat, where you can get some information about Nebraska and the university here.

So, good luck to Alan who is going to the Czech Republic next week to pick the best guys. And good luck to the brave individuals who decided to apply and will be picked to do interview. You can win a lot, so do your best to get the life experience you never forget!

Closed university - the reason to be happy?

Flyers on the doors of the bathrooms and official mail from the university announced that there are no classes on Thursday. The reason - snow storm. During the night it was snowing and in the morning there was 20 cm thick sheet of snow. Is snow really reason why to close whole university? The American society is based on the cars and especially in Nebraska where are huge distances among cities and towns everybody has a car. So most of students couldn't get into their classes. Specially from out of way places where snow hasn't been shoveled so quickly.


So, we had unplanned day-off. Everybody was happy that they don't have to go to their classes. Just I was kind of mad... I don't have classes on Thursday normally and I need have to go to some office. However, they were closed, too. So, I could at least marvel the pretty snow scenery on the campus. Here are some. So it's for you in Czech Republic where you are desperately waiting for snow ;)

Uhuu, that's me in front of the tree and our dorms.

That's just spanish guys - in this case Raul ;)

In the middle of nowhere!!!

in the middle of nowhere!!!, originally uploaded by muha....

This picture isn't so interesting, just the name attracted me - In the middle of nowhere. It is said about Nebraska that you are in the middle of nowhere as well ;)
So can you see the similarity of this picture with Nebraska? :-D