Here's a post about Gamelan, and Gastropods. Go Figure.

Perhaps you know of my past experiences playing Balinese Gamelan, or perhaps you don't. As luck would have it, one of my co-workers happens to be the director of the only Balinese Gamelan Ensemble in the Czech Republic. Having played a bit in college I was happy to join his small, but diligent group. Two months ago I was asked if I could attend a concert in a village outside of Prague. This sounded like an appealing prospect.

The small town of Lázně Bělohrad is one of the elusive "Spa Towns" Czech Republic is known for, apparently. But in order to qualify for this classification, it seems you merely need a building with a sauna, which is what Belohrad provided. I exaggerate, there was certainly a mud bath in there too. So every year this town sponsors a World Music festival which is a little bit misleading. Here are the countries represented: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, "Africa", and Indonesia. Basically we (along with the group from Congo) were there to get away with calling this lederhosen festival International. Let me tell you a little about Czech Folk Music. Better yet, let YouTube. Pictures hours of that, with slight variations in costume color, based on the country of origin.

The trip was constantly a nightmare of logistical problems. For all of the weekend we had no idea when, where, or how long we were playing. In the end we played for no more than 15 minutes. I would have enjoyed it more if we had a little more chance to play, and if there was anything else of interest going on in this place.

One of the other issues was the accommodation. We were told we would be staying in no less than four different places as the day went on. We ended up staying in a Baroque era mansion that was converted into a school dormitory (also pictured above). They called it a Zamek, a Czech Chateau, but in my opinion it more resembled an abandoned mental institution. Dark cold hallways, a single bathroom for the floor with one mangled shower curtain separating your nudity from the world.

On the other hand, I did go for a nice hike through the forest, where I definitely heard a monster, and then on the way back I saw this snail! Neat, huh?



All in all a different weekend. But I missed out on a camping trip to Bohemian Paradise again. This infuriates me. At least I got to take part in the first ever Gamelan to play in middle of nowhere Czech countryside. That's.. something.. I suppose.