New Horizon ... I've learnt that ...

It’s great here at Dresden, Germany for 3 mths business vocations. The culture, socially and work-wise, is so different compared with Malaysia. To cope, I tell myself to soak in the good because anywhere we go there’s always something that people are good at. The hardest part is going home (after work) and realising that I’m far from family and close friends. It can get pretty lonesome. Keeping busy is a good way to deal with that feeling. Getting to know the people here and spending time with them after work also helps.

Being unfamiliar with roads and places is not fun either, but after a month I got the hang of things, and thanks to information from the Internet, I have found my way around Dresden. Transportation is fine, and convenient. It just takes time to get used to things. The key to this whole switching of environments is to be a part of it. Otherwise, it can get rather miserable when you always think that you’re an alien in the country.
I have to adapt almost immediately.

... I love it here. People are very nice and friendly, ever willing to help, only if you ask. Here, there is work life balance. Everything is about efficiency and working smart. This kind of work culture exceeds my expectations! A sense of belonging is what you have to learn to obtain by yourself. It’s what you do to get in the group, not what you do to get others to accept you.

Dresden: Meissen

Meissen is just one example why the former East Germany is such a great place for exploration. These old towns are perfectly preserved and charming due to a reduced number of tourists and the subsequent hospitality of its inhabitants. Meissen is well worth some exploration for its magnificent Gothic buildings and the wine growing region surrounding it. It's only 27 km from Dresden so close enough to day trip, but nice enough to stay there.

Dresden: Meissen Made Wine

Dresden: Moritzburg

Schloss Moritzburg was originally built as a hunting lodge for the duke of Saxony in 1546 but was renovated in the baroque style in 1730. Though the interior is proported to be lovely, it is the surrounding parks that draw most visitors. This is only 14 km from Dresden and well worth making your way out there.

Capital of Czech Republic: Prague

It was mixed weather sun and rain but we pretty well managed to see most things considering some attractions here. When I visited Prague I didn't quite know what to expect. I had assumed to see a lot of faceless concrete buildings, and time worn faces on the local population. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. Prague is at a crossroads between old and new, constraint and freedom.

The Capital of the Czech Republic Prague is called "Maticka Praha" by the Czech people which means "little mother Prague". For 40 years The Czech Republic was under communist rule until what is know as the 'velvet revolution' in 1989. It is now part of the EU, although they have not adopted the euro currency.

It has an incredible history of conquest, peace, and domination. The Czech Republic has seen many changes in the last few decades and it is nice to see that Prague hasn't lost any of its charm. This was my first trip to this capital city. I was able to see really interesting architecture, listen to very talented musicians and see works of art in many different forms.

If you haven't been to Prague yet it should be on your list for places to visit in Europe.

Prague: St. Vitus Cathedral

The cathedral was begun by Charles IV in a location of an earlier rotunda built by Duke Wenceslas. It underwent different periods of growth and completion finally recieving consecration in 1929. The cathedral is home to the tomb of King Wenceslas and the crypts show the earliest foundations of the original rotunda structure as well as the royal tombs. Most of the structure was done in the Gothic style but the different eras have left thier architectural signature.It is open from 9-5 except during services.

Prague: Basilica of St. George

This church has been extensively rennovated and is the visual result of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today it houses a series of exhibits of late Gothic and Baroque art.

Prague: Royal Palace

This palace has been the seat of all Bohemian leaders since the castle first began in 1135. It has undergone expansions and restorations ever since.

Prague: Golden Lane

One of the most sought after visits in the Castle grounds is this small little alleyway of medieval houses and shops. Orginally built in the 1500's for the castle guards under Rudolph II. It was later used by goldsmiths which is where it gets its name. There were occupants in most of these houses until they were vacated in the 1950's.

Colleagues In Dresden Office

I had never imagined that a ‘workplace’ could be anything more than just that ... Who would have thought that ‘collegues’ can mean more than just the friendly neighbourhood mates.

Here, the group of people I work with while I was in Dresden, Germany...