Day 4, Level 3: Brunch in the sun, Czechia, Slovakia, Aotearoa - and pronunciation
What a stunning day it was today. Like summer. So warm in the sunshine, although a little chilly in the shade. It was one of those days that says rather proudly "summer is on its way".
But first, we probably have quite a few more cold and wintery days to come ... we must not be fooled into complacency!
Brett got busy around the section - blowing, mowing etc. Our big camphor tree has already started shedding its leaves, much earlier than usual - normally it spends a couple of months dropping its leaves like flies but not till a bit later in the year. It, too, seems to have been bluffed into thinking summer is around the corner! Seriously, when those leaves drop, boy they don't do it half-heartedly! They tumble at a great rate of knots.
Brunch was eggs benedict with mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, avocado and coriander. Eaten on the deck in the warm sunshine. Very nice. And very summery. We couldn't believe how hot it was! Sunglasses required!
We tuned into the live 1pm Covid update - 7 new cases and more ramble that divulged nothing new. Dull, yawn.
Apparently the rest of the country (which normally maligns Auckland and its people in that "who in their right mind would live in a big city" way) is giving big ups to us all for "taking one for the country". While we compromise life and work, the rest of the country carries on pretty much as normal at Level 2 with social distancing and whatnot back in business. At least the city is being acknowledged for once, that's a bonus!
Anyway, it is what it is, and que sera sera into the future. Let's just hope people up and down the country do their bit and don't flout the rules that apply to where they live.
Auckland's borders are shut and policed, north and south. In a way, being a long thin city - an isthmus - that largely consists of coastal borders, it's easier for this to happen than might be the case for other cities that have a big wide round perimeter that borders other cities, provinces etc.
Still, people are trying to sneak out and in. And being turned back.
While people in the bulk of the country can move about reasonably freely, for those to the north of Auckland, well, they're stuck up there as they can't traverse Auckland. There are worse places to be stuck!
I am aiming to head up to Omaha on Monday or Tuesday. Whilst it would have been nice to go up today - especially with the glorious weather - there are several reasons I didn't.
- This is a rare weekend when Brett isn't playing golf (he can't, the course is closed) so we could actually have a weekend together at home.
- I intend to get into my studio tomorrow and start work on my 2021 WOW garment.
- I have some important admin stuff to tend to on Monday that I need to do from here.
Omaha is still within Auckland boundaries, so it is feasible to head up there. With L3 continuing, Brett intends to work from his office. Everyone else at his work is working from home but he's intent on working from there. It's in South Auckland. I'd rather head north and be safe and productive up there.
On the other hand, I could have a big sort out and clear out here at home. I did a bit of that today - and during the week - and there is much more to be done. But there is also life to be lived and clearing out stuff doesn't equate to best life! Hell, we could all be history in a few years ... or bonkers.
SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Czechia & Slovakia ... and language
This time last year I was in Prague, Czechia. Known initially as Czech Republic since the 90s when Czechoslovakia split up, Czechia is a shorter easier name that is more "everyday". And it's what the city wants to be known as - although the longer Czech Republic remains its formal name.
A country having two names is quite normal - we have New Zealand, and its Maori name Aotearoa.
I'd be more than happy if we switched to have Aotearoa as our official name. It's a lovely name and means "Land of the Long White Cloud". It's very apt, because it is often cloudy!
Actually, I'd love for NZ to become Aotearoa - it's so much nicer than the way so many Kiwis call New Zealand "New Zild". And, even worse, is the way people call Australia "Straya". What the hell is that about!?
Czechia - Check-ee-ah. I wonder if it can be pronounced hideously wrongly and/or if people in Czechia have an issue with this? I guess lazy plebs could say Check-ya. Sigh.
The
other part of former Czechoslovakia is Slovakia (not to be confused
with Slovenia, the country to the south that was part of former Yugoslavia). Hmm, now this could perhaps be prone to lazy speak - Slvakya? Would Slovakians like that? Do they say it? I guess some probably do. But who would do that to the lovely syllabic name of Slovakia? Sloh-vaa-kee-uh.
Most Kiwis say Aotearoa as "Ay-oh-tee-a-roa"when it should be pronounced Ah-or-tay-ah-roa. It's just so simple, everyone should try it. But many won't, just because.
The word Maori should be pronounced in the same way we say "mouldy" without putting any emphasis on the l and leaving the d very loose. Run it quick. It's correct.
It's an interesting thing, how people say place names.
The French calls Paris Paree - English don't.
Buenos Aires - in Spanish it should be said Bway-no-side-ace i.e. side - not seer. The B is very subtle and there is no hint of a Z at the end of either word. It is not Boo-enis-ear-iz!
Budapest - it's correctly spoken as Boo-da-pesht. Who does this outside of Hungarians?
The township of Nadi in Fiji is pronounced Nandi - most of us in NZ know that you add an "n" sound before a "d" in Fijian. But does this knowledge extend further than the Pacific? I think not. And there's no reason why people in the northern hemisphere would know this if they've never been near the place!
Of course there are many nuances in every other language. So many languages are tonal, and that adds an extra layer of complexity.
The reality is that - given there are 6,500 languages in this world - people can't be expected to know the words or nuances of even 0.05% of them.
So many names, so many mangled or watered down names. We all get it wrong when it's not our mother tongue. But if it's the country we live in, we should be learning how to say it correctly.
And that's what, here in NZ, Maori are trying to do. Get the language spoken correctly. As a language lover, I have to agree. A well-spoken word is a great thing.
However, sometimes Pakeha (the Maori word for white people) can go too over the top and Taupo (said subtly as tow-po) can come out as (TOW-PO) - all too harsh and irritating, with a clipped New Zild Maorified accent that is just all wrong. OMG there's nothing worse. However, the 1970s version of Tao-poh is worse.
Back to Europe ...
Slovakia's capital is Bratislava - one of the most intriguing capital cities I've visited. Modern and edgy but with heaps of history, it is also geographically unique in that it is the only capital city that borders two other countries - Hungary and Austria. The views out across those other countries are rather marvellous. The city has greenery and parks, a fabulous castle and a stunning bridge. And a helluva lot more besides. Outstanding.
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| Bratislava Castle |
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| Bridge with viewing tower |
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| Green and blue in Bratislava |
Although Slovakia is not an affluent country, with many poor areas,
it's capital and largest city is a well-designed, well-resourced and
happy place to be. I absolutely loved it and it rates among my top cities I've spent time in. Alas, I didn't get to spend long enough. I'd love to return.
The last thing I would ever call Auckland is
well-designed, well-resourced or happy. It's a city that has unique geographical delights and lots of pluses, but it is also a city struggling to keep
pace with the times as the geography creates plenty of challenges. And this ends up being an excuse for mismanagement, short-sightedness and inadequate planning. And resulting shambles. Grrrr, it riles me so much, because Auckland had (and still has) so much potential.
Interesting that these former communist cities seem
to be so in tune with the current times, even though it's only a few decades since
they burst beyond strict communist rule and regime. It's not about being perfect - because who/where/what is perfect? But it's about creating a great place for the people to live in. Auckland, whilst it can tick a few boxes, has a very long way to go. Hopefully our grandchildren will enjoy what we should have been able to if there was correct planning and foresight happening 30-40 years ago. But it wasn't. And I suspect it may be more like hoping our great-grandchildren might get some benefit. If Covid hasn't decimated the planet by then! Auckland - come on, get your act together!
The Castle has the best stained glass windows and light I've ever seen. The clock in the old town square and the Charles Bridge that crosses the river are iconic.
Oh how I am looking forward to getting back to Europe ... one day ...
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| One of many stunning stained glass windows in Prague Castle |
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| Astronomical clock, Prague |
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