Dinner with a View

Karlovy Vary at dusk

Rooftop Seating at Karel IV

I have but a few pictures left to share from our trip this past summer. This set is one of my favorites. It was one of our last nights of the trip and we spent it having dinner at Karel IV, a restaurant with a view over the town of Karlovy Vary. 

This amazing little place was nestled in the rooftops just a few steps from our hotel. It had absolutely stunning views of the old architecture surrounding us.

I caught a picture of an older couple sitting off to our right who were seemingly within arms reach of the onion dome and its shingled roof next door. The closeness of the buildings was something that was just so different for me. You could tell that the layout of this town was old. Built well before you needed all that space for cars in a town center.

Local Band at Karel IV

While the food was amazing, and the views spectacular, my favorite part was the music. A local band was playing that was clearly well known .... well, to the locals. We arrived just as the sun was setting and the restaurant was nearly empty. We enjoyed a drink, listened to the band and watched the sun set. Before long we noticed the place was full and hopping with locals and travelers.

Playing classic Russian songs

Early in their set we heard the riff on the electric keyboard and looked at each other. It sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place it. A few more bars and we were humming along. Yes, it was absolutely familiar. Then when the main melody started we both said at the same time "Oh! I think this is Santana." Oh yes it was. Black Magic Woman sung with a heavy (and I mean heavy) Czech accent. It was awesomeness.

They played for hours with a mix of classic old rock to traditional Eastern European songs to ones I can only assume were classic Russian. The table next to us were clearly a group of Russian ladies who knew all the songs and were singing along quite freely. They were very intent on getting a picture with the violinist who was in the middle of one of these Russian songs. The ladies kept pulling at him to get closer. Poor guy. He was trying to sing, play the violin and appease these ladies. Bending closer, and closer ... as they tugged at him to bend down into the picture. He didn't miss a beat! 

Amulet Bag :: Blending Ancient Egypt and Native American

I started this bag about 2 weeks ago and was hoping to finish it before the last ATTS hop hosted by Christine and Therese. I didn't quite make it, but I did finish. So here it is, my amulet bag.

The bag came together in pieces. I started with the top band of peyote in a 'basket weave' which I attached to a piece of suede. The suede was beaded or 'zipped' along the side with a ladder stitch and a bit of picot that I stitched into the bag to ensure it was secure.

Then came piles of fringe, can you ever have enough fringe? Its a bit unruly, and makes you want to constantly comb your fingers through it to straighten it out. The last piece I added was the scarab created by Lesley Watt from metal clay. I bezeled this months ago and it sat on the bead table awaiting just the right project. 

An amulet is an object that protects its owner from harm, which is different from a talisman that is believed to bring luck as well as protection. Amulets can come in the form of gems, statues, coins or even a plant or animal. The word origin is Latin (amulētum) and prevalent in ancient Rome. But the tradition stems from Egyptians who believed that stones were associated with gods, and that wearing these stones, or amulets, gave powers from the gods. By the time of Egypt's Middle Kingdom the scarab shape had become a powerful protection amulet particularly for kings, who wore stone carvings of the beetles for protection both in life and the afterlife.

While the Romans tended to wear stones as amulets, the Native American tribes tended to create small bags to carry sacred objects, medicine or tobacco. The bags were often painted, beaded or quilled with characteristic tribal designs. The Shaman (or medicine man) would carry 'medicine' in these bags to treat sickness or disease. But they were also used for luck, protection and strength in battle. Some medicine bags included paint (with powerful magic) which gave the warrior the belief that he was invincible in battle.

My amulet bag is a cross between these two cultures. It has the symbolism of ancient Egypt with Lesley's lovely scarab, but created as a bag to carry the amulet protection. And a bonus that it comes with lots of fringe that is so depictive of Native American bags.