" Splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. This is the essence of magic, which does not create, but summons ." --Franz Kafka, Diaries, October 18, 1921
The Magical Mystery Literary History Tour was aptly named. Beginning the first day and culminating the last one, the Kafka Project's mission in Eastern Europe has been smiled on by the mysterious forces that moved me to undertake it. As I compile the results of the research for a final report, I'd like to tell you about only two of the forty days: the first and the last. Then you tell me if you think magic is afoot!
We left San Diego on June 15 (see Episode #1 Magical Literary History Tour ) and landed in Prague the next day, June 16. When we arrived at our hotel, Judita Matyasova, an impish 29-year old Czech woman with her own Franz Kafka project , was waiting for me with a reporter from a leading Czech newspaper. Lucie Bartosova, pictured at center below, an editor at Lidove Noviny , was the first of three sets of journalists and photographers we met with that afternoon.
Following our interview, Lucie told me that she read my book in a library a few years ago, but always wanted her own copy, which she had just received from England a few days earlier. As she leafed through it again, she thought: "I'd love to meet the author." The next day, she learned I was coming to town and got the assignment to interview me.
Stephanie Lloyd from Ocean Beach
July 29, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Kathi,
What an amazing trip! It's wonderful to hear how everything fell into place. Definitely a magical mystery literary tour. (Tongue twister!)
We miss you.
Hugs,
Stephanie Lloyd
Mimi Belger from San Diego
July 29, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Kathi, you're a perfect example of travel as it should be, a path to greater understanding ... and fun! Thank you to all the contributors. It's been a great read.
Mimi Belger
Wiliam Diamant from Magical Anna Maria, Florida
July 31, 2008 at 04:49 PM
I guess everything has to come to an end--but we aren't there yet. This is the end of a chapter--and a cliff hanger at that
Gary William Murning.
from Middlesbrough, UK
July 31, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Magic? Definitely! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Kathi.
Trudi from Florida
July 31, 2008 at 10:23 PM
What an adventure this has been!! I can't wait to see what happens next.
I'm smiling for so many reasons and one of which is I am so proud of you.
I love you (and B too).
Judita Matyasova
from Prague, Czech Republic
August 02, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Dear Kathi,
I hope that next time some magic could bring us again together, somewhere between Prague and San Diego. Our small, but strong Kafka circle.
Cross my fingers for all your research.
judita
Kerry Snugg
August 12, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Really happy you enjoyed the trip. There is always a lot to be learned when you travel somewhere else don't you think?
Kathi Diamant
from Back home in San Diego, CA
August 12, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Yes, Kerry, I do! It is life-changing.
It's changed the way I now live back here in San Diego. For one thing, I'm starting to use more public transportation. In Europe I love traveling by public transportation--one of my blog posts ("Meanwhile Back in Berlin")was all about getting around Berlin on their outstanding system, but I never use it here in San Diego. Since my return, that's now changing. I live near downtown so I'm close to bus and trolley stops, and I plan to buy a monthly pass. Yesterday, I rode the bus (number 3 route--the driver was so nice!) for the first time since I've lived in San Diego(25 years!)
Kathi
