Čapek’s feuilleton book was born from a visit to Holland in June 1931. It brings an interesting perspective on many of its characteristics, which over time timeless. Homonymous film adaptation tries to capture with autor’s words and film language instruments today’s atmosphere of the country (video Full HD 32 min.).

Ukázka:

For the most part, today’s traveler to foreign countries is traveling backwards against the flow of history. His journey usually begins at the main train station in the capital city; from there he goes onward to older and older things, until by the very end of his pilgrimage he discovers for himself the voice of the land, like the lowing of black and white cows, or the creak of the windmill.

His usual first impression, then, is that every corner of the earth is more or less the same; but his later impression!

No two ways about it; if you want to know the country you’ve got to get off the train and go with the foot people, by bike, car, bus, boat, or scooter; along roads that life has passed along for centuries. You get out and discover trees, people, villages, a bit of history, and even the soul of the countryside. Don’t be in too much of a hurry; for soon a bridge will rise up in front of you to let a ship through with a load of lettuce or butter; and meanwhile the genius loci has time to whisper in your ear: “No hurry, no hurry; I’ve only been here about six hundred years.”