PRAGUE LIVING

Czech Republic has been a subject of curiosity ever since it painlessly divided itself from Slovakia and established Prague as the Paris of Central Europe.  As most of the former block countries have had a hard transition Czech example needs to be congratulated. Miss Zuzka alleviated my questions, and in the below interview assured me that good life in Czech is possible. From Zuzka we find Czechs achieved such status by seizing new opportunities, not wallowing in the old, and embracing responsibility for their own lives. I thank Zuzka for sharing her story.

COUNTRY: Czech Republic (Central Europe)
CAPITAL: Prague
POPULATION & SIZE: 10.2 Million;  30,450 sq mi (about the size of SC)
PROTAGONIST: Miss Zuzka
LOCATION: Prague
OCCUPATION: Civil Engineer

LOLA: Introductions…
MISS ZUZKA: My name is Zuzana, and I work as a Specialist Technician for a company involved in production of bitumen waterproofing membranes. Some of my hobbies include singing in the choir, and playing sports (tennis, swimming, skating, running, biking, etc). I was born in southern Bohemia, although I now live in Prague. 

LOLA: What inspired this line of work?
MISS ZUZKA: I was always interested in physics, but I also wanted to have a practical occupation with a high earning potential. The field of Civil Engineering offered both.

LOLA: What is your daily life like?
MISS ZUZKA: I get up and go to work, and after work I have some time for my hobbies and boyfriend. I don’t cook during weekdays because I am too busy. However during weekends I quite enjoy it (cooking).

LOLA: Describe your perfect Saturday.
MISS ZUZKA: I’d get up early, and have breakfast – I like having long breakfasts because I don’t have enough time during weekdays. After, I’d do sports with my boyfriend. Depending on the weather I’d either do outdoor activities (biking, skating, inline skating), or indoor ones (squash, and swimming). Later I’d lunch at a restaurant – I really like sushi. In the afternoon I would relax, and in the evening go out with my friends to a pub and have a beer or two.

(From top Left to bottom Left clockwise: 1. Pradubice by LD nahoru; 2. Jested Restaurant, Liberec by stevacek; 3. Olomouc, Turtle Fountain by annahen; 4.  City Hall, Ostrava by sveterCZE.)

YOUR CITY

LOLA: Describe Prague of 2010!
MISS ZUZKA: Prague is a very nice city. Sometimes it can be hectic and stressful – especially during the rush hour when a lot of people are taking public transport (subway, trams, buses), or are driving in the streets. But if you know where to go, it can also be very quiet and romantic.

LOLA: Things you like in particular?
MISS ZUZKA: I like the historical part – the location of some very old buildings, churches, castle and cobblestone roads with small souvenir shops. I also like places/events where the culture meets such as theaters, concerts, and restaurants. I like walking in the suburbs to places I have never been before as well. Finally, one can do any sport activities they want.

LOLA: What’s the city’s atmosphere like?
MISS ZUZKA: It varies depending on where you go.  One can find a lot of young people on the streets in the evening when bars are open. One can also find old people walking dogs in the parks in the morning. Prague has a couple of faces: a historical one, and then a new one with all the new shopping malls and other commercial things.

LOLA: What would you improve and how?
MISS ZUZKA: I would change the main highways to avoid traffic jams, if a solution exists. I would also decrease the criminal activity.  It isn’t safe to leave things visible because poor people can rob it. How to improve this is a hard question.

LOLA: How has Prague changed in the past 20 years?
MISS ZUZKA: I have been living in Prague for 9 years so I can’t say how it has changed in the past 20 years. I am sure now we have cleaner city with a lot of shops, shopping malls, more cars and people.

LOLA: What should one visit in Prague?
MISS ZUZKA: You have to see the historical part, castle, old churches, bridges, visit some very good restaurants, and see a concert in one of the famous concert halls.

LOLA: What other cities should one see? Where within the country do you travel to?
MISS ZUZKA: Hard to say as all are beautiful, but maybe Brno, and Cesky Krumlov. I travel to my hometown Strakonice. I also travel quite a lot for work.

LOLA: Any food specialties you recommend?
MISS ZUZKA: Dumplings with cabbage and pork meat, and all kinds of sour cream sauces with bread dumpling and meat.

(From top Left to bottom Left clockwise: 1. Prague by jackfre2; 2. Dancing House/ Drunk House, Prague by Edgar Barany; 3. Charles Bridge at night, Prague by Philipp Klinger; 4.Wenceslas Square, Prague by jackfre2.)

YOUR COUNTRY

LOLA: Describe your country!
MISS ZUZKA: Czech Republic is a country in Central Europe. We are a quite small country, but there are even smaller countries in Europe.  We have our own language and culture. Czechs are not big-headed, and are quite ordinary.

LOLA: Can you make comparisons of Czech in 1985/1995/2005?
MISS ZUZKA: I was only 3 years old in 1985 so I don’t remember much about that period. After the revolution in 1989 a lot of things changed, and we’ve had a democratic system since then. The economic growth ensued, and now we can spoil ourselves with all kinds of consumer goods. It hasn’t changed much in 2005 and since; except now one can cross the border without passport, and there are EU supported projects such as highways, and refurbishment of state buildings, (schools, etc.).

LOLA: Has democracy crystallized – meaning are people used to the system and able to live well? Good/bad things that came with transition?
MISS ZUZKA: I think more people live more actively overall and have increased opportunities.  One can travel, study, and do anything if they follow some rules. If a person is living badly it is because they do not want to work. This results in a lack of money, and dependence on social welfare. The problem with some older people is they do not want to be responsible; this is why they do not like democracy. Everything was planned out for them during the communist period so they did not have to try to be better.

LOLA: What is the economy like at the moment?
MISS ZUZKA: The economy is recovering after the financial crisis. The crisis was not that bad. Everything is more or less steady.

LOLA: Do most people own or rent homes?
MISS ZUZKA: Most people own.

LOLA: What could be done to improve living?
MISS ZUZKA: Lower taxes and waste less the state money.

(From top Left to bottom Left clockwise: 1. Cesky Krumlov by Franz St.; 2. Brno by Nite Tripper; 3.  Karlstejn Castle by JamesR:Exposure; 4. Pannonian Plain by Kugarth.)

EDUCATION/ WORKFORCE/ LIFE

LOLA: Describe the education system in the country.
MISS ZUZKA: Preschool and elementary schools last 9 years, and are optional. After that one chooses to either attend high school (4 years), or a training school (3 years). After high school the student takes an exit exam – it is very important to pass this. After passing one can apply to attend a university for bachelors and masters. There is also the option of attending trade school that prepares you more for your field.

LOLA: You work in a historically male field. How has this impacted you? Do you feel you have the same rights not only on paper, but also in practice?
MISS ZUZKA: In the beginning it was harder for me, but it is good now. However one can always encounter a prejudiced, non intelligent person.

LOLA: Do women find employment easily after having children?
MISS ZUZKA: Of course, but I heard it is a little bit harder with small children.

LOLA: With the financial power increasing, are couples more likely to divorce if they have life disagreements?
MISS ZUZKA: Actually more people are getting married because they want stability.

WRAPPING UP

LOLA: Overall, how different is your life compared to the life of your parents?
MISS ZUZKA: I have more opportunities and more freedom. I am able to earn more money, and am satisfied with my life.

LOLA: Finally, on a scale from 0 to 10 what would you rank Czech in terms of living a good life?
MISS ZUZKA: 10!

(Lola’s Note: Here are a few websites that may be of help when planning your trip to Czech: Travel Guide;  Prague;  Czech Republic; Videos;  Basics.)

If you liked this article, check out living in Austria & living in Croatia.

I found these photos online, and am borrowing them to express my unusual nostalgia of that time of magical realism in Sarajevo. They are by a Bosnian war photojournalist, Rikard Larma, currently a Philadelphia resident.

Mr. Larma captured my sentiments exactly: we really were just a page out of Marquez’ books. This particular set of photos he called “A Siege in 40 pictures.” (Opsada u 40 Slika.)

1984. – Year of the Olympics.  Sarajevo, a perfect medium between East and West of Europe was chosen to host the Olympics and represent that different sort of thinking brings beauty into life too.  In war only memories remained, and this Vucko (mascot of the games) poster is now trashed, together with cans of despicable ICAR canned meat that was given as Humanitarian Aid.

A UN soldier sits here with some kids (who were my age at the time). We called the UN Smurfs – less because of blue helmets they wore, and more for the nonchalant behavior.  They did absolutely nothing to help solve anything that went on in the city.  Because of this, Sarajevans are greatly skeptical of any UN missions set up to ‘watch the peace’.

Perhaps the most affected were the elderly.  At an age when life should return upon them hard work and effort they put into it, they were forced to witness their country, their way of life, their culture, and their city collapse. Many wished they had ‘gone’ before the start of war. I often wished the same for my grandfather. Had he died just a few months earlier, in 1992, he would have died a satisfied man.

This is the City Hall, greatest library of Sarajevo. It was burnt to the ground in a shell caused fire in 1992.

Remainders. Reminders.

Definitely not an everyday picture, but still charming, very charming. No regular means of transportation, but when life gives you shit and genocide, well then you have to make your own carriage. <3.

Or wait for peace… Like this little fellow.

More photos can be found here.
More about the photographer, Rikard Larma.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I.

Yours with love,
Lola

P.S. I added descriptions to photos, but will gladly remove if asked by author.

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