Comments on: Growing up “Cesky” (Jana’s story: final chapter) / Vyrustani po “cesku” (Janin pribeh, kapitola posledni)

By: Tanja

Tanja — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:49:07 +0000

Yes, we do rely on the new generation, I guess that would be us

By: Jana P

Jana P — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:47:44 +0000

Yes, I pray too, even when I am the non-believer one But I believe things will improve. I spent six great years in college in Prague working with international students, I saw we were able to work as a team, volunteer for club and school, and this International Student club went from 5 members to several hundred in these 6 years. I do believe that our generation will make a change, most of us spent some time abroad but we are willing to live in CR. so ve have to, there’s no other way ; )

By: Tanja

Tanja — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:44:47 +0000

I can’t believe that people shop in Germany now to get CHEAPER stuff!! That’s crazy….

The good think is Kimmie, that you can always go visit and keep the relationship with the Czech Republic that way That’s what I do – and most of us the other Czechmatediarians ( I love that word) do.

By: Kimmie

Kimmie — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:26:14 +0000

Ahoj Jano P!! You are right that some people come from the states showing off what they have, but Czech people here do it too. That have businesses here. They drive their Mercedes and the women are wearing 4000,- Kc plus jeans,etc. I think many of the problems stem from the government. If the government gets away with it. The citizens are just following. For example: The Student Agency has a line of very luxurious buses for travelers. The politians want to use these buses for free when they are doing business instead of using the free train service. The government took the Student Agency to court and forced them to give the politicans free rides on the buses. So, that makes normal travelers prices go up. It has become a vicious circle here. On Nova last night they said Czech people are shopping for Christmas in Germany and Poland because the prices are 30% to 50% cheaper. I think that is why people that leave and come back have such a negative look at the life here now. The Czech people are still being taken advantage of by the government. It is not the Czech citizens fault it is the governments fault. That is why we are leaving. Because, we can not do anything about what the government is doing. We are lucky enough that we can have a better life in the States. I love the Czech Republic. This experience has changed my life forever!! I just pray that the corruption will end.

By: Jana

Jana — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:39:38 +0000

I am sure there are some obnoxious people out there but I can not do anything about them. I can only be responsible for my own actions. Former emigres would comment about things that are wrong about the CR or CSR because there ARE things that are wrong. Communism just ruined a lot of peoples lives. Included are my family members who were sent to prison in the uranium minds. Read part One. My family who stayed behind also suffered. My father was refused education and other things. As for my family we have never had a lot of money so there was no showing off. We do not go out to eat and live simply. As a result my grandmother was able to save enough to pay for my trips to the CR. Read my previous blog features.
When asked how come I speak Czech and when did my “ancestors” emigrate to the US I tell Czechs that actually my parents left under communism I get treated like a leper.

By: jana p

jana p — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:33:55 +0000

I was only 6 when communism in CSSR ended, but luckily my parents never lacked the time and will to let me know how things worked then, how horrible it was. But I also know that nothing is just black and white and so is the situation with immigrants returning to CR.There’s no doubt that the desicion to leave must have been very tough and the first ears abroad were never easy. But their families and friends who were left on Czechoslovakia usually went through very hard time (they would have anyway, but there was an EXTRA hard time thanks to the fact that a family member emigrated), and after the revolution still had no property and no money. And immagine an emigrant with overrated western selfesteem returning to CR, acting like he’s the smartest in the world, showing off his expensive clothes and car, and telling everybody, how wrong the things are done in CR. These were offcourse exceptions, but even little criticism could be humiliating in such a situation and some emigrants didn’t see at all that things in CR simply can not be changed so easily and immediately.
It is still not an excuse for jealousness and stupid administration now, that’s for sure. A friend of mine who’s both parents were born in CSSR but she was born in USA had to go through a regular visa process in CR when she wanted to teach English in Prague.That is a total nonsense, she’s practically Czech and still has so much troubles with working here. If me and my american boyfriend decide to live in CR, he won’t be able to get a Czech Citizenship for at least 3 more years, which means we won’t be able to take loan, ask for his “paternity leave” or any other rights a pure Czech couple would have. I will try to do sthg about it, but I am already skeptical : )

By: Jana

Jana — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:57:11 +0000

Well I know who I would want to have my back. Your husband is fortunate to have someone like you especially your children. Once you get back to the US make sure you speak as much Czech at home because there will be that pull to speak English but keep firm and visit the CR while they are still young and it will stick with them for the rest of their lives. I would agree with Tanya that Prague or maybe Brno might have been better. But think about the positives and not the negatives. The next time you go to visit just know it will only be for 2-4 weeks and then you will go home. Hlavu hore.

By: Terez

Terez — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:51:32 +0000

Tanja: I´ll be glad if you write me an email.
and if you don´t mind, I added your page to my links on my blog cause I´d like to watch your new articles ..
have a great evening

By: Tanja

Tanja — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:30:38 +0000

To Jana and Kimmie: I agree, the jealousy is the BIGGEST drawback in the Czech nature. I myself have gotten a plenty of experience with it. Maybe someday I will write a post about it, once I gather up my strength… and get mentally ready for some nasty comments )

By: Tanja

Tanja — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:22:23 +0000

Ahoj Terezo!

What a coincidence! I started the same way as you – the exchange student! We have a lot to talk about…I will e-mail you.

No to je nahodicka!! Ja jsem “zacinala” stejne jako ty: exchange student….ja ti na-emailuju, jo?