Roma Holiday

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Ahoj everyone. I missed last weeks blog entry because I was out of Prague in a city named Ostrava. My program arranged this visit for me as a 'regional homestay'. All of my classmates were spread out over the entire country, living and meeting with different people, and experiencing a new place.

Ostrava is an industrial city in the Northeast side of the country. Originally, it was founded by coal mines, and thus its history is much less romantic than that of Prague's. I was sent to the town because of it's large Roma (Gypsy) community, and the programs they have developed in the city. (A time out to acknowledge my titular pun: I know, it was far too easy, but it was impossible to resist!) The Roma are mostly living in extremely poor conditions throughout Central Europe due to overtly racist policies of the Communist and the current government. The stereotype of the Roma is that they travel in caravans, with exotic music and mustachioed men. I don't know how much of this is true, but these days they are anything but nomadic. Instead they are stuck in substandard homes, and are lucky if they are able to work.

I lived with a woman named Renata, her husband, and their son. Their home was in an experimental community that was developed about 10 years ago by a charity organization to prove that it was possible for Roma and non-Roma people to live together peacefully. The neighborhood was quite clean and nice, and I think if you asked anyone they would say the project was a success. Unfortunately I couldn't ask anyone because none of them spoke any English.

Renata works at a community center a few miles from the community near a Roma slum called Hrušov. I went with her to work a few times, and played games with the children. What can I say about the children? Kids are kids the world over, a little cute, and a little annoying. I am proud to say I am still a topnotch soccer player, especially when it comes to playing nine year-olds.

One employee of the community center did speak English, and he took me on a brief tour of the nearby Hrušov slum. I didn't take any pictures, but it was definitely a photo-worthy neighborhood. Most of the buildings didn't have windows, roofs, sanitation, and most other 'necessities'. The area is also flood prone, but at the time it was very hot and smelly. Believe it or not the some sixty families that live there still have to pay a high rent.

Well, on Thursday I left Ostrava to meet my schoolmates in a much different city, Ceské Krumlov. It is a Renaissance style city with the second biggest castle in the Czech Republic. It was, of course, absolutely gorgeous. There was also some good pubs and interesting people. While we were there, there was a festival celebrating the holiday for Saint Wenceslaus. A craft market, traditional dancing and singing, and the worlds largest ever gathering of people named Wenceslaus.

Now, back in Prague, I have some good news to report: my hosts are going to get a puppy! Her name is Africa, we met her on Sunday and will be bringing her home next week, and I am excited. The best part is that she'll be a puppy for as long as I know her, and she wont become a big ugly dog until after I leave.

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Photos

Prague
First, a pretty picture I took awhile ago off of the famous Charles Bridge. That's the Castle in the distance, perfectly centered just for you Emma

Community Center
The door to the community center. The center employees would sit and smoke in those chairs as the children played outside

The neighborhood
This is the experimental neighborhood. Quite nice I think

Renata
This is Renata, the woman I stayed with. Behind her is a factory that refuses to hire Roma people.

Glorious Krumlov
A view from the fantastic castle in Ceské Krumlov

Uh Oh . . .
Are those Soviet-style block apartments back there?

Sarah!
This is the dog that stayed with us this weekend in Prague. We're on our way to visit our future puppy (that's right, it's mine too!)

Kutna Hora
On the way to the puppy we stopped by a town called Kutna Hora. It was quite beautiful, unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries.

Sarah
And finally, one more glamour-shot of Sarah.

Comments

[Karin]

Lucky you!
I have finally been given access to your fabulous blog; what wonderful things you have been doing! It is so much fun to see a little of what you are seeing--that yellow car was a keeper! I also enjoyed the road or bridge with the statues, the castles, the dam behind the house, and just about everything else...keep it up, and know that we are thinking of you!

[emma]

ya nasty!
that's right, i'm talking about the dog. your pictures are so nice but they are covered in the filth of dog hair that you just can't get out of your clothing, no matter how hard you brush or use a lint roller. do they have lint rollers in the czech republic? your cultural detective excursion looked nice, it's good you didn't need to stay near the factory smoke for too long though. the one picture of kutna hora looks so neat, i guess that's why it's a rick steves attraction, huh? one final comment: ...africa? really? ugg? it will be funny if it's a golden retriever??

[emma]

OH! AND....
...don't think i missed your snide little comment about my photographic preferences! i'll remember that next time i try to share my knowledge with you! just kidding, thos., i am greatly enjoying all your photos.

[nomi]

found it
found your blog! i dig it!