I agree, you either have to be so rich or connected that you can call the mayor or city council and get right through (because of who you are) or you need to organize in such a way that... 1) The business or profit margin of businesses is effected, 2) People feel they're losing property value on their houses 3) Enough of a block is organized that there will be political repercussions to make someone look bad...there's a "moral threshold" that most people have, and the movement needs to reach a critical mass in terms of t.v. stories, in the newspapers...to the point where having such places actually hurts the CR (where tourists simply DON'T go, choosing elsewhere). From having lived in Colombia for a year, it takes decades to change a reputation of a country. Lots of Americans are retiring in Costa Rica, but the majority would never consider Colombia....civil war, unstable government (until recently), drug dealers, motorcycle assassins, kidnappings. However, after a certain area becomes too popular or hot and prices go TOO high, capital is always attracted to a slightly cheaper area...in this case, Hungary, Slovakia, etc. The same The problem, of course, is those people who draw lines of morality in a difference place below the "norms" of human behavior and propriety. I guarantee if 1/4th of those voting in the next mayoral or council election were organized and wanted a meeting to discuss their demands, action would be taken. The greatest power in a democracy is the threat to remove someone from office who is negligent or derelict in their duties. Yes, a challenge when bribes are paid, the police and church looks the other way, but someone has to try instead of ending up like Don Quixote.
TO: CU Yes most of europeans think so. (It is not my opinion but such discussion would need another thread) Most of europeans also know that americans who travel abroad (in particular these who stay abroad longer) are not a typical americans. If you will not act as stuck-up american tourist then you would be never confronted with frowned faces just because you are from US. In fact Czechs better understand American english then British one. Please do not blame country for it. Many Czechs spend every year two weeks at the sea and one week skiing in the mountains. If you do not earn enough money to travel for more than 4 days a year then it must be because of you. Just work harder and spend less money during the year. It is called demagogy. You wrote: "Na Prikope is the 18th most expensive street in the world" but you forgot to mention that it is about the rent. It means that street Na Příkopě is 18th most popular place for business in the world. Suprisingly the prices in shops in this street are lower than you would expect on 18th most expensive street in the word. (again you forget to mention it). I am no expat therefore I can not comment these expat sites. If you know something really well then there is lot of places you can work at. Unable to speak local language is always disadvantage so you should to compesate it by being better than others in your profession. Please no offence. Did you considered to avoid places such sex shop and herna bars? If you frequent only such places then you are totaly missing all of country beauties. What about culture. I think it is nice replacement for herna bars.
I'm not in the Czech Republic so I can't give you particulars of that country, but I am an expat for about the same reason you're planning to be. Well, my reason was anger and disgust rather than boredom, but it was an outward push by the US rather than pull by my destination. I have very few good things to say about where I am; at the same time, I have no regrets about coming here. I think eso has the right idea - go on a good long fact-finding trip, a couple of weeks at least, before you make your final decision. There will always be unpleasant surprises of course, change in your new host country's labor or immigration policies, unusual weather, crazy neighbors etc. and you won't be able to plan for everything, but how you deal with it depends on your personality more than anything else. I do have to agree with CU about one thing: it looks like your best bet is teaching English, and on an English teacher's pay you won't be touring Europe any time soon. It sounds like you can be very frugal and go on a trip for a week or so every year, but plan on discount travel. Oh, and by the way, most people I've run into (granted, they're all Western Europeans, opinions could be different farther east) hate what America is doing, but are still kind of starry-eyed about what they think America is. Whether US or UK English is preferred depends on the particular student, but being able to use the language correctly is always appreciated.
CEIT If you don't mind my asking, where do you live now? What do you miss most about the US (besides the gas prices, which have actually come down, mysteriously, before the election)? How long do you plan to stay there? Where would you most like to live if you're not in the US or the country you're currently living in...?
caulfield2: OK, I was trying to be all mysterious, but I guess there's no reason to be suspicious of you guys. :wink: I'm living in Madrid, where I've lived for three years, and plan to be for a few years more. I don't really miss anything about the US, except food, but there are import stores where I can stock up on Cherry Coke and Kraft Mac'n'Cheese every month when I get paid. I don't have any burning desire to be anywhere else, although I've always kind of harbored a dream to live in Germany, but I've been hearing things recently that make me reconsider... still, nowhere is perfect and no matter where you go you're only trading one set of problems for another. It all depends on which problems you're willing to put up with and which ones you aren't.
Okay, why go: - Prague is charming, safe, friendly to Americans - public transportation best ever, super safe, frequent, you do not need a car in Prague - Prague does not have a few historical places, Prague has thousands of buildings with every single one being a historical treasure, 95% in a walk able distance within the city center, which is big enough that you will never get bored in a few dozens of years - cheap - you can have a good low budget life on CZK 20K per month. So even if you do not work, the trip will set you back by $12K for which you will get experience of your life - plenty of culture if you are interested - cheap concerts of classical music, operas, festivals, performances, etc. for which you mostly do not need to speak Czech, museums, the Prague Castle - did I mention that the Czech Republic is safe. No shootings, no ghettos, no (local) child molesters, serial killers, snipers, riots - minimal racism - great country outside of Prague, castles, trails, mountains, camps, medieval towns where you can get by bus or by train - that is besides all the advantages of living in a foreign country where you will likely find out quite a bit about your own culture - if you want, you can hang out at expat places just not to feel misplaced, to get a bagel and a coffee, watch favorite sport, etc. You will very likely not make a lot of money, but it does not seem to me that is what you are looking for. Despite many potential hurdles, I think not all is lost for any one who tries hard and is a little bit lucky to develop professionally, make money, build business. I have met a few people who did that and were not relocated by their companies in the first place. (If you can get a job before you come over you are all set.) You can volunteer in any case if you are coming from education, non-profit, government, etc. Maybe even from a traditional business. You may need to be a little more professional, educated, energetic, confident than locals - this is the rule for every immigrant or a minority. You know that if you try hard, you will succeed, or achieve what you want, in the Czech Republic just like in any other Western country. What you risk is $12K and a job search when you come back to the US. MD
it was more bad advise Caulfield...drop what u r doing and spend your savings is just...stupid. - Prague is charming, safe, friendly to Americans - Guess you missed the demonstration against not only the base, but ANY Americans in Prague (granted KSČM organized it) however, even Paroubek marched himself into our embassy demanding an answer on the visa issue, we are the puppets of Czech, (all one thousand or so of us). Your local expat might think that he is liked as an American, as long as they are buying the beer. Yes, Czechs have no direct issue with us other than OUR COMPLETE DESIRE TO CONTROL the universe! - - public transportation best ever, super safe, frequent, you do not need a car in Prague - True and u do not want a car with gas being 4 x’s more expensive than in the states, and insurance that will not cover you completely. Add to that the fact that the Czechs have the worst driving record of any nation in the EU. 11 dead in one day in such a small country isn’t normal (this past Saturday). Driving schools thrive here, and they actually put skupina B on their resumes as if it isn’t a norm! - - Prague does not have a few historical places, Prague has thousands of buildings with every single one being a historical treasure, 95% in a walk able distance within the city center, which is big enough that you will never get bored in a few dozens of years - - Yes, great UNESCO protected buildings, and many. I saw all of the historical sites in Prague in 6 days, spent 4 others going to other towns. A few dozen years?????? It takes decades to see a country the size of Texas? - - cheap - you can have a good low budget life on CZK 20K per month. - Really, throughout the world you should spend no more than 30% of your take home on either a mortgage or rent. Guess you are backpacking it renting with others, for the average rent in Prague, even if it is only a 1+KK ( one room for everything, kitchen, living, sleeping, etc.) costs from 7-10, add utilities around 2k, internet ( slow and expensive) and you will easily surpass the 50% mark of your 20K a month. You were thinking of Thailand for cheap, right? - So even if you do not work, the trip will set you back by $12K for which you will get experience of your life - or you can helo drop in the French alps, then scoot over to Belize for scuba, and stop off in Cancun on your way home after one month, all w/o damaging your career. - Oh ye, that’s a small amount for a trip! Guess what, you can see it all, even the towns outside of Prague, and I mean all, in 10-20 days, that’s a long vacation. But as I’ve already stated, and your tourism industry agrees, folks don’t tend to come back after one trip. - - plenty of culture if you are interested - cheap concerts of classical music, operas, festivals, performances, etc. for which you mostly do not need to speak Czech, museums, the Prague Castle - True, given a month you will be Mozart"ed" out…not my liking after two operas, but I am saving golf for my retirement too! - - did I mention that the Czech Republic is safe. No shootings, no ghettos, no (local) child molesters, serial killers, snipers, riots - Wrong-just this weekend there was as shooting in a small town, news showed the dead man cover in a black back. And what about your most famous serial killer who camped out in Prague, right under the police’s nose- Jiri Kianik I think his name was. How about the fact that there was recently a terrorist warning here, or the bomb that went off in retaliation for the casino owner, you have made an embellishment. Yes, safer than NYC, but still not a place to allow your kids to wander. It’s a city and that’s to be expected. Still, a year ago, an American was thrown over the C bridge in a theft attempt, a brit killed in a club with a kick, and there are many other examples…NYC has as many residents as the whole country...and no local child molestors???????Guess they are all German eh?!!! - - - minimal racism – minimal yes, but it exists, try being Arab in Prague, gay, black or American, you too will feel it…Euopeans judge each other by their passports. Germans and french are best, Poles better than czechs, czechs better than slovaks, etc.... - - great country outside of Prague, castles, trails, mountains, camps, medieval towns where you can get by bus or by train - You need Czech for most of that, not all, and still give it 5-8 days and you have covered the whole land, it is only the size of Texas. As far as great mountains, trials, etc... no Czech I know skis here and it has been well published that 50% of your forest has been killed off by acid rain. When you go to Spinderlov Mlyn, the top of the mountains have no trees, it is NOT above the oxygen line! - - that is besides all the advantages of living in a foreign country where you will likely find out quite a bit about your own culture - You will find out nothing about the west here except the concepts that we tried in the past and fortunate got rid off (telemarketers, pyramid business, spiraling prices w/o wage increase, being a bartender or realtor is deemed a high profession along with the infamous DJ, inability to return goods, etc.) - - if you want, you can hang out at expat places just not to feel misplaced, to get a bagel and a coffee, watch favorite sport, etc. - Don’t attempt this if you plan to acclimate into the society, the expat community here is a childish bunch from which you will learn nothing. Buy your bagels at tesco and avoid the expat sites, use hyperinzerce to sell your crap, spammers don’t speak Czech and you will target 10 million, not 30 k ! You will very likely not make a lot of money, but it does not seem to me that is what you are looking for. - Enough to travel Europe rings a bell!! - Despite many potential hurdles, I think not all is lost for any one who tries hard and is a little bit lucky to develop professionally, make money, build business. I have met a few people who did that and were not relocated by their companies in the first place. (If you can get a job before you come over you are all set.) You can volunteer in any case if you are coming from education, non-profit, government, etc. Maybe even from a traditional business. You may need to be a little more professional, educated, energetic, confident than locals - this is the rule for every immigrant or a minority. You know that if you try hard, you will succeed, or achieve what you want, in the Czech Republic just like in any other Western country. What you risk is $12K and a job search when you come back to the US. - You risk ruining your career and 12k…. - And by the way folks, I have never been in a Herna bar, but object to seeing them everywhere along with sex shops and casinos. Waste of our investment to live in such a sex driven town. No one addressed the articles I quoted from…it’s a city of sin, not surprising since only 30 % are theists…cute if you are under 23…but not a place to raise a family.
Only now I realized which kind of coutry (HORRIBLE) I am living in. I am going to move to the USA where people are theists, it means good, sincere and wise.
CU: Well, you really have to hate Czech republic... LOL so even gays discrimination? So even atheists bother you... Well, you seems like very weird person to me - no offense - and I don't understant why you stay in this devil country.
LOL so even gays discrimination? Sorry, I dont understand, did u mean that there is even discrimination against gays? Ummmm...yes! I love the country, have been here since 91, but dislike the road it is going down. You can choose to ignore it if you'd like, but since I have posted numerous articles backing the claims, you are deluisional to think otherwise, it is not just my opinion.... Yes, atheists do bother me! I find them conveniently ignorant, until they need something from God, then there are theists for a day! Poland, a highly theist country hasnt these problems, did you note? We made an investment in a wonderful country rich in culture that has turned into a toilet for the dysfunctional....selling now is not an option. Of course, I could just endorse the positive as you choose, but that wouldnt be very empirical would it?
Well, in Czech is supported gay registered partnership by law and common citizen don't care about sexual orientation - because teists, Christians are againts gays, not atheists. Last year gay won most popular reality show thanks to viewers votes. If atheist bother you, then don't go to Czech republic. people here don't believe in church from 1620. If you are puritan about sex, then don't go to Czech republic, we are open-minded in this area. Like girl's suicide after rape attempt on elementary school?
That explains a lot. And I find theist ignorant, they think a confession wipes the slate clean. (This is not my opinion, only a stupid reply to your stupid statement.) Really? Which problems? Gays discrimination? Do you like R.J.Giertych?
I think there are many Christians who go to church, believe in life after death and "do good works." There are equal numbers who go to church, DON'T believe in life after death, but still believe that a "Christian life" is the right way to live. Then there are many atheists and agnostics that don't believe in "God" but still lead good lives. It's not simply a matter of being a theistic or non-theistic country. The US is 65% Christian, but has been targeted by terrorists because of our "imperialist" policies over the last 25 years. Does God want Iraq to have democracy? The Sunnis and Shiites have been unable to see eye-to-eye for centuries of strife and warfare, and yet we think we can get them to embrace a concept that is anathema. Unless you partitioned the country (like India/Pakistan), there will never be peace....as the Sunnis dominated for centuries, the Shia are now out for revenge for the oppression they suffered. In fact, the most likely consequence of the US intervention is a 10-15 year long civil war that will only end when both sides are sick of seeing dead and dying in the streets every day. This is the problem, the intersection of faith and government. In the US, there is the separation of church and state which protects the minority from the oppression of the majority. Over history, from the Crusades through 9/11, millions have been killed in the name of religion throughout the world. Countries where abortion is not practiced have tremendous overpopulation issues....like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and many areas of Africa. So the question is, if these women that are having children can't take care of them, whose responsibility is it? In the US, there are tons of minority children waiting to be adopted (black and Hispanic in particular), yet celebrities are adopting kids from countries all around the world, but it's not glamorous to adopt a kid from the US. I grew up in the Catholic Church, went to mass every Sunday of my life before university...Poland is majority Catholic...but the church has done evil as well as good. In fact, my home parish in Iowa is going bankrupt due to lawsuits against priests for past sexual abuse. This case cost $1.5 million alone. So many American Catholics are holding back tithing or donating because they fear it's simply going to pay lawyers and settle lawsuits. Another example is WW II, where the Church has apologized for its actions vis a vis the Jewish people, the appeasement of Hitler and Germany and the confiscation of many works of art from the Jewish people that have yet to be returned.
This is a very interesting thread and I learned a couple different points of views about Prague. I've been to Prague twice. I do agree that there is too much sex for my liking. I almost walked into a bar until I noticed a big sign with a picture of a naked woman on it. Then I realized what kind of bar it was. Well, at least they told me ahead of time. The part I didn't like about ALL of CR (well the several places I've been too) is that every gas station you walk into to pay for your gas has porn mags right in front of the cashier. You can't pay for gasoline without seeing some naked chic. That is stupid. In America, we have candy bars there. Both are unhealthy but at least I can avoid taking the candy bar into my body. Once my 8 year old son sees the naked girls, he is exposed to porn without my permission nor his permission. You can't un-see something. I don't appreciate that. I loved being in CR but I could do without exposing my son to porn. My advice to BoredintheUSA is that if you don't have kids and reasons to be tied down, you really want the opportunity, and you have a enough money to get you through; consider your costs and go for it. Yes it might cost you $12,000 and a career. But it also might open doors to a different career and life you never imagined. You never know what could happen. It could be the worse decision of your life, but at least you can say you gave it a chance. If it is only your life you are putting at risk and not those of others such as children... What the heck, consider your costs. If it's worth the risk, by all means take the chance. I would hate to see someone want to do something and allow fear to keep them from doing it only to marry, have kids, and miss the opportunity. Just like CU, you have kids and a financial investment. You are not happy there but you can't leave because of these things. If BoredintheUSA doesn't have reasons to keep her stuck, she should take the opportunity now. It might be a mistake but we can all learn from our mistakes. Anyway, BoredintheUSA, you have a lot of information here to consider to help make your decision. I'm glad CU gave you his perspective because it can be very helpful to you. Best Wishes in your decision process and let us know what you decide. :lol:
oh yes. we should all move to the us where everyone belives in god, is good.....has a right to bare arms, wage war, vote and follow unquestionably - Bush = patriotism. don't question it or you may be called a terrorist, discriminated against and/or imprisoned without a trial at quantanamo bay. I think that you better stay in the the US - with your $12,000 - nice and safe in the land of the brave and free.
You're cracking me up, with all the discussion of "sex," we have the right to "bare" arms and not "bear" arms by the First Admendment! Nobody follows Bush unquestionably...well, maybe 20% of the country, but it's not the majority. Both of his elections were the closest in US history, along with Kennedy/Nixon in 1960. I disagree with suspending the writ of habeas corpus, it's only the second time that has happened in history, the other was the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln invoked it...the same Lincoln who was perhaps one of the five greatest leaders in world history. Discrimination happens all around the world...whether it's based on socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, religion, race...we keep on hearing about discrimination against the gypsies here. In the US, there is a bigger difference between the wages of men and women than white men and black men. And I have no idea where this $12,000 figure even came from? No country is beyond scrutiny, without its closet full of skeletons...
Goodness, where did this come from. Most people on this thread told BoredintheUSA to go for it. Only one person told her not to and that person was not promoting the US, but only stating the things about CR that displease him. I find a lot of criticism about the USA on this website but when one person states things about the CR that are displeasing to him, all of a sudden there is a defensive uproar.
Here is where $12,000 came from. 12 months x $1,000 per month = $12,000. $1,000 per month = 22,000 CZK. Here is how it breaks down: - 10,000 CZK apartment outside of the center or room shared in a 2/3 brm. apartment in Prague 2 - 2,000 utilities - 1,500 CZK phone and high speed Internet access http://www.cz.o2.com/internetexpres/en/ ... index.html - 500 CZK transportaion (monthly pass, full access to public transporation system, metro, buses, trams, some trains within Prague) http://www.dp-praha.cz/en/index.htm - 6,000 CZK food purchased in supermarkets (think how much food you can buy for $300, prices are same in CZK) http://www.z-market.cz/z-market/english/index.html - 2,000 CZK entertainment, (tickets: movie 100, National Theater 35-350, concerts 100-whatever). Beer on tap 20-30 CZK per 0.5 liter in a local bar. One can spend more on entertainment, that is for sure. http://www.talkingcities.co.uk/prague_p ... cinema.htm http://www.narodni-divadlo.cz/default.a ... 544619cf92 http://www.ticketpro.cz/?@en/index I am sure some ass can find holes in this budget and cry about one or another item. Well, this is BUDGET, meaning you have limited resources and now you figure out what you can afford. In my opinion, this is a very good and fair package for your $1,000. Now, this assumes that you come to Prague to find yourself. If you have a job the picture changes. If you teach you spend all your extra money on last part of budget: entertainment. Or travel, or whatever. There are many sources of information on teaching, I just spent 1 minute to look this up: "Salaries vary substantially by region, but in Liberec, where I worked, most full-time teachers earn between 8,000-11,000 kc ($315-$430) per month. I worked at a university, which provided me with a steady paycheck, insurance, paid vacation, and teacher housing. The university also helped me get all of the documents I needed for a visa, which isn’t easy when you are applying from outside the Czech Republic. When you’re looking at a job, inquire about housing, because apartments can be very expensive if they are not provided or subsidized by the school. For extra travel money, I taught part-time at a private school. There were several that hired teachers on a freelance basis. I also taught private lessons for 200-300 Kc ($9-$11) per hour. I had no problem finding private students, and even turned down a few opportunities to teach. The best way to find them was to put the word out among other English teachers, the university, and private schools. " here http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listin ... blic.shtml MD
This next posting is quite long, and probably not appropriate, but I've been dealing with prejudice and intolerance all day and my energies have just found an outlet.
