So there are many things which I will miss about the Czech Republic when I depart for Singapore next week. On the top of the list has to be the inimitable sense of character which seems to pervade each and every aspect of Czech psychology.

Since I first arrived in the country more than 6 years ago, I have been on a steep learning curve. My somewhat sheltered upbringing in the south of england (between ages of 7 and 18) left me somewhat unprepared for the brash and sometimes curt manner in which the Czech populace, generally, seems to go about business.

This direct approach was a shock at first, though with time I came to find it immensely liberating and, true to form, I started to think and act just that little bit more like them. It is difficult to explain this shift in thinking and behaving in a brief post. However, the best example i can give is that very quickly I gave up that oh-so-British-trait of constantly apologising. You know what I mean – ‘oh sorry, sorry’ etc etc For Czechs, if someone bumps into you, it is their fault, clear and simple. So drop the incessant placatory manner and get on with things. ;0) A refreshing way of considering your indivual ‘space’ in society and the world around you, and one which I think more people would benefit from adopting from time to time.

I would be remiss from mentioning some of the things which made my 6 years in the Czech Republic oh so special. The first and most important is, of course, my wonderful new fiancee – a Czech who, unlike many of her countrymen, is looking for the ‘big global adventure’ – I admire her courage in agreeing first of all to her committment to us, and secondly her choice to follow me to the other side of the world and make a new life for ourselves.

Czech beer is second to none. I was lucky enough to live on a hill overlooking the city. A wonderful view of  river and baroque architecture and, as a centrepiece, the Staroporamen brewery – belching out great columns of smoke each morning and gently scenting the air with hops. As an irishman, I can well appreciate the magic an inner-city brewering can bring to the location. I was a fan of the St. James Brewery in Dublin when I lived and visited there, and the fantastic Staropramen brew will long stand as my favourite tipple wherever I go in the world.

And what about the Czech sense of humour? Well, where to start?! Quite similar to Irish – often you will not realise there is a joke playing out until you see the twinkle in the teller’s eye. They love practical jokes and, as you would expect from a country which spawned acclaimed writers such as Hrabal and Kafka, the Czech’s have a keen eye for the absurd. If you doubt me, take a look  at the following gem of a video I found on Youtube – entitled Joey the Swampmonster (+ english subtitles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4aqM_wu6Ns

Last, but certainly not least, I will miss the city of Prgaue herself. ‘Mater urbem’, ‘the city of thousand spires’, ‘the Golden City’. All names used to describe the Czech capital city. Once seat of the Holy Roman Empire, the city sparkles with architectural finery, is steeped in a bloody and fascinating history, and is criss-crossed with achingly romantic alleys and backstreets – a perfect way to lose yourself for an afternoon in thoughts, both fair and foul ;0)

This post is just a small thank you note to a city and country which has given me much, and asked little in return. It is strange to spend so long in a country where english in not the first language – particularly for someone like me who works in the communications industry. Though re-reading these few paragraphs, it is easy to see why i landed there and remained for so long. It reminds me of a not-so-well-known quote by Mr Franz Kafka himself. Little-known because of its relevance to literature, though for anyone who has spent time in this dark and beautiful place, it resonates deep within:

“The bitch (Prague) has teeth, once she bites, she never lets go.”

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