Settling into Hronov

Today's Czech Minute!
This country must have the highest rate of lung cancer on the planet because EVERYONE here smokes, with the possible exception of Martin and Hanka. It's survivable because all pubs and restaurants have outdoor patios, which is where we always sit. How I will survive this in winter, I have no idea . . . .

In the interest of getting through some of the events and experiences in a more efficient manner (and due to the fact that I don't have any photos to accompany this post), today's entry will simply consist of a list of things I had experienced by the end of the day on August 8:

1. My first power outage in the Czech Republic, which actually happened at about 9pm on my first night in the apartment. Um, is this normal? Not really, as it turned out. Super! What a welcome wagon!

2. The heaviest rain storm I have ever seen in my life (and no, I'm not exaggerating). This is the kind of rain where in running 30 feet from a car to a building, a person ends up LITERALLY soaking wet, as Martin was when he arrived to accompany me to my first play at the Jiraskovu Theater Festival in Hronov. Said rainstorm was accompanied by thunder and lightning so loud there were times we could not hear the actors inside the theatre.

3. My first theatre performance, of a play called EQUUS. Something about a boy who wants to be a horse and a psychiatrist who hates his wife? What can I say, my Czech is really not that good.

4. My first trip to the post office, where I learned that you can not only take care of postal issues, but pay your utility bill and buy cleaning products. I don't know why.

5. My first use of my door bell! I live in one of those buildings like you always see in movies about New York where people can ring your flat from the outside door and you have to push a button to open the door for them? Yeah, turns out those little systems don't so much come with instructions. Luckily the rain hadn't started and Martin didn't have to wait THAT long for me to figure it out.

6. My first train ride, in this case to Nachod to visit Martin's house. 14Kc for 9 kilometers, and the rate gets better the farther you travel. I think the train we took had a total of 2 cars. Awww, it's kind of cute!

7. My first visit to a single-family home in the Czech Republic, which is beautiful. Martin is a construction guy when he's not teaching so he's done almost all of the renovations on their home himself, complete with an entire kitchen from IKEA! The visit began with an incredibly kind and generous moment, where Martin showed me his front door and said, "It is always open for you--anytime you need us, you are welcome here." I teared up (and did again as I recounted the moment here).

8. My first cross-cultural history discussion, with maps spread out across the table and everything. After some very good beer from Nachod (Primator), Martin and I continued our conversation about the Sudetenland and the relationship between the Germans and the Czechs. More on this in the next post about my visit to Broumov.

9. My first agreement for the exchange of language lessons, made with Martin's wife, Hanka. We have discovered however that the only way either of us are actually going to be able to learn language from each other is to have our lessons away from Martin. (It's just so much EASIER to have him translate!)

10. My first deep realization that I have a lot to learn about the presence of the Roma (Gypsy) population in Central Europe. When Hanka drove me home after our lovely evening of dinner and conversation, she pointed out a building that is, apparently, inhabited by Roma of the area, repeating the same criticisms and stereotypes(?) I had heard from Kamila and Martin, almost to a word. I am completely uninformed on this particular issue, but it sure sounds like racism to my American ears.