Transcript The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic
Quick Facts
• A landlocked country in Central Europe
bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia,
Austria
• Capital: Praha (Prague) – 1.3 million residents
(Philadelphia – 1.55)
• Population: 10,520,000 (PA – 12,787,000)
• Area: 30,450 sq mi (South Carolina, Maine)
• Time Zone: Central European Time (6 hours
ahead)
• Currency: Ceska Koruna (Czech Crown)
24Kc/1USD
History
• First settlement – 5th century A.D.
• The Kingdom of Bohemia – the Premyslide dynasty
ruled Bohemia and Moravia (10th – 15th century)
– Charles IV, Bohemian King, made Prague an imperial
capital – Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles
University, When he died in 1378, the Czech state was one
of the most powerful in Europe
• Plaque – end of 14th century
• The Hussite movement founded by Jan Hus linked the
Slavs to the reformation and revived Czech nationalism
leading to Thirty Years' War (1618–1648).
• Bohemia and Moravia are ruled for the next 300 years
as part of the Austrian empire. Full independence was
not achieved until the end of World War I, following
the collapse of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
History
• 1918 - an union of the Czech lands and Slovakia was
proclaimed to form Czechoslovak Republic.
• World War II – Czech became German protectorates
• 1948 – Communists gain control of the
Czechoslovakian government
• 1968 – Prague Spring – Czechoslovakia was invaded by
armed forces of the Warsaw Pact
• 1989 – Velvet Revolution – the communist regime
collapsed
• 1993 – Czechoslovakia splits peacefully to form Czech
Republic and Slovak Republic
Prague
• One of the most beautiful and best preserved
historical city in Europe
• One of the best ways to see how history flows
through the city is to walk the Royal Route
(Kralovska Cesta) from the Old Town (Stare
Mesto) across Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) to
the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana) and up the
hill to the Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad Hradcany)
Cesky Krumlov
• An outstanding example of a central European
small town dating from the Middle Ages
• A UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) World
Heritage Site
• Cesky Krumlov Castle, Plaque Column,
Krumlov Mill (Mlyn), Latran street (Medieval
houses with amazing frescos painting on
almost every building, small shops)
Everyday Life – Addressing People
• Formal – ahoj, nazdar, cau (Hi)
• Informal - dobry den, dobry vecer, dobre rano
• Names:
– Czechs have two names – first and last.
– Last names come in two forms: male and female.
• Novak, Novakova (ova = ovum, eggs)
• Bergey, Bergeyova
• Stary, Stara
Asking for Directions
• Instead of using compass points (west, east),
directions are given by landmarks and right and
left turns.
– Ex. make a right turn, go to the train station and then
make a left turn
• Map App – Mapy.cz (Google Play – free), Czech
Republic Offline Map, Map of Czech Republic
(Google play - free), Czech Republic Offline Map
(Place Stars on iTunes - $0.99)
– Uses GPS, no need to have Internet connection
– Searching points of interest, location
Transportation
• Prague has an excellent transportation system
including bus lines, trams, subway.
• The subway is clean, save, and the best way to
travel (highest per capita usage in the world).
– Namesti Miru – the longest escalator in Europe
– Tickets are needed – one trip or day pass.
• Taxi – great taxi service … just waive your
hand.
– Check for the price in advance.
– Taxi drivers are known to overcharge.
Shopping
• Stores are open from 7:00AM – 6:00PM on
weekdays, till noon on Saturdays, closed on
Sundays – Prague is an exception
• Czech glass, crystal, jewelry, garnet gemstone.
• Be careful with street vendors’ pricing.
• Pick pocketing is a problem.
• ATMs – best way to get cash (choose credit rate,
not a bank rate)
• Major credit cards accepted most places.
• Do not exchange money with anybody on the
street.
Eating Out
• Ample of good ethnic restaurants.
• Not a variety of restaurants like in US (Chinese, Indian …).
• Many restaurants do not have non-smoking sections (no
smoking during lunch).
• Lunch is the biggest meal of the day.
• Do not eat with fingers (knife in the right hand, fork in the
left). Cut one bite of the food at a time. When done, place
both utensils on the plate side by side. (Crossed utensils
mean you are not done with your meal).
• Do not burp after meal – very rude.
• Tipping – 5-10% and is usually used to round-up the
amount.
– 22.80Kc – 24Kc, 97Kc-100KC
Typical Czech Dishes
• Roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut
– Veprove pecene s knedliky a se zelim
• Beef sirloin with dumplings and creamy vegetable
sauce
– Svickova pecene s knedliky
• Wiener schnitzel with potatoes or potato salad
– Rizek s brambory
• Goulash
– Gulas
• Fried cheese with French fries
– Smazeny syr s hranolkami
Holidays - Easter
• The Czechs are aware of the Christian background of
Easter, but Easter is not a serious religious holiday.
– Easter in Czech is a fun time.
• Easter Symbols
– Easter Eggs (kraslice)
– Pussywillow / Braided Whip (pomlazka) – live pussywillow
twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who
is whipped with them. Boys symbolically whip girl on Easter
Monday.
– Easter Carols – boys sing/recite the carols while asking for
eggs
– Lamb – tradition to bake a lamb
• Easter Market
Telephone, WiFi
• US phones will not work
• You can get a service/number by purchasing a
SIM card (O2, Vodafone, T Mobile)
• WiFi available in the hotel
• Communicate through Apps: Viber, Skype or
social media (Facebook Messenger)
• Calling Cards: NobelCom, EnjoyPrepaid
• Emergency numbers:
– Medical:155, Police: 158, Fire: 150
Public Restrooms
•
•
•
•
Restrooms are labeled: WC, OO, Zachody
Ladies’ Room: Zeny, Damy
Men’s Room: Muzi, Pani
Payment is required: 3-10Kc
Electricity/Appliances
• Appliances operate on 220V.
• Unless your appliance can switch to 220V, a
converter will be necessary.
• You will need an adapter, since electrical plugs
have a round pin shape.
Czech 101
• Apps: Fun Easy Learn Czech, Google Translate
• Expressions:
– Ano (Yes)
– Ne (No)
– Prosim (Please, You are welcome.)
– Dekuji (Thank you)
– Prominte (Excuse me)
– Dobry den, Ahoj, Cau (Hello, Hi)
– Na schledanou, Ahoj, Cau (Good bye)