Life in Prague
Well I've finally made it to the former East Block. I know that this area has always been much more integrally a part of the USA, but they are also post-Communist, so comparisons are always interesting.
One huge difference was just illustrated by the comment the guy sitting next to me asked his friend. "We're in June, right?" This place is crawling with tourists and backpackers who spend a long time going from one country and city to another. It's so easy to get around both transportation wise, and visa wise for them. With Georgia having made entry to Georgia FREE to Americans, Europeans and Australians, I wonder when Armenia will wake up and follow suit. That would at least make it simple for tourists to visit Armenia, Georgia and Turkey... The visa procedures for Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia are all still in the stone ages in comparison.
So yes, the Czech Republic is part of the EU, but not part of the Euro currency zone yet. The people dress so western, that it is impossible to tell the difference in Prague for me. So different than the Armenian dress, where black leather shiny pointy shoes have been in fashion for over a decade now, black dress slacks, buzzed heads... it just hasn't changed much. Girls in Yerevan, and the teenagers, have all come a long way, but the biggest change in Yerevan guys fashion since I arrived is that they now find it acceptable to leave their shirts untucked, and can occasionally wear some kind of sandally shoes in the summer.
Alright, so back to Prague. The architecture is stunning. I just watched life going by in Tym Square much of the day yesterday. Aside from the absolutely neverending masses of tourists, the place was just begs for people to come and sit down, soak in life, have a drink... Every building is beautiful. The stone cobbled ground, the statues, the huge astrological clock. This is everything the new Northern Avenue under construction in Yerevan should be, but isn't. It will still be nice, no doubt, just to have a big pedestrian area in the center, but why shouldn't every single corner and facade be so beautiful that it is impossible not to take pictures? Anyway, that's just a pet peeve of mine, so I'll shut up about that now. And I won't even begin to complain about how ArmenTel's monopoly makes internet speed and prices much worse than in Prague...
Another interesting difference I noticed is that trash cans are really in short supply on the streets, yet there is very little litter. Quite impressive. The weather has been rather cool so far, in comparison to the full on summer weather we've been having in Yerevan, I don't know if that's the norm or not... but in any case, I ought to head out and enjoy the city some more, and get something to eat!
One huge difference was just illustrated by the comment the guy sitting next to me asked his friend. "We're in June, right?" This place is crawling with tourists and backpackers who spend a long time going from one country and city to another. It's so easy to get around both transportation wise, and visa wise for them. With Georgia having made entry to Georgia FREE to Americans, Europeans and Australians, I wonder when Armenia will wake up and follow suit. That would at least make it simple for tourists to visit Armenia, Georgia and Turkey... The visa procedures for Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia are all still in the stone ages in comparison.
So yes, the Czech Republic is part of the EU, but not part of the Euro currency zone yet. The people dress so western, that it is impossible to tell the difference in Prague for me. So different than the Armenian dress, where black leather shiny pointy shoes have been in fashion for over a decade now, black dress slacks, buzzed heads... it just hasn't changed much. Girls in Yerevan, and the teenagers, have all come a long way, but the biggest change in Yerevan guys fashion since I arrived is that they now find it acceptable to leave their shirts untucked, and can occasionally wear some kind of sandally shoes in the summer.
Alright, so back to Prague. The architecture is stunning. I just watched life going by in Tym Square much of the day yesterday. Aside from the absolutely neverending masses of tourists, the place was just begs for people to come and sit down, soak in life, have a drink... Every building is beautiful. The stone cobbled ground, the statues, the huge astrological clock. This is everything the new Northern Avenue under construction in Yerevan should be, but isn't. It will still be nice, no doubt, just to have a big pedestrian area in the center, but why shouldn't every single corner and facade be so beautiful that it is impossible not to take pictures? Anyway, that's just a pet peeve of mine, so I'll shut up about that now. And I won't even begin to complain about how ArmenTel's monopoly makes internet speed and prices much worse than in Prague...
Another interesting difference I noticed is that trash cans are really in short supply on the streets, yet there is very little litter. Quite impressive. The weather has been rather cool so far, in comparison to the full on summer weather we've been having in Yerevan, I don't know if that's the norm or not... but in any case, I ought to head out and enjoy the city some more, and get something to eat!
posted by Raffi K. at 12:41 PM
5 Comments:
We agree Raffi, Prague is a wonderful city. We have a long way to go to catch with them, but donot give up hope.
Levon
Heeey, when Shoosh and I were in a cab in Yerevan this winter, we were wondering what day it was. We asked the cab driver and he didn't know so he radio-ed "getron" and the dispatch girl didn't know either. When we got to our friend's house no one there knew either. Our friend's wife had to check on the internet to figure it out.....I think it's great that people don't need to know what day/month it is.
Not knowing the day is no big deal, but not knowing the month when you're right in the middle of it?!?! Wow! And I am not criticizing in any case, merely illustrating how much time these backpackers spend going from one place to another...
Prague is supposedly the most beautiful city in Europe as far as architecture is concerned.
Raff, the pointy shoes Armenian guys in Armenia wear are probably the most stylish thing they have going, though most westerners do no realize this. White shoes are also a big fashion trend all over Europe (which is also something you see quite often in Armenia.)
North Americans need to give props for Armenian guys wearing up to date footwear instead of constantly mocking them.
BTW, I'm not sure if you meant buzzed heads have been in style in Yerevan ... cause when I came to Armenia I was constantly asked why I shave my head (it was very rare for guys to do that unless they had just arrived from the military) ... but I see other guys doing it more often now.
Sounds like you're having a good time though Raff. ENJOY IT! As much as I'm enjoying Scandanavia right now. :-)
Dear Raffi, I enjoyed reading your comments about Prague. I am living here for already four years and never stop wondering what a beautiful city it is. The Christmas here is a real fairytale. Visit once again in December and let me know in advance, maybe I may guide you.:-))
Anush
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