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)