From the New Europe: 106 cars collide in a snow storm

by Iva Skoch on

They don’t call the D1, the major Czech highway, a “death trap” for nothing. Yesterday morning amidst a surprising spring snow storm which brought down as much as one inch of snow within minutes, the D1 turned into a bloody mess. Lucky me, I drove to Prague from Moravia just hours before the accident happened.

It all started with two semi trucks getting stuck mid-hill (summer tires?) about halfway between Prague and Brno and no less than 106 cars couldn’t stop in time and ended up building the most impressive car pile up in the country’s history.

Both directions of the highway, which is a major international artery in this region, were closed the entire day. Twenty thousand people got stranded on the side of the road in the freezing cold. Amazingly enough, nobody was killed, although 8 people were seriously injured.

If you ever want to rent a car here and drive around the country, please remember the D1 is not for the faint of heart.

Traveling the day after St. Patrick’s Day can be hellish

by Iva Skoch on

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, to all of you aside from the guy who sat next to me on an EasyJet flight from Prague to London a couple of years ago (the morning after St. Patty’s day) and almost threw up in my lap.

He had a black eye and body odor of a dying donkey. I am trying to make peace with you man, I really am. I also hope I never have to be stuck next to you for 90 turbulent minutes.

Tomorrow morning must make one of the worst days to fly anywhere, especially around Europe and especially on a budget airline from a destination known for its cheap liquor. Honestly, I don’t think i will ever fly out of Prague on March 18 ever again.

Thanks, kittyroara, for the lovely photo. By the way, do you ever fly budget airlines to or from Prague?

From the New Europe: Three hemp plants? No problem in the Czech Republic

by Iva Skoch on

On Friday after a hearty Czech meal, my Mom popped the question. She asked me if I could somehow manage to get her a hemp plant or two. At first, I thought it was a trick question. What do you answer? So I said what any good Czech daughter would say. “Sure Mom. I think I can manage that.”

I know she has no intentions of actually using it for “marijuana-smoking purposes,” but her request still surprised me. She explained she wanted to use hemp for medical purposes, because she believes hemp products have magic powers. I don’t know about magic powers, but I do think it is kind of cool to be the daughter of a Czech hemp grower.

Drug possession has been top of mind in the Czech Republic in the last couple of weeks. Historically, the laws here have been very vague. Until now, it was illegal to carry “more than a small amount of drugs.” Yes, you get the point. The definition of a “small amount” varies greatly and opens doors for all kinds of bribery.

Finally, it looks like the Czech Republic will settle on limiting punishment to a fine for growing up to three hemp plants or carrying up to 20 joints, a gram of hashish or 0.5 grams of methamphetamine (pervitin). Any caught exceeding those limits would face criminal prosecution and a possible prison term, the Prague Daily Monitor reports. Soon, I might be the daughter of a woman who had to pay a fine for drug possession.

From the New Europe: Want to live here? Must speak the language.

by Iva Skoch on

The days when foreigners could simply drift in and out of Eastern Europe, staying in Prague for 6 months, Budapest for 7 and Krakow for a year, might be over.

With the Schengen agreement now applying to some Central/Eastern European countries, it has gotten more difficult to do all this with just a tourist visa. One now has to apply for Schengen visa, which is a bit harder to obtain.

To add to things, the Czech Republic will probably impose a Czech language test for anyone who is applying for a residency permit here. Starting next year, foreigners applying for residency will be required to speak Czech at level A1( the ability to communicate and to manage basic day-to-day living situations). Those applying for citizenship will have to pass a harder, A2-level language test.

Free first Czech lesson for gadling readers: “Str? prst skrz krk.” (Put your finger through your throat). This is a famous Czech no-vowel tongue twister.

What do they call John Doe in Iceland?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

In the US legal system, parties who wish to remain anonymous or are otherwise unidentified are often given the names “John Doe” or “Jane Doe.” Other titles, like “Average Joe” or “Joe Sixpack” or “John Q. Public,” are used when referring to the typical American man, and some names, like “Bobby Teenager,” are used only in very specific circumstances. [A million bonus points if you know where that name’s from– no asking Google.]

But what do they call John Doe in Iceland? Or Bulgaria? South Africa?

As with everything in life, Wikipedia has the answer. Here are some placeholder names from around the world:

  • Australia – Fred Nerk, Joe Farnarkle, Simon McCool
  • Ireland – Seán and Síle Citizen, John Murphy, Joe Bloggs
  • Bulgaria – Ivan Ivanov, Person X
  • South Africa – Koos van der Merwe, Piet Pompies
  • Malta – Joe Borg
  • Iceland – Meðal-Jón, Meðal-Jóna, Jón Jónsson, Jóna Jónsdóttir

And if I learned nothing else from my Czech lessons while I lived in Prague, I know that they sometimes use the names Jan Novák and Jana Nováková as placeholders. In my Czech classes, old Mr. and Mrs. Novak were always planning to go to the movies, or setting a time to meet in Wenceslas Square, or introducing themselves to each other. I always found that odd– weren’t they married?

Check out many more names from around the world here.