Dobrý den! (Hello!)
I’m Veronica Cinibulk (that’s the Americanized version, it’s really
Cinibulková), and I am from the Czech Republic. *Fast Fact* The –ová (or –á) is used at the end of females’
surnames to indicate their gender, though a very small number of surnames don’t
change, and are the same in masculine and feminine form. *Another Fast Fact* It’s the Czech Republic now, though people seem
to have trouble letting go of the word “Czechoslovakia.” It’s alright, I
understand. It was Czechoslovakia until January 1, 1993—just 22 years ago! I
know. Crazy.
We’re
two countries now! Though we still have joint TV shows…
My family and I moved from the Czech
Republic to America when I was three and a half years old, but we continue to
go back each summer, sometimes for three or four months, and later for one or
two. Just for fun, I decided to count how many times I have sat sleeplessly through
the nine, twelve, or fifteen hour flights across the Atlantic, and the answer
is…34. Thirty-four times. Yes, I love traveling, and I love airports. But I
have grown quite a strong dislike for the actual flying aspect.
My
doggy at the airport, ready to travel. She’s not too fond of the flights either…
Over the years, I have grown up with
one foot in the Czech Republic and one foot in America, speaking both
languages, attending school in both countries, and taking on aspects of both
cultures as my own. Therefore, I thought I would share the two major differences
that I have found between these two cultures, as a “neutral” participant in
both (and I use that term very, very loosely…more on that later).
*Disclaimer*
I sometimes use the term “America” or “United States” to refer to my own
experiences in America, which are almost exclusively limited to Florida. I’m
sure that my generalizations don’t apply everywhere in America; I’m just
writing about what I have been able to observe.
Community
In America everything is expansive
and spread out. Cities—even “small” ones—seem to stretch forever, and there is
no general structure to them. Because of this, the people don’t know each other
as well, and I don’t think there is a very strong “community” feeling.
A
little street in my hometown, Křemže
In the Czech Republic, towns and
cities—even “large” ones—are organized, close-knit, and centered on the town
square (or “circle”…it’s often circular). The town square/circle contains most
of the stores, the church, the bank, the post office, and the restaurants, so
it is a major meeting place for everyone. Furthermore, there is a friendliness
and unity among the people, especially those from small towns such as my home
town, Křemže.
I grew up calling my neighbors “Uncle” and “Aunt,” and my parents still know
almost everyone they pass while walking down the street or shopping in the
grocery market.
A
rainy day (my favorite!) in Křemže.
Czech windowsills always have
flowers and the occasional sleeping kitten.
One of my favorite things about life
in Křemže is the loudspeaker broadcast system
that exists throughout our town. A couple of times each day, town-wide
announcements are made for all to hear, and sometimes music is played. For me,
this makes the act of receiving information and entertainment a communal
experience (rather than something you do alone at your computer), and it gives me a
wonderful feeling of inclusion and simplicity.
Czech
pigeons are not camera shy. This handsome
guy followed me around for a while.
Another
windowsill cat. The Křemže felines are ready for
fame.
Nature
I will expand upon the differences
between the environment in the Czech Republic and America and the implications
of these differences in a future article, so I won’t dive too deep into this
topic here. I will just touch on two points.
11.
Animals are much more a part of daily
life in the Czech Republic. When I am there, I find it absolutely typical to
have neighbors with chickens, geese, goats, sheep, and horses. On walks around
town, deer scamper in and out of the surrounding fields and play along the
roads. Most Czech road signs depict a deer—a warning to drive slowly, because
deer frequently burst into the street from the surrounding forests. When I am
in America, however, I suddenly become mesmerized by a bird sitting in a tree.
Hello,
neighbors!
Lunchtime!
22.
Wherever you stand in the Czech
Republic—with the exception of the center of a major city like Prague—you are
surrounded by mountains, forests, and fields on all sides. Now, I understand
that I cannot expect Florida to bless me with mountains. However, the true
difference is that in the Czech Republic, nature is more available and
immediate—and public. I can wander through the fields, forests, and mountains
for hours without trespassing on anyone’s property. I can pick blueberries and
mushrooms (watch out for the poisonous ones!), I can get lost in cornfields,
and I can swim in the lakes and rivers (no alligators!). Again, nature is much
more present in daily life than it is in America. Here, I feel proud of myself
if I go for a half-hour-long walk by the UF cow pastures.
An
incoming storm on the outskirts of Křemže.
On the right is a now-abandoned farmhouse. Notice the un-paved path—one of my
favorite things.
My mom and I picked a bouquet
of windflowers
on our return back from a walk
in the mountains.
I’m sure that by now you have
realized that my claiming to be a “neutral” participant in both Czech and
American cultures is somewhat of a lie. It’s true—I have a love for the Czech
Republic that I cannot help. Sometimes living there can seem like you are living
in a poem or a song. Every summer up until the age of about twelve, I created
elaborate plans for tricking my parents into letting me stay and not fly back
to America. These plans mostly consisted of hiding out in the garage.
Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. Once, our car broke down at around 6 a.m. on
the way to the airport, and I was quietly ecstatic. A mechanically-savvy
gentleman put an end to my happiness.
I
think now would be a good time to address the question of “home.”
“Oh,
Veronica! Aren’t you glad to be home again?”---At least ten people say this to
me each time I come back to the United States, and all I can do is vaguely
smile and half-nod, because I don’t want to be rude. But here’s my real answer…I
know it is hard to believe that I could still feel attached to a place that I
technically left at the age of 3½, but I do. It is a place that makes me feel
safe and free at the same time. It fills me with hope and gives me all the
beauty I could ask for. That is my home.
A
sun-dappled forest path near Křemže
Nevertheless,
I cannot deny that I have taken on aspects of American culture as my own, and I
am grateful to this country for many things…and so I add a third “difference”
to my list:
Future
Outlook
Although this has been changing
recently, I do feel that Czech youths—especially those that come from small
towns—do not perceive their future opportunities to be as
expansive as those in America. When you live in a country of 10 million people,
a country almost half the size of Florida itself, you can begin to feel a bit
enclosed or stuck. The idea of “America” as the ultimate land of plenty and
richness, however skewed, persists among the Czech people, and I know that
some—especially the young—resent not living in such a land of opportunity.
I am
therefore grateful to have been brought up in the mindset that everything is
possible if I work tirelessly for it, and that I am a citizen of the world
rather than of just on one country.
Thank you so much for coming on this little Czech
journey with me, and I hope you will visit again soon!
Na shledanou, (Until we meet again,)
Veronica Cinibulk(ová)
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