I had arrived to Prague in 2004, only a few months before the Czech Republic entered the European Union. I remember it very clearly, as if it happened just yesterday – I crossed the border on a cold day of October, coming by car from France through Germany, and I really did not know what to think, what kind of life is waiting here for me.
I came to Prague after meeting my Czech girlfriend abroad, so this was not my first experience of living in a foreign country but I had no idea what to expect, what I will do for living etc.
The early times were not easy: the language barrier, Czech habits I did not understand, the cold weather, rudeness of the people (or better to call it my too friendly Latino way of life), no to mention that my car got stolen…. I wondered what I was doing here and started to think that coming here was perhaps a mistake.
The story unfolds
And then things started to fall in right places - I got my first job, met few people to hang out with, more expats than Czechs, let’s face it, and started to relax and enjoy the city of Prague: beautiful architecture, good beer…so it all felt like a beginning of a new era.
Prague is fun: the beer gardens of Letna or Riegrovi Sady, full of good bars such as Chateau (actually be careful, this place is not the typical Czech one!), the freedom to do whatever you want as long as you do not bother anybody… this has nothing to do with the typical capital city in Europe.
I have also discovered something that tourists do not see much and that I really think the country should promote much more: landscape and the beautiful scenery. It is so much fun to go out there and within less than an hour drive to be able to enjoy a stay in a “chalupa” (small cottage), having a nice barbecue, go for a hiking trip or canoeing on the river, and believe me, Czechs are much nicer over there than in Prague . Czechs love sport (and drinking after sport!) and everything is well designed and equipped for outdoor activities: ski resorts, bike paths, canoeing, trekking, and cosy little pubs with Czech beers in countryside.
Settled down
Now, a few years later, I find myself working in Commercial Real estate as an advisor, in the job field the good chance brought me to (and thanks to my best friend who is Czech and recently just asked me to be the godfather of his little daughter). After working for a big agency, I have decided to set up my own business in the same field along with a few colleagues; I am still pretty amazed at how far you can go in this country when working hard.
Obviously, there are some things I will never get used to, such as the lack of communication between people, or the habit of eating all the time at work, but perhaps I’m the one who is wrong….
I think the future is bright for this country and in its way reminds me of Switzerland: a small country in the central Europe, reluctant to be in the Euro zone, but with a strong economy and a lot of smart people. So if you ask about my plans, well, with respect to the fact that you never know what can happen in life, for now – I’m here to stay.
Enjoy your time, and by the way, if you are looking for some offices or warehouses, please do not hesitate to contact me, I’m not far away.