Expat

It’s official.  I’m an Expat.

In fact I’m so expat, that I went to an ‘Expats Expo’ a few weekends ago where an estimated 6,000 or so people like me jabbered away in English in a beautiful exhibition hall.

There were a lot of stalls offering services to help us expats acclimatise: - banks, gyms, English newspapers, internet services, etc.

The event was organised by Expats.cz, a website offering invaluable information to those of us looking for libraries/ yoga studios/ restaurants/ providing advice and forums, discussing everything from car insurance to clubbing.

There was a stall selling English products – tea, marmite, Shreddies, English bacon, Flakes, After Eights you name it.  I didn't feel that desperate to buy anything (just give it a year).

But the biggest surprise were the English speaking schools, offering the British national curriculum.   Not just one school - but I counted seven stalls...trying to tempt those of us with kids with face painting, 

bouncy castles, clowns, and sweets....

but also appealing to our paranoia, our inner fears, saving us from the Czech school system with its antiquated draconian style learning, non existent teaching of critical thinking, lack of creative outlets like drama and creative writing.

But of course it comes at a hefty price (even more than private schools in the UK).

And so with that I noticed a distinct difference between the expats - those working for English speaking firms who have a fat relocation packages, kids in English-speaking private schools, memberships to the gyms, investing in wineries and enjoying fine dining...and those who sit on other side of the fence whose kids go the local Czech schools, who shop like the locals do, and drink good Czech beer instead of terrible cheap wine.

Just don't ask me which side I fall on ; )

   

Growing up...fast

Today I gave my 7 year old a knife.

At 7am we had a lesson this morning before school on how to use a knife, how to open the blade, how to slice, and mainly how not to cut yourself.

No, he doesn’t have to defend himself, and it’s not part of the school curriculum, he’s off on a scout trip this afternoon.  Not just any old trip – a trip away for 2 nights in the mountains staying in a Chalupa (a kind of wooden large building).  Did I mention he’s going on his own?  No parents in sight.

In fact both my kids are going away this weekend with their respective scout’s groups, not together it’s just by chance the trips are at the same time.

It’s utterly terrifying for me. 

It’s utterly thrilling for them.

I can't but admire how brave they are.  Kids just go for it, thankfully they aren't like adults who worry and think about things to much.  Kids just do it.  Yes, there is a little apprehension and excitement mixed in with fear, but they are going off in an all czech speaking environment, doing something they have never done before, with a group of kids they've only known for a few weeks.  It's amazing really.

I’m a wreck just packing for them (in fact most Czech parents at this point aren’t even packing for their kids they are probably doing it themselves).  These Czech kids, I don’t know, they are so independent (walk to school alone, let themselves in at home alone, help around the house).  In some ways it’s amazing and what I want my children to experience., but just not quite so suddenly. 

On their list of things to take – sleeping bag, bedding roll, pan for cooking, cutlery, rope and a sharp knife, spare clothes, walking boots, and a 2 bus tickets!  

No health and safety malarkey, no mollycoddling, no fuss.

Here are my babies trying to carry their heavy rucksacs (pains my heart)  

Both my kids also have mobile phones, even my youngest.  Shock, horror, gasp!  It’s the norm here, I suppose that’s what you get when you have kids walking around on their own, going away for weekends alone and catching the bus without the watchful eye of parents.

I was trying not to cry when I said goodbye.  First my eldest with her group, and then my son.

- I’ll call you in a few hours ok?   (or maybe in 10 minutes if I can even wait that long)

- Don’t call me mummy, I’ll just text you.

Oh my god, oh my god.  Growing up. 

  

Summer is over

And if the change of weather wasn’t enough of a reminder that Autumn and Winter are on their way….

nothing was more evident than the stock in my local Tescos.

Ok, it’s a fairly large store, but here’s what I saw in the aisles this morning:-

  A selection of sledges,

skis and poles, and in the background Ice Hockey sticks, 

                                                                                                                                                                and ice skates - not for ice rinks BUT for skating on ponds and lakes and rivers that get frozen over!!

I have to say that all this snow stuff is making me slightly nervous about the cold winter ahead ….

Luckily for us we arrived in Prague at the beginning of a month-long Indian summer, so that really helped psychologically – doors open, kids running outside, blue skies...

I was inspired with the hot weather and saw a trampoline on sale at the local DIY store and somehow managed to communicate that I wanted it, and got help packing it up into the car.  Of course the kids love it.

Hubby was in London so I brought along the dictionary for help as I also needed to buy a plunger, a plug for the sink and some stuff for painting the bench in the garden.

I also bought what I thought was white spirit for cleaning paint brushes, but it didn’t seem to be doing the job.  I asked our neighbour, in my best Czech, if he could help me – that’s when he told me or I understood it was something for the BBQ or fire, he gesticulated flames dancing in the air.

Ahhh, lighter fluid (luckily we weren't near any open flames!)... I think I should start my own dictionary.

Czech Survival Kit

Today I opened my Czech survival kit.

It was a box of goodies prepared by a lovely group of London mum's, who thought in case of emergencies I might need:

Tea and marmite...

Kendal mint cake in case we get
stuck up a Czech mountain,

The Union Jack to hang outside

the front door to annoy the neighbours 

A shot glass in case times get desperate 

The British Embassy address and some 

useful phrases to pin to my coat

like this one

'I'm sorry I'm from England, and I do not understand a word you just said'

I wanted to add my own survival tips:-

Keep smiling and nodding yes, even though you haven’t got a clue what’s going on.

Don’t rely on google translate it can cause all sort of trouble.

Although one’s Czech may improve suddenly after 2 beers, be warned it rapidly goes downhill after a few shots of anything stronger ; )