Czechs-Russians-Beer
Blogger Petr Bokuvka of The Daily Czech marks the 35th anniversary of the end of Prague Spring by reminiscing what it was like to be born under Communist rule in a military town run by the Russians.

The bad part was that they didn't live just in their military installations but some of them, especially lower-rank officers with their families, lived in apartment bulding in the city. These were called "Russian houses". Nobody talked to them, the wives had no friends here but other Russian women. When they came to a "Czech" store they didn't get the typical service. But the clerks had to serve them because they were afraid of the consequences.

Still on the Czech Republic topic, Doug notes that the Czechs "now lead the world in per capita beer consumption, ahead of such heavyweights as Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Great Britain." Doug says the British have fallen in the survey because so many of them are now drinking wine. However, I think it may have more to do with the fact that some so-called British pubs think 11 p.m. is an acceptable time for last call. (Still mad.)
- posted by Amy @ 8/22/2003 03:06:00 PM