Brno presented the true CR experience with a few additions that can't be found in Prague necessarily. First, since we were entering wine country, Brno is famously known for "Burčák" or baby wine. This wine is deadly and has captured many in the fact that it tastes alcohol-less and exactly like juice (really really good juice..). Post drinking the wine, you can feel it in bubbling in your stomach and can often drink way to much without realizing that youre drinking the equivalent of 2 bottles of wine. Luckily, Jana, one of the AIFS staff members, warned us of its potency and we were able to enjoy the wine without being incapacitated for the rest of our time in Moravia.
Classes started last Monday and the class has been..unique. Leaving aside the fact that 5 hours is far to long to sit in a classroom, my Czech professor makes every moment of that 5 hours worthwhile. Apart from the Czech language she has brought to attention many aspects of Czech culture and Czech views on America. While I realize that one woman does not represent the entire country, it is still interesting to hear the opinions of our nation from someone outside. Some of the things mentioned just need to be shrugged off and yet others are truly enlightening.
After listening to her unhappiness over President Klaus and "the country's" fear over the removal of the radar program in the CR, it becomes apparent that you can never fully comprehend how a country feels about international events and actions. She is one woman in the entire country, but the question arises as to whether or not she represents the majority. I could interview every Czech person in a 20 mile radius of Dejvice..I probably would still not have my answer.
Our professor has also taken it upon herself to show us the city. While many of the names of the places escape me, I can still describe to you the places that we have gone free of charge with our class:
- the photography museum with 2 floors of photographs from communism and the velvet revolution.
- the church where the assassins (heroes) of Heidrich hid and then were later killed by Nazis. We saw a short film on the assassination and also entered the crypt where these 7 men were killed while hiding out.
- the Holocaust museum possessing unclaimed household items of the Jewish sent to concentration camps
- Narodni Gallerie (the national gallery)
It seems that the "hiding church of the assassins" was the most thought provoking for myself. I am a pacifist. I do not believe in violence of any kind at any time for any reason. Well. I am also an idealist. And while I realize that some of my views may not be realistic, John Lennon put it best. "Imagine all the people, living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us and the world will be as one."
For me, it's not about realizing that the world's problems can be solved without violence. It's about realizing that if everyone tried to live with this mindset, it would cease to be idealistic and may actually make a difference. But I suppose that is idealistic as well. However, if we cease to believe in a good world and our idealism, then the world would be a sad, sorry place.
With all that said, this church was the most thought provoking. These men killed a truly horrible person and are heroes for it. They risked their lives for freedom and that is a beautiful thing. But they killed a man. The most thought provoking thing for me has and always will be, at one point is something ok? Past what point does it become ok to kill another person? Does that point come when that man has killed others that were innocent? Does it come when a nation backs up the assassination plot? Or is it not ok? When IS violence the answer? Simply to combat evil? Or does the world have to sit by as people die around them?
The world is grey. And unfortunately, that seems to be the thing that I have the hardest time comprehending.
Prague simply is opening up a whole new set of possibilities for answers to the unanswerable.
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