It is always good to hear from the outside when you are spending time in the inside. I am now in Vienna and a little behind in my emails. Here is a few more stories from
my trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. In my next email I will talk about being involved in the student demonstrations against the far-right party (deadly combination of riot police, marches, drums, and austrian beer) and also the visit to the hot mineral baths in Budapest, Hungary....but for now a little bit of PRAGUIAN PROSE...
COLD WAR FRUIT
On a walking tour of Prague the tour guide spoke about the shortage of fruit and the long lines that the Czech people experienced during communist rule.
One funny moment came when in the early 80s a shipment of bananas came into Prague. Many people in the country made long train trips to the city to get their first
look at bananas. One man finally made it through the line and purchased his first banana. Since it was his first banana he was so excited that he quickly gobbled up
the banana. A friend later pointed out to him that bananas taste alot better when they are peeled before eating. He ate the entire banana---skin and all!
SELF IMMOLATION (SUICIDE BY FIRE)
The highlight\lowlight of the walking tour was the visit to the small barbwire wreath dedicated to Jan Palach. In 1968 the communists took over the vibrant Czech state...there was a huge opposition to the communist rule but protests were forbidden and dissenters of the regime were tortured-maimed-killed. During this time 20 year old Jan Palach was studying at the local Czech University. Jan Palach and a group of students got together in 1969 and wanted to bring attention to the rebel cause. They wanted self rule and would do anything to fight for the cause. In January 1969 Jan Palach went to the top of the famous Vaclavske Street (Wencelas Street). After a passionate speech, he poured gasoline on himself and lit himself on fire. In horror of the great pain, he ran down the street screaming....other students eventually dosed his burning hair and
melting skin.
The orginal resistance plan was for 1 student to set themselves on fire everyday until the communist government gave up power. In his last concious moments he pleaded
that no other student do the same thing he did. the pain was just too great...Jan Palach died soon after. A day after his death 300,000 people showed up to Wencelas street
to show support for Jan Palach... The communists did not give up power...they only became more hardline but they would eventually be overthrown in the late 80s. The self
rule decree came from a balcony on Wenceslas street in 1989 and most people in Prague smiled, danced, screamed in joy and partied. They had won in the end.
On Wenceslas street you can visit a small barbwire wreath with a picture of Jan Palach and a picture of another student who also died by setting himself on
fire. Under the wreath is the incription.... "For all those who died under communist rule."
Everyday... people come from all over the world to put fresh flowers beside Jan Palach�s photo and wreath. the combination of the flowers and the young photo was
just too much....while on the tour everyone was crying their eyes out...
Kind Regards,
Dylan