Being unarmed in Prague

[nwslopoke]

Honestly not my idea to be here, but we are doing a quick multi-country tour. Right now in Prague near Charles Bridge/Old Town, for those that know.

Our hotel is off a main road where the trains like our Max runs 24hrs. It's like that scene from the Blues Brothers. They run so often you hardly notice.

I was a little concerned when we got here because there is a fair amount of graffiti and the cops with American style sirens runs plenty often down the main drag Starsky & Hutch style. But it really seems safe overall.

Went to the local castle and it was guarded with two levels of security. Uniformed long gun carriers and local cops with side arms. I couldn't see what the long guns were but they had Zhukov style stocks. For the cops, some had Glocks and others had something that looked like a Hi Point grip.

Being unarmed myself feels strange, but not at all like being in California or another commie state . Outside of the graffiti there is little evidence of crime. There no "Spidey" senses going off. The area is super diverse and touristy, butt, for the local businesses, 1) know what you want. 2) No questions. Anything else, refer to #1 and #2. The "other" businesses and people have been very nice, helpful and friendly.

Again, after carrying every day outside of work for at least 10 years, I don't miss it or feel unprotected. By the way, there are thousands of people at these Christmas markets and only a small police presence. Police seem respected but I did see some ACAB graffiti in one area, but it's probably old. Also, zero homeless. A few actual beggers with cups at the Christmas market and we've only been getting around by train the past three days. Homelessness does look like a problem.

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[Xmark1]

Unusual post.
Are you working for the demoncratic party as a fifth columnist?

 

[Howard1955]

"Also, zero homeless."

"Homelessness does look like a problem."

Did you mean to say 'Homelessness does NOT look like a problem'?

Did you take pictures of the castle?

 

[trevi]

Czechia is lovely. I had a great time there, especially in Brno and Uhersky Brod, where CZ guns are made.

 

[nwslopoke]

Unusual post.
Are you working for the demonctratic party as a fifth columnist?

Not at all. Just stating what I feel after interacting with several people from a wide background. It felt different than at home. I served in Europe in the late 80s. That, always be on your guard, is still there.

You're not reading my post saying, give up your gun or stop carrying. It just bothered me less than I expected. The relaxed atmosphere of the general public compared to the Westcoast public transport riders is evident.

I got twisted around on the train tonight and several people, English speaking or not, were helping me get back on track. Literally. Just a few months ago, I was on the bus in Hillsboro to pick up my car from the shop, totally different experience, for example (I forgot there is a Beaverton and a Hillsboro Transit station). And I had my EDC that day, for the record.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I was unarmed once.






not really

 

[bradsteen]

The mind is the weapon, the gun is just a tool. You're never truly unarmed unless you choose to be.

 

[nwslopoke]

"Also, zero homeless."

"Homelessness does look like a problem."

Did you mean to say 'Homelessness does NOT look like a problem'?

Did you take pictures of the castle?

I'm noting, I did not see signs of traditional homeless people here. I've ridden the train through obviously lower income areas to the upscale areas. Even the main train station. I saw three individuals with cups at their feet and this is a big city. Plenty of street performers at Charles Bridge and that area.

As far as pictures, that's my wife's area. I only have a few on the main road that leads to the castle about a mile away.

 

[nwslopoke]

Czechia is lovely. I had a great time there, especially in Brno and Uhersky Brod, where CZ guns are made.

I'd love to catch a race at the Brno GP circuit. I don't know if any major class still races there. And I love my CZ pistols.

 

[Xmark1]

Not at all. Just stating what I feel after interacting with several people from a wide background. It felt different than at home. I served in Europe in the late 80s. That, always be on your guard, is still there.

You're not reading my post saying, give up your gun or stop carrying. It just bothered me less than I expected. The relaxed atmosphere of the general public compared to the Westcoast public transport riders is evident.

I got twisted around on the train tonight and several people, English speaking or not, were helping me get back on track. Literally. Just a few months ago, I was on the bus in Hillsboro to pick up my car from the shop, totally different experience, for example (I forgot there is a Beaverton and a Hillsboro Transit station). And I had my EDC that day, for the record.

I feel ya.
I felt that same way when I visited Puerto Vallarta a few years ago.
The people were extraordinary nice to one another, much nicer than in the U.S.
I rode public transit far into the countryside for the equivalent of 25 cents USD. Just to scope out a new land & people. The way they treated each other was mind glowingly good. I can tell some grate humanitarian stories, like ordinary passengers getting off the bus to help an old blind woman up the stairs and to find a seat. Or when the bus driver just stopped and turned off the bus on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and jumped out of the bus - WTF? He went into a country store and later strolled out drinking a soda - now that is laid back!

 

[Aero Denezol]

America is a proto-European state, but Europe is nothing like America, so naturally it feels different over there. They've been living on top of each other for a thousand years or more. They're pretty good at it. They drink every day and don't get drunk. And they use public transportation without being obnoxious. Nice and quiet bus rides.

Here people cherish their privacy and independence. Sometimes without realizing it. So what works so well over there, will not work well here. No matter what Bernie says, we will never be Norway. People love their luxuries too much. Even the biggest eco-conscious socialist liberals love to throw the God-Almighty Dollar around.

But whatever we might be here, for all our warts.. people are still willing to risk their lives to come here. So I'm thinking we do a lot of things the right way. At least, right for us.

 

[nwslopoke]

I'll never feel bad for owning and enjoying my collection of guns. I honestly don't know any gun laws in this particular part of Europe outside of I can't have or carry one. My hotel does have small safe though.

My perception could be 100% off and everyone is strapped. I'm not considering turning in my passport. I can say the food quality is tons better and public transportation is great just to name a few lessons we could benefit from outside the US. Not that I would trade either of those for the 2A. I could grow my own food. By the way, KFC, McDonald's, Burger King and I saw a Popeye's chicken with a line out the door in 27 degree weather.

 

[trevi]

I'd love to catch a race at the Brno GP circuit. I don't know if any major class still races there. And I love my CZ pistols.

There is a small storefront at the factory if you make it there. Cannot miss the factory as the train rolls past the high barbed wires. Friendly bunch and gorgeous ladies!

 

[Certaindeaf]

Remember the rule though.. if you lie and say you're canadian you have to go to hell.

 

[clanhanson]

I've traveled all over the world and have never once been armed. I've only felt unsafe once but that's because we drunkenly stumbled into a back alley in Berlin at 3 a.m.... but we ended up singing "Too Fat for Me" with a few locals while relieving ourselves against a brick wall. Knowing at least a bit of the local language goes a long way towards their perception of you as a tourist.

 

[Provincial]

My wife and I toured Germany and Eastern Europe in September. Never once felt insecure. Everyone was polite, and generally friendly.

Our son is attending University in Berlin, so we had a local guide for over a week. That was much more fun than the guided bus tour.

One thing that struck me was that these post-Soviet satellite countries have been hard at work catching up with the prosperity of the West. There is a lot of new construction, and it seems well done. No one seemed to long for the "good old days."

 

[JuglansRegia]

Violent crime rates are actually very low in most slavic countries, except Russia.

 

[WAYNO]

My original post was rhetorical. I do not really expect you to research European history for me.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Howard1955]

I'm noting, I did not see signs of traditional homeless people here. I've ridden the train through obviously lower income areas to the upscale areas. Even the main train station. I saw three individuals with cups at their feet and this is a big city. Plenty of street performers at Charles Bridge and that area.

As far as pictures, that's my wife's area. I only have a few on the main road that leads to the castle about a mile away.

View attachment 1777756 View attachment 1777760

Nice!

Pretty sure I'd like to have a castle or two.

 

[nwslopoke]

Okay, ask the locals a question for me...

Do folks in Prague consider themselves ethnically, German, Bohemian, or Czech?

This is a serious question. My family is German, from Bohemia when Bohemia was part of Germany. But Prague is the old capital of Bohemia. And my DNA comes up heavily German and East European.

How confusing European history is.

And thank you Ellis Island.

Enjoy your vacation!

Let me get back to you on that one. The one's that can answer that are a little less chatty. So, was your momma German or really Czech?

Ironically, there is a big building sporting a German flag down the road. I assume it to be the German Embassy.

Thanks for the support. It's my wife's birthday and she's the guide on this one. The pizza is really good, too. All you can eat and no gas or heartburn.