There is nothing crazy about this whatsoever, the Czech govt is unstable politically. People shouldn't be making fun of this statement, which is true, instead of discussing political reality. No one has even mentioned the facts and the Czech govt and elections, etc., which no doubt is what the person's friend had heard, at least they are listening or reading the news.

That doesn't have anything to do with something that should make a tourist afraid, though, so that's the problem -- they couldn't remember what was being said, probably. It's about politics, just like one could say the US govt was unstable before the elections, and even now.

The Czech govt. has problems in economy and reforms, the prior govt left a huge deficit, and there are competing parties for power. The prime minister hasn't even been able to put together a stable cabinet (the last one resigned after five weeks) after the election last June. I don't even know what the current situation is, I know the Social Democrats has some deadline for him to work with them for participation and then I'm not sure what will happen. That was just in the last day or two, although he promised a govt. by early Dec. but I don't think there is one.

Anyway, there is nothing crazy about the idea that their is political instability in the CR, but that doesn't mean there are riots or danger or how that is getting translated in thought in this thread. I know there are some budget problems, and it isn't even clear if they will be able to adopt the euro by 2010, as they were planning, because of economic problems. All of this is periodically in the international news and media (eg., Economist, NY Times, etc.) However, all of this is not something to do with things that should both a tourist's vacation there.

I was in Prague in January. Don't miss it. Shrug off all panhandlers in the train station.

"The freaky traveler was like that's close to the war zone."

Cristina, You don't think that's strange?

I agree with you that the person who said "it's unstable" may have been referring to the govt, but she also said "I wouldn't go there." As you pointed out, many governments are unstable, but that has no effect on tourists unless there is violence. If we stayed away from every country that has an "unstable" government (how about England? France?) we wouldn't be traveling much.

I would agree that the US government is quite unstable. I mean Nancy Pelosi is third in line for the Presidency, talk about a sea change if she suddenly became President.

Schuler - I'm intrigued by your comment. Is this just your generalisation or a fact that can be backecd up by something that was printed in a newspaper/man on the street interview on TV/poll? I have cousins from Switzerland that have a house in Ft. Myers and they just returned from Switzerland after being there for a couple of months. Your comment is pretty much plug n' play - i.e. insert any country for "the States" and any leader for "President Bush".

trafaelwyr: It is often claimed here in Europe that Americans don't understand irony.

Hi t:

I've been living in Switzerland for over 20 years. I originally come from the States.

I've had at least five people tell me over the last two years that they won't go to the US until a new president comes in. Before Bush, no one had ever said a comment like that to me before.

By the way, my replies are usually: The US is great to visit, just avoid talking politics.

>>>>>>
Many Swiss won't go to the States as long as President Bush is in office. They find the current political situation too "unstable."
I don't know if many Americans realize that.
>>>>>>

this statement just proves that no one side of the atlantic has a monopoly on ignorance, hysteria, and xenophobia.

but not all of us in europe are afraid to travel to america. some of us actually read the news and realise that the sky is not falling and things are actually quite stable. if it were really unstable, the world would not be investing in america at such a pace.

but it could be being said out of commercial intersts. the world tends to invest more in CH during times of instability so maybe these are bankers talking?

btw, i'm not trying to make any political statements, just putting this statement in context. it IS hysterical and silly. people need to question ignorance no matter which side of the atlantic it comes from.

W: Couldn't have said it better myself.

By the way, the comments were made by friends, students and just every day people.

Just like us.

>...the world tends to invest more in CH during times of instability so maybe these are bankers talking?<

We used to call them "the gnomes of Zurich".

For some reason, Rowling decided that Gringotts Bank would be run by Goblins. :)

((I))

The government in the region of the Czech Rep. has been unstable for hundreds of years. If that is what's scaring away someone from visiting there, I wouldn't bother holding your breath until it gets better! The only thing I would recommend is paying attention to terror threats, and staying away from the Jewish area during periods of high alert, since that is the area that is the most frequently targeted. Also, the metro & the airport. That city is far safer than many other destinations, though, so I wouldn't even bat an eyelash. ;;)

When I told people I was headed to Prague, I got a range of responses, but a majority of them included puzzlement or horror. Maybe it's a measure of the circles I travel in LOL, but lots of people had no idea where Prague is. Then when I explained that it is in the Czech Republic, formerly Czechoslavakia, people would get it confuzed with "Chechen Rebels" and wonder why I would go to such a dangerous place. Not that I'm a geography bee champion or anything, but...!

I don't know if this counts as unstable but last summer when we were in Prague we almost got trampled by the thousands of tourists funnelling through the 'pedestrian only' streets. It felt like we were in Pamplona with no running bull in sight!
There was this sense of panic & danger being caught in the middle of uncontrollably happy and loud tourists marching through Prague as they were lured & misled by the shop owners. My left hand grabbed a hold of my girlfriend to make sure we wouldn't get separated while my right hand made sure that my wallet was secure and remained unseparated. Yeah the danger of hazardous travelling through Prague that so many of us risk.

Todor - were they British?! ;-)