Letter from Prague | All stories

Even in the centre of Prague, among the busy traffic and swarms of people, there are patches of greenery and oases of wildlife. I like to take walks through the city and look for them, always wondering why on earth the poor animals have chosen to live in the noisy and dusty city rather than in the wild just a few kilometres away. Apart from the numerous parks, where one can see squirrels, rabbits as well as magpies, jackdaws and jays, there is another whole ecosystem - the river. Although its banks have been tamed between raised and paved embankments,

2003 marks something of a personal milestone for me - a decade since I left the country of my birth, Canada, which I love and will always consider my home, for my adopted country the Czech Republic, which I adore, especially the capital Prague, but also the forests and hills of Sumava, and the medieval city of Cesky Krumlov. Nevertheless, ten years is ten years, so it's probably not surprising lately I've caught myself thinking about what I miss most about Canada, something I was recently able to discuss with Martin Hrobsky, my fellow Canadian

Taking part in space flight simulation is not the only way to overcome gravity while remaining on earth. The other method is more accessible, a lot cheaper and involves getting wet. I'm talking here about the remarkable invention known as a floatation tank, which I recently experienced for the first time in the gorgeous spa town of Karlovy Vary.

Czechs don't smile. Ask anyone who comes to the Czech Republic for the first time what strikes them the most and that is the answer you'll get. Look around on the trams, buses, metros or on the streets of Prague and you'll think that the Czech people are not a happy nation.

Earlier this week, the Czech government survived a vote of confidence in the parliament. Its continuance was eventually confirmed by the narrowest possible margin of one vote. A drama? Well, not really, because the outcome was more or less expected. The ruling coalition demonstrated its unity and the opposition showed how tough they are with the government. Nothing but a political show, many would say.

The Czech Republic may be one of the most secular countries in Europe but when it comes to enjoying the Xmas or Easter holidays Czechs don't miss any of the fun. The Mardi Gras celebrations are another example of this. The festivities are supposed to precede a 40 day fast starting on Ash Wednesday - and although very few Czechs actually observe this religious tradition - they thoroughly enjoy the parades and dances that precede it. The Mardi Gras celebrations culminated at the beginning of this week and - tired of the gray winter months accompanied

In this week's Letter from Prague Martin Hrobsky looks at the "little differences" between the Czech Republic and his homeland Canada.

Recently an incredible story here in Prague made headlines throughout the Czech Republic and abroad, the story of a young man who went to remarkable lengths apparently just to have a good time. He posed as a government official, he forged official documents, all with one purpose in mind: to travel the world at the state's expense. And apparently it worked, at least for a while...

In two weeks, both houses of the Czech parliament will meet again to try and elect a new Czech president. Third time lucky, Czechs hope, as they are getting tired of all the haggling that accompanied the two previous unsuccessful attempts. If the third parliamentary session fails to produce a head of state, the legislators will start debate on a change in the constitution. Political parties, including those which used to dismiss referendums as "the rule of the street", are now saying a direct presidential vote is the answer.

I'd be very curious to know how many of you are familiar with the following word: dioptre. Any ideas? Well, dioptre is the measure of the strength of a lens, and whether you know the word may well depend on where you come from. I myself had never heard it before I came to this country ten years ago. In Ireland, where I come from, when you get a pair of glasses they just give you your glasses, they don't tell you that your right eye has a dioptre of minus three and your left a dioptre of minus three and a half, possibly imagining that this is specialist