There are two sides to every story, and this is my side. At the language center where I briefly worked:
* I was told by the owner that I was "pathetic". I was scolded and sternly lectured by the woman in the language center lobby -- in front of staff, students and God -- that I was "paid to teach the book" and that I was "not doing it" based on the testimony of her 8-year-old son. This scolding came on the night before my last day -- I had given two weeks notice in writing.
* I had an unnecessarily heated battle with the owner to get my pay of $333 for 90 hours work --she wanted to withhold money to pay for bills that she didn't show me or didn't have yet; she tried to evict me on the spot and demand I leave her apartment in my pajamas in 25-degree F weather; and then she tried to physically prevent me from getting my clothes, eye medicine, laptop and suitcase, and threatened to call the police on me at least five times.
* Bottom line: I got the full pay I demanded, never saw the police, and never saw any of the bills she said I owed. I left the apartment at my leisure after packing.
* I was told by one of my classes that the language center in Kety goes through foreign teachers like tissues. I know of four teachers who have left or are leaving ... in the past three months. Two of them worked less than a week.
* During my more than three weeks in Poland, I never saw a work permit or work visa; I never saw medical insurance papers or a contract to teach; I never had a medical exam or physical before teaching; and I never got an invitation for my wife to come to Poland. The owner promised these, then told me during our last-day confrontation over pay that she was going to tear up all of my papers and put them "in the waste bin." I'm not so sure they existed but if they did, I never saw them.
* Three business owners in town made disparaging comments about the owner -- unsolicited -- when I told them where I worked. Uh-oh.
Why do I bring all of this up? Well, readers were confused by my last blog. Can't have that. Most important, I want to warn other teachers about this Kety, Poland, language center (no way I'll use the word "school" because teaching is discouraged. It's all about reading, reciting, translating. There's no understanding). Also, I want to clear my name as a TEFL teacher. I believe the students in Kety liked me and my style of teaching. I'll miss them. I don't recall picking any (or many) fights in my life, but I'll sure as hell defend myself when attacked. I believe I was attacked in Poland.
* * *
I'm relaxing in Prague after the ordeal in Poland, enjoying the incredible beauty of the city, eating the fantastic food (except for the filling dumplings), drinking the varied selections of beer, and interacting with the lovely people. In my view, eastern Europeans can be a little distant and grumpy at first, but once the ice is broken, they're open and giving (and the girls are pretty, too, but not as pretty as Vietnamese women). I feel very comfortable and safe here, and I want to bring my wife and daughter Joanna for a visit one day.
The downside of living like King Charles IV in Prague is that I've gone through all of my money in a short period of time. Phuong and I get a big laugh about this when we talk on Skype.
One thing about eastern Europe is that getting your laundry done at hotels is stupid expensive -- the Lindner Hotel in Prague and the Hotel Restauracja Piwnica Rycerska in Kety both wanted about $200 U.S.D. to wash six pairs of socks, three t-shirts, one dress shirt, three pairs of undies, a pair of shorts and a pair of pants. My laundry didn't fill either hotel laundry bag. The staff at both hotels looked horrified when I said forget it. I put my clothes and detergent in the toilet, flushed 15 times and hung up my clothes in the room. Or something like that.
Like Poland, I find food the biggest bargain in Prague -- it's quality, cheap and plentiful. I got prosciutto (ham) and Halloumi (goat and sheep milk cheese) and provolone, fruit (apples, oranges, blueberries and strawberries), two yogurts, and Ciabatta olivova (a crispy, delicious olive bread) all for about $12 U.S. Beer is cheap as well. I got a large Sv. Norbert Weizenbock Dunkel (outstanding) for $3.50 U.S. This is a seasonal craft beer made on the premises. I also got the smoked porter, aged in oak barrels with an infusion of Big Peat Whisky. Smoked porter isn't for everyone, but this is a special beer in the White Monkey's opinion.
My sightseeing has been limited due to sickness (and beer), but I wandered into old town yesterday, and visited the Eiffel Tower copy the day before. I'll visit the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle later. A good friend suggested some great places to visit, but my energy level is low at the moment and I'm quite focused on getting home to Phuong and Joanna. I'll sign off to all my readers by saying: Wish you were here! Marc, Jemma, Lacimae, Mollirose: I miss you chuckleheads a lot. Although our contact is quite limited, I miss all my children in the U.S.
Phuong and Joanna -- you know I miss you horribly and I'll be home in a few days. Yea!
Phuong and Joanna -- you know I miss you horribly and I'll be home in a few days. Yea!
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