Communism and banana splits.

I could go on for hours on Communism. I think I have refrained from endless entries dedicated to the subject because well, that is all we talk about. It is fascinating. Scary, absurd, and pervasive, it ravages countries socially, economically, and politically. Although its original intention was good, it is a prime example of an idea that should stay on paper. But, it didn't. It spanned throughout all of Russia and reached its ugly arm into Central and Eastern Europe. It even split Germany in two. Living in a post communist country is an interesting experience. I am just going to give a small list of facts, highlights, and experiences that I have had. It will be expanded upon more when I have more time, and definitely after I visit the communist museum this Thursday.

1. In Prague, the largest statue of Stalin was built atop a hill looking over the city from the North. A monument erected in 1955 watched the people of Prague's every move. It was obscenely large (and expensive). The Stalin regime denounced by Kruschev, the statue just had to go. After seven years, it finally did--but not without a fight. Packed with explosives, it was detonated, but merely jumped a little into the air. It took several tries and eventually the monstrosity was destroyed and its pieces scattered in forests throughout the countryside. Imagine being watched by Stalin wherever you went. Creepy.



2. Another communist statue was built atop Zizcov Hill. Behind the equestrian statue, there stood a mausoleum where many prominent communists were buried. To attempt to create a facade of eternal life and thus the eternal strength of communism--several prominent leaders were mummified and put on display for people to visit and pay tribute to. The communists always with their big plans and even bigger failures...The guys started to decay a bit and emergency reparations were done and visiting times limited. This continued till they came to terms with impermanence and cremated the poor guys...ridiculous.

3. Prague looks beautiful from above. The deep terracotta rooftops, green spires of churches, pastel faces of buildings, large metal tower...oh wait...NO. Communism has a great way of ruining everything--even photo ops. Along the Prague skyline you eye draws to the ridiculous large tv tower in the distance that is metallic and has strange boxes attached to its side. It really matches the whole architectural style of the city. It was one of many tv towers built throughout the soviet bloc countries to remind people, without any stylistic substance, of the power of communism.



4. Here is a hotel. A wretchedly ugly one, in regular communist fashion. If having a view of the site of Stalin's statue wasn't enough, it was later found out that this upscale hotel was bugged. Communism knew all.



5. During communism, bananas weren't allowed to be imported into the country. They were only brought in by the regime on days of festival--a little treat for the poor proletariat. Like a caged monkey. It must be hard to undergo such oppression with a potassium deficiency.