eastern europe forever

It must bring no joy to the formerly socialist nations if economic prosperity has not been the reward for joining the EU....

Plato says the dog is a philosophical animal.  It is friendly to those it knows, and barks at strangers.  The vratnice continues to be the most philosophical of university employees.

After a convoluted ten minute conversation with the door keepers in a neighboring tower block,
I learned that I could not wash my clothes there.

I had crossed the courtyard from my own building to the neighboring tower block, carrying two bags stuffed with dirty clothing----and that scarcely exhausts my store of dirty clothing.

After being mis-identified as a hotel guest who had come to play cards, and repeating my original request (I'd like to wash my clothes), I faced the question "Now?".

Errr, well I was toting two bags full of dirty clothes.......

I was told that the washing machines were broken, and I would have to retrace my steps and proceed to another tower block where the washing machines were functional.

That word, "Now?" rings in my ears.

Because once I had arrived at the tower block with working washing machines, I was given a reservation for two washing machines in an hour and a half.

I apologize to Czech friends for whom I have respect and affection, but I am sorry to say that as long as washing machines are rationed in this way, I shall continue to think of the Czech Republic as Eastern Europe.  (And it is irrelevant to point out, as a student once did, that every family in the Czech Republic has a washing machine.  What good does that do me?  Why should I be living at a level of less comfort than the local population?  Because I am a teacher?  Because I am a foreigner?--is that how guests are treated?)

I know that there is nothing intrinsic to the "east" which makes a location poorer.  However, when it is so difficult to simply wash my clothes----and I'll be paying for it anyway----I cannot regard the local standards as acceptable.  It's just too much of a hassle.

Note:
A curiosity:  In the tower block which mainly houses local students the washers cost half as much as the washers in the tower blocks which house mainly foreigners.  But, more than that, I object chiefly to the very fact that my employer is making money from my need to simply wash my clothes.