20. The Locked Door Conundrum

My wife and I were standing in the hallway of our building in our slippers and lounge wear. We were locked out and my wife had been trying to call a locksmith for an hour. Nobody else in the building was home at the moment. I was very upset and grumpy.

I am mostly upset about being locked out, which is a huge inconvenience. Although, this instance is more annoying than usual. The door of a typical Czech flat is pretty much the same as the door of a typical British flat. That means that when you close the door behind you, it is locked and you need a key to get back in. The difference is that in my house in England we had a side door that was always unlocked. Therefore, if we accidentally stepped out without our key, we could always get back in. here in Prague, and so I had quite

making sure my keys were in my pocket when I left the flat. That is, except for today. So I was really angry because I had for just a moment.

I was grumpy because we had been trying to contact a locksmith for an hour with no luck. Finally Emma had to leave to be on time to pick up the kids, and I continued trying to contact someone. Finally I put away my phone and thought about all of the new obsessions I have developed since moving to Prague.

Aside from the door thing, I am also constantly checking my wallet on public transport. This is due to the talented pickpockets we are constantly warned about. I have also a crazed

looking both ways before crossing the street, even at the zebra crossing. The Czechs drive aggressively, and I reckon it’s

I suppose it’s all part of living in a new culture.

After Emma and the kids got back, a chap called Standa came across us sitting in the hall and helped us out. It turns out he is the building manager. We were so appreciative to be back in our flat that we invited him in for a beer.