I just like it

A Sense for Cultivation and Aesthetic

 I have many reasons why I like the Netherlands, and this is one of them. 

 Kralingen Oost 

Among all the good things in the Netherlands, one detail I really appreciate is seeing ducks in the streets of Rotterdam, calmly swimming in streams without fear of people around them. There’s a natural harmony between animals and people. The environment is clean, green, and full of life. Swans nest peacefully, unbothered by people walking nearby or stopping to watch. This shows a deep sense of culture and social awareness in Dutch society. I believe Dutch social behavior is on a very high level, partly because people in the Netherlands have a strong and respectful relationship with nature. The lush green spaces around the country reflect this intelligence and peacefulness. Their cultural and social connection to the environment contributes to overall happiness—because living in vibrant, green surroundings is a very different experience from a grey, lifeless reality. For me, the Kralingen area in Rotterdam is a perfect example. Then there’s Zuiderpark—an area full of greenery. In the summer, it often turns into a space for daily barbecues and gatherings, where people connect and build community. It’s a place where you’ll see smiles from people of all skin colors. On another side of the city, you’ll find Essenburgpark—a special nature reserve dedicated to preserving green space in Rotterdam. The level of development in the Netherlands—both in infrastructure and economy—is impressive. But just as impressive is the cultural and social approach to green environments. You can see this in how ducks and swans live freely and peacefully even in big cities like Rotterdam. All of this shows that Dutch social behavior is very advanced. And when people say that Czechs are often seen as toxic or aggressive, I wonder why it is that in no other country from Germany to proper Western Europe do we see this same deep care for the environment as we do in the Netherlands. It highlights a contrast—because in Czechia, it’s much harder to find the kind of environmental care and harmony that’s considered normal in Dutch cities

Blushing

 Now, more EU countries are introducing temporary border controls. After Italy and Germany, France has followed, and by December 2024, the Netherlands will also be among the EU countries implementing temporary controls. I see these temporary border controls as a reasonable response to current issues—especially due to the ongoing war, which increases the risk of tensions and potential threats from individuals who may attempt to destabilize Western European countries through attacks. However, I don’t see these temporary controls as a real solution to the underlying reasons they exist. For example, there are internal EU issues that are not publicly acknowledged, even though they are being used (or have been used) as part of broader, possibly politically motivated strategies—especially in Central European countries. These controls may, unofficially, also be related to such internal tensions. Take the post-COVID period, for example. When the pandemic was ending, and the economic strategies linked to COVID seemed to be failing, there appeared to be efforts to further suppress the economies of some Central European countries. This continued for months in 2021—before the war started in early 2022. In many ways, it all feels like part of a plan that negatively affects Western Europe as well. Even though there are no official statements about the problems in more eastern EU countries, I believe that people in Western Europe are aware of them. For example, I can’t ignore the fact that Western Europeans seemed to understand or react to the problems I experienced in an Eastern EU country. Their responses—especially from proper Western Europe—were interesting, as they showed more awareness of the situation than I had realized. In fact, I witnessed more empathy and concern from UK drum and bass artists, comments from a UK girl, and reactions from everyday people in Germany. Those moments made me realize that the problems I was facing were probably worse than I thought. Even my own perception may have been wrong. The events of 2023 made that clear—not just to me, but to others as well—as things deteriorated in Europe due to oppressive and toxic individuals. I believe that if there are no official efforts to address internal EU issues, then temporary border controls are not a real solution. I do believe that the EU is trying to fix things, but something is still not working. And yes—there are still no official statements. Some people say these temporary controls go against the idea of the EU. But it’s worth noting that in some EU countries where border controls are not being implemented, there is a higher level of anti-EU sentiment than in the countries that have introduced them. In some of these anti-EU countries, you can also see a clear lean toward socialism or ideologies similar to what Putin may want to spread across Europe. You could argue that a majority of UK citizens now believe Brexit was a failure. The statistics about how people in the UK feel the economic impact of Brexit are quite striking—the feeling of rising prices in everyday shopping is just one example. If we ignore internal EU issues for a moment and talk instead about issues related to non-EU migrants, then yes—the EU seems to be failing at managing its external borders effectively. There should be a better control system for EU external borders. But the reality is, there’s a war going on, and everything is getting worse—perhaps more so than any potential improvements from stronger EU border controls. A lot of people now say that it all looks like a coordinated effort against the EU. But I don’t believe it’s really about being against the EU. There are real issues that can be temporarily managed with short-term solutions—but these temporary measures are not addressing the root causes of the problems they’re meant to handle

The Slavic Slang

“Grass” is slang for marijuana 

 I thought about why I see the full legalization of THC in Czechia as a bad idea—and I have some additional thoughts on this. One of the main arguments for THC legalization is the idea that, like in the Netherlands, we could use THC to relax after work. But honestly, this argument is one of the main reasons why I don’t support legalizing THC in Czechia. I don’t understand why anyone would need a joint or a bong just to relax after a job. It’s a foolish idea—needing a drug as a form of mental relaxation after work. There are so many healthier ways to relax after work that don’t destroy brain cells. But the kind of person who doesn’t see any value in those healthy activities ends up choosing something that numbs and drains the brain. It’s like their mind is already so dulled that they don’t even consider real, restorative activities—and instead go for something that only kills more brain cells. I find it hard to accept the idea of using THC after work, especially when the person already lacks awareness of good, healthy ways to relax and recharge. Maybe if THC stays illegal, some people might actually look for better alternatives—ones that are good for their mental and physical health. In that way, keeping THC illegal could encourage people to explore healthier paths. Besides, alcohol is already available in Czechia for post-work relaxation—and that’s part of the reason why the country ranks so high in both alcohol and THC use. And that’s despite the fact that THC is still technically illegal. If it were legalized, THC abuse would only become worse. Czechia also ranks high in hard drug use. You won’t find countries between Germany and Western Europe where injection drug equipment is as easily accessible or as common in public spaces as it is in Czech cities. In some parts of Czechia, drug use is everywhere. It seems like there’s not enough intellectual or cultural engagement to support healthier ways of living—and so drugs become the default for relaxation. I’ve also spoken before about the term “Zapekat”—a slang word in some Slavic cultures that refers to a kind of mental numbness or dazed state caused by THC. It’s that spaced-out, blank-staring-into-the-wall kind of vibe that some people actually find appealing. To me, it’s an unhealthy and mind-numbing activity that many Slavic THC users seem to aspire to. I won’t get into the COVID-era predictions or the societal reactions again—I’ve written enough about that—and everyone who understands already knows. I also touched on this in my poetic piece “The Red Flash in the Moonlight.” And of course, many know who sides with Putin-Russia and who voted for the red frauds. Rather than turning to drugs after work, wouldn’t it be better to invest that time in something like learning English? It’s a clear sign of the difference between countries like Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands—where speaking English is normal—and Czechia, where many people barely understand why they should learn it at all. They don’t know what’s happening in the world, and that ignorance creates even more distance. There will never be better living conditions, better jobs, or more income if people keep betraying reality. And this is exactly why THC is legal in the Netherlands: because there’s a level of maturity required for responsible recreational use. But daily THC use after work? That’s not “recreational”—that’s addiction. Just like daily or near-daily alcohol consumption is alcoholism, I believe the same applies to THC. And truthfully, alcoholism is already a serious issue in Czechia.