Marlboro Man adverts, not seen for over a decade in the west are shown in cinemas. It's not all doom and gloom. In respect to other post-communist countries, Czech Republic seems to have adapted better than most of it's neighbours to drastically new economic and political upheavals. Prague is still one of the most richly endowed cultural cities in the world. Theatre, art and music is still thriving.
Unemployment is still low.
The public transport system is still unnervingly cheap and efficient. But there is no denying a pervading sense of regret that an opportunity was missed. Perhaps the bitterest pill revolves around the word 'freedom'. For decades the Czechs found motivation and purpose in the belief that perhaps one day, communism would go away and they would have their freedom back. Now it has gone and the freedom they so craved is here and all that has happened is that an old set of problems has been replaced by a new set.