Czechast with Dušan Neumann

Dušan Neumann has a great story to share. Coming to New York in 1980 was definitely NOT like coming to the promised land.

Dušan Neumann working in New York|Photo: archive of Dušan Neumann

In 1980, New York was a city with mostly dysfunctional public services, a high crime rate, and corruption. It was not a very attractive place to stay even for a new immigrant from Communist Czechoslovakia:

"I must say I was disappointed. I expected it to be somethink like a belly-button of the world. In a way it was that but is looked also like a dump of the world."

Dušan Neumann during his expedition to Alaska in the 1970s|Photo: archive of Dušan Neumann

So, Dušan made his way to Tulsa, Oklahoma, of all places. Even though he had worked as a TV producer and reporter back in Czechoslovakia, in America he found work only washing cars in a shop specializing in vehicles imported from Europe. That turned out to be a lucky break, because the local mechanics struggled with technical documentation in the decimal rather than imperial units:

"The foreman asked me if I knew those f*****g millimeters. I said I grew up with them and got a real job as a mechanic.""

Eventually, Dušan moved to Pottsville, a small town in Pennsylvania, and found a typically Czech reason to stay:

Dušan Neumann (right) interviewing Henry Kissinger|Photo: archive of Dušan Neumann

"They have here the only American beer I can drink. It is called Yuengling and it is brewed about 300 yards from my house."

These days, Dušan splits his time between Czechia and America. And as I often do in Czechast, I asked him how he feels about his national identity:

"I would say that mentally I am more American. I got used to the life here and I still enjoy it."

Join us in this episode to hear more about Dušan's fascinating journey and the unique experiences of a Czech in America.

Dušan Neuman (in the centre) with Václav Havel|Photo: archive of Dušan Neumann