Every now and then, we meet extraordinary people who change the way we view things.
My mother told me of a lovely Czech couple who had visited our restaurant one day, telling me how much they loved the food and even made their own kimchi at home. A few days later, we got an email from them – Gabriela and Jan – thanking my mom for the experience and inviting us to their home for Christmas.
When my parents and I went to Gabriela and Jan's house on Christmas Day, we could already see Gabriela peeking out the window waiting for us. She came outside to greet us with such a warm and welcoming smile - something I haven't seen much of in Prague. As we stepped in to their cozy house, we noticed an A4 sheet taped on their entrance door written: "Welcome our dear Korean guests!" with a Korean and Czech flag printed below. Looking at that sign really made me think a lot – of the times when my family was not so welcomed by the Czechs... of the times when I used to think negatively of the locals... of the times I really dreaded this country. That sheet of paper was the first act of my past preconceptions being challenged and proven wrong this day.
Just as I thought things couldn't get any sweeter and cozier, we entered the dining room that was covered with all sorts of framed photographs, postcards, and artwork. On the dining table were decorations and beautiful Czech blue onion porcelain plates, with a printed out menu informing us what we were about to eat and drink. Yes, they had even prepared a menu for us. So many good vibes before we even started eating!
The 3-course traditional Czech meal Jan had cooked for us consisted of a delicious fish soup, smoked ham in plum sauce with dumplings, and baked goods with tea and coffee. The hearty meal alone could have satisfied my first real Czech Christmas experience, but what really touched my heart this day was Gabriela and Jan's kindness and openness to my family. Just to remind you, these are people my mom has only met once at her restaurant. By no means where they obliged to open up their house to us nor show us such generous hospitality. There were times when I just leaned back and watched as Jan shared his stories from the WWII with my dad, and as Gabriela and my mom exchanged conversations about learning Czech over a cup of tea. The moments were so beautiful, and I was so grateful and hopeful.
At the end of the day, Gabriela bid us farewell with big hug saying "I love you, come back whenever." This was my family's first Christmas meal at a Czech house since we moved here 21 years ago, and it certainly will be a Christmas I will remember for a very long time. Děkujeme.