This afternoon, I scampered downtown to find a copy of Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom among Prague’s multi-language book stores. As it turned out, none of the usual suspects had it on the shelves, but I managed to track down a copy at a curious little place called The Academic Bookstore, where they wrapped up the book in paper and taped it shut (??):
Anyway, here are some of the things I saw while securing my little ‘literary parcel’:
Please do not disturb or startle this delicate creature, or we will be forced to remove the installation.*
In search of a swanky double entendre, this establishment obliviously wound up at a somewhat nauseating triple entendre.
Prague’s Saddest Building: The Kotva Shopping Centre was quite literally an international tourist sensation when it opened, in part owing to its unique honeycomb shape. Its shelves were often half-empty during the waning years of Socialism, though, and it has been since upstaged by more modern shopping malls that have the advantage of looking like they might actually be enjoyable to spend time in.
I normally don’t start clubbing in the middle of the day, but this Elektro place just looked too awesome to pass up. Until I realized what kind of ‘Elektro’ they’re talking about:
Multi-lingual signs at Tesco:
Galanterie, or haberdashery? I’ll take one of each, please.
Finally, remember when I warned about the coming of Dork Season? Well, it’s September, and here we are…
* Seriously, though: what is going on here?