Sat 29.Jul.2023
Prague, CZ
Imagery May/Jun 2023
I'm typing this in an upscale cafe/bar in Bratislava's increasingly gentrified
old town. When I was first here, this was a rambling old used book store - rich in character, but
never going to make any money.
Lack of money may not have mattered much at the turn of the century, when the derelict old town
was not a money place. Since then, the neighborhood has been through charming recovery, gentrification,
and - increasingly - corporate exploitation.
So why am I here tonight, if it is expensive and has horrible music? Comfortable chairs! And
the ghost of that rambling used book shop. And earbuds - I can hear my own music!
(Tonight I have Weather Report on shuffle.)
Tonight's theme is sign spotting in Prague a few weeks ago.
Bless their hearts, whoever maintains this dog bar by the river in the hot season!
AFAIK open to any passing dogs who choose.
Fifth of May School
Probably commemorates something important in Czech history.
Later: I looked it up - the Prague Uprising against the Nazi occupation. Nothing to do with Cinco de Mayo.
Prague itself has evolved a bit over the years. When I was first here, a weed shop would
have been unthinkable.
Now the west end of the Charles Bridge is besieged by them.
Amidst it all, old school class still holds its own!
At the Three Golden Lions
Do I go to Europe to eat Mexican? Do shrimps whistle?
Still, my apartment came with discount coupons for some neighborhood restaurants, so I gave
these guys a try. Don't try to order in Spanish (the nice young waiter was Ukrainian), but the
food was satisfying, and recognizably Mexican.
I was always one of those engineering types for whom money matters seem like a black art.
Payments
I suspect this really means something other than Hypothetical Bank.
A misleadingly familiar word Limonady. It needn't have any lemons at all!
Fruit punch is more the meaning of it.
I'm sure it goes great with
those burgery burritos!
I never ate at this chain fast food - just thought the signage was colorful.
Decide for yourself how authentic a "Kick Ass Burrito" (in English) is likely to be. :)
My frst visit to this much-less touristed neighborhood. I am no smoker, but the shop looks
cool.
If this were literature, not a blog, there would be Profound Symbolism in the juxtaposition
of the smoke shop and the pharmacy.