Prague Porn Profiteers

Ah, Praha.

More than a few hours in this city and you know why they say Pra-ha-- because it rhymes with a-ha! Not "Prague", as we say in our hacking tongue, likening it more to a bowel movement. Survey says in a Praha vs. Wien wrestling match, the former wins garter straps down. Pourquoi, you ask? Perhaps it is the ability to laugh, the whimsical acceptance of sensuality (dude, have you like, READ Kundera?) or the haunting intricacies of its streets (Ibid, Kafka?). Whatever the case, they let that wall rip on down and embraced the free market like oh so many dimpled teddy bears. Yo Jorge--thumbs up for this place!

Just for Bohemian kicks, let's back up a minute to earlier Vienna Slutiness analysis. Whereas Vienna had a Starbucks-in-Manhattan quality to its lingerie stores, Praha seems to have a disquieting dirth! Disquieting, for is it not reputed to be a porn capital in current times? Oui. There is no explanation for the fact that bras and undies are hidden back near the changing room, or that they are all your granny-with-suspenders type, displayed next to flannel night shirts. Yack! Passing windows on the streets of Vienna is an endless row of plush bellied mannequins with garters gallore; Praha only offers hideous items from your after the weekend, day-before-laundry pickings. As I remove my smoking pipe and stroke my chin, here is my summation:

Vienna:
Fascism + Classical Music Stars x 1000= Suspiciously Beautiful Lingerie/
Uptightness = Uptight but Kinky and Generally Not Fun People

Prague:
Spooky architecture + history of being invaded by Crazies + embarrassing Prague Rock= Populist Centered Culture/ Whatever= Totally Fun People

In other words-- as any good Catholic girl knows-- oppression makes life more fun.



Having visited this dear old-souled city in February 2001, Mitchissmo here has some interesting observations: higher prices, graftier servers and a nonchalant overtaking of Canada's outsourcing of Hollywood filming locations. But what the hell-- you can't really shoot King Arthur doing martial arts in Winnipeg.

Another observo: there are fewer Americans. Ah, almighty dollar, how ye fall! Is this W's plan to discourage his Citizen children from visiting other countries, and hence seeing how great it might be NOT to be an American? Hmm. Me thinks yes, and me thinks NO. All Daddy Dubya has to say do is point out how hard it is to get a Wi-fi connection in other parts of the world. THAT sux. Forget it-- as long as I can Google at anytime I don't mind not having health care. And, like, SO many people in Europe don't even HAVE their own computer. Must be because they don't get to have as many credit cards as we do. I mean, come on! Freedom is being able to borrow from the future and screw your future self (coming soon in February-- SOCIAL SECURITY OVERHAUL!!!). Any fool knows the future is always better than the present. It's unknown, for cryin' out loud! Welcome to the unkownn APR!
Pszvttt! (the sound of ripping open Credit Card Offer Numero Thity-nine)