Being Visible

Yesterday was supposed to be another cold and rainy day. We decided on a marathon shopping spree. Instead of “Lions and Tigers and Bears” we were after “Crystal and Garnets and Beads”. Our tour books pointed to a plethora of shopping opportunities around the metro stop called, “Namesti Republiky”. There was a 5 story Pavillion mall and a huge Kotva department store. The mall is about 80% clothing especially aimed at 20 something’s. The top of the mall is a food court.

While the gals were scrutinizing the third floor for deals, they had yet to find any, I was checking out food opportunities. After making the food loop, I found a toilet (WC) and started heading that way. As I scanned another café, I was stunned to see a woman nursing a baby. This was not some discreet and natural act. She sat there proudly among chatting men and women, smoking and drinking lattés, her sweater rolled up above her shoulders, think neck tube top, as she nursed her baby.

I quickly averted my eyes, picked up my pace, and headed into the men’s room. Suddenly as I was fiddling with my zipper I looked up and saw a sexy young woman with a small camera getting ready to film me. Beside her was a shy young girl ready to laugh at what she was seeing. I looked around the entire room and found nearly a dozen young women, some with rulers, some scowling, but most simply, playfully watching the men, all the while the men simply stared back. Lucky for me these are full sized posters, positioned around the room. Feeling like a deviate, I pulled out my camera and shot the scene (see slide show).

Interesting scenes in the mall include a Czech fascination with western themes. I’m talking

about horses, old buck-boards, bales of hay, signs proclaiming “Angus” meats. One place proudly had several full sized horses nestled among coffee drinkers, each black horse sporting a lampshade over their head. Even stranger the lamps not only weren’t on but were non-functional. Perhaps the horses that pull the carriages all over the old town get together each night for a pub crawl of their own.

After we left the mall, we wandered down the twisty cobblestoned streets looking for the mythical store that sells cheap Czech glass. We did find a wonderful store that sells fine Czech garnets. Linda found the perfect ring. She stated, “this could the first of many such adornments!”

We staggered home, happy, and content with most of our crowns (currency) intact.