Note From Prague...
Back to my room after a delightful walk through Prague's narrow streets, exploring and getting lost, admiring and imaging of what Prague was like when Franz Kafka was walking these streets... It is evident from the plush and diverse architecture that this city has had an adventurous past. Overwhelmed with hidden stories, intrigues and dark corners, this jewel untangles her limps stretching gracefully, smiling sarcastically to the visitor who's trying to escape her tempting embrace...
I have been to Prague before and I very much absorbed this explosion of the senses. Even on this brief visit I'm trying to move away from the favored tourist spots, which are unfortunately to some degree slightly repellent! But you don't have to move very far to get away from this scene of exploitation and cheapening of this cultural residue, and really enjoy the amazing Prague atmosphere. After 300 years under the Austrians, 6 years under the Nazis and 41 years of Communism the locals have perfected the Kafka Catch technique, which dictates of putting your victim into an endless cycle, a slow-churning vortex from which there is no escape...
For this matter there is a statue dedicated to Kafka not too far from the hotel. I had dinner across from this statue this evening... a local medley of rabbit, potatoes, sauerkraut and pilsner... did you know that Pilsner was invented in Czech? Indeed back in 1842, for what it's worth coming from a non beer drinker, it's quite tasty...
Back to the statue dedicated to Kafka... it's a hollow suit, an empty man, no head, hands or legs... but carrying a little guy on it shoulders.
What is more indicative of this city is that it's perched between a church and a Spanish Synagogue facing a giant While Stiletto pump statue with Botticelli's Venus painted inside of it... amazing...
And there I was sitting outside with a cigarette on one hand and a pilsner on the other talking about Kafka... right in the middle of the jewish quarter, a stone throw away from Prague's "Rhodeo drive" populated with all my favorite stores, Hermes, LV, Prada etc... a total jactaposition to the whole atmosphere in these streets that Kafka wondered and dreamed his master pieces...
My fascination with Kafka is primarily for his intrinsic qualities. He somehow managed to create a vibrant narrative scene, extremely close to a recognizable reality, but at the same time it touches on all sorts of unspoken and unrealized fears and perceptions. Kafka manages to combine the real and the surreal, the actual and the miscasting. A fascinating affair, which creates all kinds of questions...
I have been to Prague before and I very much absorbed this explosion of the senses. Even on this brief visit I'm trying to move away from the favored tourist spots, which are unfortunately to some degree slightly repellent! But you don't have to move very far to get away from this scene of exploitation and cheapening of this cultural residue, and really enjoy the amazing Prague atmosphere. After 300 years under the Austrians, 6 years under the Nazis and 41 years of Communism the locals have perfected the Kafka Catch technique, which dictates of putting your victim into an endless cycle, a slow-churning vortex from which there is no escape...
For this matter there is a statue dedicated to Kafka not too far from the hotel. I had dinner across from this statue this evening... a local medley of rabbit, potatoes, sauerkraut and pilsner... did you know that Pilsner was invented in Czech? Indeed back in 1842, for what it's worth coming from a non beer drinker, it's quite tasty...
Back to the statue dedicated to Kafka... it's a hollow suit, an empty man, no head, hands or legs... but carrying a little guy on it shoulders.
What is more indicative of this city is that it's perched between a church and a Spanish Synagogue facing a giant While Stiletto pump statue with Botticelli's Venus painted inside of it... amazing...
And there I was sitting outside with a cigarette on one hand and a pilsner on the other talking about Kafka... right in the middle of the jewish quarter, a stone throw away from Prague's "Rhodeo drive" populated with all my favorite stores, Hermes, LV, Prada etc... a total jactaposition to the whole atmosphere in these streets that Kafka wondered and dreamed his master pieces...
My fascination with Kafka is primarily for his intrinsic qualities. He somehow managed to create a vibrant narrative scene, extremely close to a recognizable reality, but at the same time it touches on all sorts of unspoken and unrealized fears and perceptions. Kafka manages to combine the real and the surreal, the actual and the miscasting. A fascinating affair, which creates all kinds of questions...
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