I placed an order on Bontonland.cz this morning. I buy things online quite often, so I’m used to the quick Click - Click - Thank you for your order process. I’m also used to receiving an email confirmation immediately after placing my order. You know, that email you get with your full order summary, your address and shipping information, payment details, sometimes even a link to track the progress of your order. It seems that everyone sends these emails. Even obscure Czech companies from which you would not expect much. Everyone except Bontonland. After placing my order, I waited and waited until finally I got a message titled “Potvrzeni zavazne objednavky 574598 / Firm order confirmation 574598 “, which contained a single line:

“Dekujeme Vam za provedenou objednavku zbozi 574598 v cene: 492 Kc”.
(Thank you for your order 574598 at the price of 492 Kc)

That’s what I call a no-nonsense order confirmation. Now I just have to remember what it was that I ordered.

The American coffeeshop chain Starbucks is finally coming to Prague! And I say, it is about time! No, I am not being ironic and I realize there are many of you who don’t get excited about the “stand in line and get your coffee to go in a paper cup” concept. All you Starbucks haters are probably dreading the moment the American monster opens its polished glass doors in the middle of Malá Strana and its sterile counters, plastic spoons and Wi-Fi slowly overtake our old world. To be honest, I don’t really care one way or another about Starbucks. I don’t mind it, I don’t need it. But there is one thing they make that I can’t get enough of: Mocha Frappuccino! If they bring it to Prague, my list of things to indulge in on my trips to the U.S. will be one item shorter. I know this is going to sound dumb and girly, but I am in fact really excited about having Starbucks’ heavenly, chocolatey concoction a tram ride away.

And here’s another piece of news. The first Starbucks location is to open in the space that has been used by Square restaurant on Malostranské náměstí. Looks like Square will have to find another square to move to. Too bad, but at least I won’t have far to go for coffee after I’m finished with my Subway sandwich.

Starbucks uvaří první kávu v Česku na konci ledna
Kavárny Starbucks budou mít v lednu premiéru v Praze
Cukrárna se přemění na první český Starbucks

Here’s an update: Czech Republic’s first Starbucks opened on January 18, 2008

Czech model enthusiasts get to work for Hollywood filmmakers
Patience and attention to detail pays off for passionate modelers.

‘Pâté vacations’ thing of the past for wealthier Czechs
Fewer Czechs bring their own food when traveling abroad.

Czech Egyptologists uncover intact 4,500 year-old tomb
Very rare find by Indiana Bareš and his team of experts (actually it’s Ladislav)

Model chanteuse sings pop lyrics
French-singing Iva Frühlingová has a new album out which includes two Czech songs.

I walked around Vyšehrad on Sunday and it was especially beautiful under snow. There were a lot of people there having a relaxing Sunday stroll. Kids were enjoying the fresh snow. Some even brought their saucers and were sliding down some hills in the park.

View toward the Church of Saints Peter & Paul (Chrám sv. Petra a Pavla)

St. Martin’s Rotunda (Rotunda sv. Martina) - the oldest preserved rotunda in Prague, built at the end of the 11th century

Explosive prank could spell prison for members of artistic group
On Czech TV, members of this group broadcast images of an atomic explosion in the Czech countryside.

NHL notebook
NHL games between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague? - look toward the bottom of page 1.

Czech scrap metal thieves get Darwin Award
Darwin Awards website - A chronicle of enterprising demises
As far as I can tell, the awards for 2007 have yet to be announced, but some Czechs have been nominated.

Number of Czech road fatalities increased in 2007 - police stats
In a previous post, I wrote about the new road rules that went into effect on July 1, 2006. Road transport fatalities dropped afterwards as drivers expected strict enforcement of the law, but it looks like fatalities in 2007 will end up close to what they were in 2005.