February 2010

The public transport was one of the first things that fascinated when I first came to Prague. What I liked particularly were the trams, because I could watch the city life from their windows. Travelling along the embankments and climbing to Prague Castle onboard line 22 soon became my favourites. As time went by, though, I realised that riding the tram in Prague may not always be an idyll. I first saw the light when I arrived home without my mobile phone and purse. Of course, pickpockets exist in all major cities, and belong to the local colour in Czech towns too. Still, I began to see the mass transport through a slightly different pair of eyes.

I soon realised that not only pickpockets but also homeless individuals have become part of the public transport system. Each of you who has ever ridden a tram in winter will recall the displeasing odour spreading through the car, forcing all the passengers to crowd in the farthest corner. I might understand that homeless people who have nowhere to wash stink. But it soon became obvious that smells do not stem from them only; others stink too. I’m not saying everyone should be splashing their body with tonnes of luxury perfumes, but still I think everyone might want to observe some basic hygiene. That is why we have decided to make our feature article in this issue not about housing or design, but about perfumes and fragrances, because we believe Czechs still have a bit to learn in this area.

I wish you a nice reading and a fragrant February.