On Substitute Teachers

Some teachers with little to no relationship with their students are still able to successfully command a classroom.

On Gun Control

" 'Guns don't kill people, people do.' No: obviously, people with guns kill more people than people without them. Why not bad knives or cars, which can be instruments of death, too? Because these things were designed to help people do things other than kill people. 'Gun control' means controlling those things whose first purpose is to help people kill other people."

-Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker writer.

(Critical graffiti in Passau, Germany last month)

On Excess Cheese

There are some countries in Europe where it is possible to receive too much cheese.

(Unfinished cheese at a restaurant in Czech Republic)

On Holiday Hours

In an effort to boost sales, an increasingly large number of shops and businesses are open during bank (and other) holidays.

(Busy people sculpture in central Ceske Budejovice)

On Cobblestones

The decision to maintain historic streets are usually a delight to tourists, but a nuisance to drivers.

(Beautiful ancient cobblestones in Passau, Germany)

On Recycling

Some people will never care but constant reminders on recycling can make a subtle but significant difference.

(Recycling guide at Lipno tourist resort in Czech Rep.)

On National Smile Month

In addition to brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, cutting down on sugary foods & drinks, and visiting your dentist regularly- weekly flossing should also be a priority.

(Enlarged skull at the Hallstatt Museum in Austria)