so, because there haven't been any terrorist attacks in prague, security on the metro is, shall we say, lax. the cops ride now and then, but i think they're on the lookout for vandals (graffitti taggers and sticker, um, stickers) more than anything. i regularly see guys in camo gear with paintball or other rifles on their way to some sort of war game.
but i've never seen anything like the ninja before.
also, i have to say, the prague metro is the place to see almost anything. drunks puking is old hat. drunks chatting up cute chicks happens all the time. rabid football and hockey fans are there anytime one of the local teams play. and once, in 1995, i witnessed a guy getting off a car with a HUGE owl on his arm, like he was about to go, well, not falconing, but owling, when he got off. the thing followed me with its huge eyes and swively head. that's when i thought i'd seen everything. well, no.
especially because a few years ago i saw a skinny little guy in full S&M gear waiting for the train. that was a little traumatic.
today i went down the stairs onto the platform and saw mr ninja guy in all black, including the big tunic, weaponing up. he was pulling one thing after another out of a big back to tuck into his wide leather studded belt. first one sword, then another. then a big stick. then another big stick. then another sword. mind you, everyone who walked past couldn't help but gawk.
and he was totally oblivious.
and i think my surreptitious picture-taking with my phone was probably not all that sneaky.
finally he held two wooden bows in his hands. didn't see a quiver full of arrows, flaming or otherwise. then he boarded the metro car like everyone else and stood (what else could he do?) for a few stops before exiting.
now, most folks stared initially, but then accepted his getup and looked away. not me. i could hardly take my eyes off him. partly because i couldn't fathom why he would unload his bag of goodies before entering the metro. why not wait until arriving at his destination, whatever that might have been (and i have NO idea what that could have been). why arm himself first? attention? maybe. convenience? not sure.
so weird.
but i couldn't help imagining what might happen if such a man would attempt to enter public transport in the states. or london. or madrid. or anywhere that takes weaponry as a threat.
certainly he would receive more than a few stares. he'd probably be tackled and quickly disarmed.
like i said, i've seen guys with rifles, even those not in cases. hop on the metro and hop off again with no interference.
it's terribly funny in many ways. but rather disturbing in others.
ok, got the bluetooth to work. here are the pics:
