Living history

This morning I walked to work to be greeted by an antique Soviet tank. Yes, right there in front of the National Museum - as part of events on Wenceslaus Square in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Soviet and Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia - sits an old tank with mock artillery audible in the background. The Soviet-led invasion's aim was to squelch Prague Spring - the reform package orchestrated by Alexander Dubcek, what came to be known as "socialism with a human face".

I really, really, really apologize I did not bring my camera this morning. It's not everyday Soviet tanks are on display. One thing I could not get over was the number of people lining up for pictures with the tank. Everyone had a huge smile on their face. I don't know - it seems to me such an historic symbol should elicit a more somber attitude.

With recent events in Georgia on the mind, I must say, these are certainly interesting days we live in.