The wonders of Iowa

I must admit, Iowa City was one of the stops I was especially looking forward to. Prairie Lights is a universally renowned independent bookstore and, because of the writers' workshop, the city is a legend among literati. The bookstore lived up to all expectations - the people, the vibe, the boosk. It was also a flattering event as it was broadcast live on Iowa NPR and filmed for the University of Iowa television station. The only sad part is that I didn't get any photos because I rushed out of the store when I was done because there was this eerie madman in the audience who insisted that Enron had put out a 35-million dollar hit on him and he really wanted to discuss this with me.

Instead, I have photos of a really impressive cafe near the bookstore that served drip coffee; bar bathroom graffiti that you only find in a town of writers; and this great statue that was outside of the Cedar Rapids Public library. It will have to suffice until my next visit to Prairie lights ...