Americans aren’t exactly known for their geographical knowledge. But, being an international student, studying international development, I thought it was time to brush up on my country-finding skills. I went to a very large, very modern bookstore in Rome to buy a world map:
As I struggled to hold up the map alone and tape all four corners simultaneously, I happened to glance at the middle of the map, and what I saw caused me to say, “No. Nonononononononono. NOOOOoooooOOOooOOoOOoo!”
What was it that I saw?
Zaire.
As I mentioned previously, I am by no means a geography expert. That being said, I do know that “Zaire” has not been a country for at least 15 years.
So I dug the map cover out of the recycling pile and looked for a publication date: 28-7-87
1987. Of-freaking-course. Nice of them to update the PRICE, but keep a totally outdated, useless product on the shelves.
Fool me once, shame on you, Italy… but it is my fault, because I should have known to check the publication date before I spent 8 Euro.
Excuse me, I have to go re-write country names now.
Ciao, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Welcome to 2010.
1987!! 8 euros!!! That would have put me in a bad mood, but since it didn’t happen to me, I must say that it sounds a little bit funny… So sorry, bionda!
Here is another example of americans geographical knowledge. Well, at least, she had heard about “Turkey”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqi0DwNLJdM
I like maps…more than I like GPS. I always look at publish dates of maps and books before I buy. Just sayin. You can recycle it by turning it into a book cover or maybe a decoupage (sp?) project? 🙂
Rip-off…lol
Only in Italia!! If it were sold in Florence, the publication date would of been 1950 🙂