Some fun facts about the Frankfurt Book Fair

Instructions for beginners:

1. Wear comfortable shoes.
2. Book your appointments ahead of time.
3. Drink lots of water.
4. Allow enough time between apointments to get to the other hall.
5. Wear comfortable shoes.
6. Do not leave your stand unattended.
7. Bring lots of business cards.
8. Wear comfortable shoes.

Security:
On the open days of the fair, Hall 8 is the only hall protected by guards at all doors who check all your packages every time you enter ("Oh, extra shoes-- just like a woman.") Perhaps being next to the World Bank and the IMF was not such a good idea after all...

But who are they kidding? The monstrous boxes and crates delivered over the two set-up days could have carried commando units, let alone little explosive devices.



There's always time for a touchup.

Saturday and Sunday, the fair is open to the public:
And if you're a teen-- or think like one-- you come dressed up as your favourite manga character or other beastie and get in free. Great fun. They mill around the square between halls 3 and 4. I'm sure I saw Howl, at least one of them.

Who is this? And why?