Tucked away on a street in the busy and iconic traditional neighbourhood of ‘Chiado’ in Lisboa, Portugal, is Bertrand. A shop with a somewhat no frills front, and walking down Rua Garrett, you will probably not notice it so much, with all the other glitzy stores announcing their ware. The B for Bertrand, white type on orange, greets you cheerfully, if you do happen to stop by. ‘Livreiros’ is what you notice and ‘1732‘. 1732? Yes, one reads it correctly, for this is the oldest operating bookstore in the world, in business since 1732. Stepping in, I expected to be shooed away when I pulled my camera out, as I had been in a bookstore earlier, but here, none of the busy and friendly staff really bothered. They went about their business, retrieving books, ladders, shelving and attending to the customers. As with a good bookstore, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, with book lovers and buyers quietly stepping in and out of the store, and some of them sat in comfortable chairs and leafed through what they were leafing through. Sections clearly marked out and all the books displayed for easy access, I will probably be happy to be imprisoned here. But, that, is another story. Take a look at ‘Bertrand‘ in ‘Chiado’, Lisboa, Portugal, the oldest operating bookstore in the world.