[Leica] Re: Nathan's PAW 5: Athens vignettes

[Allan Wafkowski <allan@sohogurus.net>]

Nathan, I enjoyed the mini-trip to Greece. Your vignettes are just that, 
small, well-photographed snippits of life. Very nice.

Well, except for that horrid cat picture. Why are people so insensitive 
to us cat haters?

Allan


On Wednesday, February 6, 2002, at 03:50 AM, Nathan Wajsman wrote:

> Judging from the total lack of response to my week 4 posting, people are
> a bit overwhelmed by the amount of PAW submissions on the list.
> Nonetheless, I soldier on and submit my week 5 images for your viewing
> pleasure and hopefully some critique.
>
> I attended a conference in Athens, a city which I have visited before
> and which I do not find particularly attractive. It is polluted, large
> parts of it are plain ugly, and most of all, it seems like everyone in
> the central tourist area of Plaka is just out to get your money, from
> the souvenir vendor who quotes a price five times as high as the real
> price at which he is willing to sell the item, to the waiter in the
> restaurant who gives you wrong change, clearly hoping that you will not
> notice in the confusion over the new Euro coins. But outside Plaka
> things get better and people are open and friendly. As a visitor to the
> city, I noticed a few things. First, there are lots and lots of cats and
> dogs seemingly living in the street, but also apparently cared for by
> the locals, since most of them look in good shape, like this kitty
> outside a souvenir shop:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/2002_5.jpg
>
> I read recently that Greece has the highest rate of motorcycle
> fatalities in Europe. Having observed both the driving habits of the car
> drivers and the riding habits of the bikers, I am not surprised. I have
> no idea if Greece has helmet laws, but in any event most Greek riders
> seem to be more concerned about not messing up their hair than about
> protecting their skull:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/2002_5alt1.jpg
>
> These two shots were taken on Delta 3200 with an M3+50mm Summilux. The
> next three are on Fuji Acros with an M6+35mm Summilux.
>
> There are many churches in Athens, big and small, and I went into this
> small chapel to light a candle for my late mother (she belonged to the
> Orthodox faith). I sat there for 10-15 minutes, and during that time
> quite a few people, young and old, came in to say a prayer or light a
> candle, like this woman:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/2002_5alt2.jpg
>
> On Saturday morning I discovered to my delight that there was a large
> street market in the streets around my hotel. Those who have looked at
> my non-PAW site will know that when I lived in Belgium, the street
> markets there provided me with a favourite source of pictures, so I
> immediately began wandering among the vendors and buyers. Most of the
> vendors were Russian, and the merchandise was for the most part cheap
> junk. These two vendors were passing time playing chess; the gentleman
> on the left had apparently just made a good move and was pretty pleased
> with himself:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/2002_5alt3.jpg
>
> Then he noticed that I was taking pictures, and immediately broke out in
> a broad grin, showing off his many gold and silver teeth:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/2002_5alt4.jpg
>
> His reaction was quite a refreshing change from what I often experienced
> in Brussels, where the vendors who are also usually foreigners,
> automatically assume that you are from the police or other authorities
> if they see you taking pictures--and react accordingly.
>
> The complete PAW index is at:
>
> http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2002.htm
>
> and comments are always appreciated.
>
> Nathan
> --
> Nathan Wajsman
> Herrliberg (ZH), Switzerland
>
> e-mail: wajsman@webshuttle.ch
>
> Photo-A-Week: http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2002.htm
> General photo site: http://www.wajsman.com/index.htm
>
>
> --
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>

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