Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html