Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/06

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 5: Athens vignettes
From: Nathan Wajsman <wajsman@webshuttle.ch>
Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2002 09:50:46 +0100

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

Replies: Reply from Alastair Firkin <firkin@ncable.net.au> (Re: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 5: Athens vignettes)
Reply from Christer Almqvist <chris@almqvist.net> (Re: [Leica] Nathan's PAW 5: Athens vignettes)
Reply from "Eric" <ericm@pobox.com> ([Leica] Re: Nathan's PAW 5: Athens vignettes)