Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/05/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Despite the fact that Switzerland is an advanced urban society, living well off its financial marketplace, most Swiss have a strong attachment to the country's rural roots. In the old days, when most villages were cut off from the outside world for several months of the year, people had to find ways to amuse themselves. One of those ways was a form of wrestling called "schwingen", which is still kept alive through clubs which stage competitions in the spring. Last week I went to check out one of such events with my new M7. First, a few images of the sport itself. The wrestling takes place on three rings simultaneously, and as is apparent from the pictures, participating in this involves getting down and dirty in the sawdust: http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20.jpg http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt1.jpg http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt2.jpg After each bout, the wrestlers wash up a bit, using facilities which reflect the event's rustic roots: http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt3.jpg (all of the above pictures with M7, 90mm Apo Summicron on Fuji Provia 100F) This is not an event at which people arrive in Porsches: http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt4.jpg As usual at gatherings in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, sausages and beer are a major part of the event for everyone: http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt5.jpg http://www.wajsman.com/2002_20alt6.jpg (alternates 4-6 taken with Leica M7 and 35mm Summilux on Kodachrome 64) The PAW index is at: http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2002.htm and comments and critique are always welcome and appreciated. Nathan - -- Nathan Wajsman Herrliberg (ZH), Switzerland e-mail: wajsman@webshuttle.ch mobile: +41 78 732 1430 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