Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2014/10/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Nathan Wajsman SHOWED: Subject: [Leica] IMG: Toledo >I have now lived in Spain for 7 years. My Spanish friends and colleagues >have always been telling me about Toledo, how it is unique, magnificent, >with roots of the Moorish and Jewish cultures that flourished there in the >Middle Ages. Well, this past Thursday and Friday I finally visited the >city. And my verdict is that my Spanish friends were right. Toledo is >indeed one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, despite the >rain that accompanies us during much of those two days. > > Some pictorial evidence is here: > > http://www.frozenlight.eu/toledo2014/<<<<<<<<<<<<< Hi Nathan, No pictures, but someday I'll find some bull fighting and other Toledo photos from that long ago time. This is a story about part of my first international assignment for WEEKEND MAGAZINE!YEP FALL 1962 it was! TIME: A 6 week first ever international magazine assignment covering a number of various assignments across Europe. The first assignment was covering an INTERPOL International Conference in Madrid. I had been cleared and accredited as a "Canadian attached INTERPOL officer with the RCMP" as was the senior magazine journalist I was working with. The meetings were on for several days when we were taken to Toledo so see a "BULL FIGHT" :-) My first ever! That in itself was quite an amazing event to say the least. However our seating for photography was a disaster, so I went off looking for a "media entrance?" so I could get right inside and in the walk way surrounding the infield where all the action took place. I found a doorway where I could make out "PRESS" in faded paint on a huge wooden door. So I pounded on the door several times and finally a little sort of peasant looking man opened the door. KEY MOMENT RIGHT HERE! :-) When we originally registered at the Convention center each assigned person was given what one could call a sort of "INTERPOL POLICE BADGE!" Meant only for quick access as we entered the building. We pinned it inside our jackets for quick showing. :-) AMAZING WHAT a "sort of police badge can do under the right circumstances! " :-) The physically smallish man whom opened the door to my knocking really didn't understand English language. :-( And was about to close the door in my face. Bad move!! :-( I said.. "PRESS, PHOTOGRAPHICA, MEDIA, MEDIA!" Indicating I wanted to get inside. Not a hope he was going to let me in! WHEN I "FIRMALLY AND BOLDLY OFFERED:: "INTERNATIONAL POLITZA!!" Several times while waving my hand to enter, "FLASHING MY INTERPOL BADGE IN HIS FACE!" :-) I wasn't sure who was the most scared? Me? Because of using the badge in this fashion and might get into "deep doo-doo" for doing so? It was he, my good fortune as he turned and scampered up a long tunnel right to the ringside walk way. With me hot on his heals with cameras out and ready to go as soon as I was ringside. MY SAVIOURS?? A couple of the Spanish secret service officers who recognized me from the previous days during the conference gave me a big wave and smile. Then turned to the chap who let me in and said something to him. He then turned to me, tipped his hat and gave me a big smile and nod of his head!!!!!! MAN I WAS IN LIKE A BOLT OF LIGHTENING!!!!! :-) And that's how I shot my first bull fighting ever in Toledo, Spain! A LONG LONG TIME AGO! :-) It however is a most incredible city to visit and see some of the earliest moments of time! cheers, Dr. ted :-)