Thursday, September 11, 2008

Slovakia - picturesque houses


Comments: a picturesque house, another picturesque house, lady in traditional costume, sculpture of Saint Mary and Jesus, and: car standing around


I'm still trying to find my "dancable rythm", I mean to do the things I have to and not leave out anything:).....OK here we go with a fun part of my Slovakia-Congress-Working experience:

This is an impression of Slovakia, pictures from a little village specially arranged for tourists. I managed to get these shots without having the 150 photographers swarming and hurrying through the picture:) I don't know how I did it, by the way...

In the background behind the wooden sculptures you can see three blue tents in which the congregation had to wash down a big glass of Slivovitz (very strong alcohol:) and then listen to one of the 1000 speeches of a local politicians they had to endure during the 5-day congress and the excursions...








A man sits here in front of his tiny typically Slovakian woodhouse, he wears typical Slovakian traditional clothes and sells sheepskins.





A little red witch, I thought all these houses looked like little witch houses.







This was my favourite house.





This was a highlight for me because otherwise I didn't see much of the country.

I love those little houses, although everything seems a bit artificially arranged. The landscape was very beautiful and made me want to hike, all by myself, and to go experience the silence I felt from far:)

I liked the Slovaks too, the men are very robust and broad-shouldered, the women pretty and often blond. They looked proud and when I talked to them, they seemed distant at first. But then I tried to learn how to say Hello and Thank you (Ahoi and Yakuiem) and when I said that, I always got the sweetest smile:) . Learn these words in any language, and it is like the key to the heart of people all over the world...

Have a wonderful day
Andrea

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16 comments:

sukipoet said...

I like what you say about learning those two words in whatever country you are in. The village, so clean and tidy. Arranged for tourists. Odd. Now what exactly were you doing there with these folks??? I love the sculptures especially and your sketches too.

mariga(z) said...

Ravie de découvrir aussi tes propres photos de Slovaquie... Alors, ce voyage-boulot, c'était interprête entre 2 clic-clac ?

Ca ressemble effectivement à un décor fabriqué "pittoresque"...

Unknown said...

Suki and Mariga(z):) I went there for 7 days, it was a congress with about 200 participants from all around the world, all photographers. I had to work as an interpreter for 2 days, the other 5 days I had to meet people, and also get people to know me as the secretary of the Association's headquarters in Paris. I had to assist to the cogress meetings and the (stressful) excursions, which were organized by the Slovakian member of the Association.
So, lots of people to talk to and all very nice.
That covers my "social contact need" for the next two years:)

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Andrea,

It is often difficult to get back into what we need to do after we have been traveling. At least it is for me. I have found the key is to take your time. You also have a lot on your plate, right now, with your exhibition.

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun...except the political speeches :)...I am glad you were able to work with these people in such a beautiful place. Of course, what did I expect with a group of photographers.

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Andrea.

Unknown said...

Kim, thanks so much for your comment, oh yes the people where great, and I wish I could have gone outside more to see more of the country, cause I mainly saw the inside of the Holiday Inn Hotel in a not so attractive place but it is ok, at least I got a glimps into this country!
love
Andrea

Lynn Cohen said...

I love the witch! And the houses and the sheep skins for sale, so soft I imagine...and yes, to know just a bit of the language makes the people know you care...
So many cameras...and interesting sculptures too. You saw a lot of beauty there around the politics of it all. Good eyes!

Unknown said...

Oh yes, the sheepskins were so soft, although... I like them on the sheep:)
And I'd love to have one of those little houses here in Paris:)
love
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Du kannst das, Menschen für dich gewinnen mit ein paar Worten. Grossartig finde ich das. Und deine Zeichnung ist einfach sensationell. Mit ein paar Striche ist die ganze Spannung da. Super!
Ich liebe auch deine rote Hexe sehr. Ich maile dich deshalb.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

These are great.. will have to come back to look again better ..been a busy day in the yard. loved the drawings and the house you liked too. very cottagy looking. my kind. :))

Yvette said...

thank you for visiting my blog, well I feel very much at home here! you are very colourful I love your work but I have to spent more time here so I'll be back. yvette

Katiejane said...

Gee, Andrea! Such a pretty place, even if it was contrived for visitors. The landscape makes me want to go out and hike, too. I loved the witch! I wonder what she has to do with anything? You sounded busy. I'm glad you got to see a little of the area.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

I'm back to look at the pictures again. That witch is a hoot. :)

Anonymous said...

ah ah!! c'est drôle, nous avons fait nos dernières images à peu près sur la même thématique (sauf que toi tu es une grande voyageuse...), ce voyage avait l'air bien intéressant à tous points de vue!!

Genie said...

Lovely work Andrea, and lovely photos, sculpture. and for some reason i am drawn to witches.
Have a great weekend

Anonymous said...

several years back I got some papers from the adoption agency from whence I came and learned for the first time (I was in my late 50s) that my maternal birth grandmother was Yugoslavian, which no longer exists. I wonder what part I came from? Your presentation of this place is lovely..and your idean of "hello" and "thank you" in any language a most excellent idea. so: merci! merci beaucoup!

marianne said...

Oh what beautiful houses!
What a great week it must have been, sounds very interesting.
Of course you had to work but to see a little is sometimes enough for a lot of inspiration!