daily childhood mysteries

Nikon D80 | 1/400 seconds | f 3.5 | ISO 100 | 50 mm

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“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

Albert Einstein [German born American Physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity. Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. 1879-1955]

reed's riot

Nikon D80 | 1/10 seconds | f 3.5 | ISO 100 | 50 mm

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"There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality."

Pablo Picasso [25 October 1881 – 8 April 1973. spanish painter and sculptor. one of the most recognized figures in 20th-century art, he is best known for co-founding the Cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles embodied in his work]

almost barefoot

Laced moccasins are a common element of the Romanian traditional wardrobe, which is only natural if we think that we are a nation with profound rural reminiscence. Even nowadays one can find laced moccasin in remotes parts of the country used in every day labor. The moccasins are made manually, from pig, cattle or donkey leather. You can buy a pair with less than 10 euros. Wear it or just expose it as a local keepsake.

p.s. at first, i intended to make a post with the woman in the image. i wanted to tell you all about the short but intens interaction i had with her. i changed my mind, realizing that it will be too poor in comparison with the reality.

“When you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between yourself and the people you photograph, when you laugh and cry with their laughter and tears, you will know you are on the right track.”

Arthur Fellig - American Photographer

ethnographical networking

Nikon D80 | 1/40 seconds | f 3.5 | ISO 100 | 50 mm

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I began yesterday a series of pictures taken last Saturday at the Romanian Village Museum (Muzeul Satului). I’ve spent some great couple of hours there and I decided to post, separately, some of my favorites shots, with a short comment regarding some cultural Romanian habits.

But first, I thought it would be nice to gather for you a short description of the Village Museum. So enjoy reading and maybe, someday, visiting this fantastic place.

The Village Museum was a very nice idea of some Romanian sociologists, started in 1925 by Professor Dimitrie Gusti. The idea was to create a museum demonstrating the sociological structure of the Romanian village. During the time, more and more objects have been moved from their original place to Bucharest. You will have to remember that the ample works for hydro-amelioration in the northern part of Bucharest (the capital of Romania) began only in 1932, when Herastrau Park was being born. 4,5 hectares were allocated to the project. Gradually, the area was filled by houses and the Village Museum was inaugurated on May 10th 1936 together with the Herastrau Park.

The exhibition has a total of 322 constructions (47 dwellings, household dependencies, 3 wooden churches, 3 windmills, technical installations that use the force of the water etc.)

The best thing is that they are organized in Romania's ethnographical regions: Transylvania, Moldova, Dobrogea, etc. It really takes you on a tour of the country's rich tradition of folk architecture and art. Plus, it's a nice relaxing walk that makes you forget you are actually in a city, and the nice view of the lake in the neighboring Herastrau Park adds to the "summer holidays" feeling!

Entrance to the park is free, while entrance to the Village Museum costs 6 Lei (1.20 GBP) per adult and 3 Lei (0.60 GBP) per child/student.

For more information you can go here. You can find also more pictures, with larger perspectives, and reviews from real travelers.

I used the following sources of information:

http://www.muzeul-satului.ro/

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Romania/Municipiul_Bucuresti/Bucharest-520545/Things_To_Do-Bucharest-Village_Museum-BR-1.html

how to grow old with grace

Nikon D80 | 1/400 seconds | f 3.5 | ISO 100 | 50 mm
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seven reason why I like best old structures over new people:

*they don't invent stories to seem more interesting
*they know how to keep a secret
*they are proud about their age
*they know how to suffer in silence
*they know how to make you feel like home
*they have personality
*they aren't ashamed to see you naked all the time