Just pears and pickles... Photo

Photographer’s Note

During the trip from Rotterdam to Moscow, we crossed several borders, the Dutch-German, German-Poland, and the Poland-Belarus border, where we had to change wheels, because of leaving the narrow gauge for broad gauge. Immediately after that, the train was invaded by Belarusian ladies who wanted to sell their homemade products. They offered a variety of food, fruit, and drinks. We bought some delicious chicken (really lovely with a lot of Garlic), and some plums and apples, which was a welcome supplement to what we had ourselves.
They usually have only a few things to sell, like this lady, she just had some pears and pickles.
These sellers, and all other things, like the changing of the wheels, which lasted at least 3 hours, the sometimes low speed because of the bad tracks, the Mongolian sellers on train nr. 6, are things that make a train trip like this, so interesting and relaxing. No hurry, even the sometimes long delay at the borders, (5 hours at the Russian border, and 15 minutes later 3 hours at the Mongolian border, is no problem. I can tell you, it's a great way to travel.
Although I thought that is't not my best picture ever, the lady deserves a place in my travlogue.

Levels, cropped, and USM

Hanssie, carper, christina, eleparc, Michael_Gan, nwoehnl, sunny, jhm, Kenny10pin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Hanssie (9133) 2004-10-17 7:23

So, that's why the trip is so long, all these waiting-hours.... A very nice daily life shot with a lot of sunny colours and an old face against dark background. Nice shot !
Nice deatil-photo of your journey, Rinie.

flydragon (0) 2004-10-17 9:29

Hello Rinnie
i see u also made a lot shopping
in your trip ;o)
u look so pretty with this shirtmaker
sad i should ask you if they have also
the same for man ;o))))

hahaha a nice pics Rinnie
i will folow you in your trip

have a nice sunday
••simon••

carper (65742) 2004-10-17 12:09

Leuk je weer eens te zien Rinie,
weer een tijdje geleden. Hoe gaat het met jou pc arm?
Uitekende foto met een hele mooie details en inderdaad die peren, erg goed gezien.

christina (2040) 2004-10-17 12:31

Funny title 1 i love the repition of pattrn and color in her shirt with the fruit in her hans. Her expression is interesting and it gives you the sense of life near the train station. Nice image!

eleparc (24059) 2004-10-17 13:30

great vivid colors and she has a nice and sweet look;-) why did you say she has a special place in your travelogue? glad to access your journey while only starting the journey... Can you spare me a seat in your train compartment? i am with you honey! LOL

Michael_Gan (2772) 2004-10-17 14:06

Hey Rinie, welcome back! Although I have not been active on TE lately at all I was keeping an eye on TE to see if you'd uploaded pictures of your trip. Your first picture of the cathedral is absolutely marvellous, but that was already told by many others.

I have to agree with your own words that this is not your best picture, but together with your enjoyable note it surely shows one of the ingredients that made your trip so special. It surprises me that this little amount of things to sell is still worth trying for this old woman. These people really must be in great need of money, even though she doesn't seem to be that poor at all. I like the very dark background in the top of your picture as it makes this lady stand out very well. Personally, I don't see the added value of the frame, as it is hardly visible to me (but perhaps that's because of my colour-blindness..?). Looking forward to see more of your journey on TE!!!

nwoehnl (120) 2004-10-17 15:35

Nice portrait Rinie of this friendly-looking merchant. She is quite colorfully dressed, and like Michael wrote before me I'm also struck by the humble amount of produce she is trying to sell. Interesting note, and yes definitely a good add for your travelogue.

sunny (3068) 2004-10-17 18:05

Great documentary shot, Rinie! Love the way you captured her wrinkled face with the sun shining in it. Her colourful bright dress makes lovely spot on the dark background. Indeed with these long waiting hours people can try and make their life a bit better by selling what they have. The expression of the old lady you got here is vibrating with character and feelings. Even if she is poor, she is not begging and I like how she carries her pears and pickles with busy expression. Wonderful capture!

danielswalsh (13330) 2004-10-17 22:08

Hi Rinie;

Nice shot of this elder woman selling her produce. Very clear with good detail.
Great note to go along with it-

Cheers,
- Dan

RGatward (19751) 2004-10-18 3:56

Yes she does, it's a good portrait, and a well caught candid shot, worth getting that D70 before this trip.

Rockyboy (20582) 2004-10-20 17:20

I only discover this picture now and it's a really nice one. the expression of this woman is great... It make me think a little at those indians I met in Mexico and were also selling food and other things...Bravo!

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-11-11 6:49

great photo, I like the composition and the ladies face, very well seen ad nice angle, well done