Wianki

A collage of women with wreaths (wianki) on the eve of St. John. The wreaths are later thrown in the river by the unmarried girls in the hope that it is picked up by the future husband. Like the Swedish midsommarafton the celebration dates back to pre-Christian times. However, in Poland the church has been more successful than in Sweden to associate the old pagan celebration of the summer solstice with St. John the Baptist. The church was mercifully absent from the celebrations last night though, which centered more around drinking and having fun than being pious.

Girls throwing wreaths in the river in Warsaw.

Wreaths floating down the Vistula.

The park at night

A long exposure at night in the near-by Park Arkadia.

Fountains and people

Yesterday we went to see the newly inaugurated fountains below the royal palace in Warsaw. We were not alone... There has been much talk about the fountains in the last year - how much they cost; how many trees were removed to make space for them; and after the opening - how great the show is. So, every Friday and Saturday there are a number of 20 minute multimedia-shows at the fountains. We came there not expecting such a crowd. From our point of view we could not see anything of the light-show. But I got some good pictures of the crowd photographing the show.
Btw, the show is (of course) on YouTube, and it looks amazing. I need to go and actually see it some day.

Cycling i Warsaw

Even though conditions for bicycling in Warsaw is slowly improving - new bicycle paths are built, recently the rules were changed to make it easier to follow them - every now and then you see these things that are typical of the attitude towards cyclists. We are not really important, and those who plan cyclepaths have no clue about cycling themselves.

The chimneysweep

Today's photo was taken in Kraków about a week ago. I was there for a conference and was sitting in my hotelroom in the evening, working (really!) when I happened to look out and saw this man cleaning the chimneys opposite the hotel. Against the setting sun he was just a silhouette, and I took a couple of pictures when he was working. When he had packed his gear, out of sight from me, he lit a cigarette and walked off. I managed to catch this image. If you want to see him working a photo like that is on Flickr.

Three weeks later

Three weeks after this photo we can really see that spring is here. However, the trees in the previous image were all pruned a couple of days ago - so no leaves here.

Book café

If asked, many Warsovians will name Czuły Barbarzyńca as their favourite book store. However, I think it should be called favourite café instead. During 45 minutes sitting, I did not see a single person actually buying a book. Many browsed, had coffee, cake, talked and left... including me*. So a more accurate description I think is a café that also sells books.

* Although I have the excuse that they don't sell foreign language books.

Balconies

Saw these balconies today while out cycling. Just liked the picture.

Climbing

Today there was a climbing competition at the wall where I normally climb. It was an open competition with 7 routes in grades from 5a to 7c. I fell out at level 6b/c, but took some pictures of the event. Some of them are at my Flickr page.

Spring!

Yesterday was spring equinox, or first day of spring as they say in Poland. In Sweden the start of spring was generally celebrates in the end of April. Today the weather caught up with calendar as well - we had a pleasant 12 degress and sun - far from the wintery 3 with rain and wind we had during the weekend.
These buds are on the tree outside my window. The photo was taken testing my new 1.4x extender for the zoom lens.