Day 6/7

Who would have thought you needed a passport to go through a security gate to get into a violin factory? Not only did we have to convince the matron at the gate we were all American and Canadian citizens, but we were under strict instructions to only photograph when told. We all tip toed into the factory imagining that every shot we took might end us up in jail. The reality is, there was only one area we could not take pictures and none of us could figure out what was secret about it.

Who would think making violins would be an exciting photography session, but it was if you were into photographing shapes. The people were friendly, showing us their expertise whether it was sanding, gluing, bending, or finishing… there was a sense of pride in the work. We got serenaded on one of the brand-new violins. Even Barbie has made it to Romania, there was a bright pink violin and guitar just sitting there, ready to be shipped somewhere.

Back in the van, the drive was long. We were promised mist in the morning around the large church that dominated the town we stayed in. Anxious to get the perfect mist picture, we were sorely disappointed to find there was none this morning. After waking up for the dawn patrol, stumbling in and out of the van, to be dumped at the bottom of a steep hill and walking up at top speed, so we did not miss the sunrise, it was all for nothing. The sun took its sweet time rising and then hung around just on the crest of the mountain, not moving and not illuminating the church. Again, the mist has alluded us.

Off to visit the gypsies who make copper. The houses they live in are huge, and I mean huge, but the inside is not necessarily finished. No central heat, and only a dining table with chairs to sit on. It looked VERY uncomfortable. They made copper kitchen pots, had four generations working in the trade. The women are married by 16 and all the marriages are arranged. I brought with me a small pocket size printer where you can print pictures from your cell phone. Everyone loved them and wanted a picture of themselves or with each other. I think it is a fun thing to bring on a trip. It is an ice breaker.

Our leader is so amazing at setting up scenes for us to photograph. He just picks up chairs, has people sit in them, rearranges them, closes windows, open windows, stages them in barns, so the light is just right. We told him, had he gone down to the funeral, he would have asked to corpse to sit up, move to the left or the right. It is fun to watch him, and with his instruction we hope our pictures are successful.

We crossed into Transylvania yesterday, had lunch today at the birthplace of Dracula. Or so they say. We left after a walk around and came to a charming village for the night. Our room has an upstairs with a hot tub, sauna, and cedar cold tub. After settling in for 15 minutes, we took off on a cart pulled by two horses to go up in the mountains to photograph cows, sheep, and goats. The goats were my favorite but there was a tiny lamb that was 2 hours old, he was adorable. He kept trying to walk on his shaky legs. Meanwhile the goats jumped over the fence, ran around, jumped back in and had a merry time acting like just what they were, kids at play.