In the end of September, I was able to break out in a wonderful small Polish town Krakow. First of all, to take Chefs for my project Food & Chef, and, what is really there, just reboot after hot and busy work during Odessa’s summer.
Although all weather forecast sites cried out that the day will be rainy and cold, and I feel blessed. And what is more, I feel blessed to Ukrainian subdivision of the company Fujifilm proposed to take the mirrorless camera Fujifilm X-M1 along to the test.
Many years ago I would like to buy a stylish and made-to-retro camera Fujifilm X-E1 and even suggest it in my authorial photoschool instead of SLR camera for those who are learning photographing for himself, to bring good travel’s pictures.
But unfortunately or fortunately, instead of X-E1, which was gone at that moment, I was given more new-made Fujifilm X-M1 in which was presented a built-in WiFi module. But about it slightly later.
Here I will digress for a moment about my attitude to mirrorless cameras. First, the forgotten direction that cherished and has carried through decades just Leica, today is once again beginning to gain popularity. And actually I am very glad of that, as a photographer and as a keen traveller. Indeed a compact camera, freely seated in a woman’s palm and after quality shooting almost nothing inferior amateur SLR cameras is a real gift for the avid traveler.
Well, back to my Krakow. Furthermore, as it was seen and felt by me.
I like to start getting to know the city quite early, when there are no tourists, when on the street fresh and the sun draws mysterious patterns on the walls of houses. People who hurry, and who and enjoying life, getting ready for work. And you just have to supervise with a Cup of coffee after them, sometimes smiling, sometimes spread in few words.
In the morning it is easier to speak with local residents, to look at something special, important for them or get for example the restaurant or backyard, where still could be kept not antique, but are of historic value things.
Next in unfamiliar cities I like wandering the narrow streets, looking into alleys and courtyards and avoiding tourist sites and monuments. After all, the most interesting thing you could descry only on such streets, peeping in a cozy cafe or a bakery.
And in one of these cafes when I frantically thought, how to remove the screen of my Fujifilm X-M1 and this photo pictures throw in Instagram, I suddenly remember that the camera has a built-in WiFi and in five minutes downloading the Appstore branded software for iOS, I pass my desired frame on the phone in seconds, save myself from unnecessary actions.
Already at ten a.m., after a three-hour promenade around the city I was being waited by Tomasz Czyżycki in his restaurant, very interesting Chef, abandon to his work and whose restaurant is included in the list of the recommended for the visit by Michelin rating.
After Thomas, I have one more hour and I continue to enjoy interrupted walk around Krakow. I go to the souvenir shops and even have time to drink a cup of coffee and talk with a smiling Polander, the owner of the coffee house.
What takes by storm Krakow, is its careful attitude to the past, to things. Wooden old frame, neat facades and very sightly causeway in the old town. This place is definitely worth it to come back.
Calling a taxi, I’m in another part of the city, in the restaurant «Ogniem i Mieczem» to photograph the next Chef.
Drivers in Krakow surprisingly polite and careful after Odessa. No one climbs ahead, nobody flashing. This configures the calm way and lets me enjoy the city from the car’s window.
The restaurant is famous for the fact that it is completely wooden and simulates the Polish chivalresque tavern. And of course excellent, distinctive cuisine. Its owner and Chef, Beata Parczała meets welcome, in the hall is playing Ukrainian music and the smells of wood and meat.
After the shooting I had left my equipment in the storage room at the Central train station and still willing to go for a walk in this wonderful town, where the story gets on well with modernity and live very kind and responsive people.
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