Sunday, 3 July 2011, Budapest.
Vendors brought out the colors--red, white and blue--and the Stars and Stripes celebrating our 4th of July Independence Day in the Old Jewish Quarter of Budapest.
The Sunday
rastro was buzzing with vendors and a few buyers.
I talked to at least 10 Hungarian sellers. The weather--on-again, off-again light rain--created a grey day for most, slow or negligible sales, but spirits ran fairly high.
Visiting American tourists sauntered through the block-long corridors lined with cottage arts and crafts professionals and their wares.
Children played, created art.
Galleries and cafes flanked the bazaar. Live music filled the air.
There appeared something for everyone.
My new Hungarian friends, fine art photographers Zoltan Hajtimanszki and Betti Katona, did better than most but not as well as the previous sunny Sunday.
It's critical to their making a living, selling their published books of art photos and originals at various sizes and prices.
Zoltan told me the manager of the bazaar advised sellers to do what they could to salute America's revolutionary birthday.
And most did.
Here's my visual take on the day.
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| "Striking the Colors" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| People are out and the U.S. flag is flying. Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Hungarian Cowboy" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Art is for Everyone" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Red, White and Blue" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Music Makers" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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Internationally-known fine art photographer Zoltan Hajtmanszki watches patrons paw through his works.
Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Broken Colors" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Lenin's Reprise" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "The Artist's Palette" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Charlie Chaplin" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Aging Necessities" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "I Didn't Ask to be Here" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Patriotism for Sale" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
Rock on and practice peace and love.
Stefan, the ArtTraveler™
Note:
After more than two weeks living at the 3.5-star Hotel Queen Mary in the center of Budapest's 7th District (Jewish Quarter), I heartily recommend it: old on the outside, otherwise totally modern; it's an extremely excellent value. (I'm not getting a discount for this...it's my idea because it is what it is.)
The owner and staff are affable and speak English and German. Tel: 0036-1-413-3510; www.hotelqueenmary.hu; info@hotelqueenmary.hu.
There's a generous buffet breakfast that comes with the room, and everything in Budapest is close to you.
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| "Sierra Sky" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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