ma vlast: blasted by poverty

Sorry, Smetana, I could not resist the literary value of your opus for my little work. I just had to inject some humor the way my countrymen do in dire circumstances. We overdo zen; we chuckle and laugh out loud to drown the whimper inside. And we try our best to survive.




These are pictures I took 20 years ago. They may well have been taken this morning.













I wanted to know where he gets our drinking water. Then, I wished I didn't.






I was waiting for my companions when I saw these kids staring at me. I shouted "Don't move!" and stole this shot.















The teacher was very accomodating and allowed me to disturb the class for a few shots. Note the desks. Now they have been "upgraded" to plastic.



















I wonder what these grown-ups-by-now are doing. I hope to meet them again and take photos. I also hope that they are still friendly enough. The area is known for insurgency.