Belgrade | A Grand Lady

I always say that if I have a problem with my gear and all my film comes back blank, that it does not really matter. The point of all of this is the process, the journey.

The resulting film and the prints is a gift and a bonus.

To be able to wander and explore and taste a culture as intimately as possible, that is the goal. Each moment is a triumph in itself.

I was strolling in south Dorćol and saw this lovely lady. I passed her as I did not want to disturb her, she looked so peaceable and settled. I stopped after a few steps, returning to her and asked her in my bad Serbian if I could take her photo. She spoke English and I sat down and we spoke for an hour.

She told me her story, her memories of Paris and Los Angeles where she lived, her husband who had passed. She did not know anyone at the cafe that she was seated in front, but she said that every morning on her walk, they gave her a shot of liqueur which she thought was very nice of them.

She was lovely.

I thanked her, I took a few photos, I kissed her on the cheek and walked on.

I have the memory of her and some film.