Buranians

Model ship builder : Burano, IT

I don't know what you call people from Burano. Buranians? Anyway--just a few random photos of a couple folks who were going about their daily life while the rest of us were being tourists. The guy at the top was working on a balsa wood model boat. It was a rather impressive piece. He wasn't all that impressed with me taking his photo, though.

Holding court : Burano, IT

We stopped for ice cream and water at a little bar/restaurant that was next door to a bakery. This woman reminded me of my late maternal grandmother. She watched people coming and going and a few stopped to talk with her. Eventually, I popped into her shop and bought a bag of Venetian cookies.

Lacemaker : Burano, IT

Burano is known for its lacemaking. This was the last photo I took. As we were heading back to the ferry, I glanced inside an open door and saw this woman making lace. I snapped a quick picture, said "Grazie", and she waved me off dismissively! Sort of like the boat builder, I think she was unimpressed.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/2013

100 Strangers: Woodcarvers

Master woodcarver Ruth Fischer works on a new carving : Brienz, CH

One of the last places we stopped in Brienz was H.Huggler-Wyss Woodcarvers (H.Huggler-Wyss Holzbildhauerei AG). At one time, the company employed 20 master woodcarvers. Today, there are only six.

 Master woodcarver Hanspeter Stähli plies his craft at his workbench : Brienz, CH

Two of them are Hanspeter Stähli and Ruth Fischer. We met them the day we were there and they graciously allowed me to photograph them at work.

 Carved and painted figurines depict some of the traditions and costumes of the Bernese Oberland : Brienz, CH

Hr. Stähli and Fr. Fischer and their fellow artisans carve and paint wooden figures depicting traditional Alpine life in and costumes of the Bernese Oberland. They also make beautiful nativity creches. If you're looking for a uniquely Swiss gift, this is the place to go. They're located on Hauptstrasse 64 in Brienz.

Close-ups of Fr. Fischer and Hr. Stähli : Brienz, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/10