The Green Chair by Chipka
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Description
The 133 bus will get you there.
Or the 207.
It all depends on where in the city you are coming from. The bar, however, carries a different name, and so it is more diffilult to find. But the 133 or the 207 will carry you to U Pamatniku. It is there that you get off. It is there—at U Pamatniku—that will will find yourself in the neighborhood of Žižkov. In speaking to local friends of the place, you may receive warnings or incredulous looks. Among some in Prague, Žižkov may represent the wrong side of the tracks—it is a working class area, devoid of the tourist-kitsch that defines so much of the center. Vietnamese fruit vendors live there, as to Indians and Pakistanis. Roma make their homes there as well, and it is not impossible to hear Lucie Bila, wafting from one set of speakers or another. Walls—like so many in Prague—wear thick layers of graffiti, like colorful, arterial plaque; and yes, in places the walls are so encrusted with paint that it is impossible to think that the streets have not been subtly, though imperceptibly narrowed.
But it is here, where the 133 or the 207 leaves you and groans along its course.
It is here, you walk into the bar with a name you cannot remember. The owners are different. The musical ambiance is harder, though not so far from what you remember. Faces you have seen in passing, greet you with looks of bland, wordless inquiry. A smile may twitch from one set of lips or another. Greetings—from your contemporaries in age—may erupt behind glasses raised in toast, elbows poked outward as if influenced by Russian traditions so easily spurned here.
Beer comes in large, glass mugs, an inch of foam measured on top.
You remember this place and the way in which you visited, once, with a friend now in London. You have spoken to her since your time here, you have seen her. But now, you are alone in this place, but the green chair is still there, perched precariously before the unlit stairs that lead up to the equally unlit water closets. Women and men are differentiated between nuts and bolts drawn on the appropriate doors, and for those unable to read such symbolism, more vulgar
(though anatomically correct) scrawls of graffiti point the way. It has been a long time since you have seen the green chair. You have finished the book you read there. But the chair, like any of the old friends you miss, welcomes you.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting on this and previous posts I've made.
Comments (28)
MrsRatbag
A comfortable ambience in this shot; the well-worn upholstery says many have sat here, the cleanness speaks of loving care. The light is low and warm, and highlights the chair as THE destination. The narrative is, as always, hypnotic and irresistible. Well done!
ladyraven23452
great as onely you can do it. happy thanksgiving.
Janiss
Wow Chip, such fantastic mood and colors... I adore!
texboy
Looks like the word "ulica" or "ulitsa" pervades the Slavic languages; a dear Polish friend lives on U. Zamenhofa, named for the guy who invented Esperanto. A fine picture, Chip; iridescent!! Happy Thanksgiving to you, wherever you are!
claude19
For me which do not know Prague of the whole,I imagine that your account does not make to amplify what certain districts of the city are really. The mixture of cultures and the provisioning, cannot apparently hide the ugliness of certain streets, even their real existence… I adore the symbolism of the green chair and what turns around… Black story for my mind… and you control so well English langage!!!
photostar
Ahhh, the chair, inviting and well-worn. Really like your description of the restroom door labeling...wonder if that would work back here in the States. Albeit, I've seen some creative ways, here, of designating which is which and can really make one think prior to entering...lol
auntietk
Evocative prose, enchanting photography ... this is uniquely you. As a friend of mine is wont to say, this is "utterly beguiling." Beautiful!
Meisiekind
I am not that great with words, but this is very touching - both image and prose!!! Excellent work. I am sending three people to Prague this weekend on a 3 month secondment, so this touches deeply! :)
furuta
Fantastic lighting. excellent image!!
Geoaskier
Marvy lighting.....interesting green chair....love the arms....looks as tho it was quite exquiste in it's day.....one you would have found in an eloquent parlor...but now it lives by a dark stairway....giving a refined look to a rustic setting....still having a regal look even with it's frayed welt
BibbyBear
I shall refrain from attempting to make my words sound intelligent, having read your narrative, which I found extremely interesting, I don't think my words could do your prose or photo any justice at all! I can say however, that I am deeply drawn into both words and picture - the rich colours and contrasts, the shadowy stairs in the background.... truly hypnotic and very inviting! Stunning work. Hugs Chrissy xx
kasalin
Very beautiful creation and excellent work, dear Chip !!! 5++++++++++ Hugs :):):)
Ac-Dc
stunning composition and atmosphere.
smillinfaces
simple but beautiful
Meowgli
awesome compo, light and colours, great work!
jccj56
Awesome Image!!
mbz2662
I like the composition and the light you used here... very nice work :)
durleybeachbum
Wonderful!
mark.spooner
Very nice work.
Lunastar
Another wonderful piece
romanceworks
I can almost feel the emotions left behind in this well-worn chair, and I imagine how many people it has embraced and comforted. Lovely image and words. CC
anahata.c
a very warm & inward reflection, this one with a narrative, from getting on the bus to entering an old familiar bar...you describe this with total ease Chip, once again giving snapshots of many lives & whole worlds through a mere sentence here, a mere sentence there...You've evoked the strange pull of an area that has a long & private life, which you take us into it as one who knows it well and wants to make us feel right at home. You make a very inviting guide in your work...As for the image, it's just right: an old worn chair next to a stairwell (where we wouldn't expect to find it!), the surroundings cast in what we used to call 'deep memory-red'. It's odd to see a chair next to a stairwell, but these old places put chairs there to say 'you're home' the minute you walk down it or pass it. Such an easeful image & set of reflections, evocative of towns, neighborhoods & places which go on about their lives without anyone noticing, which acknowledge us when we arrive but not 'too' much, as their lives are simply what they are ...Your reflections are an art in themselves, and you're amassing a very sensitive & inward collection. Beautiful job.
Keymilan
Great colors and mood !
beachzz
Oh, to think of those who sat there before. Perhaps just reading, or resting, sleeping, or maybe even almost passed out. It's just there, for when you need it. This is a beautiful foto and I love it.
KatesFriend
I love the contrasting colours here - bright green against the deep cherry red and the rough texture of it all. I sense this place has been there for ages in one form or another. Perhaps the the green chair has always been there too.
gonedigital
What a beautiful image. I love the soft lighting and the beautifully rich colors. There is a very comfortable feeling here with just a hint of mystery with the stairs on the right side. EXCELLENT!
three_grrr
I have a chair like this, it's an old chair that should have gone to the curb a long time ago. But it is comfortable, and my Gracie Anne loved to curl up in it for may years before she went where good dogs go when they leave this life. I love it more now. Of course the chair is not green, it is a big soft upholstered rocking chair. It sits by a window. Your description of the journey to this place, this tavern that holds this green chair, takes me to this place, a neighborhood tavern that is comfortable to those who live in the area, or have lived here. A comfortable narrative for a comfortable image.
blinkings
Thanks for the story and photo. Great work mate.