Across the river Parma takes an a different, rougher personality. The buildings are as architecturally beautiful as the elegant, upscale side I live on. But they are in a poorer state of repair. It is where the immigrants and other less affluent live. Lately I have spent more time there because I feel I must include these people, and this difference in my Parma story. Some tell me not to go there as it has crime which is almost non existent on my side of the river. Still I enjoy exploring the area, seeing the people, and the cultural differences. I also very much enjoy some of the ethnic food I always have when I am there. I saw this scene and liked the graffiti, roughness and colors. I waited for a more ethnically obvious person to come by. But when these offered an interesting opportunity I made the image. I should also show that Italians still live there and share the neighborhood with the immigrants. Many Italian families have lived on this side for many generations, still do.
Also across the river. I often see this man and his Wife sitting in this spot supervising their grandchildren playing in this small public plaza. They do not speak either English or Italian well, but we communicate and they are very friendly and kind. Very dotting and proud of the children as well. This day the young boy had a new scooter he was learning to ride. I was riding my scooter. He and I had some fun races around the square. The grand parents and other people enjoyed the show. On a personal level, cultures share more than we are different.
These are great, although I have a strange slight nagging feeling that the second, fourth and fifth are lacking something. Can’t quite put my finger on it, though.
