All photos by Carla Coulson
Cartier-Bresson's shots were taken just after the war and then women were wearing the most incredible traditional costume to go about their daily lives. I new things would have moved on but I wanted to go and see for myself.
So off I set one December on my own to go to Scanno. I asked a couple of locals the most scenic way and they pointed to a beautiful mountain road. I was thrilled, love an adventure and love a back road experience. That was till it started to snow!
Being an Australian my experience driving in the snow is zilch! All of a sudden the landscape was white, Carla was in visual heaven till the car started sliding all over the road. There were hours between seeing another car and Carla started to panic. I was driving alone on a mountain road going to see a town that was once photographed by someone I loved! Good reasons to die? No..
Being Carla I have got myself into many circumstances like these. When your head follows your heart instead of the other way around you need to get use to getting yourself into trouble. There were moments when I just got out of the car and started taking pics (I thought if I was going to die they might as well know how) and others when I creeped along at 15kms hugging a mountain not daring to look down to the 1000ft drop below.
When I saw the lights of Scanno I nearly cried. I would live after all!! The evening walking around the streets of Scanno was (almost) worth it..There is even a plaque were Cartier-Bresson stood to take one of his most famous photos of a lady with a tray of bread on her head.. I stood there!!
So please make sure if your headed to the mountains get some chains and check the weather report.
Done anything crazy lately?
Carla x
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Thankfully you lived to tell the tale and these photos are breathtaking!
ReplyDelete~ Clare x
I love doing crazy adventures like that.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you continued and you took photos along the way!!
Xx
Callie
So glad you made it! I would have made a Cartier-Bresson pilgrimage like that too! The pix look beautiful. It's so easy to venture into bad weather, isn't it? Once I flew to Nassau to do a photo shoot on Harbour Island. As I got a taxi into town, the driver told me everyone was boarding up the windows because a Cat 5 cyclone was coming. I had to hole up in a hotel for 6 days. Finally got the island a week later! Boy, did I need a cocktail and a swim in a calm sea to ease the nerves... Janelle
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth it Carla! Sometimes too much planning will scare you off a great experience. Though it's always worth checking the snow report when driving!
ReplyDeleteYou crazy women:) I'm used drive in snow conditions here in Finland but still I would not want to drive in italian mountain road. You really could get hurt and bad, I'm so glad you made it and please don't do that again.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are gorgeous and okay it was worth of risking your life (almost).
Take care
xo Henrietta
Yes! And it is nearly the same thing! We just got back from the Sisteron area because Remi, my honey, wanted to photograph certain places under the snow. Well, the Prieuré de Ganagobie is ON TOP of a mountain. Going up wasn't so bad but coming down in the middle of a raging snowstorm? I know exactly how you feel. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and evocative photos.
ReplyDeleteCarla you are a very special person! follow the hearth is a very good reason to be in a trouble but next time you came in Abruzzo region contact me please I will be happy to take a photoshot with you in my land.
ReplyDeleteha ha ! this is very funnily written and very entertaining.; I can just see you !!
ReplyDeletenot that I mean it is funny that you got yourself into trouble, you know what I mean
I like people with the heart in the right place ! so bravo and brava !!
leaving to usa tomorrow, might not be able to comment as much,
as I said before, looking forward to meet a blogger LIFE ! dear Virginia in AL !
be careful now !
What a story, Carla! Snow storm on a mountain road is surely very scary.
ReplyDeletePlease next time check the forecast and go for winter tires. Here in Canada it's a must.
The images are stunning and the feeling of an accomplishment should be very rewarding.
Follow your heart and try to play it safe (if it ever possible at all).
Natalie
Beautifully captured!
ReplyDeleteAlways such great stories behind your lens Carla. Snow driving...........should have had a Canadian driver along with you, we are great snow drivers though I do avoid it when I can. Good for you for driving through it. XO
ReplyDeleteGood Snaps
ReplyDeleteSubmit Your Photography Here
Soothing images after your scary drive. Both the natural and urban settings offer so much to appreciate.
ReplyDeleteOh what a good story! Scary, but at least it had a happy ending. And as always it also had amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a pleasure following your blog :)
My goodness those snowfields are heavenly. Almost worth dying for... Maybe.
ReplyDeleteYou made me remember the first time I saw real life snow. I was twenty and had carpooled with some friends to Mount Hotham. It was night and the designated driver drove around the winding roads of a mountain in her signature speed demon fashion. I hardly thought anything of it until the journey home. It was day time as we headed back over the winding mountain roads and I could see everything - including the sheer cliff drops beside the road. Oil crisis be damned, I stopped carpooling and drove myself in future.
Stunning images, but I can understand your anxiety in trying to reach your destination in one piece. Your heart must have been leaping out of your mouth!
ReplyDeleteWarm wishes