Organ Grinder, Santiago, 1965, a photo from La Coruna, Galicia

Photographer's Note

Another photo from my school trip in July, 1965 which included a visit to Santiago de Compostela and this one was also taken during our wanderings around the area of the famous cathedral.

If I wasn't sure quite what made me take my last photo, the reason is more obvious in this one - a wonderfully shabby man with a shabby barrel organ being pulled on a shabby cart by, well, a rather shabby and dejected looking donkey. But I can't actually remember whether or not I heard him make any music!

I've spent ages combing the streets of Santiago on Google maps and, if you click on Map:view or click on these co-ordinates 42.879860, -8.544613 and use Google's little man, I am pretty certain I have found the exact spot where this was taken fifty-five years ago in July, 1965 . The "cut out" angle of the corner wall behind the organ grinder, the archways farther behind him with the window and balcony above, even the metal conduit running up the wall at far right protecting electricity cables - all seem to fit with my photo. The only difference appears to be the street sign which has changed from "Calle de la Raina" to "Rua da Raina" and I'm not sure of the reason for that.

I apologise for this one not being quite as clear as my last photo. This was also a copy of a Kodachrome slide.

And here is a link to a larger version of the photo:
https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_m5.2281_santiago_bo_2.jpg

holmertz, jhm, Royaldevon, ktanska, jean113, Fis2, Ilonka1974, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, ricardomattos, PaulVDV trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101980) 2020-04-26 4:10

Hello John,
This photo looks even older than the latest one. The shabby this and shabby that clearly belong to passed days, but honestly the colours also look a bit old. It could be just that the settings of the scanner were not totally ideal, which I know so well from my own hundreds of attempts. There is a blueish hue that slightly bothers me and which I think I could reasonably adjust in PSE. I will post that as a WS and I hope you won't mind.
Apart from that it's a delightful photo, no doubt one I would have loved to take, but maybe I wouldn't have dared to do it in 1965, even though I am one year older. You were probably braver than me.
It is also quite clear that you found the right spot in the maze of narrow alleys of Santiago.
Best regards,
Gert

[workshop] [compare] +

lousat (138599) 2020-04-26 4:34

Hi John,in fact this time there is a clear reason why the photo was taken ... ehhe .. really a surprising encounter, the man is already a characteristic character, and then the old organ on the cart dragged by the donkey it is a truly unique thing. Good quality also in the processing without the blue of the WS. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

jhm (211734) 2020-04-26 6:02

Hello John,

I am convinced that picture that are good made, always have his charm.
Nice detailed with family, but also a nice donkey beside the owner .
I like your old picture, nice colours and perfect presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

Royaldevon (85606) 2020-04-26 6:24

Hello John,

Oh, you must be having so much fun, looking through your archives!
This photograph is just so good!
I cannot imagine you standing face on and taking this!
But, don't you think the organ grinder is like a comedy character! He could be Benny Hill or Ricky Gervais! And those two women, they add extra humour, without interacting with the main image. Oh ... maybe it's Monty Python!

I just love the whole photograph, the placing of the characters, the situation!
I think the w/s is a slight improvement but in every other way, I just love it!

Thanks for this,
Bev :-)

ktanska (44464) 2020-04-26 6:29

Hi John,
This view certainly shows how times were different then. Donkey and organ were a good photo subject then and certainly historic now. I guess that's Citroen 2CV in the background.
Kari

jean113 (27637) 2020-04-26 7:25

Hello John, an excellent shot from your archive.
I feel very sorry for the donkey, it really doesn't look in the best condition; and how heavy is a barrel organ?
You were quite brave to take this picture, especially with the man looking directly towards you.
So, 55 years later, here we are enjoying your post.
Google maps is wonderful isn't it? so useful.
Keep safe, kind regards, Jean.

Fis2 (169709) 2020-04-26 9:11

Witaj John!
Wonderful photo from Your archive.
Excellent scene from street.
Good reportage shot.
Well done.
Keep safe.
Nice evening.
Krzysztof

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2020-04-26 11:47

Hi John,
Interesting daily life scene in this street, perfect focus with this man and the donkey, sharpness is well managed, interesting old picture.
Well done.
Best regards
Janusz

Tue (91564) 2020-04-26 13:35

Hello John,
The photo is an excellent impression of daily life in the streets of this Spanish town 55 years ago. Superb capture of the man and his donkey pulling the old red organ on the cart. As you say all looks pretty shabby and it is a miracle that either the cart or the donkey or both of them hadn't collapsed under the weight of the organ yet. I also like the contrast of the red colours of the cart and organ with the blue clothes of the man.
Lars

emka (157280) 2020-04-26 15:02

Hello dear John,

Shabby man, a shabby barrel organ, shabby cart and donkey, and all this gives very interesting photo. Probably now it would not be possible to see the donkey near the Santiago cathedral. And how nice to read about your adventures as a teenager on the trip. It was an unforgettable experience. I think that everyone remembers the school trips. Mine was not so attractive - only three days and in Poland. But it was great fun.
Of course, I looked at Google map. It is easy to find the exact place because we have this sign, although now it is rua and not calle. So Queen street. I saw on the map the exact place where you stood. The arches belong to the building on the square. There is a fountain with horses there. I have some photos taken there.
Maybe you have any photo of you? I would love to see it :).
I do not care about the colour cast. It is just delightful to see.
Best regards MAlgo

Nicou (193806) 2020-04-26 20:51

Hello

quelle image des archives fantastique quel homme et sa charrettes et cette âne avec les deux dames en fond quel objet il transporte et ce look quelle nostalgie et scène superbe
Bravo et belle journée
Nicou

COSTANTINO (115515) 2020-04-26 21:18

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
impressive capture from the past
in July 1965,so many years ago....
I love photos of this kind indeed
presenting this man with a shabby
barrel organ being pulled on a shabby cart
photos from the past which must
keeping for the future as a sample
of tradition...
delicate and pretty photo
regards
Costantino

ifege (46923) 2020-04-26 23:42

Hi John
A reasonable scan but extremely interesting photo. Definitely worth posting.
cheers
Ian

Silvio1953 (220577) 2020-04-27 0:58

Ciao caro John, nice scene with original trasportation systemlovely composition with goutdoor market, fine details, wonderful natural colors, excellent perspective, good clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

kasianowak (17672) 2020-04-27 5:56

Hi John
Delightful image from your archive! Wonderful street scene from 55 years ago. Everything has changed since, the way people dress, the style of cars, even the language of the street sign... I found that really interesting and found out that calle is a Spanish (Castilian) word, while rua Galician. I hope Galicia is not planning a Catalonian scenario... ;-)
Best wishes
Kasia

papagolf21 (152605) 2020-04-27 8:14

Bonjour, cher ami John,
Ma science relative à la photographie, ses couleurs, etc, me sont étrangères, ce qui me plaît dans une photo c'est son sujet, son âme qui transparaît ou non, mais qui incite à la regarder et en apprécier tous les détails.
De plus, 1965, cette année me replonge dans ma jeunesse, et l'on s'aperçoit que le temps file trop rapidement.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ricardomattos (17408) 2020-04-27 16:08

Hi John,

Parece realmente uma foto historica com uma narrativa para contar. Inspira um cineasta para uma bela cena de filme. Penso que Santiago de Compostela ainda não tinha a fama que tem hoje.

Parabens

Ricardo

PaulVDV (62802) 2020-04-28 9:04

Hello John,
I've been several times in Spain but in much later years. Consequently, I've never seen such scenes in this country. The clothes of the different persons also show that this photo was taken in a bygone era.
It is of course a very nice archive photo with a great nostalgic feeling.
I think that a street organ can today still be seen in Spain, but the scene will look very different.
The change of name from 'Calle de la …' to 'Rúa da' most likely fits in with the rights that the Galician language meanwhile acquired. During the Franco regime, the aspiration was for one state, one people, one religion, one language, one leader. Not exactly a democracy.
Best regards, Paul

jmdias (114262) 2020-05-14 12:52

john

the clothes and the cart and the personages are similar my grandfather and grandmothers used in those same days in portugal. the name of the street is wrote in galego, the local language and the sister-language of portuguese. raiña is wrote with spanish letters but the sound is exactly like in portuguese (rainha). TFS this old treasure.

take care

jorge