It is probably my favourite photograph of Hvar.
Followers of the Total Hvar blog will be aware of my mild obsession with the one place to which I as an outsider will never be invited to sit – The Bench. It is a wonderful Dalmatian institution where the old and the wise of the community (all male of course) sit each day and discuss olives, politics and other weighty topics that dominate life in Dalmatia.
They are a fairly sedate bunch, and I have rarely seen the men sat there get too animated (unless the olive conversation turns heated, of course), but as you can see in the photo above, things can get lively if an attractive Czech model happens to walk past…
The Czech beauties are back! One of the more exotic aspects of Hvar tourism – now in its 15th year – is the arrival of various fashion models from the Czech Republic to their base in Ivan Dolac, from where fashion photography courses are held.
Many of the courses are typically held out of the peak season, causing some heart-stopping moments for locals in places like The Bench, where locals are not used to such exotic interruptions to their tranquil routine.
There are a few places for aspiring fashion photographers left for two courses in September, starting on September 24 and September 25, and I guess knowledge of Czech would be a bonus bus not essential.
More details here, or follow the ladies on Facebook. As for me, I plan to be close to The Bench on those dates, just in case I get an invite…
