Spent ten days during my recent time in Slovenia on Monte Lussari or, in Slovenian, Svete V¡sarje, helping another Jesuit out in a camp for teenagers from four countries. The only language the campers--early teenagers--had in common was English. Besides helping some of the kids individually with English we celebrated Mass in English every evening and, much to my pleasure, I was able to give them some instruction in photography and feedback on some of their work. Approximately five of the guys and one of the girls were keenly interested in photography. Thus there were discussions on composing a photo, choosing a subject, and the fact that one can take decent shots with a cell phone. During the last day of camp there was a kind of scavenger hunt which included each team taking two photos of the church, one exterior and one interior. Several of the kids showed very creative composition as opposed to straight ahead shots. If I am able to return next year there will be a more formal track for photography using their hikes and other summer-camp activities as a source of photos.

Visarje, or Lussari, has been a site of religious pilgrimage for approximately six hundred years. During the winter the place is an active ski resort with only two modes of access: walking uphill for a few hours or a 15 minute gondola ride. Same access in the summer when hundreds of pilgrims come per day, many of whom walk. There are three Masses daily at 10, 11, and 12. The setting is the Julian Alps. While technically in Italy, Slovenia is 13 km in one direction and Austria 9 km in the other. The village is at an elevation of 5700 feet. The elevation made climbing the 55 steps from the rectory to the church at least thrice daily an interesting experience for the first half of the week. The photo opportunities were endless. Will be editing and processing for quite a while.

Spent ten days during my recent time in Slovenia on Monte Lussari or, in Slovenian, Svete V¡sarje, helping another Jesuit out in a camp for teenagers from four countries. The only language the campers--early teenagers--had in common was English. Besides helping some of the kids individually with English we celebrated Mass in English every evening and, much to my pleasure, I was able to give them some instruction in photography and feedback on some of their work. Approximately five of the guys and one of the girls were keenly interested in photography. Thus there were discussions on composing a photo, choosing a subject, and the fact that one can take decent shots with a cell phone. During the last day of camp there was a kind of scavenger hunt which included each team taking two photos of the church, one exterior and one interior. Several of the kids showed very creative composition as opposed to straight ahead shots. If I am able to return next year there will be a more formal track for photography using their hikes and other summer-camp activities as a source of photos.

Visarje, or Lussari, has been a site of religious pilgrimage for approximately six hundred years. During the winter the place is an active ski resort with only two modes of access: walking uphill for a few hours or a 15 minute gondola ride. Same access in the summer when hundreds of pilgrims come per day, many of whom walk. There are three Masses daily at 10, 11, and 12. The setting is the Julian Alps. While technically in Italy, Slovenia is 13 km in one direction and Austria 9 km in the other. The village is at an elevation of 5700 feet. The elevation made climbing the 55 steps from the rectory to the church at least thrice daily an interesting experience for the first half of the week. The photo opportunities were endless. Will be editing and processing for quite a while.