Consider
the National Geographic. For
many
years it has been an admirable and
comprehensive
publication. I have been
entertained,
educated and in awe of the
photography
and captions of that perfect
bound
and glossy collection which has
revealed
to me and countless millions
of
viewers and subscribers a panoply of
scenic
geography and cultural diversity
from
around the world. What a sheer
delight
to the eye and mind. Within the
past
few years the prestigious publication
has
offered access to the general public,
allowing
amateur and professional photog-
raphers
to post their work for viewing to
the
interested and curious others around
our
wondrous planet. I, myself, have posted
more
that 800 pieces which I have taken
in
my local, regional and international travels
over
the past forty-some years. In this day
and
age, I never cease to be amazed with
the
technology which now allows so many
common
folks like me to communicate with
others
near and far. I often think about my
grandfather
(now long deceased) who im-
migrated
to the United States from Greece
over
100 years ago. In order for him to meet
and
greet people of like and foreign persuasion
in
his day, he would bathe, shave, don his only
double-breasted,
pin-striped suit, pick a dan-
delion
as a boutonniere for his lapel, and sit
for
hours on a park bench feeding the
pigeons
and squirrels, willing to shake
the
hand of a stranger. And in his thick
accent,
he would likely ask, My friend,
where
in the world are you from? My
name
is George Hanch, he might offer.
Used
to be I was Hajiannis from Pelo-
ponnese,
but Ellis Island authorities
changed
that for me. These Americans
like
simple, you know. What would
happen
to be your story? I was too
young
to take Grandpa’s picture be-
fore
he died. Photographically, he
would
have cut a striking and affable
figure,
as I recall, certainly worthy of
gracing
the pages of the illustrious and
timeless
National Geographic Magazine.
Chris
Hanch 1-14-19
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