Somewhere In Time is a weekly travel photo from around the world. Enjoy!
One of my favorite things about traveling through Paris and Italy were the random accordion players that would line the train stations or jump on a train right as it was about to take off. I loved it. I grew up with my father playing the accordion and I didn’t think that anyone else even played one but the instrument is definitely alive and well in Europe. Randomly, I even ran into an accordion player on the hike in Cinque Terra! It was totally unexpected but fit perfectly with the surroundings. It really is an amazingly soulful little instrument.
Imagine this: You are on a train about to embark on a new adventure and a man jumps on at the last minute, right as the train is about to leave, and starts playing his mournful songs as the journey begins. Then he starts singing. What could be better? It’s like the world is giving you a soundtrack for your travels! It’s beautiful! In Paris all sorts of musicians played in the metro lines – one time I even saw a 6+ piece band playing old French songs! I’m sure you grow immune to it over time but really how can you be a bad mood on the way to work when you heard these amazing French songs on the metro? Oh Paris. Perfect in every way.
Well this guy was kind of a loner. He had the entire hallway to himself and the sound just echoed down the hall, like it was calling out to me. Whenever I see this photo of Paris, I remember walking through Paris, being in love with the city and thinking to myself that I never want to leave. Then I think of my dad and my family back home and wonder how I can get them all to move with me to Paris so my father can play his accordion proudly in the street. Nothing could be ever be wrong with Paris, most definitely not the moveable soundtrack that follows you wherever you go.
Has anyone else had similar experiences in their travels?
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16 comments
beautiful!!! I will take one please 🙂
yes, might look goood in the bathroom 🙂@Bridgette,
Nice photo! I love seeing street performers in photos. I guess it’s because most of the time in real life, people tend to just ignore them. I like that in this photo, he’s the one you’re looking at.
Yeah, i love them too. I think you’re right a lot of times they are ignored – which is a real shame. 🙂 @Connie,
Great photo! I agree, there are so many adorable little adorable old men playing on the streets of Italy, and they are so happy!
We have seen some great musicians in the underground stations in Madrid and London recently. The underground has amazing amphitheater like qualities!
Hi Annie, you’re right! The sound always echoes so beautifully – I love it! @Annie,
I love how old-school accordions feel. Great great shot, Bethany!
They are def. cool. I learned to play my dad’s a long time ago but seriously never knew how big they were in Europe! @Brooke vs. the World,
totally understand how you feel about paris! loved it! love this photo and your writing is like the soundtrack to the photo here. it’s like i can hear the accordian echoing thru that long room. happy new year guys!
Thanks for the fantastic compliment Lorna! I want to move to Paris. I really fell in love with that city. @Lorna – the roamantics,
Fantastic image. In London very occasionally an accordion player will turn up on a tube, or in the street. It brings be back to my childhood when my long since dead grandad use to blast out traditional Scottish tunes on his accordion. I miss those days!
There is something really special about the accordian isn’t there? @William K Wallace,
great capture, love the “high key” mood, i bet you will treasure this photo for a long time!
Thanks Greg! I know you’re right. I will def. treasure this one for a long time. 🙂@greg urbano,
As an accordionist who plays at times on the street, I’ve always wondered what other people think of it. Personally, I can’t stand people who jump on the metro to play, since I see it as a “captured audience”, versus an audience at a nearby cafe or people walking by and stopping to listen. Or, maybe I wouldn’t mind it so much if people didn’t make it feel an obligation to tip (haha, even though I never refuse a tip myself, but I’m weird about asking!).
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