A day trip with Jan Mikuska and Peter Kalaman to photograph the dark skinned people in the gypsy village of Janovce, Slovakia.

Taking turns filling the buckets with water they use it to drink, cook, bathe and probably flush the toilets.

Looking down into the windows of the soul the sparkles were bright in the eyes of the child.

The gypsy children clamored for my attention and regardless of where I turned they were always there.

A blind man sat in front of his house. As I looked at the foundation I wondered what would happen in a flood.

The steps leading up to the front door were so unstable. As unstable as the overall construction. Again I wondered how they fared in a rainstorm and just how wet did they get?

A child came out the front door to see what the ruckus was all about.

After being invited inside I saw this family room was a place to gather not only to eat but also to watch TV and sleep. No running water but two TV’s.

Right across the dirt road was a baby sitting on a makeshift couch eating his lunch in the sun.

And as I walked from door to door this woman greeted me with obvious body language that said to me I was not welcome to enter her domain. So I did not even ask.

But again the children were happy go lucky and the innocence did not deter smiles and clamoring for attention. They really seemed happy. I wondered if it is because they do not know anything else and that nature makes children playful and nonchalant regardless.

During my descent the children were busy picking the pocket of my guide who let his guard down for just a second. He should have known better. One second was all that was needed to get a wallet.

This woman came out and chased me down to show me her child. I could tell she wanted me to photograph her with her baby.

And as I left the village and walked back down the hill to join the guides I was followed and escorted to the realm of normalcy. At least what I think is normal.