Anna Neumanova Pictures of life in the East 1-2t. [Library of Selected Works, 1899].

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Anna Neumanova
Images of life in the East 1-2t. (Romania - Bulgaria - Egypt - Greece - Eastern tales and legends)
With a foreword by J. A. Święcicki

Warsaw 1899
Granowski and Sikorski Printing House
Library of Selected Works No. 82 and 83
163; 168 p., plates: 24 (12, 12)
o. cloth, original publisher - with titlepage on spine
p. db, stamp of Franciszek Próchnicki
For. ca: 18x12 cm

"Images from Life in the East," was the title of her memoirs by Anna Neumanowa, the wife of an Austrian consul, who took the opportunity afforded by her social position and her husband's profession to see as much as possible. She was not content with her role as a wife by her husband's side. In 1879-93 she traveled around the Mediterranean (she was in Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt), immersing herself in everyday life, peeping at customs, keeping a sharp eye on changes and lending an ear to stories.

And here we have the harvest of her efforts. Being a woman, she also had access to places where a traveler, diplomat or mere mortal would never reach. As an aristocrat, she met her equals, while living in hotels she saw tourists, and while walking the streets she observed ordinary bread eaters. She visited harems, talked to the bored (and sometimes cruel) wives of dignitaries, was amazed by the tricks of jugglers, wild animals, surprised by traders who spoke Polish, and met in bazaars full of fragrant oils, patterned carpets, and magic medicines. But above all, she absorbed the atmosphere and, importantly, brilliantly described what she learned, what she saw herself, what she felt. It was the end of the 19th century, and this remarkable woman was breaking barriers, passionately traveling, exploring the world, and wanted to pass on her impressions and knowledge to others. The countries where she lived are often visited by tourists. This book will allow you to look at them a little differently, perhaps the image of a Turkish bath, where Turkish ladies received visits and enjoyed sweets, or slippers, displayed in front of the door as a warning that a strange woman is inside, perhaps without a veil, will suddenly appear before your eyes.... Let's start the journey. "