The Canals of Bruges, Belgium

A canal in Bruges

Olympus OM camera, Zuiko lens, Fujichrome film

(Click to enlarge)

1990 was a banner year for Louise and me. In March, we went to six countries in Eastern Europe to document the changes that resulted from the fall of the Berlin Wall. In June, our son Don was married to Kimberly Keith, with our brand new barn the setting for their rehearsal dinner.

In November, the Church of God sent us to Western Europe, to document mission activities. We went to England, Belgium, France, and Spain, and also to Ceuta, a Spanish city on the North African coast. From there, we spent a day in Morocco with an unusual missionary with an unusual mission to Muslims.

It was a great trip, wrapped up with a great English breakfast at Harrod's in London. However, I think the place we enjoyed most may have been the beautiful city of Bruges, Belgium, with its network of canals. Naturally, we took a ride in a barge. Later, Louise bought some of the lace for which the city is famous.

Canal Bargeman, Bruges

Everything was great, that is, until we were leaving England. A constant problem for traveling photographers in the film era was x-ray machines at airports. Since x-rays could degrade or destroy the latent images on film, knowledgeable photographers asked that their film be examined by hand rather than then x-rayed. I had some close calls, but managed to travel to 28 countries without having my film x-rayed. Until this time. Approaching the gate at London's Heathrow Airport for our return flight to the U.S., I asked the attendant for a hand examination of my film -- the film that held the entire record of our trip. "Sorry," he said. "It has to be x-rayed." I pled with him, but to no avail. "If we don't x-ray your film, you don't fly."

The film was x-rayed.

The good news is that there appeared to be no damage. All the film was usable. Today's digital photographers have no idea how easy they have it.

(Photographs copyright David B. Jenkins 2020

Soli Gloria Deo

To the glory of God alone

Tags: Bruges, Belgium, canals, Berlin Wall, Church of God, England, Belgium, France, Spain, Ceuta, Morocco, photography, film, Fujichrome, London, Harrod's, Heathrow Airport, London, Olympus OM camera, Zuiko lens