European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 29, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                              Jaroslav Navratil 65, lifts a Load of Hay onto his tractor s trailer. Navratil has been farming for 54 years. Down farm political changes in Czechoslovakia fail to ease lifestyles off those who toil in the Fields by Dave Casey staff photographer no one can argue that the czechoslovak have been experiencing Radical changes in their political life. The velvet revolution  because of the bloodless change of Power from the communists and the current peaceful split Between the czechs and the slovaks Are just two examples. But for the average czech Farmer the rhythm of life continues much As it always has. Jaroslav Navratil 65, can attest to that. His daily life has varied Little in the 54 years he has been farming. Yes he uses a cooperative owned tractor to help him in his chores but his Days in the Field Are As Long and As physical As they always have been. His morning tasks Are enough to tire a Man half his age but with the help of his equally Stalwart wife Marie they manage to Clear a Large Field of Hay from a state owned youth summer Camp near the town of Moh Elno in Czechoslovakia s Moravia Region in just a few hours. The Sun has yet to reach its Zenith but the air is already hot and Sticky. Sweat streams off Jaroslav s forehead As he lifts yet another 35-Pound Load of Hay Over his head. He carries the Load 20 to 30 feet to the Wagon and with a movement practice through the years he lofts the Hay onto the Wagon. From there his wife perched precariously on top of the already full Wagon manages to distribute the Load and then wipes her brow with the Back of her Sun tanned Arm. Marie adjusts her kerchief and then leans Back on her Pitchfork As Jaroslav collects another Batch of Hay to repeat the seemingly endless Cycle. The Nikon Click. The latent images Are now enmeshed in Silver Halides and await the truth of the Darkroom chemicals. Jaroslav not used to seeing tourists this far from their hotels asks what is going on. Some broken German vigorous hand gestures and the Universal of later and an impossibly Short synopsis of two lifetimes and a Way of life Are captured. As the american plated car leaves it raises a Cloud of dust that slowly settles Back to the Rich Earth. Jaroslav and Marie wave As if they were saying goodbye to close relatives. After a few quiet words Between themselves they return to the rhythm of their work. Despite the political transition in Czechoslovakia the daily lives of Marie and Jaroslav Navratil have changed Little. Jaroslav Navratil left and his wife Marie share the chores around the farm. " is photos by Dave Casey 14 stripes Magazine october 29, 1992 october 29, 1992 stripes Magazine 15