by Krzysztof Pierzgalski The Czestochowska Upland is a special land located in southern Poland. Amongst limestone hummocks, (which are formed from the silt of Jurassic period sea), are dispersed villages. Because of poor soils and the formation of the terrain, modern farming has never happened to this place.  Progress has passed by, preserving a more traditional type of agriculture.  The younger generations have left for the cities, leaving the older members of families to run the farms.  Farmers tend to be religious and are very much attached to their land and although they struggle with the daily toil, they can't imagine any other way of life. Very modest incomes mean that houses are unmodernised and people live without many of the comforts of civilisation such as running water or electricity.  These Jurassic villages are real, unique and yet a typical image of the Polish countryside.   Part I For many farmers from the Jurassic villages the main problem is how to make a life for their family and a carefree childhood for their children. One of the farmers from Brzeziny village leading a cow from the grass-land before sunset. Mr Zygmunt Wasat is a basket-maker. The blacksmith from the Falcon Field village hammers a plough into shape. Mr Fryderyk Sokol, farmer from Brzeziny village.  He and his family live without running water and so bring water from the well by yoke each day. A farmer, Jozef Lech, prepares his scythe for haymaking. Trzebniow village. One of the old houses, inhabited until very recently: with a wooden section for people and a stone section for cattle.  This type of house was built after the second world war and is found all over the Jurassic region.  Today, only a few remain. A boy near a wayside shrine. Bystrzanowice village. 6:30 p.m. in one of the Jurassic villages. The women, after daily duties, sit down outside their houses to observe village-street life.  Setting up small benches in front of garden fences is a time-honoured custom in polish villages. A farmer from Ludwinow village during spring ploughing. Corn is a traditional crop sown in mountain fields. After hard work in the fields, a farmer has a beer. Country boy.  After his school duties he helps his father with hay-making. 
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