"Homecoming Around the World," a photo exhibit in the Czech city of Opava, is a unique series of photos made in 1919 by Czech legionnaire Vaclav Balcar. On his long journey home to Czechoslovakia from fighting in Russia's Far East, he captured more than 500 negative images on glass plates. His trip took him from Vladivostok to Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, San Francisco, across America to New York, then to France and, finally, Czechoslovakia. This is the first time his family displayed the photos, which have also never been published. (32 PHOTOS)
Homecoming Of A Czech Legionnaire Around The World

1
Buryat-Mongols at the Borza train station in Siberia, Russia

2
The icebreaker "Baikal" at night, in Russia

3
The port of Vladivostok, Russia

4
The port of Vladivostok, Russia

5
A Russian Orthodox church on Pospolov Island, Russia

6
Leaving Russky Island

7
The line at a soup kitchen for the disabled on Russky Island

8
A street scene in Nagasaki, Japan

9
Children in Nagasaki, Japan

10
The river port of Manila, Philippines

11
Two boys in Manila, the Philippines

12
The American ship "Sheridan" in port at Manila

13
Crew members having fun on the "Sheridan"

14
People posing at the harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii.

15
San Francisco

16
San Francisco

17
A sign on the back of a car welcomes the veterans in San Francisco.

18
The countryside in Utah

19
The cross-country train ride as it goes through Nevada.

20
The city of Omaha, Nebraska, as seen from the 17th floor of a building.

21
One of New York City's elevated subway lines

22
A parade of injured legionnaires in New York City

23
On a bus in New York City

24
The steamboat "Grand Republic" on the Hudson River

25
Aboard a steamboat on the Hudson