Sunday 12 December 2010

Revivals

Joel had to go to Asia on business and our good old friends, the Appels, invited us both to participate of an old tradition they have established in Hong Kong; Thanksgiving on the Saturday that follows the real Thanksgiving in the USA. Hong Kong, of course, does not observe this American holiday, but the Appels, Americans who have been living in Asia since forever, have established the Saturday to be the day they invite friends to come and celebrate Thanksgiving. As Brazilians that we are, we did not have this habit, but after 9 years being very good friends with the Appels, we have kind of "incorporated" this holiday. Of course that for us, Joel and I, it has nothing to do with the tradition of the first British settlers in the US, but rather a time to stop and be officially thankful for the uncountable blessings we've received.

Needless to say that Joel hadn't finish his sentence and I had my bags packed. Planning was all very quick but in a way ok, because my reason for going was really to be there for Thanksgiving, to hug and kiss old friends and re-see HK, this place that we have called Home for almost a decade.

Due to Joel's other traveling schedule, we didn't fly together, therefore I had freaking 24 hours of flights and lay-over, thus loads of time to think about what would the next ten days be like for me. I confess that, although we have left HK only 1.7 year ago, I had forgotten what it's like to sit for 15 hours in a plane... ouch that was no fun... one sleeps, watches movies, reads and when you check, you still have 8 hours to go, ha ha ha.

But anyway, after so much thinking, I realized that although VERY excited to be going back for a visit, I was a bit concerned about the "revival" part of it all. Our life in HK has been very special, very blessed, very cool so half of me wished it stayed that way, sort of a "freeze the moment" type of thing. The other half was full of plans, full of excitement to have succeed in "booking" friend's rushed year end life for lunches, dinners, teas, coffees and so on.

All these thoughts came to an end when the Captain broke the silence on board announcing our descend into HK, the weather was hazy (tell me something new!) and already dark when we landed... "ouch I've really arrived", I thought... no going back now... here I'm... and voilá, BEAUTIFUL 10 days were unfolding right before me, amen!

It was easy easy to arrive, go through the "HK residents" immigration empty line, luggage came out promptly, knew exactly where to buy my express train into town ticket, which by the way, was costing the same as it has cost in the past 10 years, the journey lasted exactly what it used to last, on the HK side of the train trip, the last taxi line to the right was still the shortest line, Chinese taxi drivers were still almost rude, as only they can be, traffic organized and flowing as it always did, buildings decorated for the Christmas seasons and loads of street light... yes I had arrived in Hong Kong and the "feeling of belonging" was right there in my heart and that felt good and comfortable!

It was deliciously good to be at the Appels for Thanksgiving, thank you for the invitation and for having us over. I loved being with my scrapbooking girl friends (and their husband too) who managed to also repeat a tradition we had of going for a Christmas High Tea. I had an awesome time with my church girl friends with loads of chatting and yet another repeating habit, massages! Joel and I were taken for lunch and dinner by dear friends, coffees with loads of photography conversations, local phone call conversations... all very good!

My "revival" ten days came to an end when, yet again, the Captain announced we were descending into Panama City and as always, I looked out onto the window and the sense of belonging was there once again... the Bridge of the Americas was lit, ships lining up to enter or exiting the Canal were lit, the Causeway strip was lit... I was back to Panama City, our Home Sweet Home and that also felt very good!

So, should you be facing a revival in the near future, do not hesitate and go for it!

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Eat Pray Love

Have you seen the movie, Eat Pray Love? Joel and I went the other day and you know what? In spite some not so positive comments about the movie, I liked it. For sure my eyes were happy with what they were seeing; Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, strolling on roads already traveled by me, all in the same package does make life much smoother, doesn't it? On top of that, Javier plays a Brazilian man, so yet another touch to my heart.

But in fact, these were not the reasons that really got my grip, but rather the "re-inventing her self" aspect of the movie and in that, Julia's character and myself have quite a bit in common. In this life of ours, we kind of design a path for our professional lives when we reach the age of college. In most cases, we'll carry the skills learned at university throughout life. But sometimes, life presents us innumerous challenges or opportunities to change this path and when we embrace it, life really becomes a thrill and I love it! It's not like we are loosing our original line of work, but rather gaining, adding, new skills and with them, broadening our horizons.

Our life in Panama is completely settled, amen to that and I'm gearing my time to becoming an official photographer. The only thing that is still holding me back a tiny little bit is the thought: will turning photography into a business harm my passion for it? Let's see.

October was a cool month. We went to Rio de Janeiro for my niece's wedding. Alice and David were there too, as they were both part of the wedding party and it had been a few months since the five of us were together... so all good!

Alice and I on a "Thelma & Louise moment".
Later I realized that the groom's building is reflected on my sun glasses.
Alice & David ready to accompany
the bride and groom
Rio's Botanical Garden - 1
Rio's Botanical Garden's - 2
Two generations crossing the street - mom & Alice
The cousins together.
Fernanda, the bride, is in the middle.
Actually, without any planning, they are in order
of birth, Ana, Fernanda and Alice.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Shots around Panama City

Yesterday I spent many hours shooting different corners of Panama City. This meant coming back home with many shots and of course, super dupa happily exhausted! Some of the results are here. Enjoy them.
Taken at Punta Culebra right below where
Noriega used to have his library.
An iguana hanging around the
Smithsonian Institute Research Park.
Please understand that we don't share
the streets with iguanas.
Entrance to the Smithsonian Institute Research Center
The Causeway
Just a Tree with its resident.
Smithsonian Research Center
Cinta Costera Avenue
Sun-set at Punta Culebra

Wednesday 15 September 2010

Photos from Cusco and Machu Picchu


You know what? I am loving being back in the Americas. It's my first deep experience with the culture of my own continent. Every time I go out, I meet people from all the different nations that comprise Latin America and in meeting them, I not only have the pleasure of making new friends, but also, get to know more about my neighbors habits. I am seriously enjoying this experience! For example, in this picture below, where Peru is clearly on the right track for recyclingAnyway, some of you have been asking to see some pictures of our recent trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu, so there you have it. Repeating what I have already said, decent photo shooting at 3,000 + meters high was a huge challenge and I did not cope with the challenge at all times... learning curves of life...

... and off she went to have tea watching the sun set.
Late afternoon chat
I'm going through a phase of doors and windows.
So voila, my Cusceño version for you.
and now, my Machu Picchu version for you

windows and doors version' from
ruins around Cusco
are they cute, completely cute,
totally cute or all the above?

Snapshots at Valle Sagrado for you!
Maeasal salt pan
Gorgeous pueblo of Chinchero, the highest point
I have ever been to. 3762 m (12.342 ft) high

A colorful parade for the Virgin Carmen
chatting away while the parade was passing by
No matter where you are in the world,
grand-mothers always enjoy the
company of their grand-children.
Could this picture be more global?
I think it's a good one for UN's ads.
Colors of beautiful Peru
Flowers up at the Inca's Sacred Mountain
Stairway to heaven at the Sacred Mountain
Ladies and gentlemen, Machu Picchu for you!Sun rising right on the Inca's Sacred Mountain
How was you day?
Sun Temple near Cusco
Cusco, can you hear the bells ringing?

Cusco main square by night