tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82080277126594720822024-03-14T13:04:58.915-05:00Riding The HorizonMany want. Some even desire. But few do.....CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-51877179708911335692024-02-15T18:27:00.003-06:002024-02-15T18:31:22.933-06:00Barbudos de Castilla y León (Spanish Bearded Men)<div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Barbudos de Castilla y León</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( </b><b>Bearded </b><b>Spanish Men of Castile and León)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The greatest obstacle to taking great street portraits is not gear, training, or even opportunity. It is something larger, more petrifying, more difficult to confront… that overwhelming dread that stunts us, that holds us back from realizing our potential… our fear of rejection!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As humans we all fear rejection, What if they say No? What if they get mad… even yell? What if…what if.. what if… and the world moves on as we stew.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our natural inclination is to shy away from asking complete strangers on the street if we can take their picture. There will be no rejection if we never ask. But then how will we ever get better?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">W. Clement Stone, a well-known motivational speaker, said, “Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.” That action was what I was determined to take in 2023. Once and for all conquer my fear of asking strangers for their photo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">*** *** ***</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Fall in Spain, three men told me No when I asked to take their picture. The next one hundred and ninety men agreed or did not stop me from taking their photograph. What you see here today are select images from those one hundred and ninety that resulted by taking action to conquer an old fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some are young men with dark beards, others older gentlemen with grey hairs shining through. Some men stopped and posed for a photograph while other images were caught as the men carried on their daily business. In all, this distinguished group represents a portion of the real men of Spain, no actors, no models, no politicians, no fake machismo. All real and admirable.</span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bearded men targeted for a photo were those who displayed pride in their facial hair. Making it easy to </span><span style="font-family: arial;">quickly exclude those who looked like they had forgotten to shave for a week. Clean shaven men and ladies were ignored. Next time ladies...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These Spanish men were accepting and open to being photographed by a stranger in the street. The overall experience was positive and meeting so many wonderful people in Valladolid was enjoyable. I can highly recommend that any street photographer should experience firsthand the welcoming nature of the Spanish people. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These images captured a thread of a story about the rich visual heritage and culture </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">of the Spanish men with beards. Take a look...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">...starting with the younger men...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTeHfIaPTxZC7iYtRV4mnSrMnWQsUrfEd1eZjCfkI7QeO6ZY6i6IU8vFd7s-TR-cXLkWBLZ0Z7YA0WFhT2e-xIk_HVLMNUBbZPn4bcLswtFGAF4S1siOzvlYL2FYcwNnv5BLwP5q4qiqk0IAKclz3d1HJzaNnpFcExtwsJI3cZOyV9CAw2_mANinyRhw/s1653/L1001616.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1653" data-original-width="1181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTeHfIaPTxZC7iYtRV4mnSrMnWQsUrfEd1eZjCfkI7QeO6ZY6i6IU8vFd7s-TR-cXLkWBLZ0Z7YA0WFhT2e-xIk_HVLMNUBbZPn4bcLswtFGAF4S1siOzvlYL2FYcwNnv5BLwP5q4qiqk0IAKclz3d1HJzaNnpFcExtwsJI3cZOyV9CAw2_mANinyRhw/w458-h640/L1001616.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY831QnMZvUiLRIk_zg0qRS3gMHbFmz4_WVEUFPrXqBNAJKxKaqhE4i559ywcThK3XfuBdjXB9HQDiIKbYB0qsnwwKGxD9IVUHdYDfr5yJEdMTasEwWUwcZ7hVeKnKTYnY09Uj8B5SkI1GoXfG5znxm3Kh4Ji5hdS242QGWyod1loP0nMSBrNz-sot_1g/s4876/L1000878.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4876" data-original-width="3483" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY831QnMZvUiLRIk_zg0qRS3gMHbFmz4_WVEUFPrXqBNAJKxKaqhE4i559ywcThK3XfuBdjXB9HQDiIKbYB0qsnwwKGxD9IVUHdYDfr5yJEdMTasEwWUwcZ7hVeKnKTYnY09Uj8B5SkI1GoXfG5znxm3Kh4Ji5hdS242QGWyod1loP0nMSBrNz-sot_1g/w458-h640/L1000878.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiargGIy-FXhSkj9qTc0VDbxwya4Mlgc2Pf7YuSB2QP-UXVlZ_PincicpHW81ze6QvOJOKkqEgw8lO-dEVtgxzEb0YuEonBRtLHzMf3WT1eJ3y3-3aqWlh8TtIaxSLJ-ZuG-7J36YQva_NY4jfLgx93q7o1RdEadrMYjH1zditfHuZSxfCGboFwYfRxi4E/s5525/L1000472.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5525" data-original-width="3946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiargGIy-FXhSkj9qTc0VDbxwya4Mlgc2Pf7YuSB2QP-UXVlZ_PincicpHW81ze6QvOJOKkqEgw8lO-dEVtgxzEb0YuEonBRtLHzMf3WT1eJ3y3-3aqWlh8TtIaxSLJ-ZuG-7J36YQva_NY4jfLgx93q7o1RdEadrMYjH1zditfHuZSxfCGboFwYfRxi4E/w458-h640/L1000472.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaZPjuKIbHN-2h5qznv10weIxD3VrdmUyp53NHx51X0m9arsYhPDaFdsqbYXSgq1N21CMxOQbpL0RQhYrYpZ2ap9EfHXy5ICZVWhx40ffg0rf8s1sKeBfohooWXxHhmN3v3GXntwXs09IJO4bi1TqJjQ-yc_o-FwRch6Zas8nCchc4E-4R8hqnywXBdc/s5025/L1000491.jpeg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5025" data-original-width="3589" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaZPjuKIbHN-2h5qznv10weIxD3VrdmUyp53NHx51X0m9arsYhPDaFdsqbYXSgq1N21CMxOQbpL0RQhYrYpZ2ap9EfHXy5ICZVWhx40ffg0rf8s1sKeBfohooWXxHhmN3v3GXntwXs09IJO4bi1TqJjQ-yc_o-FwRch6Zas8nCchc4E-4R8hqnywXBdc/w458-h640/L1000491.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Men with that seafaring look...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">though we are far from the sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YMkj9G-12_TIe04qwGPGPq0eVNzRleZu9SVWFLPyVtmpyL5FDqhAIPmrMCWdHKlI-3f96wRB2ubaX0AUTNTC2LtvEJNGIlA7utcKraoI2cXqlA8_bryyv8m7lg51YdCE-Xi2WIlVEpMTypEtKHiAEf7kw9X2u0WBpjW8N_3X3m0xb20xzD8w6c8ZQyI/s5401/L1000839.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5401" data-original-width="3858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YMkj9G-12_TIe04qwGPGPq0eVNzRleZu9SVWFLPyVtmpyL5FDqhAIPmrMCWdHKlI-3f96wRB2ubaX0AUTNTC2LtvEJNGIlA7utcKraoI2cXqlA8_bryyv8m7lg51YdCE-Xi2WIlVEpMTypEtKHiAEf7kw9X2u0WBpjW8N_3X3m0xb20xzD8w6c8ZQyI/w458-h640/L1000839.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His red beard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IoPLp-AGdKPDe4tJ6sGOsECirVdIUj3hI-KeUOmNUMoPCixzd0tSlZT1x8yjHjBF7KzPjRHn_A9f09vW2vpcvSNp7qLFLmpibSLye6xD8pMnIjSjDGucJA2SmRbvuYYJXoTNzqJGxhKdIXjPMWDljNJtgET3GQDcPXY9yCqQk7yaCkJgiN54_9QprZk/s1841/L1000917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="1315" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IoPLp-AGdKPDe4tJ6sGOsECirVdIUj3hI-KeUOmNUMoPCixzd0tSlZT1x8yjHjBF7KzPjRHn_A9f09vW2vpcvSNp7qLFLmpibSLye6xD8pMnIjSjDGucJA2SmRbvuYYJXoTNzqJGxhKdIXjPMWDljNJtgET3GQDcPXY9yCqQk7yaCkJgiN54_9QprZk/w458-h640/L1000917.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coffee break for the businessman...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxkAqgVXT9yyDJ-1BPocgDOtrD5CDhqus_8tQzfTYxECE1vqHwdMfiir0tU9h1EC5BeXszxp0P0z0u325VfTxvVH_pVnGIZ6ZTICK_sVYE-djxfTKKu7fpQ_igc3ipOJfYZQnj7noYEmanMlLZgdV3w0gSOVI6GekBnrSy8StUbFh_anHY5UIdaqQF1Y/s4053/L1000469.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4053" data-original-width="2895" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxkAqgVXT9yyDJ-1BPocgDOtrD5CDhqus_8tQzfTYxECE1vqHwdMfiir0tU9h1EC5BeXszxp0P0z0u325VfTxvVH_pVnGIZ6ZTICK_sVYE-djxfTKKu7fpQ_igc3ipOJfYZQnj7noYEmanMlLZgdV3w0gSOVI6GekBnrSy8StUbFh_anHY5UIdaqQF1Y/w458-h640/L1000469.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The barber from Bilbao....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_wKb_L6G_KiQogGPQhB_sykr0zF_QwkpR0AfA4qGZ4onjH_YASCmgik8WpvWZHzSskucUmWR5-ADpMYtNOlpwTgoHschwU_oOoTrRiZfqMo6qY0aoBUH6pYKOia5LnONkmGYtGfCxf6xkOAMs3YxR9CW5htf59kD-ozJFlRlxw-K5OVfu4UsPL0hT8U/s4328/L1000772.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4328" data-original-width="3091" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_wKb_L6G_KiQogGPQhB_sykr0zF_QwkpR0AfA4qGZ4onjH_YASCmgik8WpvWZHzSskucUmWR5-ADpMYtNOlpwTgoHschwU_oOoTrRiZfqMo6qY0aoBUH6pYKOia5LnONkmGYtGfCxf6xkOAMs3YxR9CW5htf59kD-ozJFlRlxw-K5OVfu4UsPL0hT8U/w458-h640/L1000772.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bicycles are common on the pedestrian streets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn-Rc7rgn7EIg_qC7Y2vyI_7J8CLhCMdUZw0vp4DGBVM0DIsUSM3qkh5a2y5OE28yXqQuH44GcJBpnfOOxbYGjqvk6PBHHyzdptw38hcZowUil7KcKEQFLvDiJ7UmzuTlGmhM0Wv9LpxE7v7aJHHIlmfwsod3LZC2EmRxXQxPv_zEHAM5QUgEwzKvru8/s1767/L1001531.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1767" data-original-width="1262" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn-Rc7rgn7EIg_qC7Y2vyI_7J8CLhCMdUZw0vp4DGBVM0DIsUSM3qkh5a2y5OE28yXqQuH44GcJBpnfOOxbYGjqvk6PBHHyzdptw38hcZowUil7KcKEQFLvDiJ7UmzuTlGmhM0Wv9LpxE7v7aJHHIlmfwsod3LZC2EmRxXQxPv_zEHAM5QUgEwzKvru8/w458-h640/L1001531.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jealous of their flowing locks of hair...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwppRiWUY8-ZdW93HR78_7cP52YEQ55nWUNbQ4NgwtkcW93_pYI5YPi0Pl6GcaE1c78lBltt3LRuz4KNH4tCVgl7TnBqTuQuNvd2w8lKCeMR_R6bt9bJq7xx8Al4zEUdWtz0xGeuUpdIWjE8lor4o730CDr6PD_feD5_aR-HVIkCfhgXj555sKpfZqJW0/s1633/L1001114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="1154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwppRiWUY8-ZdW93HR78_7cP52YEQ55nWUNbQ4NgwtkcW93_pYI5YPi0Pl6GcaE1c78lBltt3LRuz4KNH4tCVgl7TnBqTuQuNvd2w8lKCeMR_R6bt9bJq7xx8Al4zEUdWtz0xGeuUpdIWjE8lor4o730CDr6PD_feD5_aR-HVIkCfhgXj555sKpfZqJW0/w452-h640/L1001114.jpeg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zsfqThVmj3QMmsR7hRwxjo0XdDl76ioZLk5jmVHOo3hKp4ZTpSSK_J6WnjiIGlV-Rtn7F-TpldV3eddV4Tmnei0KVYerVIo8At6ZRybwQIMimHuUfnNDbJgMW3bJeFIk3Ey0njSR0LqDO5Bub-eGj8S3Am0ECtGviMu6ELsuW433l8kYjgZ8KN6GnmE/s2232/L1001552.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="1594" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zsfqThVmj3QMmsR7hRwxjo0XdDl76ioZLk5jmVHOo3hKp4ZTpSSK_J6WnjiIGlV-Rtn7F-TpldV3eddV4Tmnei0KVYerVIo8At6ZRybwQIMimHuUfnNDbJgMW3bJeFIk3Ey0njSR0LqDO5Bub-eGj8S3Am0ECtGviMu6ELsuW433l8kYjgZ8KN6GnmE/w458-h640/L1001552.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His daily bread...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpMsLlq_Iz8sGH_6UlyEoTzmLA0qLzZmPu6ODUZxoYNrf46LPKl_EW594BC0EFzLIgDIFT8pwtaFL3RAOuqbrWxpzEVv3vQp1ZlVunPQ76NMWL3q3bENjkV_ba8mrMoBJlXB1dyMWRMQT0swVYe9Wvciw7XWH1RAmSNk3lepA2Dj-K13xrlOjQSQlMGs/s2518/L1000971.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="1799" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpMsLlq_Iz8sGH_6UlyEoTzmLA0qLzZmPu6ODUZxoYNrf46LPKl_EW594BC0EFzLIgDIFT8pwtaFL3RAOuqbrWxpzEVv3vQp1ZlVunPQ76NMWL3q3bENjkV_ba8mrMoBJlXB1dyMWRMQT0swVYe9Wvciw7XWH1RAmSNk3lepA2Dj-K13xrlOjQSQlMGs/w458-h640/L1000971.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bakery chef...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWGf5UPEMcYMvVhOhZy16upUQDn3wJfQXUq4E2h3yQFTgrw9PiFcZyfy8mjIIbEatiXYR8b2ZGI0WhaQEiptK96JQ8e0RNrAcPM4ioLVWjt14jzE8nnZYyg87p6jBEBXs5HCYkIOoVqxIP93ZLtGID8Feh-9In8uhKMp2mqUGRswVhUo4zYZinNT6drI/s2393/L1000429.jpeg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="1709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWGf5UPEMcYMvVhOhZy16upUQDn3wJfQXUq4E2h3yQFTgrw9PiFcZyfy8mjIIbEatiXYR8b2ZGI0WhaQEiptK96JQ8e0RNrAcPM4ioLVWjt14jzE8nnZYyg87p6jBEBXs5HCYkIOoVqxIP93ZLtGID8Feh-9In8uhKMp2mqUGRswVhUo4zYZinNT6drI/w458-h640/L1000429.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smoking is still common in Spain...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ-7wT-bWSQlrpPXBArHiyZH9EDafMM4lIzbUxRp0kbEZibsGMjASUp2unei6nCT954WZIyAwzHGeoRoRuFCMFeLqk1t1AQIfaU91-9lsyLl4XZXL3fBVNuuiLCGAr-wss-Te2uAUepw8sG4-tV_MFU16X9AiXlgKjWg8ju4iNUbsN9qiFj5hREFZEj8/s1891/L1001251.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="1513" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ-7wT-bWSQlrpPXBArHiyZH9EDafMM4lIzbUxRp0kbEZibsGMjASUp2unei6nCT954WZIyAwzHGeoRoRuFCMFeLqk1t1AQIfaU91-9lsyLl4XZXL3fBVNuuiLCGAr-wss-Te2uAUepw8sG4-tV_MFU16X9AiXlgKjWg8ju4iNUbsN9qiFj5hREFZEj8/w512-h640/L1001251.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz68tDpJZ6QGa1Fw12nA-7ipTGrMttm2AK3C2kgKTlz8rrBob7vkIXzufvp0vHpFm3-yRnF_aOpYfr3E1DeE51_QThtuDuuytnMoBy3_-b83cCn1O-Cm8FapvZB7nhIeikE8xFG8GHHEjQlB5NKt2N8QkTxkv5HEEfkNh8Bi2rcTRTPhPWib-hhJguoo/s2396/L1001149.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="1595" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz68tDpJZ6QGa1Fw12nA-7ipTGrMttm2AK3C2kgKTlz8rrBob7vkIXzufvp0vHpFm3-yRnF_aOpYfr3E1DeE51_QThtuDuuytnMoBy3_-b83cCn1O-Cm8FapvZB7nhIeikE8xFG8GHHEjQlB5NKt2N8QkTxkv5HEEfkNh8Bi2rcTRTPhPWib-hhJguoo/w426-h640/L1001149.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">El abuelo (grandfather)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb6b6IA9hVYmMAid6G3Br3v-WRxCIfCQpOk9RBShUBQOBYfrFVQ0t_2RAdYB143VPkM77SG-V4toY3es5wOgvDxn5U9UC1mnINgbz1OqEybEeipZOI4zqJKu1sWqxMg54WG1FcpLnvf9xwjsI-Wg2tI3NKb2WbNlk9YJ67W3HoNqlqw-dh1JhJlTL5j0/s4369/L1000494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4369" data-original-width="3121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb6b6IA9hVYmMAid6G3Br3v-WRxCIfCQpOk9RBShUBQOBYfrFVQ0t_2RAdYB143VPkM77SG-V4toY3es5wOgvDxn5U9UC1mnINgbz1OqEybEeipZOI4zqJKu1sWqxMg54WG1FcpLnvf9xwjsI-Wg2tI3NKb2WbNlk9YJ67W3HoNqlqw-dh1JhJlTL5j0/w458-h640/L1000494.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best of friends for many years...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvAnOqLK-OHN2qZAjY1UqOlDeMTK2m0B8GTUxdIkaQ33QAfGPUGk8WyhyphenhyphenQizHUI2VZ1ug2EqKWT3iK7-_EV9rfjevq7rktGdb50EsCkNaG8lc8S9oz6MG5C0xh61kGEuZbIdkdJ8yevkl5STN8HBsBhjrSTCM-dXOxRNR-93mdPRBLUOtOs-0emFsrY/s4951/L1000430.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4951" data-original-width="3536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEvAnOqLK-OHN2qZAjY1UqOlDeMTK2m0B8GTUxdIkaQ33QAfGPUGk8WyhyphenhyphenQizHUI2VZ1ug2EqKWT3iK7-_EV9rfjevq7rktGdb50EsCkNaG8lc8S9oz6MG5C0xh61kGEuZbIdkdJ8yevkl5STN8HBsBhjrSTCM-dXOxRNR-93mdPRBLUOtOs-0emFsrY/w458-h640/L1000430.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The professor...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2RA3pWKLPc79e3fPWP1qWWfZMJSvy4SSK56jp3H5TqdnSNGFpGPkHecbLswLfjePWk6PodGvVhXiMsXZmm-Csmzo4vEKPufGipSTRUyAPCnKTriTTgvSkNLZ962ShIXuK7zhXjfNv8Va7zqWLrjE46QvVyl5ffLz9yQIDO2EHUKgRszmq1hrv0N5h_k/s4139/L1000488.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4139" data-original-width="2956" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2RA3pWKLPc79e3fPWP1qWWfZMJSvy4SSK56jp3H5TqdnSNGFpGPkHecbLswLfjePWk6PodGvVhXiMsXZmm-Csmzo4vEKPufGipSTRUyAPCnKTriTTgvSkNLZ962ShIXuK7zhXjfNv8Va7zqWLrjE46QvVyl5ffLz9yQIDO2EHUKgRszmq1hrv0N5h_k/w458-h640/L1000488.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you recognize any of these men, let them know I kept my word.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Their images are now published for the world to see. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obviously, I could not use all 190 images. Nevertheless, these represent a varied cross-section of the wonderful bearded men I met. These photos will be included in a showing this Fall in Houston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I plan to return once more to Valladolid in northern Spain for a different photography challenge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe we'll meet over a cup of coffee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ride safe, ride long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-17786065713150639812024-01-17T09:47:00.002-06:002024-01-17T10:10:00.022-06:00Favorite Photos of 2023<div style="text-align: center;">Two thousand and twenty-three was both an interesting and challenging year. I had committed myself to only use a black and white camera for twelve months starting in October of 2022. However I still used my iPhone now and then when a camera was not available or when a color image was called for. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By focusing on black & white, or monochrome images, I forced myself to improve my skills in seeing shapes, lines, forms and texture. All of which are builkding blocks for making a better, stronger image.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In all, am satisfied with the photos captured and the improvements made in 2023.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Now lets see the results, start with a few color images.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Only two photos in the final selection had no people in them. Of late, I tend to photograph people I encountered on the street or at some event. Many strangers will posed for me if asked in a polite way, and others were captured without their knowledge when an opportunity presented itself. Now and then again I'll photograph a landscape or create a travel photo, such as...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Old Wooden Pier</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seal Beach, CA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3iC22u6gyEdrouPpikyi1_uqj8BtIFagWDYLWepdAcc2h0av-GISCOpjvKxV6YRZdD3uUCjrfzHa37XsfA78X7O1E82NqCNNwCj-Tv8fO0j0GGz6COvlLdr0Cye7Tnge_1qVwcjpgfkJ-srlKCZpEqzzgBaR2JbcQ2lU0whlBEk2KGXFoCuGSGh2jJU/s3400/IMG_2027.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3400" data-original-width="2907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3iC22u6gyEdrouPpikyi1_uqj8BtIFagWDYLWepdAcc2h0av-GISCOpjvKxV6YRZdD3uUCjrfzHa37XsfA78X7O1E82NqCNNwCj-Tv8fO0j0GGz6COvlLdr0Cye7Tnge_1qVwcjpgfkJ-srlKCZpEqzzgBaR2JbcQ2lU0whlBEk2KGXFoCuGSGh2jJU/w548-h640/IMG_2027.jpeg" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and then it's back to... people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hempstead Cowboy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Texas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u10qK-Yv-rqJcVw1JWJwVb82-4l2J8UHS0GawH98d4F99iUrOf61es9KH6tar0ZVCphn_MR-apVzLcC288ZCog2u_EvGo5lf8K11CKMj_t-HaHU6eWO5mdK6Rz3bzOs1yel2t1KhpwJxCGzRb15PHgS5AJTvd6hyphenhyphen0GUU93O05K_0qWrFu9S21wZ3ojE/s3226/L1010244%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3226" data-original-width="3226" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u10qK-Yv-rqJcVw1JWJwVb82-4l2J8UHS0GawH98d4F99iUrOf61es9KH6tar0ZVCphn_MR-apVzLcC288ZCog2u_EvGo5lf8K11CKMj_t-HaHU6eWO5mdK6Rz3bzOs1yel2t1KhpwJxCGzRb15PHgS5AJTvd6hyphenhyphen0GUU93O05K_0qWrFu9S21wZ3ojE/w640-h640/L1010244%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mexican Vaquero</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hempstead, TX</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialfKWLaRD38MvwpNRg-mRLmN-8Mijvy8-OPGZSM-9U1-S30PCBNCcVkjI3QV_0jpVPKC2GJVAzrE3SdCxAOwRDEFRQJ7NyFSvJjJjukj90Fa_uATn9O8086Wdi6PHehQ5RYUNjAivoHUopYAU3eWgffoZ92Z3QWgLV_q4Ka3gbUXutv5B2VoBtvzgCFI/s4297/L1010364.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3438" data-original-width="4297" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialfKWLaRD38MvwpNRg-mRLmN-8Mijvy8-OPGZSM-9U1-S30PCBNCcVkjI3QV_0jpVPKC2GJVAzrE3SdCxAOwRDEFRQJ7NyFSvJjJjukj90Fa_uATn9O8086Wdi6PHehQ5RYUNjAivoHUopYAU3eWgffoZ92Z3QWgLV_q4Ka3gbUXutv5B2VoBtvzgCFI/w640-h512/L1010364.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">F. Fellini Family Matriarch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvCpdZOGtBFkj5PcqOfO4rH6VMVeHl2LWqNx1iJVBIko-uaQLbTujYW429oRD7E1Nz7okefJu7yrs3U69JwJTZ2WEjZPdExpWLtvL__XUbUqHCpHWdTuhs8x_sjm9vCLOXu3j8samCCEhF1PVRRy3UWErAEjU8K1x0edoHH-B4lnWI8ltNSmK6AuZvFc/s5300/L1001261.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5300" data-original-width="4240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvCpdZOGtBFkj5PcqOfO4rH6VMVeHl2LWqNx1iJVBIko-uaQLbTujYW429oRD7E1Nz7okefJu7yrs3U69JwJTZ2WEjZPdExpWLtvL__XUbUqHCpHWdTuhs8x_sjm9vCLOXu3j8samCCEhF1PVRRy3UWErAEjU8K1x0edoHH-B4lnWI8ltNSmK6AuZvFc/w512-h640/L1001261.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Young and Old</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Fs3WyYViaDMwmj26t0UZF2ozSgM8aX-pvd8TKph6ji3XcRoBGrHWIO_B9giylfswa0DUlZq-BupgQnkWnnvOXmBLr6YKgRE07ZTl-7-345IPaJy7WpUcvnubSOwPmwR2nmpiMR35BU6ZyhzXPEz1l1-g82-8JOnn0W7hpAWY197MlSuzszhMzRLMos/s1137/L1001158.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0Fs3WyYViaDMwmj26t0UZF2ozSgM8aX-pvd8TKph6ji3XcRoBGrHWIO_B9giylfswa0DUlZq-BupgQnkWnnvOXmBLr6YKgRE07ZTl-7-345IPaJy7WpUcvnubSOwPmwR2nmpiMR35BU6ZyhzXPEz1l1-g82-8JOnn0W7hpAWY197MlSuzszhMzRLMos/w512-h640/L1001158.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Five thirty AM, where is my choir?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hempstead, TX</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjuFcY9MssErlgNXEdtd7OxR1nV8A8zvmzhZ8badKrsK6Xb1UUFb7eUjZTWu7aItAUe1AkH1VVOFJsu84eWtKFISg6GvQOwCQ1kuDGPl6Fyp6MW6LKokih0mfWp8G_FOQgUR3t3lp7ExuVXCm3LbdihlAJP-zZ-REBri_uU3loI-zbTl5qDLH5RIETWY/s2887/L1010019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="2887" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjuFcY9MssErlgNXEdtd7OxR1nV8A8zvmzhZ8badKrsK6Xb1UUFb7eUjZTWu7aItAUe1AkH1VVOFJsu84eWtKFISg6GvQOwCQ1kuDGPl6Fyp6MW6LKokih0mfWp8G_FOQgUR3t3lp7ExuVXCm3LbdihlAJP-zZ-REBri_uU3loI-zbTl5qDLH5RIETWY/w640-h640/L1010019.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Political Street Demonstration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plaza Major, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz_Ie4tu8Mm1MuLG48pw8uHwAOwOhGnI28L7NcCQf-hww_x1NG9B0M4bbWRhss1ztDZzSpH4X0zRjL_SOgGojojXxwi59yeMyzSzNx7aYrYXZCqRL7qDD7YVeWKAm3AozkTVMnYVd7CVE04RfADG_OOKO557L0xP1PmDAQj77VLRx2et9AXt-C4yNEZI/s2754/L1001173.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1670" data-original-width="2754" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz_Ie4tu8Mm1MuLG48pw8uHwAOwOhGnI28L7NcCQf-hww_x1NG9B0M4bbWRhss1ztDZzSpH4X0zRjL_SOgGojojXxwi59yeMyzSzNx7aYrYXZCqRL7qDD7YVeWKAm3AozkTVMnYVd7CVE04RfADG_OOKO557L0xP1PmDAQj77VLRx2et9AXt-C4yNEZI/w640-h388/L1001173.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Five O'clock somewhere... Street Cafe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIdF4GAAAzb1nOvHZj56CH4_Ef24TiInmuth2m-HnYmkFFuVUM_ZfwGOeszWosaCnpuMUUX3rMBrmLAzOIWOs8bNHf2n2mLOf-H5cqsXQPzkkzBz_Z31yrXMFkE3MagnZUaQDfiZveye0kwhOW4j3R3G5lmL7tu6idEeW-3Qxd9FjrtBWHcgANT3SXoo/s8091/L1000030.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5386" data-original-width="8091" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIdF4GAAAzb1nOvHZj56CH4_Ef24TiInmuth2m-HnYmkFFuVUM_ZfwGOeszWosaCnpuMUUX3rMBrmLAzOIWOs8bNHf2n2mLOf-H5cqsXQPzkkzBz_Z31yrXMFkE3MagnZUaQDfiZveye0kwhOW4j3R3G5lmL7tu6idEeW-3Qxd9FjrtBWHcgANT3SXoo/w640-h426/L1000030.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A tribute to Edward Hopper, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spanish Nighthawks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaNkTy7WgFqvXi-VEzP_dvh0vJPwdhCJs6rxMnoncPNSYfTALnJPRHUOcVH7b8vZ8Wx3LGNY8UEWAY0LQQjWbHeHVViqwu73VFW5BcdEzSpU0lW8n9eVF5BOpfhU2L3HtkAZJJ5dD-K81SLyHmZmsJoGGFRSKShjx7aRKtaYAQaePn97xqFMaaN8FElo/s9085/L1000744.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5110" data-original-width="9085" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaNkTy7WgFqvXi-VEzP_dvh0vJPwdhCJs6rxMnoncPNSYfTALnJPRHUOcVH7b8vZ8Wx3LGNY8UEWAY0LQQjWbHeHVViqwu73VFW5BcdEzSpU0lW8n9eVF5BOpfhU2L3HtkAZJJ5dD-K81SLyHmZmsJoGGFRSKShjx7aRKtaYAQaePn97xqFMaaN8FElo/w640-h360/L1000744.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hot Havana Nights</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtZoMm_5iRJYCNgyefDlYQPbZ0wpRmzGYw9m4iWnpa-67MPa-em9EAlYqbUvUg_WHq-hLeZhUCcKESZnxFyk9AAOmcn43f6xK1DQ_TQZe8OvajAwN99j4-htGJMOmY-S3Is64cypBkIYKVwwf3VHfi5WoIsf8ass7w0Jr1Y_MrKCAvegTlZaJljw46Sk/s2955/IMG_2400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2955" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtZoMm_5iRJYCNgyefDlYQPbZ0wpRmzGYw9m4iWnpa-67MPa-em9EAlYqbUvUg_WHq-hLeZhUCcKESZnxFyk9AAOmcn43f6xK1DQ_TQZe8OvajAwN99j4-htGJMOmY-S3Is64cypBkIYKVwwf3VHfi5WoIsf8ass7w0Jr1Y_MrKCAvegTlZaJljw46Sk/w640-h360/IMG_2400.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Five AM Prayer Time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hempstead, Texas</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmc8C-IRfMVWIk57M9nhMZD1ricli79x6tKL697XI8bU_49Yq84BsJAuGjIyDxgVVQqiNtHygYAeUTzgWmEVxUAA8qpSyZ92CONuLu7nhkL7yJF255evMfDCd-oqOHiqv80q8Sfx2Hik8ZoIFC1djxY068g2kfV_xr2ybUEbsfWO2XsxWvdd_fsxQWuw/s3416/L1010026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="3416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmc8C-IRfMVWIk57M9nhMZD1ricli79x6tKL697XI8bU_49Yq84BsJAuGjIyDxgVVQqiNtHygYAeUTzgWmEVxUAA8qpSyZ92CONuLu7nhkL7yJF255evMfDCd-oqOHiqv80q8Sfx2Hik8ZoIFC1djxY068g2kfV_xr2ybUEbsfWO2XsxWvdd_fsxQWuw/w640-h640/L1010026.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Now we get into the monochrome photos.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">White Sands Solitude</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New Mexico</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aJairJCQKwe7Ds1nlzU-45xw8HzBHd8mWAjDgT2HoGlzCT8F36r2-38uMamZpHFLVG32ZJDqqZ06k-6EFvljYdXaiRTvnm6zi_czoIkWY8-_iOeu81AFWG0A3q4GnB7tQU34YtoxQFEuLI_Lz0e8of5vZb26O6fivK596qE_Fpe8oum04l0QCrB0MxA/s6323/Q1004456.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3557" data-original-width="6323" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aJairJCQKwe7Ds1nlzU-45xw8HzBHd8mWAjDgT2HoGlzCT8F36r2-38uMamZpHFLVG32ZJDqqZ06k-6EFvljYdXaiRTvnm6zi_czoIkWY8-_iOeu81AFWG0A3q4GnB7tQU34YtoxQFEuLI_Lz0e8of5vZb26O6fivK596qE_Fpe8oum04l0QCrB0MxA/w640-h360/Q1004456.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Small Town Taxi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVdS_SfNbAYlUeS2ex6VIcFHCzYQg50DHYVqy_6yKmdqzIajLFA2SRK1w4j5B-EL4MAmyXTWrAaqwAS_1IciqOKK2p4UWq6XRg6SufyeotuJXBe0wSGpkdsP6UaFNYgRNqovMdJQ1myNCfDHeX0IbmLZx9tXOjp2RPq1swzlUe6HhUoqufBh4xAljqMQ/s3711/L1006640.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3711" data-original-width="3711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVdS_SfNbAYlUeS2ex6VIcFHCzYQg50DHYVqy_6yKmdqzIajLFA2SRK1w4j5B-EL4MAmyXTWrAaqwAS_1IciqOKK2p4UWq6XRg6SufyeotuJXBe0wSGpkdsP6UaFNYgRNqovMdJQ1myNCfDHeX0IbmLZx9tXOjp2RPq1swzlUe6HhUoqufBh4xAljqMQ/w640-h640/L1006640.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Young Love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti8Rox1VickE_LSbU5E18Sn1OcyHu_IMmmv_Z1d_EYo6SeGTysHdFVH23EQdz-OzHJ051dUD_4khyyOm_kXVA2qBIgPSJe_nzvC2AvvBlskAgvWTMkEot3LrG3ST-7uBGLeg8xMT3kYpDcSYmTdfXzQE7qpfVg0qCxrT81FlROVw3yZcH03U0-g0jioA/s3264/Q1005530.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="3264" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti8Rox1VickE_LSbU5E18Sn1OcyHu_IMmmv_Z1d_EYo6SeGTysHdFVH23EQdz-OzHJ051dUD_4khyyOm_kXVA2qBIgPSJe_nzvC2AvvBlskAgvWTMkEot3LrG3ST-7uBGLeg8xMT3kYpDcSYmTdfXzQE7qpfVg0qCxrT81FlROVw3yZcH03U0-g0jioA/w640-h512/Q1005530.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cooling Off</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMi67V5Z7M0FmgRCTLpSYqArioGoOCAoLsK_WZWXOc89CKfpV34A_FH95Bv3-vv3zK8llMPSaV-wAZSztWSgk3_rHvS2uR9434mM2zDRbz29CQPpMyNUf1Ljiyqq92Faq4W7yTMyY9WowVBjlzx9eE1Uppj2cSQH2xxCM4dSnlaB4UuWt30sO3i5AHq0/s5247/Q1005431.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5247" data-original-width="5247" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMi67V5Z7M0FmgRCTLpSYqArioGoOCAoLsK_WZWXOc89CKfpV34A_FH95Bv3-vv3zK8llMPSaV-wAZSztWSgk3_rHvS2uR9434mM2zDRbz29CQPpMyNUf1Ljiyqq92Faq4W7yTMyY9WowVBjlzx9eE1Uppj2cSQH2xxCM4dSnlaB4UuWt30sO3i5AHq0/w640-h640/Q1005431.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Building Tobacco Drying Shed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valle Viñales, Cuba</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno8ony1Y_8dVTbOqjvMdcAfu5mbq3WArhyphenhyphenNh1NqDI5R0eCuF7PSKmPc_f-dRWPlyfAkRy4-B8a6iN1v5VIw5S21A1dFJoCMv0yviRJhM6DOLCOuyp5SsF33C_J77VR2VgwbE_FCrY0aGgL0WAEZm56YP_vza6vbvWMyRK5RwQKsqWgg7EbJJTJz7hKBE/s3258/L1006774.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3258" data-original-width="3258" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno8ony1Y_8dVTbOqjvMdcAfu5mbq3WArhyphenhyphenNh1NqDI5R0eCuF7PSKmPc_f-dRWPlyfAkRy4-B8a6iN1v5VIw5S21A1dFJoCMv0yviRJhM6DOLCOuyp5SsF33C_J77VR2VgwbE_FCrY0aGgL0WAEZm56YP_vza6vbvWMyRK5RwQKsqWgg7EbJJTJz7hKBE/w640-h640/L1006774.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adapting the new to the old, Oxen Cart</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valles Viñales, Cuba</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFazeGwvmX9ORiRQLV6479T6mTm515Mk-FdSTly_wiz1Zvz0gefxGnFOCfEPpeTc6u8fX3UM3XMgJVrzgT2d-QtB54irMw99k_ywKd_q53XOz-0UfF-4Pc99pLz9nOa3TUlanRzFhxWqL83PZzjcSmha0rtaEc4dk1La_lhaxUWPd8Zf3EWNMVUuKaxw/s2426/L1006829.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="2426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFazeGwvmX9ORiRQLV6479T6mTm515Mk-FdSTly_wiz1Zvz0gefxGnFOCfEPpeTc6u8fX3UM3XMgJVrzgT2d-QtB54irMw99k_ywKd_q53XOz-0UfF-4Pc99pLz9nOa3TUlanRzFhxWqL83PZzjcSmha0rtaEc4dk1La_lhaxUWPd8Zf3EWNMVUuKaxw/w640-h640/L1006829.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Childhood Memories</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Central Texas</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D01ctaHBt7ZIKQDh-lWtCxOh7suQBtOJttR7JWGmGngCrVV7Vgk0gLK_7ineHSN48D9-yYRsOZHoYYNTAE5nTfFwBiOKYerq2I0WulmB0J1cE71rj4MzJVr7uWfbhRX_wGNSKpOkHTZgCCXPFoA4nTH1u9YmXaRipBVlG-D8-aIzzTeUzDwYfwLlA4U/s6735/L1007370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5388" data-original-width="6735" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5D01ctaHBt7ZIKQDh-lWtCxOh7suQBtOJttR7JWGmGngCrVV7Vgk0gLK_7ineHSN48D9-yYRsOZHoYYNTAE5nTfFwBiOKYerq2I0WulmB0J1cE71rj4MzJVr7uWfbhRX_wGNSKpOkHTZgCCXPFoA4nTH1u9YmXaRipBVlG-D8-aIzzTeUzDwYfwLlA4U/w640-h512/L1007370.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Street and Model Portraits</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Beard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHwAqqFy03YWYL_mU-F72oNv_WRNHebiKC-dzyKxx3ibeSXqoCkE0x4yknRzE5-Shxvcqp1L76Uqp88-yOJNJyoWIkJpLjtPhjOqMlQDRtXmwz69xl53K3Kq6VTXZALfk1AG-r15HZqQHibblewnbczDHrnJDjT7FvnVa23MEellCnuKliuu4lVoEAPI/s1841/L1000917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="1315" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHwAqqFy03YWYL_mU-F72oNv_WRNHebiKC-dzyKxx3ibeSXqoCkE0x4yknRzE5-Shxvcqp1L76Uqp88-yOJNJyoWIkJpLjtPhjOqMlQDRtXmwz69xl53K3Kq6VTXZALfk1AG-r15HZqQHibblewnbczDHrnJDjT7FvnVa23MEellCnuKliuu4lVoEAPI/w458-h640/L1000917.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sister Sister</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valldolid, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsGwlZx-xrlPDBJaIrVyS9JlbQD2nqoXwTg0dk0m_kATme463K2BTCkrQGn4AZ2LVxJaKuaoyIeCYhmFHAnSKjJ5VO_wYztvKSnnuKmPuy-P9T8xK7ojZiAH-uTQu6VzrllrFR08v5GSoJ2mNvuGcSBI3Uzk0NVkCWCZK1p0rTfiukUieq-8ulW5kNZ0/s3369/L1001302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="2695" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsGwlZx-xrlPDBJaIrVyS9JlbQD2nqoXwTg0dk0m_kATme463K2BTCkrQGn4AZ2LVxJaKuaoyIeCYhmFHAnSKjJ5VO_wYztvKSnnuKmPuy-P9T8xK7ojZiAH-uTQu6VzrllrFR08v5GSoJ2mNvuGcSBI3Uzk0NVkCWCZK1p0rTfiukUieq-8ulW5kNZ0/w512-h640/L1001302.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">French Chef</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ogZa84hkDZWUQFj1QwaZuLK1OpU1iglMQ6u-z3kLSHPnnmnOfK4t-8tMPmbMAY4LHneMKrmn-FbJwJ4nBW2LRyxpNqrk7XNp69NAyi8Mt0m-sQoLDlv1wxcKjQyEuZMyc9YJc-RrH_uXna5PtoknNWZYOmBXt9M-vQTJIJqMY-atjk9MqyAe_LjLPVk/s2393/L1000429.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="1709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ogZa84hkDZWUQFj1QwaZuLK1OpU1iglMQ6u-z3kLSHPnnmnOfK4t-8tMPmbMAY4LHneMKrmn-FbJwJ4nBW2LRyxpNqrk7XNp69NAyi8Mt0m-sQoLDlv1wxcKjQyEuZMyc9YJc-RrH_uXna5PtoknNWZYOmBXt9M-vQTJIJqMY-atjk9MqyAe_LjLPVk/w458-h640/L1000429.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Retired and Happy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Burgos, Spain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5QltUHoDlLQIdBz6eU3tzDmohKzjpP1Mq3Npnz-ExwWPc2J3VGi2eJQMR_xbeOkEWbcdjzTOmZOgNPzTPxv2J0fDJQEHfvAhHlxizDKRqXZiVT_PyMk9m7mnhmP0239GI4VZIJ6j5_lBz1UVOUHk3hrKzeJmo-_79JuleCy4XEzAF20_wcuzHm8TW94/s2518/L1000971.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="1799" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5QltUHoDlLQIdBz6eU3tzDmohKzjpP1Mq3Npnz-ExwWPc2J3VGi2eJQMR_xbeOkEWbcdjzTOmZOgNPzTPxv2J0fDJQEHfvAhHlxizDKRqXZiVT_PyMk9m7mnhmP0239GI4VZIJ6j5_lBz1UVOUHk3hrKzeJmo-_79JuleCy4XEzAF20_wcuzHm8TW94/w458-h640/L1000971.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Housewife</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPP4tQ38X_gczQSbshcYc6Oca8ZkWGbFjMzKgEL2H0vjf-YguL3OioiQZBS3j5mvl4n10jiw7jF8gjWyZT9-fzAOTWVMa9UG2AhxQUZIvx6p3HiiThNs2Zwu_aExia-BFRfiaOxxZVyUWL54vWr1SuG1SRU5nyJjgO0QDSoojxMpAYdkTPqQkAFJ_t_Q/s3624/Q1005419.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3624" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPP4tQ38X_gczQSbshcYc6Oca8ZkWGbFjMzKgEL2H0vjf-YguL3OioiQZBS3j5mvl4n10jiw7jF8gjWyZT9-fzAOTWVMa9UG2AhxQUZIvx6p3HiiThNs2Zwu_aExia-BFRfiaOxxZVyUWL54vWr1SuG1SRU5nyJjgO0QDSoojxMpAYdkTPqQkAFJ_t_Q/w640-h510/Q1005419.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Street Performer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMpwRmFcs_orogn7rXIUeMOTFf1CbaMt41HBzMXwTTl0N6Yrlq7FffId-f62mGq_iOaVhvLm3NWpB12xTXNURA3vaYWwqCFPxL7pWu5Wvkb5qhXtvfWd9G2SsE0N1s9Qy0JR8mH-9YeWeQqx8wiHWw1LAJ0Izl6XpaP784OQTyGShuOx_dK6WUXWzoq8/s2072/Q1005673.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="2072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMpwRmFcs_orogn7rXIUeMOTFf1CbaMt41HBzMXwTTl0N6Yrlq7FffId-f62mGq_iOaVhvLm3NWpB12xTXNURA3vaYWwqCFPxL7pWu5Wvkb5qhXtvfWd9G2SsE0N1s9Qy0JR8mH-9YeWeQqx8wiHWw1LAJ0Izl6XpaP784OQTyGShuOx_dK6WUXWzoq8/w640-h640/Q1005673.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aspiring Model</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Houston, Texas</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJbGtkjfbSIQ3WSaayhzEnwBBkDkQ_IG7eut0y32AX11Bl2wwxau6vLlIX1yZbKz2DrebRWLHXgXfUtZvZwttBQZ9Xat_jSjbp7acD2J5pEoLDTg7TVWwgjFbQFeq7MmrDUi7KMnze2PlEH_xzT9reruV5-jZFj9NL-me2ymhMDnybpljbaSZtPbOhEM/s2096/L1007857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="2096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJbGtkjfbSIQ3WSaayhzEnwBBkDkQ_IG7eut0y32AX11Bl2wwxau6vLlIX1yZbKz2DrebRWLHXgXfUtZvZwttBQZ9Xat_jSjbp7acD2J5pEoLDTg7TVWwgjFbQFeq7MmrDUi7KMnze2PlEH_xzT9reruV5-jZFj9NL-me2ymhMDnybpljbaSZtPbOhEM/w640-h640/L1007857.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jerry Brown, Photographer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fayetteville, Texas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyzuKhPOHfLeZ2SAI5Ikh-w17zyUqOhmDfowFnNi0yc6NenHQ5FPmvZrhlfQehE37YghA42zbSl_FHTsTBb2vkOovAOj8G2-Jiuh-1pVgRgSHmzZp0VmhX6To_yJ3IE5v_Q8nOByp-d5cFlsHhC3HVwTVRTY9_2BsuUx3JF9EH2qAkGPUBgM0Wsym94g/s2633/L1006873.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2633" data-original-width="2106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyzuKhPOHfLeZ2SAI5Ikh-w17zyUqOhmDfowFnNi0yc6NenHQ5FPmvZrhlfQehE37YghA42zbSl_FHTsTBb2vkOovAOj8G2-Jiuh-1pVgRgSHmzZp0VmhX6To_yJ3IE5v_Q8nOByp-d5cFlsHhC3HVwTVRTY9_2BsuUx3JF9EH2qAkGPUBgM0Wsym94g/w512-h640/L1006873.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Juergen, a German Businessman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmRdq1T-ux2c0BSehA_VVyzE_jq_aoiPfthtBWHbabAYgKvBDn5orIsSwHkCUAMm2jH0CJYJxGBrd2C2dvPFK3K9LmbooolY5XyWled4bSUuXu2Ufm3KNdINL_84IGl6SVRMjfsSzJ5Fd7HJqKi7jNJEGd1TBeP705iOqmPsIjCpAX2aeVeI1VCdZUCs/s2503/Q1006325.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2503" data-original-width="2002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmRdq1T-ux2c0BSehA_VVyzE_jq_aoiPfthtBWHbabAYgKvBDn5orIsSwHkCUAMm2jH0CJYJxGBrd2C2dvPFK3K9LmbooolY5XyWled4bSUuXu2Ufm3KNdINL_84IGl6SVRMjfsSzJ5Fd7HJqKi7jNJEGd1TBeP705iOqmPsIjCpAX2aeVeI1VCdZUCs/w512-h640/Q1006325.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Porkpie Hat Blows Jazz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Valladolid, Spain</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT16_ClLNVXY6oQLcPmU30zZIBoQqWWYh1TSqDjUZmi6IHSWa5VDzcxg8e9Bq2k7l-vjP1cTxKs2HgXS0NmX1Fz87slq0p3-u0_oXibVlQNazMzx7NXvGM2S8qYRu72TalG4atsusIRINAUJx0HLp_BZmjzHKa7WH-0Wzn0u7OHy2zKSQMPwMMPiicI-k/s2393/L1000140.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="2393" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT16_ClLNVXY6oQLcPmU30zZIBoQqWWYh1TSqDjUZmi6IHSWa5VDzcxg8e9Bq2k7l-vjP1cTxKs2HgXS0NmX1Fz87slq0p3-u0_oXibVlQNazMzx7NXvGM2S8qYRu72TalG4atsusIRINAUJx0HLp_BZmjzHKa7WH-0Wzn0u7OHy2zKSQMPwMMPiicI-k/w640-h616/L1000140.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Havana Social Club</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Popular Cuban Entertainer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25AUwD_A4VAp3MefXEEVv7bV8P1uUdXWQIcXETfzEP50hSCjUlNxIaXG90fZ8VLRZIrdf91w6Kr6CXjY8F3En59ipRRuzZVS09cK3NXEtgjHICK6b5krdFFdbzy-6rvwvWM2SHXaYxExc5GxsBmBQsO4PXC-HellDUPDg-xoP7i_H287qTWFF5ozA7Y4/s3809/Q1005895.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3809" data-original-width="3047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25AUwD_A4VAp3MefXEEVv7bV8P1uUdXWQIcXETfzEP50hSCjUlNxIaXG90fZ8VLRZIrdf91w6Kr6CXjY8F3En59ipRRuzZVS09cK3NXEtgjHICK6b5krdFFdbzy-6rvwvWM2SHXaYxExc5GxsBmBQsO4PXC-HellDUPDg-xoP7i_H287qTWFF5ozA7Y4/w512-h640/Q1005895.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salsa Moves the Soul</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana, Cuba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr8R5RGVubUsljd44bOLr-f2seHBeviPmdLUYr0Wv78AMRweyWvhnXzG3cRvmubxqgIKq5GIgBuPc6PUkEtzCURKggik_9zqECvv57XmoJe7WX2cePMSx6ibwL-hZiQtUuYogfZHwXkEfryAiE4UTIeW3YIfHMaNieLcPJSVcELkdh-_1LyYX9-ezdcM/s3033/Q1006244.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2264" data-original-width="3033" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnr8R5RGVubUsljd44bOLr-f2seHBeviPmdLUYr0Wv78AMRweyWvhnXzG3cRvmubxqgIKq5GIgBuPc6PUkEtzCURKggik_9zqECvv57XmoJe7WX2cePMSx6ibwL-hZiQtUuYogfZHwXkEfryAiE4UTIeW3YIfHMaNieLcPJSVcELkdh-_1LyYX9-ezdcM/w640-h478/Q1006244.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dancing in Sync</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana Social Club</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf_BrbijWttvaGZaKGXCo4I3pQHv2UQmakU0INRCKWH1MWEZEo0tFGAgF9RPHYAwUWR1atdcgjdc9HZX63sVS9uzpeZNM-QXalm5-j6p31dtY7wgGwYF9_KVPidIpcWPzn9Yx2Ak5jM-cQf66lL2eXt-VnnyKAkYQx0aUiHUmLreS_4lyI5c6NjFpF5U/s5094/Q1006070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5094" data-original-width="4075" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf_BrbijWttvaGZaKGXCo4I3pQHv2UQmakU0INRCKWH1MWEZEo0tFGAgF9RPHYAwUWR1atdcgjdc9HZX63sVS9uzpeZNM-QXalm5-j6p31dtY7wgGwYF9_KVPidIpcWPzn9Yx2Ak5jM-cQf66lL2eXt-VnnyKAkYQx0aUiHUmLreS_4lyI5c6NjFpF5U/w512-h640/Q1006070.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, No, No</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Havana Social Club, Cuba</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBAd1yqKld7Gs3A-LxhHhSrdDctpZen6PH7DCM9sfP4oMd4ERcp4Vckuq-6f_laf6LmL_4hyphenhyphene4h5ST9e5E_KTf0XcIpeWK-p7zevBriEMYDApN6xZdUwpD_FjVvPOp3swPi1_FYCuP_KdE-q06b1_ZxbMPojEy5sKAXO0IZYUQua2gSQsnTb6Fps6FfI/s2866/Q1006086.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2866" data-original-width="2653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBAd1yqKld7Gs3A-LxhHhSrdDctpZen6PH7DCM9sfP4oMd4ERcp4Vckuq-6f_laf6LmL_4hyphenhyphene4h5ST9e5E_KTf0XcIpeWK-p7zevBriEMYDApN6xZdUwpD_FjVvPOp3swPi1_FYCuP_KdE-q06b1_ZxbMPojEy5sKAXO0IZYUQua2gSQsnTb6Fps6FfI/w592-h640/Q1006086.jpeg" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And those are the ones that made the final cut out of the couple thousand photos taken in 2023. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In 2024 we return to color photography but still occasionally making B&W prints.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ride safe, see you on down the road,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><div><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-72580667669602106812023-12-19T23:22:00.005-06:002024-01-17T10:08:22.795-06:00Virgin de Guadalupe Celebration 2023<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The small St. Kathrine Drexel Catholic Church in Hempstead, Texas holds its annual celebration for La Virgin de Guadalupe on the correct date each year, December 12th.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Refer back to my post on December 29th, 2022 for the complete story of how the homage to the Virgin de Guadalupe came about. </span><a href="https://www.ridingthehorizon.com/2022/12/virgin-of-guadalupe-then-today.html" style="text-align: left;">https://www.ridingthehorizon.com/2022/12/virgin-of-guadalupe-then-today.html</a>. <span style="font-family: helvetica;">According to the Vatican Council report from 1999, the Guadalupe site near Mexico City is the most visited Catholic shrine in the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*********</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the wee hours of early morning, parishioners of the St Kathrine Drexel Catholic Church file in, gathering to pay homage to our Lady of Guadalupe, or better known </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the Mexican culture as la Virgen de Guadalupe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nFJaTz_iyBzDATJ7hooEiNbzt1kEmaZtBNYRXUiI4L8sxu3UlJIiJik5v9p9EIfHS5YT2JPbAZfBpXCsKgXriAlBMlcUhs2FogzBIolWYhQuWLyDY3tsNafSwGU94jmfo1RaNTBnEj1tmLHUq63mGVzLCfDbIH8c8p4W8Y8WcEWW2bB6Q1BNsCtg9ws/s3416/L1010026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="3416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nFJaTz_iyBzDATJ7hooEiNbzt1kEmaZtBNYRXUiI4L8sxu3UlJIiJik5v9p9EIfHS5YT2JPbAZfBpXCsKgXriAlBMlcUhs2FogzBIolWYhQuWLyDY3tsNafSwGU94jmfo1RaNTBnEj1tmLHUq63mGVzLCfDbIH8c8p4W8Y8WcEWW2bB6Q1BNsCtg9ws/w640-h640/L1010026.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The choir mistress prepares for the opening songs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX3nswv9_qGJXVGGdkuiSyl58E2iFkhlNTP_JaAesrJHzkcIsK2sJee4qyAIoJfRjr8Y-_t0hp6IVp-dT274Pzt2BSK3zJQypbsalnXEwsmwvYMZwm90tbloyjseDHZUu2coqEyUFBRTDUxAPrAGHONj573zXCclZPBDsXz6SuDGQwl5TwGKs9k4Pcqs/s2887/L1010019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="2887" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX3nswv9_qGJXVGGdkuiSyl58E2iFkhlNTP_JaAesrJHzkcIsK2sJee4qyAIoJfRjr8Y-_t0hp6IVp-dT274Pzt2BSK3zJQypbsalnXEwsmwvYMZwm90tbloyjseDHZUu2coqEyUFBRTDUxAPrAGHONj573zXCclZPBDsXz6SuDGQwl5TwGKs9k4Pcqs/w640-h640/L1010019.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Backed by the church choir and three guitars, she leads the singing of several hymns.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROf9p6Y75HYrpQVNyCE6xGQKYHt_MUDT8_pNQ7M3Oya8upUv_uW_kR1nGujc6dtrAKPWJCpuY32lwiF6NndzQm5uXvzJrOImPaFVOFMJbLU7Op0P8WYSv_xXmas1bGNhHCGMNCn68NFQNefhlU8IVQJ2q86-fSTCJP8i92WjAi8XbpU0iOuiuTR9SOh4/s3864/L1010063.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="3864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROf9p6Y75HYrpQVNyCE6xGQKYHt_MUDT8_pNQ7M3Oya8upUv_uW_kR1nGujc6dtrAKPWJCpuY32lwiF6NndzQm5uXvzJrOImPaFVOFMJbLU7Op0P8WYSv_xXmas1bGNhHCGMNCn68NFQNefhlU8IVQJ2q86-fSTCJP8i92WjAi8XbpU0iOuiuTR9SOh4/w640-h640/L1010063.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After the choir, the Matachines, or Aztec Dancers, come drumming in.<br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hy93o-JgSbfHM77hbIO1-fATgZO_2Vk8ViQswUn9TaUeIdJWXD_IplAQke2kwC6dHOzMU1TrFILv59fmWH-DPp20XR-94YH83wtpToHMqTY0nRjsoIUXItdCQYsLpZ_Zmsr2tRlzvs3aeDAX3pHEQk6BitXWkkYGN-eitrXmDVr9sDtwlcy3kN3aarQ/s4705/L1010080.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4705" data-original-width="4705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hy93o-JgSbfHM77hbIO1-fATgZO_2Vk8ViQswUn9TaUeIdJWXD_IplAQke2kwC6dHOzMU1TrFILv59fmWH-DPp20XR-94YH83wtpToHMqTY0nRjsoIUXItdCQYsLpZ_Zmsr2tRlzvs3aeDAX3pHEQk6BitXWkkYGN-eitrXmDVr9sDtwlcy3kN3aarQ/w640-h640/L1010080.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dancers are of all ages... all local families</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1dGsaV09tH0QKv6NfvcuP9Z9QIHh5xlhLJ6PDnS1EEnsdwmA2Ie46UBgpk_n3oHcI5wllCTRjDn2kWyq00t01Ger-LtgvgP_5VOlYj4UmAjLSuzh-a0CBdjQsXzz4nOsnTNYpHcZKojdVjmmANVBWM5CULDsqtm-ywV3ZuIW6xsXaZJ3vG0iF3Q3uxA/s3567/L1010142.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3567" data-original-width="3567" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1dGsaV09tH0QKv6NfvcuP9Z9QIHh5xlhLJ6PDnS1EEnsdwmA2Ie46UBgpk_n3oHcI5wllCTRjDn2kWyq00t01Ger-LtgvgP_5VOlYj4UmAjLSuzh-a0CBdjQsXzz4nOsnTNYpHcZKojdVjmmANVBWM5CULDsqtm-ywV3ZuIW6xsXaZJ3vG0iF3Q3uxA/w640-h640/L1010142.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From young children to grandmothers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HcQDPsnRCLxk-CvkD0mnyYPTalnj_XolWOUGhPy49BhOLi6DFaoxt-2suNDn65qNu51_CDvsM-EoHNzwWUvzT9RoMRefmZYJ1Iysk48fe9wKAy8lcihXzV5Qx5fylWlP17F69Zz0BPKbEmYJ89BVq_kxVK4k_lVheDCZmcp1KNSGcXzKQs7DLNm4LP8/s6364/L1010120.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3580" data-original-width="6364" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HcQDPsnRCLxk-CvkD0mnyYPTalnj_XolWOUGhPy49BhOLi6DFaoxt-2suNDn65qNu51_CDvsM-EoHNzwWUvzT9RoMRefmZYJ1Iysk48fe9wKAy8lcihXzV5Qx5fylWlP17F69Zz0BPKbEmYJ89BVq_kxVK4k_lVheDCZmcp1KNSGcXzKQs7DLNm4LP8/w640-h360/L1010120.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were several dances with intricate, challenging footwork </div><div style="text-align: center;">requiring focus and concentration.</div></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWQQlb1aQ_8chVm1Fg_DahnDtPchBL_cYjyU0QrUsY1x__mPOgJeA7ka_nSBvR-RDItZgqlJpsGnsW4vLfhbINov1jVNSpNdbMFIlCbieomDU2_gLU6a4OXofjs9L035Yx7hVQZKcuhgxAOAmmtI5BZRZjwBohvyVjNtxQN0gF4aJFPL7GoUrywk1Hkg/s4624/L1010144.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3699" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWQQlb1aQ_8chVm1Fg_DahnDtPchBL_cYjyU0QrUsY1x__mPOgJeA7ka_nSBvR-RDItZgqlJpsGnsW4vLfhbINov1jVNSpNdbMFIlCbieomDU2_gLU6a4OXofjs9L035Yx7hVQZKcuhgxAOAmmtI5BZRZjwBohvyVjNtxQN0gF4aJFPL7GoUrywk1Hkg/w512-h640/L1010144.jpeg" width="512" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As more people arrive, it soon becomes a standing-room-only option</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> in this modest place of worship.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZG4zJKtixYQx51PtcALCOnyik7j-VWunbr-SVbtvnRMJlRb66eynVOuL6yGHNKGAKmW6w1-85nJ-aq_X5yb83F-nxbYPEqaKZHmi7zkiC5icYom9K-sJku-FsjrLDmT1v965kJLxztyXEexoSbnn9DkTmQUShtSPpX1t61OqFzZBkLexz6NgkuCW3u0/s4021/L1010188.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4021" data-original-width="4021" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZG4zJKtixYQx51PtcALCOnyik7j-VWunbr-SVbtvnRMJlRb66eynVOuL6yGHNKGAKmW6w1-85nJ-aq_X5yb83F-nxbYPEqaKZHmi7zkiC5icYom9K-sJku-FsjrLDmT1v965kJLxztyXEexoSbnn9DkTmQUShtSPpX1t61OqFzZBkLexz6NgkuCW3u0/w640-h640/L1010188.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After the morning rituals, outside awaited tamales, sweet bread, coffee, and chocolate for those attending. Being a weekday, most attendees then headed off to work or home, for a few hours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the afternoon, the second half of the celebration organizes itself on a ranch seven miles outside of town. Those gathered will walk or horseback ride to the church for an evening meal and mass.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdp9CHeYM4zfVx3PtS4J6KyItTlp5rEjks5KMHvu7nwGkQT-BYSxKJehCnCeTOYVkl0SZVgioMRSol3x2FJljerdW8UyOtNGWmOmHiEsU-_q7a6YSDulLWT0Qic5Ly5pKjjul2VObiWhYrCUi-pZoBhoppW-IbMuULzbbHKBQqGBaHh0w8G8-ybOSmUQ/s3267/L1010266.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1838" data-original-width="3267" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdp9CHeYM4zfVx3PtS4J6KyItTlp5rEjks5KMHvu7nwGkQT-BYSxKJehCnCeTOYVkl0SZVgioMRSol3x2FJljerdW8UyOtNGWmOmHiEsU-_q7a6YSDulLWT0Qic5Ly5pKjjul2VObiWhYrCUi-pZoBhoppW-IbMuULzbbHKBQqGBaHh0w8G8-ybOSmUQ/w640-h360/L1010266.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcQcEIOWkGd7cP2ZEJP8ZLeeVTKyOKTTLWVfofR7QpivYH4ebbSV0ZuFKc4cssc1ASsGLeoYuMogtgFApblQEB0hGLQmHtr_BuVtnYUeLr57dfLQedpiP8hZ87QGiSzTVZDZMOdqd9ca0DOzMEK-lyVOQ25G8fGcYHzm0AmWJGCxoKKwEjnHXO9hzfG0/s7583/L1010310.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4265" data-original-width="7583" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcQcEIOWkGd7cP2ZEJP8ZLeeVTKyOKTTLWVfofR7QpivYH4ebbSV0ZuFKc4cssc1ASsGLeoYuMogtgFApblQEB0hGLQmHtr_BuVtnYUeLr57dfLQedpiP8hZ87QGiSzTVZDZMOdqd9ca0DOzMEK-lyVOQ25G8fGcYHzm0AmWJGCxoKKwEjnHXO9hzfG0/w640-h360/L1010310.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMXZm5S3ukhh-48RL3Z8i0N87AqMYUhudKsHsEcRBwE00ijhS-3AUcqC6Tv79QF3WaW1tTB6xkkV9cydWy9lAOWjO9K6B09s4cuNqVNdRwaxQHyek5CnLalJVu4yBBkkKMLuT4dV8Ym0WQAvta0oAfYl67cFTt16JoPq2Q9ZnfYi71gzZvyGn2vyrtQ4/s4297/L1010364.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3438" data-original-width="4297" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMXZm5S3ukhh-48RL3Z8i0N87AqMYUhudKsHsEcRBwE00ijhS-3AUcqC6Tv79QF3WaW1tTB6xkkV9cydWy9lAOWjO9K6B09s4cuNqVNdRwaxQHyek5CnLalJVu4yBBkkKMLuT4dV8Ym0WQAvta0oAfYl67cFTt16JoPq2Q9ZnfYi71gzZvyGn2vyrtQ4/w640-h512/L1010364.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As you can see, some have highly trained show horses </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">worth thousands of dollars, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">while others are riding their daily workhorse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With the many cattle ranches in the area, most horses here </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">are not a hobby, but a necessity.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUlblGTolH2R71oBKqsRl8TEmwvnWXdnw0_bo8HRYaWOuoK4_zNvN9GAt68jQ9nDgVm2qNQqCeebRL80vYOoj5G-B4T2SGKKkVKtN6xUpygg4rD8TNGIyBtClIECk34yGs4X86SVcvkNG3u-IKvnkPtyi6HcXjUbPzR12Auh9eQACC4KY1CCOW6I4uTY/s4129/L1010253.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4129" data-original-width="4129" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUlblGTolH2R71oBKqsRl8TEmwvnWXdnw0_bo8HRYaWOuoK4_zNvN9GAt68jQ9nDgVm2qNQqCeebRL80vYOoj5G-B4T2SGKKkVKtN6xUpygg4rD8TNGIyBtClIECk34yGs4X86SVcvkNG3u-IKvnkPtyi6HcXjUbPzR12Auh9eQACC4KY1CCOW6I4uTY/w640-h640/L1010253.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lining up to start...</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhn0VVAWsNx0aAzpWN5-N0XDgEB85HD-GgRb_iC9PRMFpXy-MKKjCv9tO8KIMI2VI3DS0nwmwxQ5d2xy0LL06vfNXjkTfgrkhTw2sbTTKfiRyMnIyT_XHKRDo-jO3afYMYG6LwN0VVupwFNno0IMpTodVp5NBVb12zYIlpTCRxcQq4_EiRXBFhXkDLDY/s4832/L1010322.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4832" data-original-width="4832" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhn0VVAWsNx0aAzpWN5-N0XDgEB85HD-GgRb_iC9PRMFpXy-MKKjCv9tO8KIMI2VI3DS0nwmwxQ5d2xy0LL06vfNXjkTfgrkhTw2sbTTKfiRyMnIyT_XHKRDo-jO3afYMYG6LwN0VVupwFNno0IMpTodVp5NBVb12zYIlpTCRxcQq4_EiRXBFhXkDLDY/w640-h640/L1010322.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Leading the procession... are Escaramuzas, a Mexican tradition </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">of ladies with their traditional outfits riding side-saddle.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OVxvKORnfSW_fLtFI_SPQABjq15cCblHjjgRh2w_eA0rch2gVrqEGnkENrYmGlf2ehJnVJNtqys0GOyuuCDPF7ERTtt35Kv2l4c6BRp6faY0d0dOCE1EZu3Tc-5gSJbKZ2X_2kq94UWg_7O4NHN_PxQHonQbCDfMOrLQRuDVwWmCYWxi05WU_maFbkI/s5868/L1010371.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5868" data-original-width="5868" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OVxvKORnfSW_fLtFI_SPQABjq15cCblHjjgRh2w_eA0rch2gVrqEGnkENrYmGlf2ehJnVJNtqys0GOyuuCDPF7ERTtt35Kv2l4c6BRp6faY0d0dOCE1EZu3Tc-5gSJbKZ2X_2kq94UWg_7O4NHN_PxQHonQbCDfMOrLQRuDVwWmCYWxi05WU_maFbkI/w640-h640/L1010371.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Fr. Xavier Bilavendiran, the </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">parish priest, prays and blesses the crowd </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">before the parade commences.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRofi3T-Kp3AAW109daInPGigcVNpfbjmmxS1DM9gysA6_vSSljWMbjblwOAGkzsIetg4Yq0BGvSmdI1-V0qGw3KT3K6Pc4mY-c1Hud3arb0H4wfb3aW0rgQuZ4NJ70LfBYE2bwTXWyvo7IhoHdBTn9memwwnDJT5sl2Yt2Fjd0N9tneHVTrPPG7WNE/s5693/L1010395.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5693" data-original-width="2641" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDRofi3T-Kp3AAW109daInPGigcVNpfbjmmxS1DM9gysA6_vSSljWMbjblwOAGkzsIetg4Yq0BGvSmdI1-V0qGw3KT3K6Pc4mY-c1Hud3arb0H4wfb3aW0rgQuZ4NJ70LfBYE2bwTXWyvo7IhoHdBTn9memwwnDJT5sl2Yt2Fjd0N9tneHVTrPPG7WNE/w296-h640/L1010395.jpeg" width="296" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A flock of doves are released to signal the start of the parade. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The loud bang of a starting gun here would not be wise as it would spook the horses. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54tjv_JqCbNJlo9q8lSDGHXtlis_qqaSk8GQx-6AUoaFJguQjAPVNw6eLWt9qhVowEIDTZsPR8t1DbDHrdDcPGmxlDhN1BTopVHodcM0kMooCOwpUr5OydnL66nXOjcW5ZzyEZDcvuK1eaGo4h_vGGKT_SeQsIM5t45vh6pWlMTpp9HQdaKtRYPkXL-o/s4574/L1010400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="4574" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54tjv_JqCbNJlo9q8lSDGHXtlis_qqaSk8GQx-6AUoaFJguQjAPVNw6eLWt9qhVowEIDTZsPR8t1DbDHrdDcPGmxlDhN1BTopVHodcM0kMooCOwpUr5OydnL66nXOjcW5ZzyEZDcvuK1eaGo4h_vGGKT_SeQsIM5t45vh6pWlMTpp9HQdaKtRYPkXL-o/w640-h384/L1010400.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many of the faithful have made this annual pilgrimage numerous times </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">over the years, walking with family and friends. Everyone is in a good mood as the weather is perfect, a pleasant 64 degrees and no rain.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49wvdZz_pLXt7rtOZIg8Mtnm7BBOXcVAnSbKzLRUMoCQ9iX0EKnkzNS5MR0htSYpI8XN0oyGbVFFdBbgpKQ8_q5KKRqHXlFMkAbGEdDXxoVSDUG7W6NskswKFOdvJB0Hm-RV2_Kc7oCqxt2qs2ey9x-wfAR4E45t2qAKV66uS3wNagZSkbpUzT_Tiqqc/s6918/L1010417.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3891" data-original-width="6918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49wvdZz_pLXt7rtOZIg8Mtnm7BBOXcVAnSbKzLRUMoCQ9iX0EKnkzNS5MR0htSYpI8XN0oyGbVFFdBbgpKQ8_q5KKRqHXlFMkAbGEdDXxoVSDUG7W6NskswKFOdvJB0Hm-RV2_Kc7oCqxt2qs2ey9x-wfAR4E45t2qAKV66uS3wNagZSkbpUzT_Tiqqc/w640-h360/L1010417.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Following the walking procession, come the fifty or so horseback riders </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">who will shadow them back in to town.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKTbogSl_Xky4eyrbMlhDQeoZUUbZpgHbqaJ86crN4erPKzIjHC86VUr-hFN3WuHpO8rQGdBeEpuuvOhe__N7E7WkqXMbG3DL2w3AriyuiwvfkqxanDj53PEn_BaofTWgPsPoZyQlDT_h1nb3DBLBHsmzdm0GMMgq4S2aB_rIvp65Q3Qpw4juuAaSuqg/s6441/L1010432.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3623" data-original-width="6441" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKTbogSl_Xky4eyrbMlhDQeoZUUbZpgHbqaJ86crN4erPKzIjHC86VUr-hFN3WuHpO8rQGdBeEpuuvOhe__N7E7WkqXMbG3DL2w3AriyuiwvfkqxanDj53PEn_BaofTWgPsPoZyQlDT_h1nb3DBLBHsmzdm0GMMgq4S2aB_rIvp65Q3Qpw4juuAaSuqg/w640-h360/L1010432.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">Fr. Xavier gets to</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> ride this year.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iSbB_wRvNVf1U74h0sJDAm3-ZXZgJxwTiC0vBY6gpV8CRtXAunZ2SUZhD3XMeCzyrBJDTgZ2opjbiqM-fbGiOr6BABjbFKwY1Y2E9qlLNdSuzVmqRwPpGlsrwJf4maNapIgndSwP3bmQ40QXaD7lOZsOc5J82gT28k4C7gVe7JSqriSKk-MgM0c_4XE/s6223/L1010441.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="6223" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iSbB_wRvNVf1U74h0sJDAm3-ZXZgJxwTiC0vBY6gpV8CRtXAunZ2SUZhD3XMeCzyrBJDTgZ2opjbiqM-fbGiOr6BABjbFKwY1Y2E9qlLNdSuzVmqRwPpGlsrwJf4maNapIgndSwP3bmQ40QXaD7lOZsOc5J82gT28k4C7gVe7JSqriSKk-MgM0c_4XE/w640-h360/L1010441.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A middle-aged gentleman from Georgia stopped to ask what was happening. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Said he had never seen so many horses all together at one time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Though he was Catholic, he said he didn't know much about </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Guadalupe story of the Virgin, but now wants to learn more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">*********</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These are just some of the photos taken that day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The bulk of the photos were donated to the church to be posted on their website.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Until next year, ride safe, ride long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CCjon</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">p.s. In a late-breaking twist to the story, I bought a few of the church raffle tickets to support this small country parish. The list of items included crucifixes, a painting of the Pope and the Virgin, potted plants, etc. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Received a call around 9 PM that night saying that I had won their grand prize... a five-year-old Spanish Andalusian mare... in other words... a horse! Get outta here... WHAT?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Well, that is going to require telling a whole new story... later!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-89276521800362787752023-11-30T20:05:00.009-06:002023-12-10T12:45:45.417-06:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - WRAP UP<div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few photos from Valladolid that did not fit in with the other stories.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How could you not enjoy being here when you walk out your front door to see this?</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Universidad de Derecho (Law University) administration and classroom building </div><div style="text-align: center;">just across the street. You immediately know, this isn't Kansas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVke1S-y0gmY9wMVBfU1df7nGJyYyuB_5KpBvYsfwaoWFamA84YUVf7WhA11ZQbjzizSZPr0dXOUh1mJPzZvxBNhX4AMC2x7vESHhRRD_TTxzQSogqzVYLFi7oIEeyX5REBw3ztvCLxHmBKfguJsKK4vH3NSNbwr-N5xPX5P3l42d5D-bdWglsJMtEDUg/s9139/L1000401.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5700" data-original-width="9139" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVke1S-y0gmY9wMVBfU1df7nGJyYyuB_5KpBvYsfwaoWFamA84YUVf7WhA11ZQbjzizSZPr0dXOUh1mJPzZvxBNhX4AMC2x7vESHhRRD_TTxzQSogqzVYLFi7oIEeyX5REBw3ztvCLxHmBKfguJsKK4vH3NSNbwr-N5xPX5P3l42d5D-bdWglsJMtEDUg/w640-h400/L1000401.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I made my morning walk in the City Centre, I quickly figured out </div><div style="text-align: center;">that an open door was an invitation to come in. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So frequently I did...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nBPD2_T3f3jOiXqt6lJxmEyJ8-as3tVbLxGTQzoXUXbJ0ks4IuT1AFBTPBXP5DaKonv65bGkfur5aOAgchRwWrQqy20ZzPwJpwQLPvIekF-n_8_UqFDI9CpVBGSXC_DLJd-60tIWVUiKu7PqXkZ6w2hZn3YiLDdgVmSM0s9-KJbq1azA62TWmdtLLrQ/s9255/L1000767.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9255" data-original-width="6159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nBPD2_T3f3jOiXqt6lJxmEyJ8-as3tVbLxGTQzoXUXbJ0ks4IuT1AFBTPBXP5DaKonv65bGkfur5aOAgchRwWrQqy20ZzPwJpwQLPvIekF-n_8_UqFDI9CpVBGSXC_DLJd-60tIWVUiKu7PqXkZ6w2hZn3YiLDdgVmSM0s9-KJbq1azA62TWmdtLLrQ/w426-h640/L1000767.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Was also frequently surprised at what lie inside. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a narrow sidestreet was the open entrance to Valldolid's first luxury shopping mall, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pasaje Gutierrez. It was built in 1886 with iron trusses, iron roof, gas lights, and glass skylights. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe a dozen shops in here. Most today serve as a cafe, bar, art gallery or travel office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny5-inOLycnsRYqJtxZTyA-og2D0499Mp4xvtb4O_W8hHgECjsRE0n6Mcc1Q20DAvjsg1xGdGn11Izfa48vnQ2tn5qYKa9QsIIllgPOvQqt19UqQGQ9k8uE_O0D_PT4jPNRNR176N2t9mIeBIfUjN2Jyx8QdTp8wIqbSkpx5Bq-38av9Z_7Wj9bY5Usk/s9520/L1000594.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny5-inOLycnsRYqJtxZTyA-og2D0499Mp4xvtb4O_W8hHgECjsRE0n6Mcc1Q20DAvjsg1xGdGn11Izfa48vnQ2tn5qYKa9QsIIllgPOvQqt19UqQGQ9k8uE_O0D_PT4jPNRNR176N2t9mIeBIfUjN2Jyx8QdTp8wIqbSkpx5Bq-38av9Z_7Wj9bY5Usk/w426-h640/L1000594.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then there are these small pleasant surprises scattered throughout the old city centre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fountains and bronze sculptures commemorating... what?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is called "The Traveler".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y9_s3D9IrvIaQcNExSQCt-U3CFtfNAUunQ0LB0yEi4-vAzfWzM6nXgrIX9jDYju3Z7mJDcgclO0d0WyFonnLRcvyGg10y_L6yE9sn9Ny-YvXYnpcEf7hgA2LgZvSaxnTwBIgZV965oTt1vqU_Y-5vAdhLNq51vFIRH2HSc4fYZQlZvVOecoPoMiYh_Y/s6655/L1000558.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6655" data-original-width="5324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y9_s3D9IrvIaQcNExSQCt-U3CFtfNAUunQ0LB0yEi4-vAzfWzM6nXgrIX9jDYju3Z7mJDcgclO0d0WyFonnLRcvyGg10y_L6yE9sn9Ny-YvXYnpcEf7hgA2LgZvSaxnTwBIgZV965oTt1vqU_Y-5vAdhLNq51vFIRH2HSc4fYZQlZvVOecoPoMiYh_Y/w512-h640/L1000558.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I rounded the corner of the old cathedral, this combination of centuries-old stonework, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a clear blue sky, the modern construction crane, the faded colors... grabbed my eye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nothing in particular to look at, no focal point, yet the scene was somehow attractive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe it was the open gate inviting me in...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvN798q4JF4IT7OFgVC_74uMyO5nINWQD-pyflfzUei4Yrn9OeI43v6USt-mnAKwDg-0rCNxfUjjhcpNzwMqERjlf6U5ewTtJ8TNTFs9us3OkcXHoDjDful4UHp6zW7Z_jNEZ1EjRpaQh4nlZNFQcNhMu2bpQ6aEIdgBBjzWzrQ76b2GJw6tfqjvv4XQ/s9520/L1000477.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvN798q4JF4IT7OFgVC_74uMyO5nINWQD-pyflfzUei4Yrn9OeI43v6USt-mnAKwDg-0rCNxfUjjhcpNzwMqERjlf6U5ewTtJ8TNTFs9us3OkcXHoDjDful4UHp6zW7Z_jNEZ1EjRpaQh4nlZNFQcNhMu2bpQ6aEIdgBBjzWzrQ76b2GJw6tfqjvv4XQ/w640-h426/L1000477.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>My favorite street in all of Valladolid for photography</div><div>Calle Santo Domingo de Guzmán.</div><div>Behind the high wall on the right is the Cloistered Convent de Santa Catalina.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOOzVglbDlpww_uAAIudJZlMA3S-v7E_1D9PByqDYOehEgvyc_rYMlAQQeprRXNBd0Y1KCrSwdWFRj1XDlP8MFYvi6aQiKWDrg-aK_I1eb0rqDoRMswMh9DA3D8CFo8d7gpdkXS8snkE7PK8Sg9o_HwCGAh_iLRpyw9vQcfBhBnbrCNtF9FaV0ACn6ts/s9520/L1000293.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOOzVglbDlpww_uAAIudJZlMA3S-v7E_1D9PByqDYOehEgvyc_rYMlAQQeprRXNBd0Y1KCrSwdWFRj1XDlP8MFYvi6aQiKWDrg-aK_I1eb0rqDoRMswMh9DA3D8CFo8d7gpdkXS8snkE7PK8Sg9o_HwCGAh_iLRpyw9vQcfBhBnbrCNtF9FaV0ACn6ts/w640-h426/L1000293.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Spanish chef kept turning away as I tried to take his photo. This was the best I could do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even returned a few days later to try again, only to find out he had quit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE7xhTK5fEleBthgF9yUw4NPB1Fnu8nT4gDao5d6649unWdbSDVJwTOY8FAFKOiR3uRQZb3v3GjMD3W0J6ykfJh2nMef77k8Qo_eucbL-YVVgCsYzHcW9P3FemBDZ6bEYi26fOtuw27fFzYOu18MIdOM2i7QcB1dFhGNHCSwGPZM8s82WnPPuSzNbFUw/s2393/L1000429.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="1914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE7xhTK5fEleBthgF9yUw4NPB1Fnu8nT4gDao5d6649unWdbSDVJwTOY8FAFKOiR3uRQZb3v3GjMD3W0J6ykfJh2nMef77k8Qo_eucbL-YVVgCsYzHcW9P3FemBDZ6bEYi26fOtuw27fFzYOu18MIdOM2i7QcB1dFhGNHCSwGPZM8s82WnPPuSzNbFUw/w512-h640/L1000429.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why was the chef's photo so important?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> While in Valladolid, I was working on a photo project called "Barbudos de España", </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Bearded Men of Spain).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> By the end of our stay, I had photographed over 180 different men with beards. Not the straggly unshaven look, but beards that are carefully groomed, shaped, that reflect the man's personality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once back home, I'll cull and edit the images, selecting the top dozen or so for an exhibition next Fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is an example of one of the photos from the project that did not make the first cut, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">though I love the baby's expression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A common Spanish street scene, a grandparent pushing a baby carriage, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">an elderly gentleman with a cane, two young university students.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We saw quite a few baby carriages and walking canes while in Spain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What does that tell you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaYqrwayfRUx6dwpgrdSPjYLcPgMpAo5TfwkYTMZuTHDidDeZYhzapaahaPSDPrgsvJFotv1B_r7ujql6xZjqXwXBTTMKI6pbCJsGx7CIK64z-Kna9Te_V_baRkLFr2OegyeRF7zdZ2LisD1aTyXNLUeWuj2SmKaDUUkB5iPq0qVU35a-NiKhWdoQl04/s1137/L1001158.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaYqrwayfRUx6dwpgrdSPjYLcPgMpAo5TfwkYTMZuTHDidDeZYhzapaahaPSDPrgsvJFotv1B_r7ujql6xZjqXwXBTTMKI6pbCJsGx7CIK64z-Kna9Te_V_baRkLFr2OegyeRF7zdZ2LisD1aTyXNLUeWuj2SmKaDUUkB5iPq0qVU35a-NiKhWdoQl04/w512-h640/L1001158.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After numerous attempts over the years, nuns and novice nuns simply refuse to be photographed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luck came my way as I captured a rare portrait that is impossible to plan. I happened to have my camera waist-high, watching children play, when a novice nun stepped out of the convent to sweep the stoop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A slight turn with a quick click, resulted in this photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then as I raised the camera for a better shot, she spun around, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">fleeing back inside, locking the door as she went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcza0i4EfGKt2M9LvTtO4RVXceTgbTdQuvrnE2mT_HgLsRCk4d1aKNbWknZZWljlE47-JefRzxlwRRsTk9-oinyuYc84gNkA2-gLmEA_Z39eCWfavw1cAtfqM99L0Ozc3w5IUHoYz1FrqYtKsjPsJtJm58cC4jFBprHU1A1-_rqVhlwtbSqOD5-k4PUuc/s4002/L1001302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="4002" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcza0i4EfGKt2M9LvTtO4RVXceTgbTdQuvrnE2mT_HgLsRCk4d1aKNbWknZZWljlE47-JefRzxlwRRsTk9-oinyuYc84gNkA2-gLmEA_Z39eCWfavw1cAtfqM99L0Ozc3w5IUHoYz1FrqYtKsjPsJtJm58cC4jFBprHU1A1-_rqVhlwtbSqOD5-k4PUuc/w640-h538/L1001302.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That evening, as we were relaxing in a sidewalk cafe, enjoying the cool night air, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">observed these three men drinking in the cafe across the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The scene reminded me of the 1942 painting "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though sitting together, each is lost in thought.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hopper stated his painting was a commentary on the loneliness of a large city. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE25ahQYT5cscipDeCopiKkPVOe6uuzyoYFgk-QS9JhoiTgNGhz0gWBDwovmghTY4aB4Tnf0hUDMu_v6JMc22BuuRz06JckIx0DuG2ef2m1na6bDBqyTlG2pEGNI_ROAKiDQ4AVFmpdOtJ5oiPhoqUb2acEEO24rfncpmxb9frYc6wF7gsdg0ikAp6Ng/s8802/L1000744.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5486" data-original-width="8802" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE25ahQYT5cscipDeCopiKkPVOe6uuzyoYFgk-QS9JhoiTgNGhz0gWBDwovmghTY4aB4Tnf0hUDMu_v6JMc22BuuRz06JckIx0DuG2ef2m1na6bDBqyTlG2pEGNI_ROAKiDQ4AVFmpdOtJ5oiPhoqUb2acEEO24rfncpmxb9frYc6wF7gsdg0ikAp6Ng/w640-h397/L1000744.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are now back in Texas, enjoying the holidays with family and friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A month in Spain was a memorable, relaxing experience </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for both Amparo and I, where we celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until the next adventure, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ride safe, ride far, and keep clicking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-65976551788462813072023-11-20T07:10:00.002-06:002023-12-09T14:05:44.779-06:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - Anger in the Streets<div style="text-align: center;">Being a lazy Sunday morning, went for a stroll, looking for the right light for a good photo. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What I was about to encounter this day was more interesting...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But first... a historic building, once a royal residence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggZZsOUhipDxUDg3T9W3aPndVul4WjvQqNt4xe2eREePGH-zBUHqxezt5keB6v7cEbiAnxDSeISgX_ozmlc5WcDNeWsK_jC2ulxdajjmUYiqTOUXgICHb2muqpuoGW7GOISbUtIc2dSbURs7iQU9DsJoAaNFBTJi8EXdaPahcVzAIIE_usvh58f9qhF0/s9385/L1001147.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5892" data-original-width="9385" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggZZsOUhipDxUDg3T9W3aPndVul4WjvQqNt4xe2eREePGH-zBUHqxezt5keB6v7cEbiAnxDSeISgX_ozmlc5WcDNeWsK_jC2ulxdajjmUYiqTOUXgICHb2muqpuoGW7GOISbUtIc2dSbURs7iQU9DsJoAaNFBTJi8EXdaPahcVzAIIE_usvh58f9qhF0/w640-h402/L1001147.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I wandered, started seeing people walking with purpose carrying </div><div style="text-align: center;">what looked like flags or funny umbrellas. Waving a flag is popular here at football games. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Football in Spain is what we call soccer in the US.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdhQIOzeK6up-Cf-FRrfcop8A0nAFQ4O76W_mZaINq3ewPy0bbLp4FznR4E8NU6PwJfkH9IoK5fO6jiTCY7RuVMMhHVrePwNlmsA4fXNFmmTwCw8r8kK3cXBZv2OVA8ldv_by895FMso2NVh4GrqM4ETr0jQ48bysba9BUqR7pBMXTGmCydORbpqIsHc/s3888/L1001168.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="3888" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdhQIOzeK6up-Cf-FRrfcop8A0nAFQ4O76W_mZaINq3ewPy0bbLp4FznR4E8NU6PwJfkH9IoK5fO6jiTCY7RuVMMhHVrePwNlmsA4fXNFmmTwCw8r8kK3cXBZv2OVA8ldv_by895FMso2NVh4GrqM4ETr0jQ48bysba9BUqR7pBMXTGmCydORbpqIsHc/w640-h640/L1001168.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmm, young and old, they all seemed to be heading in the direction of the Plaza Mayor. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That's not the direction of the football stadium. I'll tag along and see what's up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBhoN3W6CP82Y2Wr4FZNA5XmWksX-oKWNaEPnSYrCsv1Z4CsR2hIWsgEyCA0_a9y8pL67NpHDA9Q-zaU0cjnPJUieSElsXdlxTlUx5vGDLGlejDpISvsrsdfAKZ4_31cFcjajy1vM0LAn6feI2wFxVmyJLiHx7F3dFfcuuF5FryWTfsQUL7OCZAvL3HE/s1308/L1001158.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1308" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBhoN3W6CP82Y2Wr4FZNA5XmWksX-oKWNaEPnSYrCsv1Z4CsR2hIWsgEyCA0_a9y8pL67NpHDA9Q-zaU0cjnPJUieSElsXdlxTlUx5vGDLGlejDpISvsrsdfAKZ4_31cFcjajy1vM0LAn6feI2wFxVmyJLiHx7F3dFfcuuF5FryWTfsQUL7OCZAvL3HE/w640-h640/L1001158.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nearing the main Plaza, I spot police and TV news vehicles lining up. A patrolman was flipping up the steel mesh that protects the patrol car's windshield in case of a riot. This could get interesting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More flags are being unfurled. Banners too. Some people were wearing Spain's national flag as a shawl, wrapping it around their shoulders. This doesn't look like a young rowdy group of sports fans either.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_8xYyeQpGhN_gtB8ieW437fp5C9_Hb3ODuGN3yX3fNwnrMiRb1coWF4CIgl2sXjE7i-wyIzg9cRrBEJRoiWU0JQuJF74t2cgD7qiF-TzJiQ99DzY1UbkIGN8nnN0pgIARWTUu0BzDKb55G9bhd63NYibv4RJe-hxnAHstkx1gKXAXSkseexQmvwx6oI/s3665/L1001170.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="3665" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_8xYyeQpGhN_gtB8ieW437fp5C9_Hb3ODuGN3yX3fNwnrMiRb1coWF4CIgl2sXjE7i-wyIzg9cRrBEJRoiWU0JQuJF74t2cgD7qiF-TzJiQ99DzY1UbkIGN8nnN0pgIARWTUu0BzDKb55G9bhd63NYibv4RJe-hxnAHstkx1gKXAXSkseexQmvwx6oI/w640-h428/L1001170.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seems more like a happy family gathering or patriotic celebration of some kind, at first...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO4geSMNjMrjjLokpbpELNGqrEpEQEw7r2Rh_0kjGgU7MSHhbtzpJSv-s1uCNEEHRNCQ8DK138Jb5rUpJU4kQbGBlnpPKUeYnNHhsu3XkykofF6AvGIbhyphenhyphenW13RXCfjdc1ehh-N6H_UgFNd7uONlFviiUopHvI4cYxdee9_76HyKJBSkbC003hE-dtMOk/s1763/L1001181.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="1469" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO4geSMNjMrjjLokpbpELNGqrEpEQEw7r2Rh_0kjGgU7MSHhbtzpJSv-s1uCNEEHRNCQ8DK138Jb5rUpJU4kQbGBlnpPKUeYnNHhsu3XkykofF6AvGIbhyphenhyphenW13RXCfjdc1ehh-N6H_UgFNd7uONlFviiUopHvI4cYxdee9_76HyKJBSkbC003hE-dtMOk/w534-h640/L1001181.jpeg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As more people pour into the Plaza, the throng steadily grows in number and enthusiasm.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEXuRPgUiuBPdz76-5Wa-LMIFdr_EaoRUN-Jyj9vbmGH8Z93NoGCcDpTiZjuQX7q-5nqR0C0Q-1HwRc1Aaht6b-ybuZ1dz6lMclq4CoJW4rZTkIMzaRcqohcKpNPusQpWOtwnYX04e1zCAo_ZKBX8nv6lNOtEBR_IPOk_8s_oxE6dfd7ZfIz-rix9G8M/s8156/L1001232.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4588" data-original-width="8156" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEXuRPgUiuBPdz76-5Wa-LMIFdr_EaoRUN-Jyj9vbmGH8Z93NoGCcDpTiZjuQX7q-5nqR0C0Q-1HwRc1Aaht6b-ybuZ1dz6lMclq4CoJW4rZTkIMzaRcqohcKpNPusQpWOtwnYX04e1zCAo_ZKBX8nv6lNOtEBR_IPOk_8s_oxE6dfd7ZfIz-rix9G8M/w640-h360/L1001232.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This sea of colorful flags of the various political parties, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I later learned, represents the conservative right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They seemed joyous with the escalation of favorite chants and songs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b0bP8mS3O_jyXlwG_rAQ1HyFW0gDRaIeDkmMoeteP7nmRYu244dahAtkPKmEF1Ty_oRmZ5J-SsrON3jfUkX9Wp9l7zHunMRXSW2HLdaQvnASt3nlFfmr-HoKuNbezDPTKY0oCnXukB_QuVZZBj-f8GI-lTiq1StCcefyFSdCslgaOI3aMti1zd62FOw/s2960/L1001231.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b0bP8mS3O_jyXlwG_rAQ1HyFW0gDRaIeDkmMoeteP7nmRYu244dahAtkPKmEF1Ty_oRmZ5J-SsrON3jfUkX9Wp9l7zHunMRXSW2HLdaQvnASt3nlFfmr-HoKuNbezDPTKY0oCnXukB_QuVZZBj-f8GI-lTiq1StCcefyFSdCslgaOI3aMti1zd62FOw/w640-h426/L1001231.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The intensity and passion shifted as speakers with megaphones became more adamant in their comments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Punctuating the words with strong, aggressive hand gestures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My inner sense of self-preservation was awoken... could this turn ugly?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Was it safe for me to be here? Obviously, I am a foreigner, I stick out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Due to my height and blue eyes, I do not blend well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> But what are they protesting about?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now yelling, speakers grow bolder...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Smiles have disappeared. The crowd's gestures take on a more aggressive tone! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDgrKH5lB8RbZYtlhUmbTHYPkRWLUwr9MLhUTZ93pHQ9uEGhsdpxYavq_rqpaXxvCpWWP5jUBK6CQ0lPaABEAnhyGCNjUEjXjVYh0cDjjn6T8fEdHKKjpb96bIABRzNJiP32Drq81JeDoDgzYgJJMSh8VCfHnCEe1AILO6ZX4FXK5DvUyH1nYfi4tAOo/s2999/L1001173.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="2999" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDgrKH5lB8RbZYtlhUmbTHYPkRWLUwr9MLhUTZ93pHQ9uEGhsdpxYavq_rqpaXxvCpWWP5jUBK6CQ0lPaABEAnhyGCNjUEjXjVYh0cDjjn6T8fEdHKKjpb96bIABRzNJiP32Drq81JeDoDgzYgJJMSh8VCfHnCEe1AILO6ZX4FXK5DvUyH1nYfi4tAOo/w640-h390/L1001173.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some mature reasoning minds seemed concerned </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with where all of this was heading... like him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVErARcYP-Kb8PjnRRB21-ixUNqimMDKmZwwksAxy8W-EfO89uUNh8vDQCnF4v1GGEBvhyx11GZ7legX1DXMT15PRSx2YP-Imjch7-9iNuJOVIwTxuchaOpJ-0O4ipYTR-JRr8CeBX5dxD2hR0rCSpMtCnfw3IkdHIIBNEb3z2WtNGAPp1QXSe5G-3o/s1041/L1001224.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzVErARcYP-Kb8PjnRRB21-ixUNqimMDKmZwwksAxy8W-EfO89uUNh8vDQCnF4v1GGEBvhyx11GZ7legX1DXMT15PRSx2YP-Imjch7-9iNuJOVIwTxuchaOpJ-0O4ipYTR-JRr8CeBX5dxD2hR0rCSpMtCnfw3IkdHIIBNEb3z2WtNGAPp1QXSe5G-3o/w512-h640/L1001224.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And him... and her... </div><div style="text-align: center;">having their doubts about what is being said... </div><div style="text-align: center;">the mood of the crowd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVv48oLHTEEeQIcuiTiajLAQwyMflq2QSQjWHMq_z4FBD8lfsTDxrntggT14HWeIbTbkeEsI4xAs7oWzLlqHdcvwZwpUY3ThS6BYegnZVVPxbTZVVKT80h8QRy0ItJQQRweLuUCCuxGoFHBm25FG_AQLitzW7tp_wOso7yZTO_TmSRdnebycfWuY7Uhg/s999/L1001197.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="999" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVv48oLHTEEeQIcuiTiajLAQwyMflq2QSQjWHMq_z4FBD8lfsTDxrntggT14HWeIbTbkeEsI4xAs7oWzLlqHdcvwZwpUY3ThS6BYegnZVVPxbTZVVKT80h8QRy0ItJQQRweLuUCCuxGoFHBm25FG_AQLitzW7tp_wOso7yZTO_TmSRdnebycfWuY7Uhg/w640-h582/L1001197.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the midst of all the action and commotion, I realized this one guy kept staring at me... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did the camera bother him, or was it...?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> In the next few photos, I noted he kept turning away, hiding his face from the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, oh, he suddenly turned, ducked down, and disappeared into the crowd. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is he circling around my way? Is he security? Or worse...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While the crowd itself did not feel threatening, individual actors might have other ideas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ever-growing crowd continued to press in, tighter and tighter, in order to better see and hear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am in the middle of it all. My feet are being stepped on, it's so tight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxwyeu8dr3T6RIyQN6qXWprzYcATtDelMrJqCNo88h2vTQEo7bN3JVhN_0B16jJLAHIHmTcHPpfStiFHuqwPDm8KzdXexTXe1CWLF05DMOlWbLK7fkgzzvRSiU-FKxJ4BPDk8hHPdPwxrCVrOPpAymcdGZAMG_k5hjuVT9LeFIWVM4eP9-OvtV9HWQgA/s1370/L1001191.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1370" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxwyeu8dr3T6RIyQN6qXWprzYcATtDelMrJqCNo88h2vTQEo7bN3JVhN_0B16jJLAHIHmTcHPpfStiFHuqwPDm8KzdXexTXe1CWLF05DMOlWbLK7fkgzzvRSiU-FKxJ4BPDk8hHPdPwxrCVrOPpAymcdGZAMG_k5hjuVT9LeFIWVM4eP9-OvtV9HWQgA/w640-h474/L1001191.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally determined that these people were members of several Spanish conservative political action parties. They were unhappy with a pact the acting Prime Minister had made with an ultra-left party to secure enough votes to pass an unpopular measure. An amnesty measure that this crowd strongly opposed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Handmade signs calling the PM a traitor began appearing among the crowd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Spanish people are very passionate about many things, politics being one of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Plaza continued filling up with protestors and onlookers. As the size of the crowd grew </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so did the passion and anger in their voices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After grabbing a few more photos, I thought it best to quietly slip away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having been in similar situations in Latin America, I learned when in doubt </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about what's happening around you, trust your gut instinct. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep your back against a wall, plan an escape route, then be proactive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The moment onlookers are distracted, slip away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">************************</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What started as a slow, lazy day, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">became an intense, passionate display of political anger and emotion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An experience to remember.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-34033302247269300472023-11-12T15:17:00.005-06:002023-11-20T04:22:32.845-06:00BILBAO, SPAIN - Famous Guggenheim Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain hosts more international visitors each year than those coming from Spain. It is the principal reason to travel there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Surprisingly one of the most visited art museum in the world, was built on riverfront land where a decrepit industrial shipyard stood that had fallen on hard times. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the early 1990's, when the Guggenhein Foundation was shopping for a site to build a second museum, Bilbao was facing high unemployment, poverty with poor economic prospects. Many major cities in Europe and Orient did not have the land available near the city center for such a large complex. With the shipyards closed, Bilbao was anxious to gain a major tourist attraction that could help rebuild its economy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Foundation offered put up a major portion of the $89 million cost to build if the city of Bilbao could raise the rest of the funds needed to make this museum happen. The citizens from Bilbao and the surrounding areas, government entities , businesses and foundations all pitched in and pledged to raise the necessary funds to build the museum. Which they did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The museum, designed by Frank Gehry, a Canadian-American architect, was inaugurated on October 18, 1997. As part of the Guggenheim system, some of the world most famous works of art are here on loan from the New York City museum. Original works by Spanish and International artists were added to the permanent collection.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> From the hotel balcony, one can see the museum on the left, the sandstone tower in the middle and the big Red H bridge support on the right. The Red H offers an exciting light show every evening. We had a great view of the light show from our hotel window.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee6Vu5rgmENYUg4StddgcloQ0m91nHOaB1HyfMq56Oaxn3Qcs4reDgHm8-vjZFS4wCuBNX6tnU3bs2rCBNoAqPnMHRH1eCe7wmzFdgapTFKTM-hFlauciGgXO3P-EYYunOE_dervrCpIxUl189T_9S1KN3QEpq7xhtCbH72j0Y-OeuF-3a9gjbjsCfmQ/s4032/IMG_3274.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="4032" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee6Vu5rgmENYUg4StddgcloQ0m91nHOaB1HyfMq56Oaxn3Qcs4reDgHm8-vjZFS4wCuBNX6tnU3bs2rCBNoAqPnMHRH1eCe7wmzFdgapTFKTM-hFlauciGgXO3P-EYYunOE_dervrCpIxUl189T_9S1KN3QEpq7xhtCbH72j0Y-OeuF-3a9gjbjsCfmQ/w640-h420/IMG_3274.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Gehry designed the museum's titanium exterior to look like a ship at sea, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with waves, wind, and movement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here is a better close-up shot of the exterior. The highway in front is the main road coming off the high banks of the Nervion River to the south, filtering the commuting traffic into downtown Bilbao.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUCVbA1dllMqs9Q8Dk46bZt7J8FlKN5bcCIjjwNlIFFT1e8MQ7csEdUmOH1ZlcS9fPHvSiY5ltxCXkfGNYJFSvOfQKiID39qNpVw49wBLf6Oc0HAN5iCF9nQXmEdL3g412WLv7uDXDZDlkfZgC3A6POQ0zySz6ONn4a6WoMCoeg9PSFy6SLBlOty3NVM/s2960/L1001067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUCVbA1dllMqs9Q8Dk46bZt7J8FlKN5bcCIjjwNlIFFT1e8MQ7csEdUmOH1ZlcS9fPHvSiY5ltxCXkfGNYJFSvOfQKiID39qNpVw49wBLf6Oc0HAN5iCF9nQXmEdL3g412WLv7uDXDZDlkfZgC3A6POQ0zySz6ONn4a6WoMCoeg9PSFy6SLBlOty3NVM/w640-h426/L1001067.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Between the Museum building and the Nervion River is a pedestrian walkway. Several times a day, white smoke emanates from under the walkway to emulate fog on the sea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbZxK3-4u7GEcSo1agBd9UTFS533z_wVkwnV9WGTvcr98SguCehrN66tn64GMf0Q85htcAxsgaJ2oXXewvSHGBtvRetYrJg64nLgE0DoHbzrzXIh-b2sEY-wO1tbZZjwGPH_D1loibpatTU9EKnUzNeDKuaPH9jVsp7nXtwCz07yM49uQ31Bhf5r6Iog/s9075/L1001049.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5612" data-original-width="9075" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbZxK3-4u7GEcSo1agBd9UTFS533z_wVkwnV9WGTvcr98SguCehrN66tn64GMf0Q85htcAxsgaJ2oXXewvSHGBtvRetYrJg64nLgE0DoHbzrzXIh-b2sEY-wO1tbZZjwGPH_D1loibpatTU9EKnUzNeDKuaPH9jVsp7nXtwCz07yM49uQ31Bhf5r6Iog/w640-h397/L1001049.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Various sculptures are not only inside the museum but outside as well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzI2PBqsi5S65eZ5ChLYn3m9rS1HnZa4fiUBU0CCMopLpbXPwY5jDJrYpnDBO5DFiyKpWdsp6LHOi5icBlSvwgK4-j69O2H7Vy2vz1KgdisUNL5NFQuW8nY2sRLcGy1KeyZSrQbYdpCewemWDrtoCg2jK9ScmZ018CacIOBZ8xw2hc-Sov0cZNtHXHv4/s7477/L1001057.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="7477" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzI2PBqsi5S65eZ5ChLYn3m9rS1HnZa4fiUBU0CCMopLpbXPwY5jDJrYpnDBO5DFiyKpWdsp6LHOi5icBlSvwgK4-j69O2H7Vy2vz1KgdisUNL5NFQuW8nY2sRLcGy1KeyZSrQbYdpCewemWDrtoCg2jK9ScmZ018CacIOBZ8xw2hc-Sov0cZNtHXHv4/w640-h474/L1001057.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While there are many art pieces here on permanent display, others are on loan from the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. They also have special touring exhibits for featured artists. The works there this month are sculptures by Picasso. Most people know of Picasso from his drawings and paintings. Many are not aware he also experimented with sculpture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jeff Koons created this oversized brightly colored tulips sculpture on display inside the museum. Each tulip is about the size of a 55 gallon drum. The material has a vibrant colorful shine, the finish like mylar...?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGFKl9C7YBdFY5er1i5f91UY5xO4dLbfgWzERY00g6Z2unUOubuxwO8qBViFclsxlFqaJBY2S0TQSriteE0qkEAkHrtnzkALZ-eKPFoOYgDfVq5dVoZVyHThUIhOmVLoWgtvSkXV-GMjUY8AoRrh1Y2qewiZadfQHFWw_2eVJIC-4dqbMl19Ou8voUR0/s9266/L1001052.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4717" data-original-width="9266" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGFKl9C7YBdFY5er1i5f91UY5xO4dLbfgWzERY00g6Z2unUOubuxwO8qBViFclsxlFqaJBY2S0TQSriteE0qkEAkHrtnzkALZ-eKPFoOYgDfVq5dVoZVyHThUIhOmVLoWgtvSkXV-GMjUY8AoRrh1Y2qewiZadfQHFWw_2eVJIC-4dqbMl19Ou8voUR0/w640-h326/L1001052.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Then there are Richard Serra's larger-than-life steel sculptures that took ten years to create, build, and install in the museum. You are encouraged to walk through his sculptures for an unforgettable experience. You will feel the sensation of movement, of rolling waves, claustrophobia, walls leaning in or tilting out, clean white lights and deep dark shadows follow you as you make your way through the maze.You will experience all of these rising and falling sensations as you walk on a level concrete floor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Serra's sculpture challenges your senses and how your mind interprets its surroundings. Serra is a genius in creating a work that required extensive engineering, mathematics, and a working understanding of physics to create this particular work. These freestanding sheets of steel weighing over several tons each, are </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">stood up on edge, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">perfectly balanced and not falling on each other or on spectators though you might feel like they are. Every steel piece is exactly the same height, but you would bet your last dollar that they are not. That's all part of the illusion. Serra stated that his sculpture is more than just steel plates. It's the air and space in and around the steel pieces that are as much a part of the work as the plates themselves.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY83fnhH1VRUw_3nHEVaDN5io_sX5pTJEqzVFCrImEQ5CZFNcyQ9ts6MZ7BEJeX5GtTyObHa8mlHIeycFinDfxI8lcsotBiYyCfOEmjeO3Duj8i_b6Pc3LcpZzcKzYZeCDQodoc0gJUiSO9nE6LCLxn7Gy93gBaNqQClJaViVUCSvGhRIMqCaRvQTUqs/s9520/L1001042.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY83fnhH1VRUw_3nHEVaDN5io_sX5pTJEqzVFCrImEQ5CZFNcyQ9ts6MZ7BEJeX5GtTyObHa8mlHIeycFinDfxI8lcsotBiYyCfOEmjeO3Duj8i_b6Pc3LcpZzcKzYZeCDQodoc0gJUiSO9nE6LCLxn7Gy93gBaNqQClJaViVUCSvGhRIMqCaRvQTUqs/w426-h640/L1001042.jpeg" width="426" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Due to the exterior design of the building, nothing is straight or vertical on the exterior </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">or in the interior. Everything is curved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Only the floor is level, but it doesn't always feel that way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The hand railing below is level, or is it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pxJwlJmFNluEKoz_Ie67GzM78PijBFfeqeDhEYhAOY2z_ONUmrT6ZqW5zdPsEzAYzC6fSsXLF3h3faRTUOHvD_YWhskJkFOrl6yU_UkW69sMiLAf4KtdKZH_1YtRTKN6l2zLM1TpMeNbV-0_oZlr9Y7fev9YISVGP4MIbhR6tE-U5klERfF9akqzORk/s8389/L1001055.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8389" data-original-width="6248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pxJwlJmFNluEKoz_Ie67GzM78PijBFfeqeDhEYhAOY2z_ONUmrT6ZqW5zdPsEzAYzC6fSsXLF3h3faRTUOHvD_YWhskJkFOrl6yU_UkW69sMiLAf4KtdKZH_1YtRTKN6l2zLM1TpMeNbV-0_oZlr9Y7fev9YISVGP4MIbhR6tE-U5klERfF9akqzORk/w477-h640/L1001055.jpeg" width="477" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At night, street light </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">reflects </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">off </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the Museum's</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> titanium skin. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Compare this photo with the second one above taken during the day.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xtQbu210lmMrXv9VLoBBtTOG8R0Q8q4P5gT5iCyDU1ow51Lv1Qrq8eo52tN7Il5qkdOPDWQFa4HGyG5m_i-NGy8m2h1I9gIEH8TqYS8D6DeRBuuOaMn8dWmBeD8aUf0IUg7RLq7VJ8FlbKhxuyqwBdq5UfM-JuRdRosdfoO6OHmYjpyTmd86wb5K-so/s4032/IMG_3286.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="4032" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xtQbu210lmMrXv9VLoBBtTOG8R0Q8q4P5gT5iCyDU1ow51Lv1Qrq8eo52tN7Il5qkdOPDWQFa4HGyG5m_i-NGy8m2h1I9gIEH8TqYS8D6DeRBuuOaMn8dWmBeD8aUf0IUg7RLq7VJ8FlbKhxuyqwBdq5UfM-JuRdRosdfoO6OHmYjpyTmd86wb5K-so/w640-h413/IMG_3286.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can now better understand why this museum attracts so many visitors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">from around the world each year. By 2003, its reputation had grown so much that more international visitors than Spaniards visited the museum. The Bilbao city government has collected more than $100 million in tax receipts from these visitors over the years. That's more than the original cost to build the museum. Despite many critics of the design when it first opened, it was a great investment for Bilbao.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This economic fact has not been lost on architects and city planners internationally.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They refer to this as the <b>Bilbao Effect.</b> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It has motivated many city planners around the world to invest in the innovative design of public buildings. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Sydney Opera House in Australia is a prime example of the Bilbao Effect </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">changing a city skyline and influencing public opinion </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">about the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CCjon</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-42307964495085575292023-11-12T09:58:00.001-06:002023-11-13T08:29:26.888-06:00BURGOS, SPAIN - Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa María de Burgos<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today we drove under beautiful cobalt blue skies from Valladolid to Burgos, Spain. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Had heard great things about the Cathedral here, so we decided go see it, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">wander around a bit in the old city and spend the night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Found a great room near the Burgos Cathedral, in the NH Palacio de Burgos Hotel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The hotel itself has quite a history as a major part of its structure was a 16th century monastery. It was acquired by the hotel chain in 1977 when the Jesuit school that was using it vacated to a larger facility in the city. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The old church monastery is on the left, the hotel on the right, but the bell tower in the middle was built sometime between the two. Three different colors of stone and architectural styles.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEHh4Hm3TgCfLVGS1KLJqUJXAv3V9Ee-oiDxP2KUPVWMx0ZeECV4Ql952iLora2kyGzoQb95tAIj1t7vb7FuU3MbxWm_rlMM1JQkI3jjlTg0p7Ir7yu0nP99JcmfVd9WInqbDoEuK-_Qw79NsjfK3L0Cdp_ON7RfE-EKSKULdiL-DqWvi1NaID1h6s1Q/s4032/IMG_3273.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEHh4Hm3TgCfLVGS1KLJqUJXAv3V9Ee-oiDxP2KUPVWMx0ZeECV4Ql952iLora2kyGzoQb95tAIj1t7vb7FuU3MbxWm_rlMM1JQkI3jjlTg0p7Ir7yu0nP99JcmfVd9WInqbDoEuK-_Qw79NsjfK3L0Cdp_ON7RfE-EKSKULdiL-DqWvi1NaID1h6s1Q/w480-h640/IMG_3273.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Literally across the street from the hotel are the walls of the old city. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The spires of the Cathedral can be seen rising up behind the outer wall. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What started out for us as a warm day turned cool.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudFaBzyP6YAjJD6Cp1-H9mSgUtj_3lvUaWFhcuShwuphocy-XgxXhiituCS7rt4jkfp7ok1fU__BdLypG5IDaouocnY-sMFBLIWWoxvH8qVB9hsDZaZANQWWhhuQ8uEvhp48ByhH8R08sFSQFv1Fmiw8UrDjP7XvopTlo8_IY2WRmaVQOTYBxOCt2HG4/s9440/L1000956.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5310" data-original-width="9440" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudFaBzyP6YAjJD6Cp1-H9mSgUtj_3lvUaWFhcuShwuphocy-XgxXhiituCS7rt4jkfp7ok1fU__BdLypG5IDaouocnY-sMFBLIWWoxvH8qVB9hsDZaZANQWWhhuQ8uEvhp48ByhH8R08sFSQFv1Fmiw8UrDjP7XvopTlo8_IY2WRmaVQOTYBxOCt2HG4/w640-h360/L1000956.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Immediatelly inside the walls, Amparo spots a statue dedicated to the pligrims </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">who make the trek on the Camino a Santiago. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Burgos is one of the larger cities on that route.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-Dw1YxaUSnc0Jtpg0K9BFV0yFETpj3QlXUhTk_zBpidufnUhCPmwk9J9HLYRY69YRG3UQHvYofSxDf7aAW9IckYZ0ZVmPE_NhZUlyiES6mI0qTGZHyfWhl_sYNSB3Q9INpkAII0Ys3iKE3fnn2NgXadosWOE7lrCkoNbktkJ39gBhPqv0NckUW6-WnE/s4032/IMG_3270.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-Dw1YxaUSnc0Jtpg0K9BFV0yFETpj3QlXUhTk_zBpidufnUhCPmwk9J9HLYRY69YRG3UQHvYofSxDf7aAW9IckYZ0ZVmPE_NhZUlyiES6mI0qTGZHyfWhl_sYNSB3Q9INpkAII0Ys3iKE3fnn2NgXadosWOE7lrCkoNbktkJ39gBhPqv0NckUW6-WnE/w480-h640/IMG_3270.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Construction of the Cathedral began in 1221, and was completed in 1267. It is an example of the evolution of Gothic style buildings, with the entire history of Gothic art seen in its architecture. Inside is a museum with a unque collection of art, paintings, stained-glass. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNa-2j0wvTX-NpnDsyx6cDavw4-7pRgG36uht4BKyNa1g1JqnKBKf5qcQydUw6RyytU0thg3TesW8GZ06BjBw_Eb-WUvmx3aRvamwJukDXpye-pxU2wNmdawBKDsun_ifwRdprbXzWISvtJk1lYQ6g-V72cZnJggKqNmXWELJ5yr1XhpYlwtgPlWi_cE/s8257/L1000957.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8257" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNa-2j0wvTX-NpnDsyx6cDavw4-7pRgG36uht4BKyNa1g1JqnKBKf5qcQydUw6RyytU0thg3TesW8GZ06BjBw_Eb-WUvmx3aRvamwJukDXpye-pxU2wNmdawBKDsun_ifwRdprbXzWISvtJk1lYQ6g-V72cZnJggKqNmXWELJ5yr1XhpYlwtgPlWi_cE/w492-h640/L1000957.jpeg" width="492" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The cathedral is an iconic example of Gothic architecture going all out.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK6G97MroYVSw2mdAp5g_CsnOf86rbeMrGh0HDD6yUzeipiOU9SoX0PrgL8gB2YjLWqn0B7NswdORO9Y0n6eAgZFurtihkw5flM32k1jXYdmjh1aRty865Mlt_fPIKiihCmbOkg0BBrmGdRcdlSrmtYGpKT8aevwjKG9ZtOj9PEHEJsnEIYUrS4fT6S0/s9520/L1000959.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK6G97MroYVSw2mdAp5g_CsnOf86rbeMrGh0HDD6yUzeipiOU9SoX0PrgL8gB2YjLWqn0B7NswdORO9Y0n6eAgZFurtihkw5flM32k1jXYdmjh1aRty865Mlt_fPIKiihCmbOkg0BBrmGdRcdlSrmtYGpKT8aevwjKG9ZtOj9PEHEJsnEIYUrS4fT6S0/w426-h640/L1000959.jpeg" width="426" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From the cathedral we wandered over to the Plaza Major, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">which seemed small in comparison to others we have seen in Spain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A building/gate making up part of the surround of the Plaza Major.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFrj0LA581jpdqDz8uPexyI9aw9nuI_lGDiH2EOKMtCCeOdnQ4hxcCw2HRFXHGiwKAMgQumm813KWtE6I3gpcfVUzAbxEHAiHPlqrVEeaazwkyChUYCmsQJ8L7F1FLzAyPvH8PEZxr4N46VwaCzNMccqGKIgFvcyCvJdqKrMAj7xwa-3AjhyphenhyphenqyJ-aW0Q/s9420/L1000965.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6269" data-original-width="9420" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFrj0LA581jpdqDz8uPexyI9aw9nuI_lGDiH2EOKMtCCeOdnQ4hxcCw2HRFXHGiwKAMgQumm813KWtE6I3gpcfVUzAbxEHAiHPlqrVEeaazwkyChUYCmsQJ8L7F1FLzAyPvH8PEZxr4N46VwaCzNMccqGKIgFvcyCvJdqKrMAj7xwa-3AjhyphenhyphenqyJ-aW0Q/w640-h426/L1000965.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There were very few tourists here in November, which suits you just fine. A waiter in a neat clean cafe near the Plaza told us the tourist season was over until next year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After a great meal of pumpkin soup and artisan bread, splurged on a tiramaisu dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">DELICIOUS!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pretty elegant for a small plaza cafe. It was very tasty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuvDW0mFqr4RlFhPtj4UbecXKZJiZTUWM0ArAI3TgYQ51b8rlAaQca62FjTXMinRwg6sP5Ndd45gQjd-xUeLORXSmCXoNwi5YKHiUPgTR8PgILsP7R6mArjJWsMCijEe8hxJyCxV2o4x4O5zNf8KQdVss4AgsOlKrJPku5JnoocZ-v4qiN9VvZWGwxls/s4032/IMG_3260.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuvDW0mFqr4RlFhPtj4UbecXKZJiZTUWM0ArAI3TgYQ51b8rlAaQca62FjTXMinRwg6sP5Ndd45gQjd-xUeLORXSmCXoNwi5YKHiUPgTR8PgILsP7R6mArjJWsMCijEe8hxJyCxV2o4x4O5zNf8KQdVss4AgsOlKrJPku5JnoocZ-v4qiN9VvZWGwxls/w480-h640/IMG_3260.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Back out in the Plaza, Amparo made a new friend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">His name is Tinito.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicVK5CFfiu4sFl8pEQ9stJivWIFN-mDiadsA8Pgkh3lp74oDWe5U48_Vy7LGYb7tX57CNWmGvjdGLFOOlvErhoM8PD379M_ywCeXCt_WtobCUvE1x7JQFm4s-BPLhWLhxNs8hx11rrphymPy8Ot2uP9DcPgpKq7tcy3p55_WCvTlPq2p96RKr1TA2f-U/s6175/L1000974.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6175" data-original-width="5572" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicVK5CFfiu4sFl8pEQ9stJivWIFN-mDiadsA8Pgkh3lp74oDWe5U48_Vy7LGYb7tX57CNWmGvjdGLFOOlvErhoM8PD379M_ywCeXCt_WtobCUvE1x7JQFm4s-BPLhWLhxNs8hx11rrphymPy8Ot2uP9DcPgpKq7tcy3p55_WCvTlPq2p96RKr1TA2f-U/w578-h640/L1000974.jpeg" width="578" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Burgos is about half the size of Valladolid. In some ways Burgoa has older religious buildings, but not as many. Nor does it have the Royal historical significance that Valladloid does. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The next day we drove on to Bilbao on the northern coast.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">CCjon</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-40466157997162465382023-11-05T01:57:00.004-06:002023-11-07T15:59:55.862-06:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - Cloistered Convent<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are numerous magnificant religious structures in Valladolid, </div><div style="text-align: center;">though at times it is the small chapel or capilla out of the main that impresses the most.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside these historic edifices one expects to see highly ornate goldwork, </div><div style="text-align: center;">colorful stained glass, religious statues and soaring architectural stonework... </div><div style="text-align: center;">and you do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8dWTDsw8mX4CzBr7ZkTQ31IUa-888VNomObpKy8GqeejYQ0vOY4q0hziss3J2qXt_nM-ezAtOfCeNgYjJiW7LiOHI8wVvMir3cakISck4FfMLeDavZYynRxNVPp03JelDE22FxVO3tqjY7sR9t1_172H3l-2_sk-WXrO1mE0tf07OJF_6RBdkFWd39k/s8472/L1000338.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5638" data-original-width="8472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8dWTDsw8mX4CzBr7ZkTQ31IUa-888VNomObpKy8GqeejYQ0vOY4q0hziss3J2qXt_nM-ezAtOfCeNgYjJiW7LiOHI8wVvMir3cakISck4FfMLeDavZYynRxNVPp03JelDE22FxVO3tqjY7sR9t1_172H3l-2_sk-WXrO1mE0tf07OJF_6RBdkFWd39k/w640-h426/L1000338.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But what can be found behind the simple, plain wooden doors in walls of plaster and stucco?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Though I have walked this particular street many times, </div><div style="text-align: center;">was not prepared for what lay behind such a non-descript exterior.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xFgTCOaIUZE7RLZQf_5OGddLfZEaQ-jA2jOf8TS2phmBIhyphenhyphenZXr9d7WLgoG4Dk-_YJ-THnPviG230Sk__82-3WddnEMoQwS-fhi0dOCJ7dtUg-i0yo-zfKABTPz6-kRoCzbWITDsltqk67ij-aAEDL8HV6_ZW8pSFwN2nMBKlwnfWPWS-9guY00hXwlw/s9520/L1000440.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xFgTCOaIUZE7RLZQf_5OGddLfZEaQ-jA2jOf8TS2phmBIhyphenhyphenZXr9d7WLgoG4Dk-_YJ-THnPviG230Sk__82-3WddnEMoQwS-fhi0dOCJ7dtUg-i0yo-zfKABTPz6-kRoCzbWITDsltqk67ij-aAEDL8HV6_ZW8pSFwN2nMBKlwnfWPWS-9guY00hXwlw/w426-h640/L1000440.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you enter this street, on your left is the large gothic stone structure, </div><div style="text-align: center;">that is today a repository for provincial records, </div><div style="text-align: center;">though it looks like it might have been a church in it's day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRy5h76yKycq77JZoM4AZHA0TuunLhu6uvMSiiXyV11k366SOart5JA22j-9ZPFRVMyOpo6GlksvTZ6MK8Zf4b3pb-1Ei4EhsD43E-rNqOe4tO62iWBIfn3GcjdZAkcT-qBNGnh2Aeh1crtVv8FDBKzqG2xs-oqpqADNNc3IHuvZ-brju2VgT5QOV1LQ/s8303/L1000436.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8303" data-original-width="6294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRy5h76yKycq77JZoM4AZHA0TuunLhu6uvMSiiXyV11k366SOart5JA22j-9ZPFRVMyOpo6GlksvTZ6MK8Zf4b3pb-1Ei4EhsD43E-rNqOe4tO62iWBIfn3GcjdZAkcT-qBNGnh2Aeh1crtVv8FDBKzqG2xs-oqpqADNNc3IHuvZ-brju2VgT5QOV1LQ/w486-h640/L1000436.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While admiring the tall massive gothic structure, one tends to ignore the simple wall </div><div style="text-align: center;">of stucco and old doors on the other side of the street.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Turning around, you see there is a small statue of the Virgen Mary in an alcove above the only door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Which is not unusual as many homes here have a statue of the Virgen Mary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">in their garden or in an alcove.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-OLmJsavwefIieTQ96NGf2qbua87gq3bEwGnGT7ZVe9fdyzEsXmd-cIvuzSlaU5LW5mR0cfNkwOvQA1TyvC-PY7jztXcMnz-MX7e9OwKT0UM1YVhktKYLIw29oh2aO0_JBbandtQoU3wIlIyhJedARY1bpvUglxJdzeP0af0viKO9Jker4tMprzRR3s/s9520/L1000439.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-OLmJsavwefIieTQ96NGf2qbua87gq3bEwGnGT7ZVe9fdyzEsXmd-cIvuzSlaU5LW5mR0cfNkwOvQA1TyvC-PY7jztXcMnz-MX7e9OwKT0UM1YVhktKYLIw29oh2aO0_JBbandtQoU3wIlIyhJedARY1bpvUglxJdzeP0af0viKO9Jker4tMprzRR3s/w426-h640/L1000439.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One Sunday, I notice that door was standing open.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's an invitation in Spain to come in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div>Removing my hat in the foyer, am awaken by the light inside.</div><div>I was pleasantly surprised and awed by what is behind the plain brown painted doors.</div><div><br /></div><div>Never expected to find a small yet brightly lite, impressively clean, neat, well cared for church ...</div><div>it's high nave with a painted ceiling with an elaberate golden alter on the far wall.</div><div>All behind such a nondescript exterior.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a convent's church...</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Monasterio de Santa Isabel de Hungary, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a convent for Clarisas Fransiscan nuns. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today it is still a functioning convent, while it also showcases a museum, a bakery that sells treats</div><div style="text-align: center;">several days a week to help support the nuns living here, and this hidden church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Knowing the nuns here pledged to live a simple auster lifestyle, one would not expect </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">to see a highly ornate private church behind the cloistered walls.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAQ62I4vfdPFNEeuxU2DQv6LntA6O7vYnPJf1foAIMRXft2Y4smETd5KiDDdavdTegEjTU5bscuHucEcO68sxu6x0vXo3yOx0sQns_H55J6qa0VVqNxLZRz_bxuPO7oK-3LgJZup_ddZcrgM2Q3n9Gtg1LCtCQtSAHGDrJrN61FVe1GYOF65wiD86SYA/s8362/L1000285.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8362" data-original-width="5565" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAQ62I4vfdPFNEeuxU2DQv6LntA6O7vYnPJf1foAIMRXft2Y4smETd5KiDDdavdTegEjTU5bscuHucEcO68sxu6x0vXo3yOx0sQns_H55J6qa0VVqNxLZRz_bxuPO7oK-3LgJZup_ddZcrgM2Q3n9Gtg1LCtCQtSAHGDrJrN61FVe1GYOF65wiD86SYA/w426-h640/L1000285.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pause for a moment to study all of the highly detailed ornate artwork, religious symbols as a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">clean tidy display in this photo. Unlike many golden alters seen which are a clutter of dark icons competeing with each other for attention (see next photo), this alter is neatly organized in an orderly fashion. Such as a nun would do...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In photography we call that having a focal point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Drawing the viewer's eye to where you want them to look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is an example of a more heavy handed decorated church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You do not know where you are suppose to look. There is no focal point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Everything there screams for attention. Bad design...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLTYp5dvHXgaBP3GIlLxthrmj9C40288LU9P2b8T9J23Mp1SOrauO1sgU_E6ucjmnYCk0Yy-GR2ksCySjGEYJx8VAAgEDVAY-3_nIrAac-5Tq3Q6J4Rr5Sp8HNohOAGddSJZQB36-Y1PTTaGAkwM7wqPvzHUiZkYMXQhM6mMEIusMvK9IPmZWALwzidU/s9124/L1000817.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5132" data-original-width="9124" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLTYp5dvHXgaBP3GIlLxthrmj9C40288LU9P2b8T9J23Mp1SOrauO1sgU_E6ucjmnYCk0Yy-GR2ksCySjGEYJx8VAAgEDVAY-3_nIrAac-5Tq3Q6J4Rr5Sp8HNohOAGddSJZQB36-Y1PTTaGAkwM7wqPvzHUiZkYMXQhM6mMEIusMvK9IPmZWALwzidU/w640-h360/L1000817.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What is particularly interesting as I don't remember seeing many of these, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> to the right of the sanctuary in the convent church, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">behind a sturdy iron grate is what they call the nun's chapel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Also call by some as a Choir Sister's room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next to the grate, out of sight, is an iron door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN8ojiWNYxKwmvhrqZDirSmqnXanQ3vTAj8x_ObLAyc4rQfq8AkXs8CitPN03Ztls_Md8IjrSpa2AvyNnJNwfLqRbIxNS0n4bTDnswkF61po2Ez00uCcfV__Z_MWEn7_39eZjwqBCZttg85mGTNy2OHfe2aZdxEms6EAJlVQV2YAfD82QCPr8kb-do88/s9520/L1000286.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN8ojiWNYxKwmvhrqZDirSmqnXanQ3vTAj8x_ObLAyc4rQfq8AkXs8CitPN03Ztls_Md8IjrSpa2AvyNnJNwfLqRbIxNS0n4bTDnswkF61po2Ez00uCcfV__Z_MWEn7_39eZjwqBCZttg85mGTNy2OHfe2aZdxEms6EAJlVQV2YAfD82QCPr8kb-do88/w640-h426/L1000286.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cloistered convents maintained a strict set of rules concerning contact between the nuns inside the convent and the outside public, including the Catholic clergy. This convent allowed the public to attend mass here attended to by a visiting priest, but they were not to have contact with the nuns. Nor were the nuns to see the public. A woven cloth would be hung across the grate blocking anyone viewing of the nuns, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">yet the congregation could still hear their voices singing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the nuns could hear the priest officiating the Mass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> When the iron door between the chapel and the church was locked, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the only accessed to the chapel room is from inside the convent itself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the public had left the church and the main doors were locked, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the iron door between the nun's chapel </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and the nave was unlocked, so the nuns could clean and maintain their church. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>Though nuns and the novices all attended a mandatory daily mass,</div><div>they were always separated from the Priest and the public. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is said it took two keys to open the main doors of the convent. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two highly respected nuns, often elderly, were entrusted with one key each. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They were what stood between the vulnerable nuns inside and the world of heathens outside.</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div>This was a unique opportunity to see a Convent's chapel, </div><div>as many are never opened for public viewing.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div></div></div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-22791759369010905312023-11-02T02:54:00.002-05:002023-11-20T04:02:51.393-06:00LEÓN, SPAIN - Cathedral<div style="text-align: center;">Drove the 120 miles north from Valladolid to see the famous Cathedral of León. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Spend the night, returning the next day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our early morning departure was delayed </div><div style="text-align: center;">as the street out front was closed with police barricades, for a marathon?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cannot get the car out of the underground parking garage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It started small... only a few participants with light rain, </div><div style="text-align: center;">my first thought is, well this won't be long! Then we'll go.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgjik_ThD3GAtI3bu3372xbX88gxyLSJljOyZ2afuU8u4PaSddmFvkt2LlZpqGyEb5up9tDeu4zoT5eGXm57LDjE4U3Qc-BGspMy-Jbh9c5eE3lIQD7x40xjWkWe8lzllBWYuhEBhpFATILmZ-fcgJrF-ATz27i9005fVk7CMRRdbIkyAyui9i3FsDto/s4032/72026718302__372BDEAC-8EB2-4C18-A6D5-A1B4FEA6307A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgjik_ThD3GAtI3bu3372xbX88gxyLSJljOyZ2afuU8u4PaSddmFvkt2LlZpqGyEb5up9tDeu4zoT5eGXm57LDjE4U3Qc-BGspMy-Jbh9c5eE3lIQD7x40xjWkWe8lzllBWYuhEBhpFATILmZ-fcgJrF-ATz27i9005fVk7CMRRdbIkyAyui9i3FsDto/w480-h640/72026718302__372BDEAC-8EB2-4C18-A6D5-A1B4FEA6307A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the number of walkers kept growing...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_o2_JJL8haPtEP8XNN4oZ_KwRoNghNDAkntZ4lMqsMgJy58CRvrDlPI9uxCgadsRQe64ARcG23WOlF14lCNOOTdWP8xKkZs4PgnoqcZhDJw2E10MkLUWIrsG52vTUawuH0EqLsmiF8QsBzdFbFVXiso-j4JzY7Ag66Ms_U_Zd-4t-aRt21ih22vxYds/s4032/72026864413__5F63D6B1-ACF5-466C-B3F1-816B6B1486CB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_o2_JJL8haPtEP8XNN4oZ_KwRoNghNDAkntZ4lMqsMgJy58CRvrDlPI9uxCgadsRQe64ARcG23WOlF14lCNOOTdWP8xKkZs4PgnoqcZhDJw2E10MkLUWIrsG52vTUawuH0EqLsmiF8QsBzdFbFVXiso-j4JzY7Ag66Ms_U_Zd-4t-aRt21ih22vxYds/w480-h640/72026864413__5F63D6B1-ACF5-466C-B3F1-816B6B1486CB.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and growing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBi2eOAY7OY6XfaWNqY3mVHn4G8ztm175A6832Ex8DiPO_xexJNS_rq6LZ_hPOo8S_RJcHQSgDbv588HmB7xLUwonMBB1Ultf1frydjNiguWvPe4e9s-ixJN49zo3susESz4QlthuqSJG8zDKQrBjevjIutC8_RPUqLeAoyGIzDUb2EQpu3VKkR0AJvs/s4032/72026867173__32895283-BB23-4B5B-8F1B-A39EB10056DE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBi2eOAY7OY6XfaWNqY3mVHn4G8ztm175A6832Ex8DiPO_xexJNS_rq6LZ_hPOo8S_RJcHQSgDbv588HmB7xLUwonMBB1Ultf1frydjNiguWvPe4e9s-ixJN49zo3susESz4QlthuqSJG8zDKQrBjevjIutC8_RPUqLeAoyGIzDUb2EQpu3VKkR0AJvs/w480-h640/72026867173__32895283-BB23-4B5B-8F1B-A39EB10056DE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We later heard on TV it was a fundraising walk for finding a cure for cancer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was a challenge to see which city could turn out the most participants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The larger city of León had 24,000 walkers(?).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Valladolid, being a smaller city, had somewhere between 48 - 60 thousand </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">persons participating, depending on which TV station you wanted to believe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All helping to raise money for more cancer research. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Impressive.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, we were able to leave, now under a downpour of rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The national roadway system in Spain is modern and well-maintained. Finding gasoline does require some planning though, as stations are not found at every crossroads. Worse though is finding a place to eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The selection at the few gas stations was severely limited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We drove into small towns along the way looking for a place to eat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tried several restaurants, but since we did not have reservations, sorry was their reply.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They must be for locals, as with all the variables involved with highway travel, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who can make a reservation for lunch down the road?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seems a decent 24-hour fast food place would be a welcomed addition along these highways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or maybe the labor laws don't allow that?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arrived in León, but figuring out how their slightly different traffic flow worked was a bit of a challenge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is very organized and obviously well-thought-out. Look at the clean precise street markings </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and direction arrows in the photo below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It's just that we are not familiar with León's system.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After checking into our hotel, we set out walking to find the Cathedral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjXpSvu5FFmPPgMsv05xwaarmKwg4N6NYRsTNHBqSV1QsTnQg1qZySc5Nrntdga9hvuaLmmISuyZv6J1v2A1bZcM4kUblMvwxo-OfgK7ZrGg1YaM7TApV60SmzJcnabAGEn6DKcQNxc3s9pvrcEqIFS1C30Mqp69M5gLcW3YARZsSJ6vMw8_3UKOfqPA/s7546/L1000597.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5288" data-original-width="7546" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjXpSvu5FFmPPgMsv05xwaarmKwg4N6NYRsTNHBqSV1QsTnQg1qZySc5Nrntdga9hvuaLmmISuyZv6J1v2A1bZcM4kUblMvwxo-OfgK7ZrGg1YaM7TApV60SmzJcnabAGEn6DKcQNxc3s9pvrcEqIFS1C30Mqp69M5gLcW3YARZsSJ6vMw8_3UKOfqPA/w640-h448/L1000597.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Find it we did, after a twist or turn or two to get there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the proof!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXTBLWJwhzBCdGj6fHw0Wyq57UZTiM74454KuBd4_UwDpITzdzuyM_lG9SQOVQCaj24mbrgHovSFKlSey7LiOi6lczYLZeESxuYbZrEINFF2CZts-V7rhVJSxq5hf8cOqXsVfK_AD2TjdKPVaY_jnrz872yFGEhrAh5HcUoGOGNk5y0M1o55MLWyd_5I/s4032/IMG_3200.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXTBLWJwhzBCdGj6fHw0Wyq57UZTiM74454KuBd4_UwDpITzdzuyM_lG9SQOVQCaj24mbrgHovSFKlSey7LiOi6lczYLZeESxuYbZrEINFF2CZts-V7rhVJSxq5hf8cOqXsVfK_AD2TjdKPVaY_jnrz872yFGEhrAh5HcUoGOGNk5y0M1o55MLWyd_5I/w480-h640/IMG_3200.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was now late in the day, the cathedral was closed, which was good, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as I have an ethical hang-up about paying to enter a church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blame it on my Midwest Methodist upbringing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There might have been some Quaker or Mennonite way of thinking mixed in there too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, it was cool that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amparo thought the father & son statue was pretty cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Father admiring the Cathedral and the son looking at a huge open plaza </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with lots of room to run and play.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VFP-RfgvKZrU2rxwqL-i_CW90LqdpnvO6gq4WFDWhLPPjMgBUM2XDtA5ZGpP-_5o9SHhd9shLs72rKU2LmMWjQhj5MQjg2Zne7DmF_0BT5F3PlnfN1Iy5uuPvskAwVMQKGz-_meZvBIFegrtEG73T34fqGa_l4QayBwuPz9ttJTYyjT6420wGmT73Gk/s4032/IMG_3202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VFP-RfgvKZrU2rxwqL-i_CW90LqdpnvO6gq4WFDWhLPPjMgBUM2XDtA5ZGpP-_5o9SHhd9shLs72rKU2LmMWjQhj5MQjg2Zne7DmF_0BT5F3PlnfN1Iy5uuPvskAwVMQKGz-_meZvBIFegrtEG73T34fqGa_l4QayBwuPz9ttJTYyjT6420wGmT73Gk/w480-h640/IMG_3202.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nearby was a small pizza café where we could relax and get a bite to eat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We thought León was very clean, like all of Spain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is much more commercial or business-oriented than Valladolid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is the economic powerhouse for the region.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reflecting on the two cities, Valladolid is more compact, an easier walking city that has kept many of its old cobblestone streets. It has a longer history of religious, cultural, and artistic events since it was the home of the Spanish Court for several years before they decided to relocate back to Madrid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We only hear Spanish walking tour groups on weekends outside our apartment, as the guide lectures in front of the cathedral and the University of Law building. Yet to hear English language tour...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uZGtWHrxClwy4Gdco12szgIYDFxAiH3uoe1_TINDoriB1Zzv_c6oZYCXzpLdhzjGTMEvAzvRZDCGOy9oKVHHDQRPS3-X215Go1p4PRv0nYpA8hX72AxgKxY0n_abz7EqF2AmqztLA9-4xJvUAckVNTXALp9ev93mKm0SokEM3aKHxUIAzo9LyBJS6_k/s5724/L1000522.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5724" data-original-width="5724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uZGtWHrxClwy4Gdco12szgIYDFxAiH3uoe1_TINDoriB1Zzv_c6oZYCXzpLdhzjGTMEvAzvRZDCGOy9oKVHHDQRPS3-X215Go1p4PRv0nYpA8hX72AxgKxY0n_abz7EqF2AmqztLA9-4xJvUAckVNTXALp9ev93mKm0SokEM3aKHxUIAzo9LyBJS6_k/w640-h640/L1000522.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From our hotel window, León's blue hour just before dawn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95p-AMCKT8KgulhzZP-WGDbsQiIe-14VseHNp63B5dborURWg2xXKJnk-DxZDtEBCGBlpGRoPmIkZzSAIHFQAzqZ0feXzmhIf1JFGg9UsAaRbTMroXoMuO_gBzZaGveTuXJnqo0CP4wBMlCclK7NVyTIi2PQlQ5wVmDKrgaj_kMBklq5D1hMCWnAhDgU/s8091/L1000614.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5386" data-original-width="8091" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95p-AMCKT8KgulhzZP-WGDbsQiIe-14VseHNp63B5dborURWg2xXKJnk-DxZDtEBCGBlpGRoPmIkZzSAIHFQAzqZ0feXzmhIf1JFGg9UsAaRbTMroXoMuO_gBzZaGveTuXJnqo0CP4wBMlCclK7NVyTIi2PQlQ5wVmDKrgaj_kMBklq5D1hMCWnAhDgU/w640-h426/L1000614.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day we returned to Valladolid. It's the first time in two weeks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> we have taken the rental car out for a drive. All of the essentials in Valladolid where we are staying </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">are within walking distance </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">. Finding parking spot there is a challenge. Is much easier and faster to just walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomorrow, November 1, All Saint's Day, is a national holiday in Spain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most businesses will be closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-45099144191738306802023-10-31T11:36:00.005-05:002023-11-01T14:31:28.136-05:00VALLADOILD, SPAIN - HALLOWEEN <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Halloween in Spain can be a special place or a spooky expereince.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A dreary street, though kids and clowns think alike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Ain't no thing as having too much fun!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd4pO8nX7kJtrYhN0Knm9bV0ta8z7VoygZ_N5dGi0mLZjIvddfATGJTKLqeU-8XVsyXO2EIUdk2-H60mOMiOmL8HOxRZo5_jNnqQqY2tR-3kWOPeml3P_ymU7yikjuz8NsTXbWZyApebva8OPtF1dV1QbNrx5PeSjiacDWOy4NnLy5KmaE3-zZbOB0oM/s5286/L1000583.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5286" data-original-width="5286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd4pO8nX7kJtrYhN0Knm9bV0ta8z7VoygZ_N5dGi0mLZjIvddfATGJTKLqeU-8XVsyXO2EIUdk2-H60mOMiOmL8HOxRZo5_jNnqQqY2tR-3kWOPeml3P_ymU7yikjuz8NsTXbWZyApebva8OPtF1dV1QbNrx5PeSjiacDWOy4NnLy5KmaE3-zZbOB0oM/w640-h640/L1000583.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the restaurants don't open for dining until 8:00 pm here,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">popped into a pub for a refreshment. Not expecting to have to stare at this while relaxing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz-HRQ3CepHqB_KaeBRwFlyVDl53dTxkMlIWzIsGP-NBtBSN1jqcI1IV34YnK9k22M9xQbq8wlXTZbGCLFyxL3zp8KpGtvBvAjDzUCsbQQ1nhZOxYkQhG_fLsnlrTv5P8z2c7WdVz-fp7ReUtw36eQT6OrbfAudim2rE51Ikqrk-1_OSfaK8IV58EHvY/s1600/IMG_6483.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz-HRQ3CepHqB_KaeBRwFlyVDl53dTxkMlIWzIsGP-NBtBSN1jqcI1IV34YnK9k22M9xQbq8wlXTZbGCLFyxL3zp8KpGtvBvAjDzUCsbQQ1nhZOxYkQhG_fLsnlrTv5P8z2c7WdVz-fp7ReUtw36eQT6OrbfAudim2rE51Ikqrk-1_OSfaK8IV58EHvY/w362-h640/IMG_6483.jpeg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why do they have to be old folks, can't young people be scary too?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hmmm, well, yes they can. Some souls seem to float along like ghosts on parade in the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mirages... reflections... whisps of ghouls and spirits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can one see a free spirit in a mirror? Or is that only a vampire thing?</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9MJrqfsfmaf3Z7-CAFOS3ddSN7J4JkxGJyFNG7dWd9eratSJ6T0-u3L56L99hbP3F8H2Pt_0JghS8KWJzzKnqYxHIF62fr2XJHN66r3v7a4ClY3sDwiKjTylTSI4ecWBcq38N3t3_ipktFoNm6Kv_7Jk3QHoIk6DZR9nf2VRgZR7vM6h76FOZGbtyKI/s9520/L1000534.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9MJrqfsfmaf3Z7-CAFOS3ddSN7J4JkxGJyFNG7dWd9eratSJ6T0-u3L56L99hbP3F8H2Pt_0JghS8KWJzzKnqYxHIF62fr2XJHN66r3v7a4ClY3sDwiKjTylTSI4ecWBcq38N3t3_ipktFoNm6Kv_7Jk3QHoIk6DZR9nf2VRgZR7vM6h76FOZGbtyKI/w640-h426/L1000534.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amparo wanted to get her face painted like this couple, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but they left their makeup kits at home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry girl... maybe next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2LPb0iRC4bxst5Zj0fvATNqGctVsGmwOnYXlOC0PN6uN_FsAX6dIVZKT-kLZ0xYNaloMAf3YCxSqB0D7hFJkZRcIumUCq_JyTYLArBC7nGjhaBhroNIARUBYxTMP0r5tUV_yUaoGEGKhQQIalnBF23THzixzy0adJy1Wf62OfLPxkN2IF10ZpVu3cE/s3789/IMG_3192%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3789" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2LPb0iRC4bxst5Zj0fvATNqGctVsGmwOnYXlOC0PN6uN_FsAX6dIVZKT-kLZ0xYNaloMAf3YCxSqB0D7hFJkZRcIumUCq_JyTYLArBC7nGjhaBhroNIARUBYxTMP0r5tUV_yUaoGEGKhQQIalnBF23THzixzy0adJy1Wf62OfLPxkN2IF10ZpVu3cE/w640-h390/IMG_3192%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So she settled for a pose with Jack Sparrow's daughter and a vampiress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AccCXa-2Wpco3OvLExWZpDX9IHZdyAwuNaEFKkjiL3Kf8TgQs-MhlzYdRspyfewUCEkUWV9HeFPxutaBI4tu5RFEoVctu6PnUIJkJ01x4y3hFPCffCqorJjbfXjQcPsGlHgByi2FUDiBgQ3wR5N3WKV-Hgks3Oon8hRcRAA0p2m4ALyxt1VzI2BXXmw/s3245/IMG_3205.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3245" data-original-width="2378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AccCXa-2Wpco3OvLExWZpDX9IHZdyAwuNaEFKkjiL3Kf8TgQs-MhlzYdRspyfewUCEkUWV9HeFPxutaBI4tu5RFEoVctu6PnUIJkJ01x4y3hFPCffCqorJjbfXjQcPsGlHgByi2FUDiBgQ3wR5N3WKV-Hgks3Oon8hRcRAA0p2m4ALyxt1VzI2BXXmw/w470-h640/IMG_3205.jpeg" width="470" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">****************</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Learned a new Spanish word - SETAS???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Have always been a curious person. Some say I ask too many questions. But...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long ago I was taught that mushrooms are called hongos or champiñones in spanish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here in Spain, mushrooms are referred to as setas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Learning new words, experiencing different cultures, feeds your brain valuable nutrients. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Too bad knowledge and setas aren't easing our sore feet from all the walking. lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div></div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-46436948002948705752023-10-27T01:15:00.005-05:002023-10-31T20:03:17.724-05:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - Spooked in the Mercado del Val<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I had a really ominous feeling as I walked over to the Mercado del Val. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That enclosed marketplace... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right off the bat, in front of the statue " The Chiseler? " </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with his mallet and sharp chisel in hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was photo-bombed...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnEt_5JSyzxvJ5MCks9U-0XF5OjOQ2PtY2drCLbGC9Zid1d6ObtJDTwkW_nAa0NrsM62FV0zBZ98IvvUaYvX1CPUcEkxd6gNhG4AO37ae5fKn4_oBFuc9C6_dNstq7rod4CYJZgl5oz2qVWc2Qw9PyFOlthy1yUxmlszYayypKFbyOUOrY-q_LHP14oY/s9520/L1000245.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnEt_5JSyzxvJ5MCks9U-0XF5OjOQ2PtY2drCLbGC9Zid1d6ObtJDTwkW_nAa0NrsM62FV0zBZ98IvvUaYvX1CPUcEkxd6gNhG4AO37ae5fKn4_oBFuc9C6_dNstq7rod4CYJZgl5oz2qVWc2Qw9PyFOlthy1yUxmlszYayypKFbyOUOrY-q_LHP14oY/w400-h266/L1000245.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Minutes later walking pass a second hand store, three figurines jumped into view...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">an exotic performer... a Spanish Toreador (bullfighter)... a little blonde girl... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do they represent?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMpY-Em7oXB8X8AkV8Eg9aCVtMFy_8Dz0pVpgj8fkIsIG-IEoFSfx0EWOAnc7CkSFZShwVTASLtwKU6voUCDEMmUEkcbP8oV5ZOTxg1dTcN0I02GhUGWvVPaFKBJToIzSPZ8AbLpB3whYgMumcLpYxnVoxwMagpNNKp7jAgHYrSJz2G7IYeG4bIElccI/s9520/L1000188.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMpY-Em7oXB8X8AkV8Eg9aCVtMFy_8Dz0pVpgj8fkIsIG-IEoFSfx0EWOAnc7CkSFZShwVTASLtwKU6voUCDEMmUEkcbP8oV5ZOTxg1dTcN0I02GhUGWvVPaFKBJToIzSPZ8AbLpB3whYgMumcLpYxnVoxwMagpNNKp7jAgHYrSJz2G7IYeG4bIElccI/w426-h640/L1000188.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spinning around, a gossamer mirage of a painted lady is staring in my direction...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there but not really there... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tilt your head slightly, she disappears, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">only to re-appear if you look into her eyes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My hands goes out, but an invisible barrier protects her...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or is a reflection or reality?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where does that street go?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WRhKfqXqUPiLMTzY2Y-JzUUxmmgOO09bqrOifccCX7iJkB7JqS7RO3UJ_1xLhoZS31L3Ce40hcSshRqiNzqYoH-qX0PM3GrmZl_4uws1uaeFmcRU3YlNFrVeFDVOuxhnHZzUr4xxUD7a4kEZz4x05D3f8uDluwb7CXsA8Z-4Suo2tl4Rphn_96PZj_s/s3386/L1000415.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3386" data-original-width="2709" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WRhKfqXqUPiLMTzY2Y-JzUUxmmgOO09bqrOifccCX7iJkB7JqS7RO3UJ_1xLhoZS31L3Ce40hcSshRqiNzqYoH-qX0PM3GrmZl_4uws1uaeFmcRU3YlNFrVeFDVOuxhnHZzUr4xxUD7a4kEZz4x05D3f8uDluwb7CXsA8Z-4Suo2tl4Rphn_96PZj_s/w512-h640/L1000415.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking a bit further, am taken aback mid-stride...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as I try to understand the significance of this in a Christian city.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unknown man covered by a long robe, face hidden, tall pointed hood...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">offering what to a golden haired child?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is this the same little girl we saw in the shop window?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rBQ7WNjFlW06YqGlbGR1VHdJzyNBxreultWuMUcWF4lSNeYeJb8AO8TxP5OdBVp_ByX69h7U9AJwCMy0lKQ0jGa3sAqP4SuAaGrbkohTCjt15vDbXC9r5q0p4TWUQQrF8sLJ5IiUFbxsDp7SQYJnddcOwpJVH7rMwTMo-i0xqDjuRvkBWrCzC8XD1oY/s9520/L1000410.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rBQ7WNjFlW06YqGlbGR1VHdJzyNBxreultWuMUcWF4lSNeYeJb8AO8TxP5OdBVp_ByX69h7U9AJwCMy0lKQ0jGa3sAqP4SuAaGrbkohTCjt15vDbXC9r5q0p4TWUQQrF8sLJ5IiUFbxsDp7SQYJnddcOwpJVH7rMwTMo-i0xqDjuRvkBWrCzC8XD1oY/w426-h640/L1000410.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Something about a secret society, Knights Tem....</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjzjmyVvBn_kTCUchWnkOO_OVLHJm0YcCM36nbUIC3Tex-U1YxitScRpWXV0-btQenLS0dK8jqJjYOAS9gFtO-tapzmAx4MhhNKctmXZcNoC4M5Nv1gfoppTGJHrT6Zc6Lpn_mHTr4eyvnV7-xxdYrcUglyTpTC39GgtZNG54OMQpgkHRqkd9OFcDquw/s8670/L1000186.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8670" data-original-width="5615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjzjmyVvBn_kTCUchWnkOO_OVLHJm0YcCM36nbUIC3Tex-U1YxitScRpWXV0-btQenLS0dK8jqJjYOAS9gFtO-tapzmAx4MhhNKctmXZcNoC4M5Nv1gfoppTGJHrT6Zc6Lpn_mHTr4eyvnV7-xxdYrcUglyTpTC39GgtZNG54OMQpgkHRqkd9OFcDquw/w414-h640/L1000186.jpeg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why all of this so early in the day?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Men in hoods, dancing godesses, stranger photo-bombing, haunting female mirage, a bullfighter's stare... ?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is any of this real ?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Riding the motorized ramp up into the market, all is unusually hushed, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a chill hangs in the air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where are the people?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV8BRZa-J3EoY5yX5H62mQeepRiO7Uibd2WMbvMD2F8v7TOAS9R_-2g74amymw6UoFp1wDfFhTmxPfr47alViowxCe3v3V1pc-RBrV6eUGxL-GaKRAu4V91ZOKOGy3VlcyA2Ss6a_y6V8Qo_luX4iNc5E2luiUXCYOQjc-3BwyBswSyuklMk0wzztxI0/s6336/L1000235.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="5069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV8BRZa-J3EoY5yX5H62mQeepRiO7Uibd2WMbvMD2F8v7TOAS9R_-2g74amymw6UoFp1wDfFhTmxPfr47alViowxCe3v3V1pc-RBrV6eUGxL-GaKRAu4V91ZOKOGy3VlcyA2Ss6a_y6V8Qo_luX4iNc5E2luiUXCYOQjc-3BwyBswSyuklMk0wzztxI0/w512-h640/L1000235.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Had that old feeling of a thousand eyes staring at my back,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">raising the hair on the back of my neck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unblinking suspicious eyes watching my every move.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who would be intently staring at me? Why?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How many of them are there? Shall I make a break for it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spinning quickly around, I confront...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there,... there... there... hundreds of eyes... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">silently... staring... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">frozen... unmoving... unfeeling... always watching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwcTUz_dLumwa-S_hQFca7pMBAqP4JYlshJefu8EaPF0py9KyWVPPIemKuLNMA2vrVEfmBp5yUO57KEZ81jdNV7LtYLbBQW9M8iBjt0wz53lGcwlV5yxcvuMN5f78_C1liu2yqlj26kvhfl_uKT7VrCdkRr_6Ax50_Rv8_GieA1wumaKHLglET7bxUhg/s5803/L1000219.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5803" data-original-width="3808" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwcTUz_dLumwa-S_hQFca7pMBAqP4JYlshJefu8EaPF0py9KyWVPPIemKuLNMA2vrVEfmBp5yUO57KEZ81jdNV7LtYLbBQW9M8iBjt0wz53lGcwlV5yxcvuMN5f78_C1liu2yqlj26kvhfl_uKT7VrCdkRr_6Ax50_Rv8_GieA1wumaKHLglET7bxUhg/w419-h640/L1000219.jpeg" width="419" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A woosh from the dark recesses above suddenly releases a cascading cloud of white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the crystalized mist envelopes the school of wide eyed coho,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the steely-eyed lady in a trenchcoat waits, unfliching, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">braced for the wave of cold to dissipate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8nJqIm8RJlPhyphenhyphenEF4WSTxa_UH9pNZFqC2j2MSnbAATYBSF0PNqgqqP4UuM_Sww8vd6BWzqf8z21Yy7qNktYuB0todKRoqAMw9dMyMrXOK2awPCZ6cJ_iBHnJKmSqjTRTgPhw6qr-cTTiLsMb9Hq00xN9me7q_PmgGDAQTHJdPPw3o_gBGozo1FtrFq70/s6797/L1000232.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6797" data-original-width="4522" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8nJqIm8RJlPhyphenhyphenEF4WSTxa_UH9pNZFqC2j2MSnbAATYBSF0PNqgqqP4UuM_Sww8vd6BWzqf8z21Yy7qNktYuB0todKRoqAMw9dMyMrXOK2awPCZ6cJ_iBHnJKmSqjTRTgPhw6qr-cTTiLsMb9Hq00xN9me7q_PmgGDAQTHJdPPw3o_gBGozo1FtrFq70/w426-h640/L1000232.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quietness once again reins throughout the dark hall...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">until the soft touch of a shopkeeper is heard methodically squeezing, testing, smelling,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">carefully placing her fruit,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hoping to appeal to skeptical shoppers seeking a bargain of her best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqMsJdn25rwCRDR3go16xlDEjhwJ5ykxhYOI6c0vbFIB2ueMmhzsgbH9nOjPqqBcTMgnWCLe1b-TMaohfxESMhLld40UWlo8FyVt2OBpjUqcwOjdfpoYMWHaUGFqDR3_ut74RBpG-rceyx-3FFaBBVvLg_eFeMCrJHigPd6WwoDeWRPh-Ai0Gv2StuuQ/s5195/L1000217.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4278" data-original-width="5195" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqMsJdn25rwCRDR3go16xlDEjhwJ5ykxhYOI6c0vbFIB2ueMmhzsgbH9nOjPqqBcTMgnWCLe1b-TMaohfxESMhLld40UWlo8FyVt2OBpjUqcwOjdfpoYMWHaUGFqDR3_ut74RBpG-rceyx-3FFaBBVvLg_eFeMCrJHigPd6WwoDeWRPh-Ai0Gv2StuuQ/w640-h528/L1000217.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Suddenly a loud slap comes from around the corner, making me cringe at a familiar sound... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WHAP... WHAP... CRACK..! the sound of bones breaking! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A focused Spanish maiden with a broad razor sharp cleaver expertly separates a foot from the leg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With a well trained eye and fast hand, she quickly splits the whole into parts </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with a... WHAP... WHAP... CRACK..! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sounds of a blood sport!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I fear she could remove my gizzard with a swift twist of the knife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gizzards here are sold by the Kg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPCdaFbToTi5HsaDAWXNKmB76p5W3vdLB8vUijyDXw9cGM_jTBM7BDs2C8xcObWWaiRNOMPFf_TDTCCfIHke9SxMP3J_zmhjmfCQchLn1swIti8rGoUcsIldcrKuz6yQNhopWPuj9saFjhYKZR5NMHp8y5L46R3tKMbeHtyxW0jaBSITLeOie4nEAzqo/s3966/L1000209.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3966" data-original-width="2677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPCdaFbToTi5HsaDAWXNKmB76p5W3vdLB8vUijyDXw9cGM_jTBM7BDs2C8xcObWWaiRNOMPFf_TDTCCfIHke9SxMP3J_zmhjmfCQchLn1swIti8rGoUcsIldcrKuz6yQNhopWPuj9saFjhYKZR5NMHp8y5L46R3tKMbeHtyxW0jaBSITLeOie4nEAzqo/w432-h640/L1000209.jpeg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The glow of many weird colored lights illuminating the meat on display</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">plays games with my mind. Different vendors have different glows.. a secret code?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anxiety is calmed when warned, these special lights are to keep the red meat </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> free of bacteria... insects. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or is it to cover up the smell of fresh blood?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfiqEalPnY-RNb95a55XuNh2NPw1rji3hf0PDcTsPEVlXdjIWyWO0Ygmbeg9HcCM92jQmek2CIWASFLgb6TD-97ifBk-rcyWQe5o1Ys2pSrISq89_wwBABkTnLIC0Zr7cwTVPD-6orFPYe7s4wjsN7JU_D2OG_tctlWKcW13JlwVEdjQnhHJE35CkqzE/s6088/L1000231.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="6088" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfiqEalPnY-RNb95a55XuNh2NPw1rji3hf0PDcTsPEVlXdjIWyWO0Ygmbeg9HcCM92jQmek2CIWASFLgb6TD-97ifBk-rcyWQe5o1Ys2pSrISq89_wwBABkTnLIC0Zr7cwTVPD-6orFPYe7s4wjsN7JU_D2OG_tctlWKcW13JlwVEdjQnhHJE35CkqzE/w640-h362/L1000231.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With hundreds of pounds of soft animal flesh being chopped, sliced, slivered and weighed each day,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">am taken aback how their white shirts and sleeves are free</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of red stains, blood splatters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Too clean... too professional... too clever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As morning shoppers slowly mingle in from who knows where, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the hassling and bargaining over prices versus quantity grows in intensity and volume.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the haggled amount is settled, her credit card takes a quick swipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzouTSJL3m_FJfLGrQkMTa1kEiMbFC8nqgyB-1rXCdICrN92jrh1WPfR2ZRCVtect7RDgP95mcwmVYNQ0aSWEZ9dOdFyMCtVCrH0wB3yQtxuzE4gvVbfG5k1JPvZP9VW3qiUpRR3oqCLjd3UGc0JOSMGuMpMuygQiOVr8QP6oovntq3mQANtcj0gHuCkM/s3745/L1000203.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="3745" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzouTSJL3m_FJfLGrQkMTa1kEiMbFC8nqgyB-1rXCdICrN92jrh1WPfR2ZRCVtect7RDgP95mcwmVYNQ0aSWEZ9dOdFyMCtVCrH0wB3yQtxuzE4gvVbfG5k1JPvZP9VW3qiUpRR3oqCLjd3UGc0JOSMGuMpMuygQiOVr8QP6oovntq3mQANtcj0gHuCkM/w640-h512/L1000203.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While the meat vendors are competing to sell the same cut of flesh</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> to a limited number of consumers,</div><div>a ray of sunshine radiates from the cheese merchant.</div><div><br /></div><div>He offers a relaxed friendly smile.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because maybe he is the only cheese vendor in the marketplace? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is no competition, he is not haggling today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pay his price or leave empty handed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An angry customer complained, "Your prices are too high,!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your sign says 'Popular Prices'".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The merchant softly smiles: "Well, I like them."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQVO8ajjYYJya_nTTSiXRe0dtzf7t3u3wCVShV7rb6HuvqkbACLdG2lg1H7PB81mvyJJ3JLux-MDxoqSgHkG3o64pwRs1TFiAdMzylpt5utpUlj63wk8e_2TeZHB77SAbNIjgzyBXK75zWOsKhB12COTFBzwodk7aRjCWcvkwTq-cH2U5-vhn4VdJ4yo/s4485/L1000194.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4485" data-original-width="3588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQVO8ajjYYJya_nTTSiXRe0dtzf7t3u3wCVShV7rb6HuvqkbACLdG2lg1H7PB81mvyJJ3JLux-MDxoqSgHkG3o64pwRs1TFiAdMzylpt5utpUlj63wk8e_2TeZHB77SAbNIjgzyBXK75zWOsKhB12COTFBzwodk7aRjCWcvkwTq-cH2U5-vhn4VdJ4yo/w512-h640/L1000194.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After waiting many years</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally get to use this expression...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Oh, what a pear!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhytAVpKEqJga6-RpuMfZqI7puwVB1MZ1cX503gI1d0LJKCVn6OwfM-hjv1yTdChBImtVqpI4JGntSv_28j5TEym9Is3CS96PMaBrGnmzoxbq77vpQU8F9sGE3o2dbndpQk07wIEaMNTGKwWQ0Rbs-t1IfwZXmV4PAhOxfcI_E8wzt5B49V3oU0RVNcdU/s3801/L1000158.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3801" data-original-width="3801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhytAVpKEqJga6-RpuMfZqI7puwVB1MZ1cX503gI1d0LJKCVn6OwfM-hjv1yTdChBImtVqpI4JGntSv_28j5TEym9Is3CS96PMaBrGnmzoxbq77vpQU8F9sGE3o2dbndpQk07wIEaMNTGKwWQ0Rbs-t1IfwZXmV4PAhOxfcI_E8wzt5B49V3oU0RVNcdU/w640-h640/L1000158.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Halloween everybody!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Feliz Dia de los Muertos Muchachos!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">******************</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not a footnote, but a foot joke:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Have heard that beef in Spain would be sparse on Monday, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">were it not for the losing bulls on Sunday...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Toreadors 3, Bulls 0...</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-53706895054577096662023-10-25T05:49:00.002-05:002023-10-31T20:02:16.928-05:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - Rainy Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sunday walk starts cool with a bit of sunshine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the temperatures dropped last night to 47 degrees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPrgFo9jPpvzUIDAxsFQ-jrNoaTzrFU6FaL27_DXXDEr4fvgtNm_DrWYbFI-Rc-hneRGwuHXcXXIoCbMJvs_5a9noNB923vWit6aT_LdYjLOwYN9tbfdpclBzuw1c3qer6AWpjmYUEd2JG4IqjRMwHd39cPp1JJnubcuFRomhyuUKj8hSOc-329tqKL4/s5179/L1000268.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5179" data-original-width="4143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPrgFo9jPpvzUIDAxsFQ-jrNoaTzrFU6FaL27_DXXDEr4fvgtNm_DrWYbFI-Rc-hneRGwuHXcXXIoCbMJvs_5a9noNB923vWit6aT_LdYjLOwYN9tbfdpclBzuw1c3qer6AWpjmYUEd2JG4IqjRMwHd39cPp1JJnubcuFRomhyuUKj8hSOc-329tqKL4/w512-h640/L1000268.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By noon, the clouds start to roll in, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">soon followed by the daily drizzle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a child shall lead them...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Grandma, where is your umbrella?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zDfFJ3lR2NeKPJ9ttK_3r5440QVXsDdO_jKv-sEmLXWKPVETxIkM9gwSlOv8UWTI-ApXRPm3dgl39zXBO09y1ONCK5xiVhPmTmeIb5C46DDHycJpJEXhLrHhgJin2j6qsdepua7mb1qEexRr1XkEt7E89qN3_YEvbNARC4UM5jHmwKJB6kTTILHW8AE/s3165/L1000167.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3165" data-original-width="3165" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zDfFJ3lR2NeKPJ9ttK_3r5440QVXsDdO_jKv-sEmLXWKPVETxIkM9gwSlOv8UWTI-ApXRPm3dgl39zXBO09y1ONCK5xiVhPmTmeIb5C46DDHycJpJEXhLrHhgJin2j6qsdepua7mb1qEexRr1XkEt7E89qN3_YEvbNARC4UM5jHmwKJB6kTTILHW8AE/w640-h640/L1000167.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And he did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The drizzle grew to the point where if you had remembered your umbrella, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it was open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdfxgrRYdeIPYHv7E39UF8BmPb2nAuRIbQbBU1VjrWa23M1LeAxefEippHri4iju1FMc8XGCR_dTi5H91dv8cmIIJDCY6HQtq47GPu9N8huiCgP6Mi-TU1XJrQF-zz4QfJIplCqggQTUadQMZX5r093jokBvgyciNxYSA25O8Z6jO2NeDQOzmqh81rQU/s1463/L1000183.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1463" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdfxgrRYdeIPYHv7E39UF8BmPb2nAuRIbQbBU1VjrWa23M1LeAxefEippHri4iju1FMc8XGCR_dTi5H91dv8cmIIJDCY6HQtq47GPu9N8huiCgP6Mi-TU1XJrQF-zz4QfJIplCqggQTUadQMZX5r093jokBvgyciNxYSA25O8Z6jO2NeDQOzmqh81rQU/w640-h640/L1000183.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's a day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time to return to the apartment for a warm cup of coffee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay dry, stay warm my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-48837879916767228042023-10-22T05:28:00.013-05:002023-10-31T20:01:58.642-05:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - Wandering sidestreets and alleyways<div style="text-align: center;">After three trips to the supermarkert and one to a Dollar General type store, we are finally settled into the one bedroom apartment here in Valladolid. Where we will be for the next month. Several people have asked us what our sightseeing agenda is while here. The fact is... there is no agenda. We are just living in Spain for a month. After having done the tour group thing in several Europe countries, we wanted to relax and immerse ourselves in the daily life of the people of central Spain. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We are not on the southern Spanish coast with it's whitewashed houses, bright sun, deep blue Mediterranean, all awash with tourists and high prices. We are in the northern central plains of Spain, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the affordable wine country.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last night we dined at a small (eight table) highly rated restaurant. By arriving as they opened at 8:30 without a reservation, we were given one of the last unreserved tables for two. Food and service were excellent. Amparo's tempura salad with Rueda wine, my meat dish with cold beer and a chocolate desert set us back a total of US$34. Would be double if not more than that if a tourist destination restaurant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now we are trying to adjust to the daily routine of when shops are open and when they are closed. Many if not all businesses close mid-day or 1 p.m. and reopen around 4 or 5 pm, staying open until 8 or 9. Many restaurant are open for lunch then close around 2 before reopening around 8 - 8:30 p.m. The supermarket and street cafes that serve coffee and drinks, but no food, are open all day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sound confusing? It is for us. There is no set time for all businesses to open and close. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Their hours depends on what type of business they are. Even then, they all don't have the same hours...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That said, if you want to have a relaxed conversation with a waitress at a nice restaurant, arrive before 8:30 p.m., before the first wave of locals arrive around 9:10 p.m. After nine, she will be too busy taking drink orders, serving food, etc. leaving no time to visit. If you do not have reservations for evening dining, keep walking until you find a lesser know place. Who would have thought you need to make a reservation to eat pizza on a Saturday night!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not them, it's us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We're the unknowing foreigners trying to adapt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">******************</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The following photos were taken over several days. Just showing you what the section of the city where we are staying looks like. Most days were overcast. But the sun would peek out for a bit now and then </div><div style="text-align: center;">offering lighting contrast for photo work.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monday I went looking for a dry cleaners to drop off a few items.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOZWlJHK1u3MPVD4TiuJxGEu3QlG5RAWoqPAfFFMrTsm8CEVWKX43YwIAVL1TcpqTpbr5JwpESRfoXVQfPwBUEnTnFHBllXj4BJmJ_ZsMeNkQ3fPzcwWTTevXdNwVBzQPrALrqB-hoOh3HDCzWSgmXfkgTRwwiqGfj0N_u6uKkG4oDmArH3ec4BWRdKU/s8035/L1000037%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5349" data-original-width="8035" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOZWlJHK1u3MPVD4TiuJxGEu3QlG5RAWoqPAfFFMrTsm8CEVWKX43YwIAVL1TcpqTpbr5JwpESRfoXVQfPwBUEnTnFHBllXj4BJmJ_ZsMeNkQ3fPzcwWTTevXdNwVBzQPrALrqB-hoOh3HDCzWSgmXfkgTRwwiqGfj0N_u6uKkG4oDmArH3ec4BWRdKU/w640-h426/L1000037%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having a city map in the back pocket was no guarantee... so I wander.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Found a nice modern looking fountain on a colorful deadend plaza.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjMVhKTuakDiWse8RnRoIq5FHEnndTOWwQ3-obcfXwLkssKj9a92-f-ssuguAZ5mWy-m8XEQTho0vTzn4tj3D38Ueu74hFHT1lBLDp4BPiKWW1W8IFMHBqV9P_ksWZkoixvCoCtBNSlLXuSYcbZqnZldLuwqtPmg_6MipMa_pZmpAyJHRb4eBewt7yK0/s7789/L1000040.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7789" data-original-width="5923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjMVhKTuakDiWse8RnRoIq5FHEnndTOWwQ3-obcfXwLkssKj9a92-f-ssuguAZ5mWy-m8XEQTho0vTzn4tj3D38Ueu74hFHT1lBLDp4BPiKWW1W8IFMHBqV9P_ksWZkoixvCoCtBNSlLXuSYcbZqnZldLuwqtPmg_6MipMa_pZmpAyJHRb4eBewt7yK0/w486-h640/L1000040.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Near the dry cleaners is the renovated city Mercado del Val (public marketplace). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to go inside but it was closed for mid-day siesta. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rather than just an open square marketplace as found in most Latin American cities, several century's back the King built a covered structure so farmers and craftsmen could be out of the weather to sell their meats and produce. It offers year-round weather protection, better sanitation, and keeps the roving livestock out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I return to pick up my garments in a few days, will try to get in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXVXLxbkoJpnPA0LdNj2ybWDpZuB3tpXEXL9FCk0Ex8DY138R9k3qgkoqXGypuZPPUkxhMq9hILQGxNL-3maJKxI0PEL05K6aCR850qs8WfLZPn2FUiU2uyxP8XwPuySW9TauaEvIBYjywpar4sAjM9upDE2qUzCCBvi6O2JpUE7gz_mDF6JLKC-gnNs/s9520/L1000038.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXVXLxbkoJpnPA0LdNj2ybWDpZuB3tpXEXL9FCk0Ex8DY138R9k3qgkoqXGypuZPPUkxhMq9hILQGxNL-3maJKxI0PEL05K6aCR850qs8WfLZPn2FUiU2uyxP8XwPuySW9TauaEvIBYjywpar4sAjM9upDE2qUzCCBvi6O2JpUE7gz_mDF6JLKC-gnNs/w640-h426/L1000038.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally located the dry cleaners by asking a shopkeeper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Discovered they had moved one street over from the address Google gave me. Never would have found it if I had not asked the lady... how do you say dry cleaners in hand language?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bkZ5tfz86v9IrEP2SGBieM-utGlYNpSAbBkp-mrmWrSqKqJEU-ak9rfqUumbo_KKoafDCoiO2teust0GXGCyIsjCbBYOq7K3BMWuqEtOOv0fRJGWYsF4tAh1qFysQ5EFXEwHinvE74eEss5uROrYN1V2FvfQieWgg4HIeY_hIh_qti8gEK9zGymSMzc/s9520/L1000052.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bkZ5tfz86v9IrEP2SGBieM-utGlYNpSAbBkp-mrmWrSqKqJEU-ak9rfqUumbo_KKoafDCoiO2teust0GXGCyIsjCbBYOq7K3BMWuqEtOOv0fRJGWYsF4tAh1qFysQ5EFXEwHinvE74eEss5uROrYN1V2FvfQieWgg4HIeY_hIh_qti8gEK9zGymSMzc/w426-h640/L1000052.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Street signs are found everywhere here making it easy if you walk slowly, though I can still get turned around. Which is fine, as I am discovering interesting little side streets and plazas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't have to be anywhere today, just keep walking until a recognizable landmark appears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once I thought I was lost, turned a corner and there is the GADIZ supermarket I had gone to several times already. Had just never approached it from the opposite direction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Am finding many large and small fountain plazas scattered around the city. This particular fountain fronts the Museo de la Academia de Caballeria, or Calvery Academy Museum, which was the Royal horse and rider training facility in its day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my mind, I can hear Dad saying "That's quite the horse barn"!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad grew up on a farm with horses.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK97vMLf9-KZfmj91OkLExn8fRgzFg-mFM301nYjZmAZQnBNnp0L0A_SZbuDWzV5ibf6PWSWbmmqIvg-Cj2DviOhVNzg4Bo42z03-y9PjrFC4sVmLkkxkETT133eFdVBlBXkTm7aVOW6T_artFJcX029j9rgN9c0m7v__6AYHhPZdhGxMgno4XVRtYmPA/s9520/L1000061%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK97vMLf9-KZfmj91OkLExn8fRgzFg-mFM301nYjZmAZQnBNnp0L0A_SZbuDWzV5ibf6PWSWbmmqIvg-Cj2DviOhVNzg4Bo42z03-y9PjrFC4sVmLkkxkETT133eFdVBlBXkTm7aVOW6T_artFJcX029j9rgN9c0m7v__6AYHhPZdhGxMgno4XVRtYmPA/w640-h426/L1000061%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Interesting small fountain with statues and a spinning golden globe. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Behind it is a manta ray looking transit shelter. The city buses here are either</span><span style="text-align: left;"> hybrid and electric. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">All very </span><span style="text-align: left;">clean, no ugly graffiti and very quiet. One must look BOTH ways before crossing a street.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O2sP2Wloi3gg-02pTgA5Qg_b-cKz7xn3udKbpyA7ZFyc96IQjMOsMMahiG9ANfdMkoGDVAgpC_t0VAtzGaikMMXlEpKt3osNb2Q2JuXsZ6HArM0GZlRelZMHVXXP7ecGAGYR-DqnvspkJufAyuPC_cenurT5PmW3LDBwxAm2gPV39NobKZc4x5GHB8M/s8677/L1000065.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5980" data-original-width="8677" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O2sP2Wloi3gg-02pTgA5Qg_b-cKz7xn3udKbpyA7ZFyc96IQjMOsMMahiG9ANfdMkoGDVAgpC_t0VAtzGaikMMXlEpKt3osNb2Q2JuXsZ6HArM0GZlRelZMHVXXP7ecGAGYR-DqnvspkJufAyuPC_cenurT5PmW3LDBwxAm2gPV39NobKZc4x5GHB8M/w640-h442/L1000065.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Might be a chain business as have seen several of these El Norte de Castilla newsstands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This region of Spain is also known as Castilla y León.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Spanish middle class are very fashion conscience, rarely going out unless dressed in the latest trend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a few days everyone will be wearing heavy jackets and coats as the temperature is forecast to drop.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ub3CzTrPJj70jSuMuhSLsBsFfXmIQl7ffCPQT0Jc1F3LTS73Zn59jk5jHxttsF_YBN26OFy1FMwTPhKGGKTNuu4RcpkvwGF1VQzOICPXBU9lDBk_th4GYOMUgzX48j5WE1i9WIuHkQODxW2Aj9vu9G4MF4uZcPoNaODAk1mDhP7MKdwSmok_pukgrDU/s3483/L1000070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3483" data-original-width="2786" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ub3CzTrPJj70jSuMuhSLsBsFfXmIQl7ffCPQT0Jc1F3LTS73Zn59jk5jHxttsF_YBN26OFy1FMwTPhKGGKTNuu4RcpkvwGF1VQzOICPXBU9lDBk_th4GYOMUgzX48j5WE1i9WIuHkQODxW2Aj9vu9G4MF4uZcPoNaODAk1mDhP7MKdwSmok_pukgrDU/w512-h640/L1000070.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally the sun came out, for a short time. I was able to quickly catch a high contrast image.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A museum courtyard catches some warm morning rays.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_eVTIhD7EEhEyHlNDRlQkJpCQGziLfEyX7kD5cIFTcxtwLexH4YGlJOuxhj54pkIyMjDcsEiLoIwY58poVOTyUlEbP6htCz_TfPKFBkdnxhgfYB1dIpN9VL5d9-61B_d_SwEf7dEMn3deLVPLLq-HTQrO1w7tQkVL4D_fdWqHZSNXTlv0oB1W_-M3oU/s9520/L1000077.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5355" data-original-width="9520" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_eVTIhD7EEhEyHlNDRlQkJpCQGziLfEyX7kD5cIFTcxtwLexH4YGlJOuxhj54pkIyMjDcsEiLoIwY58poVOTyUlEbP6htCz_TfPKFBkdnxhgfYB1dIpN9VL5d9-61B_d_SwEf7dEMn3deLVPLLq-HTQrO1w7tQkVL4D_fdWqHZSNXTlv0oB1W_-M3oU/w640-h362/L1000077.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Business is slow today for this cafe, yet it is near a palace, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a museum, a police station, a school, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a historic cathedral. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBZYuw1U4XCl49WQ5PDVE3R0OhcTPbKSbXEI6o1ylyKU-t-OlevEqh_6UaVbs_3OWbLUShD_lYMKKhPH-XBuu_NHXivguubzAlXQMDAnaI9Gv3RiAJ2Hrf2T-eu3bNGNN5OAqG9gqnfYRLq97UwyLYySTd3-KasgksTc-FNyq_SCaCQmEf5j_8jVmC4/s9520/L1000091.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBZYuw1U4XCl49WQ5PDVE3R0OhcTPbKSbXEI6o1ylyKU-t-OlevEqh_6UaVbs_3OWbLUShD_lYMKKhPH-XBuu_NHXivguubzAlXQMDAnaI9Gv3RiAJ2Hrf2T-eu3bNGNN5OAqG9gqnfYRLq97UwyLYySTd3-KasgksTc-FNyq_SCaCQmEf5j_8jVmC4/s9520/L1000091.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaI-bLBG_Sdaf2GXGlONa02cK83XvygeSitWETtG7mpoNVrTTsWvJ8V1NrInXD-wY2-w1A6zW864EPRXIsxRObJPNAY11p8S6PNj55oI0cpRidfs4ClWbVW9fZ4r_2VC1EGVyvvDWVWkI60vaZg64SsRrXkQ8ytx5zdw0EPxvWwr3TmR_1TgFvmfNF_o/s5611/L1000091%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3734" data-original-width="5611" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaI-bLBG_Sdaf2GXGlONa02cK83XvygeSitWETtG7mpoNVrTTsWvJ8V1NrInXD-wY2-w1A6zW864EPRXIsxRObJPNAY11p8S6PNj55oI0cpRidfs4ClWbVW9fZ4r_2VC1EGVyvvDWVWkI60vaZg64SsRrXkQ8ytx5zdw0EPxvWwr3TmR_1TgFvmfNF_o/w640-h426/L1000091%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I wandered down a narrow side street, the sun popped out creating a nice warm contrast </div><div style="text-align: center;">on the stucco walls. To give it some scale, included this man doing chores.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Valladolid is a very clean city. We find all of Spain to be very clean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsepttM9GM7BK94odZtV2JaUhlc1XLDhZwBFq6cs7xmA97AvWdfKv8yzGxpXw8q3Lh60jChYSqjGcRSlFB9ZVXtdagq9Qba5IT84_vXMXY1Yym-WSUDrrtemdYEcRQ2WI5TiSCbSXl1CGk-HTEZ4BwfUswC5P6z0_pvRHseQgIEvO99BT-wfTYmn8u4g/s9520/L1000122.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsepttM9GM7BK94odZtV2JaUhlc1XLDhZwBFq6cs7xmA97AvWdfKv8yzGxpXw8q3Lh60jChYSqjGcRSlFB9ZVXtdagq9Qba5IT84_vXMXY1Yym-WSUDrrtemdYEcRQ2WI5TiSCbSXl1CGk-HTEZ4BwfUswC5P6z0_pvRHseQgIEvO99BT-wfTYmn8u4g/w426-h640/L1000122.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Actually I knew this alleyway from last year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It can have great light, has a nice curve to it, the warm stucco walls bounce a soft light. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's rich simplicity works offers great photo opportunities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other nearby streets are short, straight, narrow, but colorful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being such, it's the subject matter in the frame that makes for an interesting photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other than the stone pavement, these two photos </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">don't even look like they are from the same city on the same day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It all has to do with sunlight, time of day, and wandering.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi608WfdSE5PRchGeHbhrUZRaYOhOaLpNjxWR1bFM9Q-ruXak9EfWFYGu0YeDx4seOOlN3DH5zjx1M0eWHsMkSnfPqcyJIHdX6w6MmIS5nLAvnZBe3iFhTZzarnh3ouOA7FBLrAXkNGjn8TfFoT2LX927sjuVIUrNGpAAp8F8T5i5hjMb7GIdIqFUJazjE/s3646/L1000134.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="3182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi608WfdSE5PRchGeHbhrUZRaYOhOaLpNjxWR1bFM9Q-ruXak9EfWFYGu0YeDx4seOOlN3DH5zjx1M0eWHsMkSnfPqcyJIHdX6w6MmIS5nLAvnZBe3iFhTZzarnh3ouOA7FBLrAXkNGjn8TfFoT2LX927sjuVIUrNGpAAp8F8T5i5hjMb7GIdIqFUJazjE/w557-h640/L1000134.jpeg" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the first street musician I have seen in Valladolid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> He gets an "A" for effort "learning" the saxophone. The sign in front of him says Spanish dance music. Not sure what kind of dancing he was referring to as the tune he was dragging out note by note was so slow it sounded like a New Orleans funeral dirge. Or maybe that was his intent?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nevertheless, felt sorry for him so dropped a few extra coins in the case.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Why only coins you ask?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The smallest paper currency demonination here is five euros (That's US$5.30).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Euro coins are €2, €1, 50¢, 20¢, 10¢, 5¢, and 1¢.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will try to find him again to strike up a conversation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-xKrUO3RETf2Dzd48k7D_PcAI47mX1hBeuH2QHzvl-_VM1uZ-L54pk_RHSrOFxtvK2BRJy3S6oynRg4oJOSHgTBetqtemnsKnguuFQqSn3f5usTDetQHvGTcyy3ZOrQQar8liD1zz1-IIdYm4Q5AASxFICwOpGBJ9TLzBK4kQgrrV94OimKgDaW5cAE/s2393/L1000140.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="2393" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-xKrUO3RETf2Dzd48k7D_PcAI47mX1hBeuH2QHzvl-_VM1uZ-L54pk_RHSrOFxtvK2BRJy3S6oynRg4oJOSHgTBetqtemnsKnguuFQqSn3f5usTDetQHvGTcyy3ZOrQQar8liD1zz1-IIdYm4Q5AASxFICwOpGBJ9TLzBK4kQgrrV94OimKgDaW5cAE/w640-h616/L1000140.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day it rained, all day. Not a heavy rain just a constant drizzle. No walking about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stayed indoors, studied a photo composition book and made a healthy chicken noodle soup </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that Amparo loved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay safe, ride far my friends,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-69054738603352084242023-10-19T12:49:00.002-05:002023-10-22T10:25:06.925-05:00VALLADOLID, SPAIN - First Days<div style="text-align: center;">Once again Amparo and I are in Valladolid. We are drawn here by its rich history, medieval architecture, lack of international tourists and its walkable neighborhoods. The weekend tour groups we see in the old Plaza outside our apartment are made up of mainly Spaniards. The Spanish people are aware of the important role Valladolid played in its history. Yet most of the world has never heard of the city that was the epicenter of the Spanish Court in the 1400's, when it financed Christopher Colombus's first and subsequent voayages to the New World, a city where Christopher Colombus died, where Miguel Cervantes lived for a time and Juan Zorilla was born. We are glad we found it before it becomes spoiled with tourism.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking out from our third floor balcony, are the ruins of an earlier church that was partly torn down to make room for the new, now old, Cathedral in the 1500's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUUPjRijWlhmI836ias8KMjLKz-Ign4BUKv5UvkZbt3sUpEm5FirTUYPohzP-WRJ_y-6EtSCekf8spcRDld3nAtILDPMQzdDbzhc4lXJIisB2BI4s-ARmpbhyphenhyphenq4ZNIGVb-JFBKfYE_Q37HkOkZ1Yga6Ldxm7u5PbkW2MP7-XzpK6uZ7m9fodK-H9eQ1w/s9520/L1000005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6336" data-original-width="9520" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUUPjRijWlhmI836ias8KMjLKz-Ign4BUKv5UvkZbt3sUpEm5FirTUYPohzP-WRJ_y-6EtSCekf8spcRDld3nAtILDPMQzdDbzhc4lXJIisB2BI4s-ARmpbhyphenhyphenq4ZNIGVb-JFBKfYE_Q37HkOkZ1Yga6Ldxm7u5PbkW2MP7-XzpK6uZ7m9fodK-H9eQ1w/w640-h426/L1000005.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking directly down at the street, we can watch the constant parade of one way traffic. Here is one of the all electric articulating city buses. It is fastinating to watch these extra long mechanical snakes navigate the tight turns and corners in the old section where we are.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhOKw4Lj7CPiuxZgsS_D0cEf2Px2Qwy0kT-V49ASAx0DNJ2fKJuJw6dXGypOba59sElGMbh3aFhE9hpI39fq3ZFSJ2C2qcig9Ts1Aa0TtjSgB84C7yhEbFSxLJEwlb6Vz3nWruQ1d2kXVLv9cCaWIDesKnWJ9MPgHV-_DhIFCsvq5ATn_Zcx5M-sY5-A/s9520/L1000019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9520" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhOKw4Lj7CPiuxZgsS_D0cEf2Px2Qwy0kT-V49ASAx0DNJ2fKJuJw6dXGypOba59sElGMbh3aFhE9hpI39fq3ZFSJ2C2qcig9Ts1Aa0TtjSgB84C7yhEbFSxLJEwlb6Vz3nWruQ1d2kXVLv9cCaWIDesKnWJ9MPgHV-_DhIFCsvq5ATn_Zcx5M-sY5-A/w426-h640/L1000019.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rain was the forecast for today, though mainly overcast, as we only felt a few drops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWtNpwodfzQTNZxW5YLQCNmRMrd8tnPjs5Z2_3sgQtoubuG_DuiLqfTRVSGztn_B6JLoEyTCntFnthOBhAt3eN7rb_F0ZQf8Sl1ffq8rRttaElk277ZajKts1HMaaQNJNxu4d_ooPFPB48JkzHCllYawgp4tWuZofepR6nLAKhK6xBqxg7IR1XqAt90Y/s4032/IMG_3139.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWtNpwodfzQTNZxW5YLQCNmRMrd8tnPjs5Z2_3sgQtoubuG_DuiLqfTRVSGztn_B6JLoEyTCntFnthOBhAt3eN7rb_F0ZQf8Sl1ffq8rRttaElk277ZajKts1HMaaQNJNxu4d_ooPFPB48JkzHCllYawgp4tWuZofepR6nLAKhK6xBqxg7IR1XqAt90Y/w640-h480/IMG_3139.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, I would remiss if I did not mention we are in the heart of a thriving Spanish wine growing area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's five o'clock somewhere... enjoy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKRFT82CgXFseeH6-SXnimXd-gAfs3BXOion3ScuetUgFQ_k6DD3EIFkg-SxKlhS0WPbnjfsvB6p7F6ac7pIFax_wtZvwGKKpcvRagYAgm8j8d_3l9SAJwg5xmQG9BUx6o4uWLsqD2-Bjn4XoCSwQ64pN3018zmTV6ZcrovIlMOFleTGes54Z2_DjJSs/s8091/L1000030.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5386" data-original-width="8091" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKRFT82CgXFseeH6-SXnimXd-gAfs3BXOion3ScuetUgFQ_k6DD3EIFkg-SxKlhS0WPbnjfsvB6p7F6ac7pIFax_wtZvwGKKpcvRagYAgm8j8d_3l9SAJwg5xmQG9BUx6o4uWLsqD2-Bjn4XoCSwQ64pN3018zmTV6ZcrovIlMOFleTGes54Z2_DjJSs/w640-h426/L1000030.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At one time, Valladlod was the royal and cultural center of the Iberian pensula. The intellectuals of Spanish literature thrived here under the patronage of the royal court.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Miguel D. Cervantes lived and wrote here for a few years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like Hemingway, Cervantes traveled a lot, living in many different Spanish cities.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJt__W2rJa9vViC1UnBwj4QcK98D6scVhFupGf6uZKuOwHcxkpmjmBwsLd_NCS1WyOAC-3CytbNB9wKeMiIDmx4XoEVM_K8cNquUFLrmeav78Hb50kIquOhLnNw7001TEhzCmSySGshRIz5LgxUoS9f5Zr61dsRC9vwij1te3fGZtoec63yW7RUlaeU4/s4032/IMG_3140.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJt__W2rJa9vViC1UnBwj4QcK98D6scVhFupGf6uZKuOwHcxkpmjmBwsLd_NCS1WyOAC-3CytbNB9wKeMiIDmx4XoEVM_K8cNquUFLrmeav78Hb50kIquOhLnNw7001TEhzCmSySGshRIz5LgxUoS9f5Zr61dsRC9vwij1te3fGZtoec63yW7RUlaeU4/w480-h640/IMG_3140.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We commented over dinner tonight that one does not hear any English spoken in the streets </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or in the restaurants here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since Amparo and I speak English/Spanish at home, we often slip back and forth between the two, many times in the same sentence. That happened here when talking to a store clerk. Poor girl looked puzzled, then started looking for someone to translate our English. In most major European cities, the brand name store clerks are bi-lingual. Not here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here it's 100% Castilian with a lovely rhythm that resonates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That wraps up our first days in Valladolid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. Yes, I am back to taking color photographs after having completed my twelve month commitment to only photograph in black & white. I learned a lot, enjoyed the challenge, can see where it is helping me create stronger images. </div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-86754326309518828422023-10-13T15:43:00.001-05:002023-10-16T09:43:25.928-05:00ITALIA - Stories of old written in monochrome<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ever reflect on how certain activities in your life seem to come and go</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">like waves in the ocean? </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Usually we finish one major project before moving on to the next challenge. It might be several years before you revisit an activity similar to the one you just completed. That's how it goes for me with books and their publishing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Be it books on travel, photography, or motorcycle sidecar trips, seems like I'll scratch that itch till I'm satisfied, then am off on another project of a different nature. Makes for a life-fulfilling variety of challenges. And yet, I relish revisiting old passions with a renewed point of view.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After producing eleven books on everything from motorcycle sidecar travel, to folk sayings, to photography, to foreign travel, and then nothing for several years, I now have two books premiering this year. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In a recent post on 09-28-2023, was the introduction of <i>SOLITUDE</i>, a lonely story written in monochrome. It laced together ten images captured between 2009 and 2022. Can I say it took 13 years to create look?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today I introduce my newest, my lucky thirteen; <i>ITALIA</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is a travel photography book built around seventy black & white images captured over several weeks while roaming northern Italy in 2022. From the congested boulevards of daytime Rome to the vacant Roman alleyways after dark, from narrow slices of life in Tuscany to a drizzling rain-low fog experience in Venice. Many of the images were captured during our after-midnight walks exploring these beautiful, romantic Italian cities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Photos always express it better than words. Here are a few sample pages to give you a taste of what it is inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The cover...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7kkUtwhzfk58tDgtYKHlgCM2L4VsapZzuiKq_5eKp7TSipfXMh70Znq2xocMG5geag60S-kZR1TVuzN7QDWwSbFk1v2TvwCBj6YSHTcttRIzwyw4F9ahazlEhPcTYBu0Jml20VyHOS8nOh6KGWHANZ26-bqRLWM6IIybw572ACpImn6QTPhF1dLo550/s3483/IMG_3053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="3483" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7kkUtwhzfk58tDgtYKHlgCM2L4VsapZzuiKq_5eKp7TSipfXMh70Znq2xocMG5geag60S-kZR1TVuzN7QDWwSbFk1v2TvwCBj6YSHTcttRIzwyw4F9ahazlEhPcTYBu0Jml20VyHOS8nOh6KGWHANZ26-bqRLWM6IIybw572ACpImn6QTPhF1dLo550/w640-h486/IMG_3053.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first chapter is all about Rome...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">a cosmopolitan city rich in history and culture, full of beauty, romance, and mystery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq_Asy6BWD_rCJwpwNVAUTdCPw1at_EjYO4KDEnL6Efq_cKHBRcjn9TGAQ8UXvbSGANcsSmQaA0cLMIGq2is4JgYMKABCdFnp30UeXKmvKbLSZIEda5A3Nw45yecyHJroxKCJUF6gqF9pHG0mbIIlZpzE8EwcO3yhOi-p5cCdpw89jlpSFvcl0bu-7RI/s3889/IMG_3057.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="3889" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq_Asy6BWD_rCJwpwNVAUTdCPw1at_EjYO4KDEnL6Efq_cKHBRcjn9TGAQ8UXvbSGANcsSmQaA0cLMIGq2is4JgYMKABCdFnp30UeXKmvKbLSZIEda5A3Nw45yecyHJroxKCJUF6gqF9pHG0mbIIlZpzE8EwcO3yhOi-p5cCdpw89jlpSFvcl0bu-7RI/w640-h248/IMG_3057.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lEIkOzL8kiNDeEMEWyQprT6VjkZQfH8wnWWwIfpM5YieF3uJP9r2LeaNd72ZiH2DqqZHauSJQtLt_ly167HMJkRoLLOZgdGlT22OjBVi14noGHwRXtMTJuHf0XCNWl-oEja3jFpVrgcyozOsotSF1X1dNszi73d2SDImc-ozEoWhnRkTzysWTNb60bk/s3876/IMG_3054.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="3876" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lEIkOzL8kiNDeEMEWyQprT6VjkZQfH8wnWWwIfpM5YieF3uJP9r2LeaNd72ZiH2DqqZHauSJQtLt_ly167HMJkRoLLOZgdGlT22OjBVi14noGHwRXtMTJuHf0XCNWl-oEja3jFpVrgcyozOsotSF1X1dNszi73d2SDImc-ozEoWhnRkTzysWTNb60bk/w640-h252/IMG_3054.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The second chapter is Tuscany, Florence and San Gimignano</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Italian country life at a more relaxed pace, with a vibrant artistic history.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7NnvRUFSfKtaGLwpCt6DzgFBwE7z12G9g95UX03bYnyVV2Z_LZFfC5s1Jo9GFx-fc0IIh6elA3rsVRmuRuVbYKPTY2IokkT9RCfr94VZL068dsFoulOBrzmYAF5u45pdLeYkBcUPgFPqb086J0wTrXDaDsKJRa_G7CjZDl5LuqrZYya795-IwH0cgqY/s3894/IMG_3058.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="3894" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7NnvRUFSfKtaGLwpCt6DzgFBwE7z12G9g95UX03bYnyVV2Z_LZFfC5s1Jo9GFx-fc0IIh6elA3rsVRmuRuVbYKPTY2IokkT9RCfr94VZL068dsFoulOBrzmYAF5u45pdLeYkBcUPgFPqb086J0wTrXDaDsKJRa_G7CjZDl5LuqrZYya795-IwH0cgqY/w640-h254/IMG_3058.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7-_VWJI7vo4iR4MO6tbFV9Ol6MzBj-b_Wgz1V9Z33MLISSHWzG_wSdVbRfFsG_G67OASCPzlRupr1omNcxjpldHWGK7UO6hMAH4Jj4NKe0fi9G2SM9mSEiQ1bc07JrBtSzvMgplZFMPHSeNCB9RcZYD-ZgTBnAXzW04MzpNcngEk5f8bUjfU9Rl3v0k/s3647/IMG_3059.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="3647" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7-_VWJI7vo4iR4MO6tbFV9Ol6MzBj-b_Wgz1V9Z33MLISSHWzG_wSdVbRfFsG_G67OASCPzlRupr1omNcxjpldHWGK7UO6hMAH4Jj4NKe0fi9G2SM9mSEiQ1bc07JrBtSzvMgplZFMPHSeNCB9RcZYD-ZgTBnAXzW04MzpNcngEk5f8bUjfU9Rl3v0k/w640-h250/IMG_3059.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And finally Venice, the third and last chapter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> Though it was rainy and overcast most of the time we were there, it undeniably has its unique cache of unforgettable Italian history, beauty, and grace.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMsyzMTdGZuOgBQGOVEDq9OZ9YklhtcQdL53Cp2ltPABeSIJzMH3p-B_rAlU_NlNIMv6vZYGHZioCgTybdSFlS0EXz9bdlcgo8niuL0rqdRkkkpUDYtN_JSam_PoisQRePX6pvWPIUclu3uKmldbCPhGFx3J6_NJUTg_vHdzjtqFmTqaCIvfXzmgJFhw/s3862/IMG_3060.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1634" data-original-width="3862" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMsyzMTdGZuOgBQGOVEDq9OZ9YklhtcQdL53Cp2ltPABeSIJzMH3p-B_rAlU_NlNIMv6vZYGHZioCgTybdSFlS0EXz9bdlcgo8niuL0rqdRkkkpUDYtN_JSam_PoisQRePX6pvWPIUclu3uKmldbCPhGFx3J6_NJUTg_vHdzjtqFmTqaCIvfXzmgJFhw/w640-h270/IMG_3060.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWBi36bcVAe4j2lBb-TNclstvwdLmnJKvwfLTsBg2lT2ZxKDiJqxCxgGSATyMwrFPG2rMrbfqgpsLtOvEcC90bwZzkyKItFpB4Lo0YaWJE7kqmyNNQoB_Hfa-J2MD5s77aqKj7AgYJBBEU35M1XS8XS0o370O-qN2gpT8M_4VaJEiSoBXY-SHEpIUFLE/s3681/IMG_3062.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="3681" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWBi36bcVAe4j2lBb-TNclstvwdLmnJKvwfLTsBg2lT2ZxKDiJqxCxgGSATyMwrFPG2rMrbfqgpsLtOvEcC90bwZzkyKItFpB4Lo0YaWJE7kqmyNNQoB_Hfa-J2MD5s77aqKj7AgYJBBEU35M1XS8XS0o370O-qN2gpT8M_4VaJEiSoBXY-SHEpIUFLE/w640-h236/IMG_3062.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8OZoxZ6LbooxaABVhyJEMPIDSo6DCJLq9WPmPUK7HKpkugNsPtT4ExowvcQxurrZTD7WxHN2AGoVt-MEz51ZworMPG_ERaRO_tqVNhoz4fR-69HdpMmtZWsRipLytaBcqSzzlHoPHMQKHEv9XuLrhJWoIoBKOyfJNo-Fygb4nMChEcNgsbs0TuBAdTw/s3626/IMG_3063.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="3626" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8OZoxZ6LbooxaABVhyJEMPIDSo6DCJLq9WPmPUK7HKpkugNsPtT4ExowvcQxurrZTD7WxHN2AGoVt-MEz51ZworMPG_ERaRO_tqVNhoz4fR-69HdpMmtZWsRipLytaBcqSzzlHoPHMQKHEv9XuLrhJWoIoBKOyfJNo-Fygb4nMChEcNgsbs0TuBAdTw/w640-h248/IMG_3063.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So is thirteen the wrap? The end of creating visual stories? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Not by a long shot! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Have several in the staging phase and still another simmering on the brain's back burner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course, I need to work in a few sidecar trips so I don't forget how to ride... hmmm that's not possible.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Image making and open road motorcycling, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">wind in the face, seeking vistas that pique the eye.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Life is best lived when awake...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">CCjon</span></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-80558979058450807192023-10-06T23:22:00.004-05:002023-10-07T13:31:51.125-05:00PRECISION CAMERA UNIVERSITY - PORTRAITS, Woodlands, Tx<div style="text-align: center;">One is never too old to learn new skills. Photography has such a wide depth of genres to pursue, one cannot learn, let alone master all of them in a lifetime. But one can spend time learning new techniques and skills that can be applied to your area of interest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I have suggested to many young people, how can you know what you like if you don't know what you dislike? That is why we encourage young people to date many different people, try many different types of food, careers, etc, it applies to all avenues of life. Discovering what you like, what you are good at, what comes naturally, also means having to learn what does not appeal to you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">None of us are blessed with the same exact skill sets or abilities. The key to having a meaningful life is to find what you are good at, find what you enjoy doing, what fits well with your abilities and interests, then pursue it with a passion. It can be one or several talents that fits you, but never everything. Even the world's smartest people are still dumb at many things. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The story goes, a new hire tells a co-worker, "I know everything about everything, but can't do anything. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The co-worker pauses, then asks, "So where did you get your PhD?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, bad joke... back to image-making...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend, I spent two days attending photography classes on portrait work and lighting. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I learned I do not like using lights nor working in a studio to create images. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I like finding natural lighting for my images, whether outdoors or by a window if indoors.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Natural lighting creates the mood and settings that excites me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The visiting instructors were all very skilled professional photographers who make a very good living creating portraits that sell. With every image they capture, their first thoughts are: "Can I sell it?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am retired and don't wish to start a new business. I enjoy photography as a creative outlet, a challenge to stimulate thinking, seeing, and then capturing the vision I have in my mind. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And when possible, sharing those images with others who enjoy the visual experience.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The University brought in several young aspiring models for the workshops. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Following are four images that I created. While others were quick to shoot the models, I would study the model, see how they walk and carry themselves, listen to how they talk, perceive how they feel about themselves, learn what their goals are...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the while, my mind is processing this information to conjure up an image of what it is that I see in them. Then deciding how to create that vision with the camera.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first model is a seventeen year old young man who creates Tik-Toks videos. He heads off to college next year. There is a promising future in store for him. He has his eyes focused on his future.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCjneQ4lpu8Qjn2gd1UmQlWiJXYh-VcsFul7pVrkZWOWwyy8HOHU2lJXXtKbB3pzYffL3FsSJUCoGqJrt2c5ZIRPU4aKr6YMMGpQ_2XQQAHGWtvP8qujmZvIJY7YOJgntecGaHzbuxMqi-DyluLwlBXPfEVeMXw63TsLbpcRSKdShLg1lGtBqxwzmZAc/s2096/L1007811.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="2096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCjneQ4lpu8Qjn2gd1UmQlWiJXYh-VcsFul7pVrkZWOWwyy8HOHU2lJXXtKbB3pzYffL3FsSJUCoGqJrt2c5ZIRPU4aKr6YMMGpQ_2XQQAHGWtvP8qujmZvIJY7YOJgntecGaHzbuxMqi-DyluLwlBXPfEVeMXw63TsLbpcRSKdShLg1lGtBqxwzmZAc/w640-h640/L1007811.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Model #2 is shy, quiet, yet confident and intense. Struggling to learn the English language probably contributes to that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She cares a great deal about how she is perceived and accepted.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMt86i35mFr4o6D8nXczf-XWDjwO7__gn8xOJpY95iyd7YFb95JueG2FUzO03vqXAKXKIVN9hIoMvAM8wpj1wZy4ZGwcOALewYoq30WQcfg_5ofIJr-fJXPokGWPOsAkibbNYDL3cFlroyWE8CUXAJg7iCYDp73vqx_Z195XnY5WcWBxBeNBnQcpJU0M/s3718/L1007880.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="3718" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMt86i35mFr4o6D8nXczf-XWDjwO7__gn8xOJpY95iyd7YFb95JueG2FUzO03vqXAKXKIVN9hIoMvAM8wpj1wZy4ZGwcOALewYoq30WQcfg_5ofIJr-fJXPokGWPOsAkibbNYDL3cFlroyWE8CUXAJg7iCYDp73vqx_Z195XnY5WcWBxBeNBnQcpJU0M/w640-h490/L1007880.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Model #3 is only thirteen years old, yet has a wisdom far beyond her age. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One might say she has an old soul. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While being shadowed by her mother, she is at first shy and reserved, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but once in front of a camera,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> her heart, feelings, and emotions blossomed forth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSxKPbh53C4sPdk_ZqQ1-OQlDQsoDe-BqCHhdUjRtpEr4y6AZXMC1c-HTT7Lhr9XdFQHX57KqlBsDPUc7V1nzLxuOphfR1zJVtBIx6FUfepguxbQQDX3csZBZIPaDtceoWYepdMa15HS73y8HFjnWvf6ST3CjJ02PsWKLiCCyiLziNus3uffVfZdL9_I/s2680/L1007757.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2680" data-original-width="2680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSxKPbh53C4sPdk_ZqQ1-OQlDQsoDe-BqCHhdUjRtpEr4y6AZXMC1c-HTT7Lhr9XdFQHX57KqlBsDPUc7V1nzLxuOphfR1zJVtBIx6FUfepguxbQQDX3csZBZIPaDtceoWYepdMa15HS73y8HFjnWvf6ST3CjJ02PsWKLiCCyiLziNus3uffVfZdL9_I/w640-h640/L1007757.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our final model #4, has that classic 1960's </span><span style="text-align: left;">look and demeanor of </span><span style="text-align: left;">French actress Catherine Deneuve. Again a young lady in her teens, but with a timeless look and beauty far beyond her years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMebxrm90brUM_N7ZAqMDpopFhlFW4mX74_LtdkrPBw3HtRCrHTf35OOMEoVG9_YAFZh_4A-z1hBoS8yJeNu9dIt12V4avztii3yye7T3goBDyVkAD567Z93HWz1zITm5BjSB94QCrTumarQ2V1AgfbtW3SXazVudIaOSGJPBeCw7n1JYc7yKi_tmT1o/s2096/L1007857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="2096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMebxrm90brUM_N7ZAqMDpopFhlFW4mX74_LtdkrPBw3HtRCrHTf35OOMEoVG9_YAFZh_4A-z1hBoS8yJeNu9dIt12V4avztii3yye7T3goBDyVkAD567Z93HWz1zITm5BjSB94QCrTumarQ2V1AgfbtW3SXazVudIaOSGJPBeCw7n1JYc7yKi_tmT1o/w640-h640/L1007857.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All four models were a pleasure to work with. They tolerated my stupid jokes when trying to relax them, were patient while I struggled to find the right camera settings, willing to repeat a pose or try a new one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is easy to claim to be a portrait photographer when you have four beautiful models to work with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While much of the workshop was geared toward being a full-time professional photographer, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still learned a few techniques that I can apply to my style of image-making. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The two days were well spent. Thank you Precision Camera for hosting it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div></div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-55593850784637453692023-10-02T17:28:00.007-05:002023-10-02T17:53:31.566-05:00Goldwing Fan Melts Fairing<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When trailing the Wing back home from New Mexico last month, I noticed a pebble size bulge in the left fairing. Thought that was strange but other pressing matters at home kept me from investigating what might be pressing against the fairing from the inside?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tvZR8ECUt-ArFm4tfOCrkWw3YmCqmwnSTn9MPil5gt1vL9qQgH7XjKNa2FhTHqxlbi5OaXcvpGxob5CgHqfwddbQnvgLUOLbSi5AQ-87nC1LGCM4S_hRVv86XPl9IdSuQT7G8gjTs_ELO-SFWAAmYry6cazNKTlcz2QioL2Mk90bAWCZb45xjmLQZQ/s3458/IMG_3028.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3458" data-original-width="2522" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tvZR8ECUt-ArFm4tfOCrkWw3YmCqmwnSTn9MPil5gt1vL9qQgH7XjKNa2FhTHqxlbi5OaXcvpGxob5CgHqfwddbQnvgLUOLbSi5AQ-87nC1LGCM4S_hRVv86XPl9IdSuQT7G8gjTs_ELO-SFWAAmYry6cazNKTlcz2QioL2Mk90bAWCZb45xjmLQZQ/w466-h640/IMG_3028.jpeg" width="466" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally found time to dig into the mystery. Quickly I learned that removing the Goldwing's plastic panels is like peeling an onion. One must carefully remove layer after layer to be where you can finally see what is beneath.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thank the internet that there are YouTube videos to help guide you on the journey.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lost count of how many screws and pushpins were removed to reach this stage of disassembly, there were many, that allowed me to finally access the cooling fan and its mount. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_ggv2ff2VR4e6dtX0EwuWZOeWoiOTMz9t_aVs91KFPhM7ZlsNMt19aqd4ZuEwDp0duz79w3dSQVW_agueKPQYGYNksMvXBm0bv56TVCiW16MDTpgfu9-IYscT7HYycLehCQdMket0Qav3BH3XN-D8zpc4iPstJbtrfC3RKeMOJ-lR1eoOfFkRkhNu3c/s4032/71649467596__98E24A12-4039-482D-BB2E-84022FF97877.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_ggv2ff2VR4e6dtX0EwuWZOeWoiOTMz9t_aVs91KFPhM7ZlsNMt19aqd4ZuEwDp0duz79w3dSQVW_agueKPQYGYNksMvXBm0bv56TVCiW16MDTpgfu9-IYscT7HYycLehCQdMket0Qav3BH3XN-D8zpc4iPstJbtrfC3RKeMOJ-lR1eoOfFkRkhNu3c/w480-h640/71649467596__98E24A12-4039-482D-BB2E-84022FF97877.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For whatever reason the left cooling fan has overheated to the point where it melted the mount, then fell against the outside panel melting plastics as it went. That is what caused the bulge in the upper fairing panel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">How it was able to continue drawing electric current once the fan blades stopped turning and not blow a fuse is a mystery. But overheat it did, melting both its mount and side fairing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fan motor had actually fused itself to the outside fairing. Had to break it loose.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2plOI_tMGVHjUYWGDtm8vnjSxRJTByLBxa7KdDnJ4DGZqbAzrR6-owKuksi-ywPqZffYnEgVZ-0IBQUGRD83EdyVJVpTyoU0IjM4RATXxyAMIxhSMq9w7J0Ak1CmDA8pr_ZCVVpWd2dfsLoSFxk3-aYYeeWdFiB_qFAyfHnaMTBcojj0PlCe78YrImrg/s4032/71649474156__535CA7E8-0BBC-4BF6-9955-2A1E9CFCAE64.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2plOI_tMGVHjUYWGDtm8vnjSxRJTByLBxa7KdDnJ4DGZqbAzrR6-owKuksi-ywPqZffYnEgVZ-0IBQUGRD83EdyVJVpTyoU0IjM4RATXxyAMIxhSMq9w7J0Ak1CmDA8pr_ZCVVpWd2dfsLoSFxk3-aYYeeWdFiB_qFAyfHnaMTBcojj0PlCe78YrImrg/w480-h640/71649474156__535CA7E8-0BBC-4BF6-9955-2A1E9CFCAE64.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Checking with several Honda vendors, they said the cooling fans were not available at this time..??? Either the fans never fail so vendors don't stock them, OR... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">the demand is so large that suppliers cannot keep up with demand. Hmmm...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Time to check alternate sources, E-Bay to the rescue. Found a pair of used cooling fans from the same year Wing as mine. Ordered it without questioning the price. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While waiting for the fan to arrive, was called out of state for an unexpected family funeral. On return, the fans were here waiting. Started the install... but now, after being away several days from the disassembled bike, I have forgotten how it came apart. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, back to the videos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here you can see the melted fan next to a normal fan. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The motor side...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsUC0vC4lWan5148GNor3S179OvNMavEaftcwQpwf9MEmECeFON6ea57D71oXdtX7VAdiW0wkXxLQWxjF431S-6vR5dN9nCpu5H33asYmdorJTAcTsP2qlpL3MobrJnm1GPHKTclq4TkV5FXSosUXpNSyfD2tbiOW3f2mtmWgFfVZwsQ1N_FI1jOgLEU/s4032/IMG_3077.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsUC0vC4lWan5148GNor3S179OvNMavEaftcwQpwf9MEmECeFON6ea57D71oXdtX7VAdiW0wkXxLQWxjF431S-6vR5dN9nCpu5H33asYmdorJTAcTsP2qlpL3MobrJnm1GPHKTclq4TkV5FXSosUXpNSyfD2tbiOW3f2mtmWgFfVZwsQ1N_FI1jOgLEU/w640-h480/IMG_3077.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The cooling blades side...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFNRVjrEF8_daGOmn6drAnPltcP9r5FkoW-RqGeMtyg4NBwy7POTi540aXDifs2SOZjKvO-PLg7bFQX1LIW_nzYBjeG0zdKH8j4eXtFRMzaW1akGFTEftMGxV_AeEixuCRtB89CSqtXkZK-qSSOYwclgaDrS8FADEL4MA7EuFncuzcgE4ksn5fHyMlg/s4013/IMG_3079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2310" data-original-width="4013" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaFNRVjrEF8_daGOmn6drAnPltcP9r5FkoW-RqGeMtyg4NBwy7POTi540aXDifs2SOZjKvO-PLg7bFQX1LIW_nzYBjeG0zdKH8j4eXtFRMzaW1akGFTEftMGxV_AeEixuCRtB89CSqtXkZK-qSSOYwclgaDrS8FADEL4MA7EuFncuzcgE4ksn5fHyMlg/w640-h368/IMG_3079.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well, it is finally all back together... sort of. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Took a test ride around the block. Ran great, all is good... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">but why are there three bolts left-over ?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While waiting for the replacement fans, had to figure out what to do about the hole in the side fairing? Cannot leave it open like a wound. A replacement fairing in the factory color is pricey... very pricey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Settled, am going with a down-home country patch...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Grind down the high points, sand it, fill the void with an epoxy glue, sand again, refill again, sand some more, in the end, slap on a SHORAI band-aid on the smooth outer surface.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The SHORAI sticker was in a box with a new Lithium battery I bought for the Wing several months ago. Good thing I had not thrown it away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The patch works, the color is okay and the message is honest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwvx1w5bMbWDSfp8vP3vvFUzo0eDjz07J6hg4ZSF12sq4Xh3jubABOgs4d8s27kb9UcslW0joszrvLaD5dJSlE53wks1_YN9V1XXSWhgTAwlo0xyjQuH5z6l9T4mB-V__uw2YplS1CdKiBM55AmRKpXgjMMiLZ2RxcBn7tGv7OZp09FO2T6gDVm-G8jA/s4032/IMG_3074.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwvx1w5bMbWDSfp8vP3vvFUzo0eDjz07J6hg4ZSF12sq4Xh3jubABOgs4d8s27kb9UcslW0joszrvLaD5dJSlE53wks1_YN9V1XXSWhgTAwlo0xyjQuH5z6l9T4mB-V__uw2YplS1CdKiBM55AmRKpXgjMMiLZ2RxcBn7tGv7OZp09FO2T6gDVm-G8jA/w640-h480/IMG_3074.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The original cause of why the fan motor overheated will remain a mystery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sorry, I do not even have a good guess to offer as to why.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ride Safe, ride far my friends</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">CCjon</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><br />CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-88201711930111494952023-09-28T11:48:00.006-05:002023-10-04T19:42:57.261-05:00SOLITUDE - a small new book<div style="text-align: center;">This week, I received the author's proof for my new book "SOLITUDE". While it is small in number of pages, only 20, it is larger than a regular novel, 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches. It represents a number of years in pursuit of a particular image message that captures a vast landscape with a solitary human figure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The forward for the book reads:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b>This artistic series<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 14pt;">“Be not lonely, but feel the richness of your solitude”</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><b>is offered up as a visual conversation spoken in the timeless language <o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><b>of monochrome.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b> </b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b>Photography's relationship with solitude is paradoxical. Though photographers savor the isolation needed to create their best work, the final image begs for a viewer to interact with that image, and indirectly with the photographer. Otherwise, why take the photo in the first place?<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b> </b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b>Photographers in pursuit of that perfect image are frequently overcome with dreaded loneliness. The mere sight of another human, though far beyond speaking distance, introduces a comforting sense of safety to their solitude.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b> </b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b>Abandoned backstreets or vast ocean beaches can make interesting snapshots, but they lack that touch of relatable warmth all humans embody. Including one human figure in a photo can initiate that interaction. No matter how minutely portrayed the human figure, that person creates a thread between the photographer, the photograph, and the viewer. The human figure is a visual magnet, drawing the viewer into the story presented. Compelling the viewer to witness the power of one person.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b> </b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b>These selected images invite you to be where the photographer stood when exploring this wonderful world. Be there, when loneliness became solitude when a stranger appeared.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b;"><i><b> </b></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b; font-family: arial;"><i><b>It allows both you the viewer, together with the photographer, <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><span lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; text-align: start;"><i><b>to indulge not in a lonely pursuit, but in the richness of solitude.</b></i></span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #833c0b; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; text-align: start;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The book cover</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTMGkpbazoVdcqJd_GEtt9lrDC0RwgoT25-gPYJvq4OFDUnYhJw7f61mK94JP2-aqMiKmspM-hRQLZp3I6SZgGwO9biyddp3Mo72Mo9M_j4WdStCLNrODbPoaOTEj_0SmoJMCqgjuQZWZB7T5o8P1WvqPLP6gh_kcYJH2ozo3KbBYvzUTPCYMsiXULG0/s2731/IMG_2920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="2731" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTMGkpbazoVdcqJd_GEtt9lrDC0RwgoT25-gPYJvq4OFDUnYhJw7f61mK94JP2-aqMiKmspM-hRQLZp3I6SZgGwO9biyddp3Mo72Mo9M_j4WdStCLNrODbPoaOTEj_0SmoJMCqgjuQZWZB7T5o8P1WvqPLP6gh_kcYJH2ozo3KbBYvzUTPCYMsiXULG0/w640-h388/IMG_2920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Waves of Sand"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>White Sands, New Mexico, 2021</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxpxWF1RS6dSWAwm4Ckg_Bq0U1_u1UmtbCyfjqI13OXC9P0NRHoEOPD0Rz2G4xLxjFZ8-5RyWxGenyp8mh4DIwv308RlD0gPRgmN02_N7kYWdeTZDFgk7dybLBcBdSD6nML0Z3FbMjrNG7hJ20aDBG7GOxtwGbSsn4uV4rMyGe6sKcbRXmhK7dIn3mtg/s6323/1%20White%20Sands,%20New%20Mexico.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3557" data-original-width="6323" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxpxWF1RS6dSWAwm4Ckg_Bq0U1_u1UmtbCyfjqI13OXC9P0NRHoEOPD0Rz2G4xLxjFZ8-5RyWxGenyp8mh4DIwv308RlD0gPRgmN02_N7kYWdeTZDFgk7dybLBcBdSD6nML0Z3FbMjrNG7hJ20aDBG7GOxtwGbSsn4uV4rMyGe6sKcbRXmhK7dIn3mtg/w640-h360/1%20White%20Sands,%20New%20Mexico.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Plaza Belgrano Shadows"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Lujan, Argentina 2009</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDdpllXaXJv84ZiFqvv24LevupF7nm7tAQaPmme-FLVtX1zhn8QCO3Bjd1zZJSziIHfOoQcpuIunWrnJzEjI-bW4G6cXbx9BWD1MTFg4GNFERsyeD3bxEah_F106kNM10j1fBmGK_w84ld-uYB2JUP1pGGWaFOVrd8vpLeplh7e1FrLN_I0S6XJhVu5Y/s1918/10%20Shadows,%20Argentina.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDdpllXaXJv84ZiFqvv24LevupF7nm7tAQaPmme-FLVtX1zhn8QCO3Bjd1zZJSziIHfOoQcpuIunWrnJzEjI-bW4G6cXbx9BWD1MTFg4GNFERsyeD3bxEah_F106kNM10j1fBmGK_w84ld-uYB2JUP1pGGWaFOVrd8vpLeplh7e1FrLN_I0S6XJhVu5Y/w640-h360/10%20Shadows,%20Argentina.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Valladolid, Spain 2022</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cB48fif7B8ahcLFl8KB68O3VGvDIPkqSyNsNIu2hKLelHxXbuKRBv-RqKnDnxVKqCR963ofDWp9UOWgtM-_ShOFyj5vCSY-Y6VWEMql9zgMbyhM0o35D53TUB_Shc_BNGP8M2VlohAcZ6P7-hkOwlqYgRmkKXXPEDXUVRZ4-W0wRL76ZCdPlkscRpfY/s8368/9%20Cathedral,%20Spain.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4707" data-original-width="8368" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cB48fif7B8ahcLFl8KB68O3VGvDIPkqSyNsNIu2hKLelHxXbuKRBv-RqKnDnxVKqCR963ofDWp9UOWgtM-_ShOFyj5vCSY-Y6VWEMql9zgMbyhM0o35D53TUB_Shc_BNGP8M2VlohAcZ6P7-hkOwlqYgRmkKXXPEDXUVRZ4-W0wRL76ZCdPlkscRpfY/w640-h360/9%20Cathedral,%20Spain.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Sea Wall"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Casablanca, Morocco 2013</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayp8J7-7T2g37cchra7i6pFTZAW4GV9-LtxmaB6QC_FDyJZBJGtYb0qgX_pw-FHIvIlYtNKf2Vq_6L28fbqLFovEH0XE1fcrB8IMXbGfRRJPbl4Kxf2qJL3kRFjloQUxvIvMJbwFk18m0kaAwpooX_sDoC5eOQr1A-eYCQb5zJciLHkZKd5dBH5iD7aY/s3518/5%20Fez,%20Morrocco.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3518" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayp8J7-7T2g37cchra7i6pFTZAW4GV9-LtxmaB6QC_FDyJZBJGtYb0qgX_pw-FHIvIlYtNKf2Vq_6L28fbqLFovEH0XE1fcrB8IMXbGfRRJPbl4Kxf2qJL3kRFjloQUxvIvMJbwFk18m0kaAwpooX_sDoC5eOQr1A-eYCQb5zJciLHkZKd5dBH5iD7aY/w640-h360/5%20Fez,%20Morrocco.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Arno River"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Florence, Italy 2022</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwbhWs22fGKrYTL3hsW35dUDu5GIzqo4YwLB1Pd-H_-Bz0mD5B9sGUZ72PEgwgkiyRaWnSrpatS8Yzc0wBVHiCIoDnGbO9xMer2IHfsKssg-pJDuC9ex6j9mPX5Z7uikbA-IuXwrM5QBsO1u3fR7JntLpGRXB4V0eyD-ZoRZnKJuTDAcw7CD30Ece7Sw/s3422/6%20Arno%20River,%20Italy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1925" data-original-width="3422" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwbhWs22fGKrYTL3hsW35dUDu5GIzqo4YwLB1Pd-H_-Bz0mD5B9sGUZ72PEgwgkiyRaWnSrpatS8Yzc0wBVHiCIoDnGbO9xMer2IHfsKssg-pJDuC9ex6j9mPX5Z7uikbA-IuXwrM5QBsO1u3fR7JntLpGRXB4V0eyD-ZoRZnKJuTDAcw7CD30Ece7Sw/w640-h360/6%20Arno%20River,%20Italy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Low Tide"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Llanes, Spain 2022</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH_UFPSlm-EshvKVxZuPXiwqRCtcmir2ND8E_I2kT_dXmrxyS3-8SNEreN-OXmAKPoG4rxrjgiyzJM9c5KjAdzTMNDgq3Azdtc-NP-mA_BNQS07yw_ac57HoCmAq5-iqaOpLJDw1sn9bR6jYn_CNdFVuhiLIju0tncULPZDwP8YrgnpXnrfq-dDlfULM/s7336/2%20Low%20Tide,%20Spain.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4127" data-original-width="7336" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH_UFPSlm-EshvKVxZuPXiwqRCtcmir2ND8E_I2kT_dXmrxyS3-8SNEreN-OXmAKPoG4rxrjgiyzJM9c5KjAdzTMNDgq3Azdtc-NP-mA_BNQS07yw_ac57HoCmAq5-iqaOpLJDw1sn9bR6jYn_CNdFVuhiLIju0tncULPZDwP8YrgnpXnrfq-dDlfULM/w640-h360/2%20Low%20Tide,%20Spain.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Seas Stacks"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Black Sand Beach, Reynisfjall, Iceland 2020</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OCrfkqox7v0Bdp9RahUUwfNhgcvX75y9AbNYlzZO28aOX4PaPZ24phc5gPpm7VsmIW_-T7FFKqIGAHZsla2XTi4O4zwzTB_j5hjoEVUsur9YS9JwgEXxxS19cfMnH5Uq4z5HVKW3RDr3UI0TbmYX6HzucluCC3wKDya7cXdo93WK1_fx4Z66d5mCOao/s3468/3%20Black%20Sand%20Beach,%20Iceland.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="3468" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OCrfkqox7v0Bdp9RahUUwfNhgcvX75y9AbNYlzZO28aOX4PaPZ24phc5gPpm7VsmIW_-T7FFKqIGAHZsla2XTi4O4zwzTB_j5hjoEVUsur9YS9JwgEXxxS19cfMnH5Uq4z5HVKW3RDr3UI0TbmYX6HzucluCC3wKDya7cXdo93WK1_fx4Z66d5mCOao/w640-h360/3%20Black%20Sand%20Beach,%20Iceland.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Mision Santa Rosalia"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Mulegé, Baja California, Mexico 2022</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L_5dJIpafUqNJK7YiPPP4xLH5HvePofsm4E1tEz1MGbGLKTRHdo1ncxfvQhDg98_ez2htX_JvDgD9nr3txRgZSui2RYqhflWCRxtm2WKqFRtI2wc9BDiEGlt0b3Shsh1huwe6t6WauNjB30h4b7Z943ZAzx9eFz3wuxBg1rsWUSbRONFvtXoatn2sgI/s8267/7%20Mexican%20Mission.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4649" data-original-width="8267" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L_5dJIpafUqNJK7YiPPP4xLH5HvePofsm4E1tEz1MGbGLKTRHdo1ncxfvQhDg98_ez2htX_JvDgD9nr3txRgZSui2RYqhflWCRxtm2WKqFRtI2wc9BDiEGlt0b3Shsh1huwe6t6WauNjB30h4b7Z943ZAzx9eFz3wuxBg1rsWUSbRONFvtXoatn2sgI/w640-h360/7%20Mexican%20Mission.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Desert Queen"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Imperial Desert, California 2021</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbF3oJdJUy9l0H1op1JioeW2rC57n4rRtOE-7nqwWrWFbKM3hsLhQUHiFOJP8L146mSXIjHjsucp853vGBOCDVOHpG22UlQnkG6QvQlAfAiieq8h6OzC7FzKbnK_W-esaoOO9BONAtxtNHxE1Kk7fBFu9O8XxHGvwRCrW7KEbaGqTyG30Z7JDm6Zv7YA/s3461/4%20Desert%20Queen,%20New%20Mexico.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3461" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbF3oJdJUy9l0H1op1JioeW2rC57n4rRtOE-7nqwWrWFbKM3hsLhQUHiFOJP8L146mSXIjHjsucp853vGBOCDVOHpG22UlQnkG6QvQlAfAiieq8h6OzC7FzKbnK_W-esaoOO9BONAtxtNHxE1Kk7fBFu9O8XxHGvwRCrW7KEbaGqTyG30Z7JDm6Zv7YA/w640-h360/4%20Desert%20Queen,%20New%20Mexico.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>"Calle de Santo Domingo"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Valladolid, Spain 2022</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQOX5K8vTgj6xqIkZS-L_q5xsx96yXh4WqslZT8q0ki4SD3LUCspAiZdGYxeTErqnGwAoOH8-k3qDfsqTf8MCetN2xvqDs1Ulr2S90C3OM5bOSyveMOd7jFE2BxUTd2glSyHY_-x-eyzRuBCf1M52rzYmk02GHy49q87mI_XmFpAMERSmqtkGGNTwQmY/s7532/8%20Valladolid,%20Spain.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4237" data-original-width="7532" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQOX5K8vTgj6xqIkZS-L_q5xsx96yXh4WqslZT8q0ki4SD3LUCspAiZdGYxeTErqnGwAoOH8-k3qDfsqTf8MCetN2xvqDs1Ulr2S90C3OM5bOSyveMOd7jFE2BxUTd2glSyHY_-x-eyzRuBCf1M52rzYmk02GHy49q87mI_XmFpAMERSmqtkGGNTwQmY/w640-h360/8%20Valladolid,%20Spain.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some photographers get mad when a stranger appears in their camera viewfinder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I welcome strangers to intrude on my shots. It lets my viewers know that we are not alone in this world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No matter where we roam, or where we go, a fellow human is often nearby. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If even only a spec on the horizon, I am not lonely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I relish the quiet solitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ride safe, ride far...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">p.s. Sorry for the blog being out of service for a <strike>week</strike> month or so. Ridingthehorizon.com was registered with Google Domain names. They sold their domain service to SquareSpace, where the annual fee was about to be increased. So I moved to a different, less expensive domain registry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No one mentioned that when you moved your domain name from one host to another that you would lose the link to your blog. The blog was still there, no content was lost. But the internet could no longer make the link. That has finally been corrected.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Am an analog person trying to survive in a high tech world. Did I ever mention how much I hate the computers built into motorcycles these days...? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-86933089099026793342023-09-06T08:56:00.002-05:002023-10-02T17:52:08.300-05:00Colorado Hwy 17 Loop & Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In August, during a trip to northern New Mexico, I had a day off so decided to go looking for clouds. Actually, the goal was to photograph clouds that I could use in future photography projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">North of Eagle Nest, is the entrance to a fledging elk hunting ranch. They are gathering sheds and placing them on their massive entrance gate. For those not familiar, every winter elk and deer shed their antlers in order to grow a bigger, stronger set in the spring. Shed-hunters roam the mountains looking for antlers shed by migrating by bucks and bulls. Prize sheds can be sold to artisans who create lamps and chandeliers with the antlers. Knowing where a shed was found, also tells biologists and hunters where the strongest, healthiest animals are living.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj7WIUFAqhOikgu3qKAywPd3TgDvduzKqvSU_YMtoc77TmUOFTlbdefsxwtX-DzyKdjqd2BkcsR4XHCEcACPHlIlDEhAN3ujnGHWD9cRvvwCqr6sqPFPSEDDGdbb1ydKgQVgNzku5Xbh5jPx4s-c-p5h39VhW2kGGzEfnqHzgJzQshVB8U13Znbp27yo/s7455/L1007525.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5058" data-original-width="7455" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSj7WIUFAqhOikgu3qKAywPd3TgDvduzKqvSU_YMtoc77TmUOFTlbdefsxwtX-DzyKdjqd2BkcsR4XHCEcACPHlIlDEhAN3ujnGHWD9cRvvwCqr6sqPFPSEDDGdbb1ydKgQVgNzku5Xbh5jPx4s-c-p5h39VhW2kGGzEfnqHzgJzQshVB8U13Znbp27yo/w640-h434/L1007525.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">North of Questa, NM, on NM- 522 heading north to Colorado, I found some interesting clouds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a wide flat valley where NM-522 becomes CO-159 at the state line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the flat horizon, I can photograph clouds with little or no other structures in the view.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP74BYwMPa0NHZNXqFUYFu6f-HYFlRRrGc_n3S4-Lg0hK4DV1Px2eeYF9OrEB3NV5OXTPYxOzG7gelWa3DkzuMAEBQbFFus89XhTiogD9t7MfBTL-LfT0s3ORBo3WdrHwIUiYfr5yhKmRhpYLJQRh5aRfmykQ_xQN0JMqtXCKHvx1z5zT0sscHSQq1240/s7084/L1007540.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3942" data-original-width="7084" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP74BYwMPa0NHZNXqFUYFu6f-HYFlRRrGc_n3S4-Lg0hK4DV1Px2eeYF9OrEB3NV5OXTPYxOzG7gelWa3DkzuMAEBQbFFus89XhTiogD9t7MfBTL-LfT0s3ORBo3WdrHwIUiYfr5yhKmRhpYLJQRh5aRfmykQ_xQN0JMqtXCKHvx1z5zT0sscHSQq1240/w640-h356/L1007540.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turning west toward Manassa on CO-142, one crosses a bridge over the infamous Rio Grande. Here you could walk cross the river bed without getting your ankles wet. The headwaters of the Rio Grande are in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Manassa's favorite son is heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey,</span><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #4d5156;"> who left the San Luis Valley </span></span><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">farming community </span><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">for fame and fortune.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWg3fRwY-TFZaG9pjn-YF-RoyE4MMP9X79T-5aiz4Y8psdHCCVNKTg49Y_ugx18oi_Y-pH8EiGnFfw9diAowv1s3N01I777_kFmLcnNPvGitLI0A60KUrJu7sSdM4KLmcOp0f9UUFVf1EhNovv9mDGhtyoe7Z5CZXrH_eVXnczCQ3B3jVyMJJS2xd6Lo/s7768/L1007550.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4453" data-original-width="7768" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWg3fRwY-TFZaG9pjn-YF-RoyE4MMP9X79T-5aiz4Y8psdHCCVNKTg49Y_ugx18oi_Y-pH8EiGnFfw9diAowv1s3N01I777_kFmLcnNPvGitLI0A60KUrJu7sSdM4KLmcOp0f9UUFVf1EhNovv9mDGhtyoe7Z5CZXrH_eVXnczCQ3B3jVyMJJS2xd6Lo/w640-h366/L1007550.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dropping down to Antonito to pick up CO-17, we point the rig west, toward the San Juan Mountains. After stopping for a great hamburger lunch at the Red Bear Lodge in Horca, CO, the big red rig easily climbs the steep road toward La Manga and Cumbre Passes. Both over 10,000' before reaching Chama, Tierra Amarilla, and Taos in NM.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3WKTZBgzbn6XcXAVqtxlSJ6EsUDI7FRuhP71624n0Gs3jyQGTOpn9V1Nhj7HoKLwyL2E9G_Anv-IZDiYpuja0ssXxTYPpj3D17RSU2uAybouJ_NUpjB8tpTtWK4pV0ijqbb9Jd1mHI4nacmvJ6pCKS5_VVOBmFWaZE5ZN-R3UuRULkRMK0pWhYcMq-M/s7297/L1007616.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4463" data-original-width="7297" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3WKTZBgzbn6XcXAVqtxlSJ6EsUDI7FRuhP71624n0Gs3jyQGTOpn9V1Nhj7HoKLwyL2E9G_Anv-IZDiYpuja0ssXxTYPpj3D17RSU2uAybouJ_NUpjB8tpTtWK4pV0ijqbb9Jd1mHI4nacmvJ6pCKS5_VVOBmFWaZE5ZN-R3UuRULkRMK0pWhYcMq-M/w640-h392/L1007616.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Back in Angel Fire, after making the 280 mile loop up through Colorado,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> the fading afternoon sun gave me the opportunity to capture </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">some fine art B&W shots of sage brush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Moreno Valley sunset</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3n2Gwd8bBK6jsOCPfhNvP848z6iiahx1tp_DX41EhEixbYvwRzCFlRBRhxjnZPArmB4l6GRjt1IBZ0C2EbSgV9t8sPAgE1EU93yceK2Zl7pQIL2AsWmORqoJIwJRG_DW1LG4UeJ7ujWU34azr4XkAf2hn9g1G_T2NC4HKTjrvifCdGknpAJAGfvdPlA/s8368/L1007449.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8368" data-original-width="5584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3n2Gwd8bBK6jsOCPfhNvP848z6iiahx1tp_DX41EhEixbYvwRzCFlRBRhxjnZPArmB4l6GRjt1IBZ0C2EbSgV9t8sPAgE1EU93yceK2Zl7pQIL2AsWmORqoJIwJRG_DW1LG4UeJ7ujWU34azr4XkAf2hn9g1G_T2NC4HKTjrvifCdGknpAJAGfvdPlA/w428-h640/L1007449.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the sun drops beneath the horizon, a coolness slowly slides down the mountainside into the valley. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There might be frost on the sage in the morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYVRSjIkCcTG77gBSzFlnYAOPdRcAyqICxjFlBsu5of4mahWm7RNx7LMoovpLjRy_iwgFUSpy-jIwSNEtQ9UeqnJ-8ucuYjyzHwPIKdgXqyKCGjyilT3DVBhYlTcsROJqnlzarIQPrvSVYZBte9QgUJYdaah5Y9uAo3doA_yQtkCUuR5j2sJ39egxfiI/s7790/L1007435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4707" data-original-width="7790" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYVRSjIkCcTG77gBSzFlnYAOPdRcAyqICxjFlBsu5of4mahWm7RNx7LMoovpLjRy_iwgFUSpy-jIwSNEtQ9UeqnJ-8ucuYjyzHwPIKdgXqyKCGjyilT3DVBhYlTcsROJqnlzarIQPrvSVYZBte9QgUJYdaah5Y9uAo3doA_yQtkCUuR5j2sJ39egxfiI/w640-h386/L1007435.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One last fine art shot,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Behind the preacher's chair is a country church window with a view.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW10YFOHeXPbyHnWOBOfjIcd8nl49YgDUgmFH6FvzeviBO3zv9TTDDd1ZqMg4Y7aj9h5K7NwJytgbxb8Bg5ryF0D9DfMnnVCb6qlsncC5wZk23j9YrByQh0SUnIBr4Oyyfc23PA6WCWlBw1NilZT8Kt6TUsjnDRTMHGvckwESeGVX2-Uc4Wg1VBJxV1tM/s6735/L1007370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5388" data-original-width="6735" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW10YFOHeXPbyHnWOBOfjIcd8nl49YgDUgmFH6FvzeviBO3zv9TTDDd1ZqMg4Y7aj9h5K7NwJytgbxb8Bg5ryF0D9DfMnnVCb6qlsncC5wZk23j9YrByQh0SUnIBr4Oyyfc23PA6WCWlBw1NilZT8Kt6TUsjnDRTMHGvckwESeGVX2-Uc4Wg1VBJxV1tM/w640-h512/L1007370.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Black & White or monochrome photography continues to challenge my thinking and seeing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forcing me to study the world as shapes, lines, textures, and light. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the mental challenge.</div><div><br /></div>CCjon<br /><div><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-74513406553875574112023-09-03T21:14:00.007-05:002023-10-02T18:08:58.973-05:00July 4th Parade<div style="text-align: center;">Still learning how to utilize the strengths and weaknesses of a monochrome camera.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF20VWeMymIOEUEFAW3DSkqplKXZ9T4xBI-RL5ooL7OQ18dSL7hReRNtb-0zVf-OX3pHkz6C9yryT_ZEnlCxFiRQ7KuHZnwd12dpdLJTdkFhHIRQ8t-xxDhUx1wu0zXEDqETsFvIjwSdkWVwgWqYURjxwHuRweOtJZnLBwkkRKedTWxRdfR-WyzsOpGLA/s6914/L1007038.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="6914" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF20VWeMymIOEUEFAW3DSkqplKXZ9T4xBI-RL5ooL7OQ18dSL7hReRNtb-0zVf-OX3pHkz6C9yryT_ZEnlCxFiRQ7KuHZnwd12dpdLJTdkFhHIRQ8t-xxDhUx1wu0zXEDqETsFvIjwSdkWVwgWqYURjxwHuRweOtJZnLBwkkRKedTWxRdfR-WyzsOpGLA/w640-h242/L1007038.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A foggy morning walk around the neighborhood lake offered this shot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The geese are still in the grass, the water surface still undisturbed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jerry Brown is a Black and White photographer with many years of experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He freely critics my work and offers suggestions, which I heed. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OykK5_TpeD8A-MaDy1J7BC7LS0qNN85ED7kjMtqj0Ajj7xvZJ9OYSsv024lXBxVdh7xRh5I5CWHtVpp7Z478P4Bg2iJs0PmQNI6ln2zEyMgegMQZVG3DjC2scl2L12UHe41ekYStjaIhhAuaftZ6vhMyMi12Gsyx8tXtogpHV1BA_CfqTLhCnFpHpUw/s2633/L1006873.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2633" data-original-width="2106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OykK5_TpeD8A-MaDy1J7BC7LS0qNN85ED7kjMtqj0Ajj7xvZJ9OYSsv024lXBxVdh7xRh5I5CWHtVpp7Z478P4Bg2iJs0PmQNI6ln2zEyMgegMQZVG3DjC2scl2L12UHe41ekYStjaIhhAuaftZ6vhMyMi12Gsyx8tXtogpHV1BA_CfqTLhCnFpHpUw/w512-h640/L1006873.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*********</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then the 4th of July parade rolled around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have been training Chuy (Chewbaca) to ride in the sidecar in preparation for the parade.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA4pjCzEXn8eNnfzVYMTNpjM4x2sgQlS7TqSOwh5_o0hRRNf6T0gBBpVzH3uPwr0H_Hm6V8rROr-IG84X40UBAR00IRn4jRs5sFYDJ0zQ4JM-OZ7DU8y2z3PqbJHpzn8YE7sOMI0uuoqYptyN5Vw5BMOCLtIeW7R1CGwXMAGdpHYVGo3m4fOUJbJT2q4/s3178/IMG_2658.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="2958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggA4pjCzEXn8eNnfzVYMTNpjM4x2sgQlS7TqSOwh5_o0hRRNf6T0gBBpVzH3uPwr0H_Hm6V8rROr-IG84X40UBAR00IRn4jRs5sFYDJ0zQ4JM-OZ7DU8y2z3PqbJHpzn8YE7sOMI0uuoqYptyN5Vw5BMOCLtIeW7R1CGwXMAGdpHYVGo3m4fOUJbJT2q4/w596-h640/IMG_2658.jpeg" width="596" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So Chuy, Adrian and Alex shared the sidecar for the parade, tossing candy and waving to friends.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jeD4ZG_AaDFPF0xmcfHRrZdBveNyDqWkZn7kU1pBBuwbtrcmKQ-FemLLCsYGJdxcImw4BfpcbPmxxzYeXbRpDAck_GoigRvrlXEdnRJg6IQrXPuzVDSupXzP2XJRK8YNE7F18ddX9BqLde1mnfJxH6_S4krlHFYZW8sKz0wVnkutvHn_Stv4siDfN2w/s2582/DSC00719.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1659" data-original-width="2582" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jeD4ZG_AaDFPF0xmcfHRrZdBveNyDqWkZn7kU1pBBuwbtrcmKQ-FemLLCsYGJdxcImw4BfpcbPmxxzYeXbRpDAck_GoigRvrlXEdnRJg6IQrXPuzVDSupXzP2XJRK8YNE7F18ddX9BqLde1mnfJxH6_S4krlHFYZW8sKz0wVnkutvHn_Stv4siDfN2w/w640-h412/DSC00719.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a sad note for me, Chuy has gone to live with Adrian, Alex and their two dogs. They puppy-sat Chuy for a few days while we were on a trip. He had so much fun running and playing with their two dogs, it did not seem right that he would not have that level of activity and stimulation living with a couple of senior citizens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I go visit him every so often. He knows me and loves licking my face. But when it comes time for me to leave, he shows no interest in going with me. He is happy in his new home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They said he loves watching movies with them, barking at coyotes and vampires. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><br /></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-33313185097777243292023-08-29T16:36:00.002-05:002023-08-29T16:36:25.226-05:00LOST BLOG LINK<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Comments: Sorry for not posting anything to my blog for the last four months. When installing a new desktop computer, many of the various links and passwords that were saved on iCloud were accidentally deleted. </span></b><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Was finally able to re-establish the link to this blog. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now that the blog is back from neverneverland, it is time catch up with news, rides, photos and postings. </span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stand by for postings coming your way.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CCjon</span></b></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-57759198514306239922023-05-15T09:41:00.003-05:002023-10-02T18:09:24.816-05:00Sidecars in the Smokies 2023<div style="text-align: center;">Each spring, there is a gathering of sidecars in North Carolina near Deal's Gap </div><div style="text-align: center;">and the infamous Tail of the Dragon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tail is a motorcyclist's nirvana with curves after curves to enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But this year, the goal is different. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There a few covered bridges in the Bryson City area. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The weather was cooperating so decided to find them to photograph.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Riding with Todd Trueblood, who knows the area very well,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we first found this one in Highlands, NC. It has very interesting architectural details on the exterior.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However we could not ride across it as it was closed for floor timber replacement.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVm6S4iLeTxk8-_PijkGuaMI_7f8GjnzU1BTq1WTZnNjnoZFtLiP9u_ksDVqKOV2ov0dQ3ucHgH2h38ODeGxBRc9Z3gRXxJ5UmpXdNJlE8qAGGIBwXBrB0anLZO5D-FYkvei2aIP2-DoEX0nGeu8kkV539CsZHNzrEJEvUSJNOu7pnCnRD0M5TuH9/s2400/L1006903.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2400" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVm6S4iLeTxk8-_PijkGuaMI_7f8GjnzU1BTq1WTZnNjnoZFtLiP9u_ksDVqKOV2ov0dQ3ucHgH2h38ODeGxBRc9Z3gRXxJ5UmpXdNJlE8qAGGIBwXBrB0anLZO5D-FYkvei2aIP2-DoEX0nGeu8kkV539CsZHNzrEJEvUSJNOu7pnCnRD0M5TuH9/w640-h378/L1006903.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then on Route 28, we encountered roadside the Bridal Veil Falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An interesting sight, as the roadway once curved back behind the falls. Now there are barricades rerouting traffic to in front of the falls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-cHyNo3OG0Pxu97x6FD2GdyHWYfJCpAdex_MaNSW-Og1Z4OzPb-RRR62vUjh786lLv3wTcJPmt1cHvXevEa_mxUvFbKPA3u0yBEtZcNfxnR9_HPkRBWd8KzJxVruKgp0Y5klPQbQIsQrIhbbC_x9O9ZKIl7n7kP2mfPyFEHmtRIdMDPWfcYsODhA/s3597/L1006916.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-cHyNo3OG0Pxu97x6FD2GdyHWYfJCpAdex_MaNSW-Og1Z4OzPb-RRR62vUjh786lLv3wTcJPmt1cHvXevEa_mxUvFbKPA3u0yBEtZcNfxnR9_HPkRBWd8KzJxVruKgp0Y5klPQbQIsQrIhbbC_x9O9ZKIl7n7kP2mfPyFEHmtRIdMDPWfcYsODhA/w428-h640/L1006916.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Convinced Todd to ride around the barricade and behind the falls for the next photo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It wasn't so much worrying about LEOs as it was for the falling rocks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wear your helmet Todd!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhc4apKFyS6AaEFUy27L8avFFwDwtSQj5JMr2TAN8Nc8h1BwxI-eZpt6bmCXxFsYvDPym3LIkjS5J0oElmZpIMYDewKsNTd0QY3En5444TgOM4LfnOL7sXC8O92ssjy8xi1AMw-ZNOy3ajFa1H4vXoYV41Hg4JtRgqTPliiCmMHcnnVAcycHr7Feu/s3597/L1006921.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhc4apKFyS6AaEFUy27L8avFFwDwtSQj5JMr2TAN8Nc8h1BwxI-eZpt6bmCXxFsYvDPym3LIkjS5J0oElmZpIMYDewKsNTd0QY3En5444TgOM4LfnOL7sXC8O92ssjy8xi1AMw-ZNOy3ajFa1H4vXoYV41Hg4JtRgqTPliiCmMHcnnVAcycHr7Feu/w428-h640/L1006921.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He survived the falls without being hit by anything harder than water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the next day, located one more covered bridge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> at Granny Squirrel's place on Hwy 19.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH1anvc94G7adJg-TKVnp5hg8R5VhWePQPTmW85XmpiyvbcupaNgX1WEMaQVaesAyPKdFnqVZtX5amLUuPSyke2E8_tI6F5eAke7BadVdudIcamLHQufqFjgohWb6TM7iiqg7glhzWnei-HVZDFIiaRWV-2HDAMeg8PPJUzT5dD-BaJSxLuY4D3WS/s2400/L1006964.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2400" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH1anvc94G7adJg-TKVnp5hg8R5VhWePQPTmW85XmpiyvbcupaNgX1WEMaQVaesAyPKdFnqVZtX5amLUuPSyke2E8_tI6F5eAke7BadVdudIcamLHQufqFjgohWb6TM7iiqg7glhzWnei-HVZDFIiaRWV-2HDAMeg8PPJUzT5dD-BaJSxLuY4D3WS/w640-h336/L1006964.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This bridge could be ridden across.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Those are the keeper photos from Sidecars in the Smokies 2023. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Until next year, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ride safe, ride far...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">CCjon</div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-60030938626360214232023-05-07T22:51:00.001-05:002023-10-02T18:09:39.504-05:00Spring East Texas Louisiana Sidecar Muster<div style="text-align: center;">This year, our semi-annual gathering of sidecars riders in Texas/Louisiana happened at the KOA Campgrounds in Rusk, TX. We were here a few years ago. The campground owners took such good care of us we decided a return visit was in order.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Friday night was renewing friendships and meeting new riders around the campfire.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWQ71GeeRXAx2oVHC8zJp6y5S_d42AeKqH48-2h2I-YZ8t2Oifc_CoJClD2k-ojTzHF6_hyjuw8pd2mcND0sBqNdCKwwh-yZswRgOKq7I-th62CZBZSQa2H_AA3GuQhi2PjQCCayJW9q8flvoEGfffJLMJaujbF-b-sgTJOi3dQk-DpMAtVsw_zRO/s1200/L1006973.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWQ71GeeRXAx2oVHC8zJp6y5S_d42AeKqH48-2h2I-YZ8t2Oifc_CoJClD2k-ojTzHF6_hyjuw8pd2mcND0sBqNdCKwwh-yZswRgOKq7I-th62CZBZSQa2H_AA3GuQhi2PjQCCayJW9q8flvoEGfffJLMJaujbF-b-sgTJOi3dQk-DpMAtVsw_zRO/w640-h360/L1006973.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Campfires and sidecars go well together. This KOA has tent camping sites, tepees, cabins,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> and RV hook-up sites. Plus a swimming pool, playgrounds for kids, and live music </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopdMsCOT6K5RXZor1q4CaLbC734OhfUuzzCk0Ewq63JR8to_tWD7i7JX1nayHBMFBofzmh-qVlJBFPdEIELmh0fWYmGQCD3UYU-2EG-D4EByrbc0vyx9nJzRGg985850orgTlZIWyUm9slN7Rf2MyyfhaU_7oMcfEf0T-sQzErPtcSvH1yK396kQg/s1200/L1006976.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopdMsCOT6K5RXZor1q4CaLbC734OhfUuzzCk0Ewq63JR8to_tWD7i7JX1nayHBMFBofzmh-qVlJBFPdEIELmh0fWYmGQCD3UYU-2EG-D4EByrbc0vyx9nJzRGg985850orgTlZIWyUm9slN7Rf2MyyfhaU_7oMcfEf0T-sQzErPtcSvH1yK396kQg/w640-h360/L1006976.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday morning the sun was bright, the sky was clear, and all forecasts for rain had dissipated overnight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBUtnq8V_EehWg7Giwn0TDmMPLh6MtaqzggZXsnanzoHkLbaop_SoRXNCPhz2pKAlC44uvEEsy2t_n81hTA5xgw4jTQd64ifeooX3T9EY6HkqA0geRfDAdg3evZKmyJHmefZ2coVkdn9B6Zk4ZjFZYdQTmQoSnSdKt6QdKYfJb-r-CsaWz7YZ_iuw/s1200/L1006981.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBUtnq8V_EehWg7Giwn0TDmMPLh6MtaqzggZXsnanzoHkLbaop_SoRXNCPhz2pKAlC44uvEEsy2t_n81hTA5xgw4jTQd64ifeooX3T9EY6HkqA0geRfDAdg3evZKmyJHmefZ2coVkdn9B6Zk4ZjFZYdQTmQoSnSdKt6QdKYfJb-r-CsaWz7YZ_iuw/w640-h360/L1006981.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We rode to a small wedding venue south of Rusk in a renovated turn-of-the-century Schoolhouse/Chapel </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in Lone Oak, a community that does not exist on any map.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iDEwB7udm_tN_4ioNyn8R_4La0kJ1JmnDSe_b9scgJUQ0aukTFmgk6tkAwxsyaDiisyxFFMldMquHcTxskgsX5JL0bc2YLBOy95Q99Mk6gWVX7TwqQo-GcZHKy1LV2SeMkiPSmtP_KNj9lR7tkZO3ngFM9Dwe9ORiShQJ9_ko7ltoCFWAc7eeRnN/s1200/L1006987.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1200" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iDEwB7udm_tN_4ioNyn8R_4La0kJ1JmnDSe_b9scgJUQ0aukTFmgk6tkAwxsyaDiisyxFFMldMquHcTxskgsX5JL0bc2YLBOy95Q99Mk6gWVX7TwqQo-GcZHKy1LV2SeMkiPSmtP_KNj9lR7tkZO3ngFM9Dwe9ORiShQJ9_ko7ltoCFWAc7eeRnN/w640-h372/L1006987.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEVdUV_b2lHCglNudlLrvxX6vKdBnORgWLFampLe9gJihv_VnCjx_qcHlrUE1L4eNu9P1fvAmKgy-JdPIIRc1WrLxhlU6RboYD5G9Wx-UoWbwxWLvkP-VuMO2CQDyBZRL8oVh2bLorMfcyV42DJwYP2m44nTH6cJb3d_VRn7e96ZvpYU-9SqaqL1S/s1200/L1006996.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1200" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEVdUV_b2lHCglNudlLrvxX6vKdBnORgWLFampLe9gJihv_VnCjx_qcHlrUE1L4eNu9P1fvAmKgy-JdPIIRc1WrLxhlU6RboYD5G9Wx-UoWbwxWLvkP-VuMO2CQDyBZRL8oVh2bLorMfcyV42DJwYP2m44nTH6cJb3d_VRn7e96ZvpYU-9SqaqL1S/w640-h422/L1006996.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were greeted by Ruthie, who, with her husband Jackson, are renovating the old chapel in the wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqnxjVLMezxTk-PD6WeicNNCw2FcM5VshksDSd_YFTjo_ecFgUhnGyNheblOOiXZUrzis-YVwYj1XrAe0_hwyUImdNFnLg9gNhXOuloHuFxvUSPO4j0aDG8T8lHMCQATMKN1FKUeNRu4PaEkMb0oq6jprnZ702JSoVokmIE6dvk-S5a8kcSRD8F3f/s1200/L1007000.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1200" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqnxjVLMezxTk-PD6WeicNNCw2FcM5VshksDSd_YFTjo_ecFgUhnGyNheblOOiXZUrzis-YVwYj1XrAe0_hwyUImdNFnLg9gNhXOuloHuFxvUSPO4j0aDG8T8lHMCQATMKN1FKUeNRu4PaEkMb0oq6jprnZ702JSoVokmIE6dvk-S5a8kcSRD8F3f/w640-h384/L1007000.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ruthie and her husband Jackson are slowly renovating this structure to serve the community.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After they purchased the acreage, they found out they also acquired the chapel and the surrounding grounds. After discussing what to do with the falling structure, they decided to bring it back to life once again as an affordable country wedding venue. It is a labor of love for them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ruthie welcomes the sidecar group to Lone Oak Chapel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpH6NLxa6pfj8QAJpBXp_Kh2h7GWZ9R9ofPkdwb2pvDsMTVhpH6CUyigoBCWLCSIlwr-n2BI5u3ESHDd_LagFnPWJJlzsH8dBz0YRi_2aZhakjYqvDqfb7ZfrH0yH-vr80V01k9zJJKnuO8IUdUJs72KblurtpJUdhALNbEIetvuREcuWm6dcC0z6/s1200/L1007004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpH6NLxa6pfj8QAJpBXp_Kh2h7GWZ9R9ofPkdwb2pvDsMTVhpH6CUyigoBCWLCSIlwr-n2BI5u3ESHDd_LagFnPWJJlzsH8dBz0YRi_2aZhakjYqvDqfb7ZfrH0yH-vr80V01k9zJJKnuO8IUdUJs72KblurtpJUdhALNbEIetvuREcuWm6dcC0z6/w640-h360/L1007004.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the chapel we rode to visit the historical society museum in Rusk where they display the history of Cherokee County.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That evening, we shared a potluck dinner in the KOA clubhouse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With rain on the horizon, we all quickly departed Sunday morning for home, hoping to beat the rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a fun time to see so many other sidecarists all in one location, sharing friendships, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">recanting tales of sidecar rides and adventures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-44992709014928186392023-04-27T23:19:00.002-05:002023-10-02T18:10:07.081-05:00CUBA BABY: Havana Day Seven, Tobacco Farm and more<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last day in Cuba, up for an early morning walk...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before the fruit vendor can set out his produce, customers start lining up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDZdsj1yFIwKBBEHmUks2SH908gqOToq-p1tM8FuOaJ110yDxtfufhfm5OQ1HpIL1AH6t7DbQvu4J1DYCweea7fGgN2215UTUeKYxkA7CSLU3BRSfOdvFZRIoibTqYlPuBEHGmQO4UvYITw6_19hPuenus8JvJVrrb7sb5zPE2-H-9vuQMG6cnHIw/s1200/1%20Waiting%20to%20buy%20fruit.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1200" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDZdsj1yFIwKBBEHmUks2SH908gqOToq-p1tM8FuOaJ110yDxtfufhfm5OQ1HpIL1AH6t7DbQvu4J1DYCweea7fGgN2215UTUeKYxkA7CSLU3BRSfOdvFZRIoibTqYlPuBEHGmQO4UvYITw6_19hPuenus8JvJVrrb7sb5zPE2-H-9vuQMG6cnHIw/w640-h436/1%20Waiting%20to%20buy%20fruit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cuba is very clean, people take care of their neighborhood. Many buildings are falling down as no one there owns any interest in it, i.e. no skin in the game. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But that is no reason why your front yard cannot be clean.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyyalbqloJcOXxVfljwkC6XNpYrNB_jwKLWxW1ka_BKVFempW4tagG3KC9d28EgI0C1-tdNfTj8ITquSG1MW2XJk1d5c5w3V--pG-YhjMateMQClTel8pM6XnqQfzZlD0ZuiTlVfhKsYur_6xSKw5KW9Q7sA-L6EYhOxgnfXlkd4s8NIRrfACdU7B/s1200/2%20Cleaning%20the%20street.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1200" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyyalbqloJcOXxVfljwkC6XNpYrNB_jwKLWxW1ka_BKVFempW4tagG3KC9d28EgI0C1-tdNfTj8ITquSG1MW2XJk1d5c5w3V--pG-YhjMateMQClTel8pM6XnqQfzZlD0ZuiTlVfhKsYur_6xSKw5KW9Q7sA-L6EYhOxgnfXlkd4s8NIRrfACdU7B/w640-h512/2%20Cleaning%20the%20street.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people take pride in how their front yard looks..</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJzDoGjqBm4yAuRHq0EMSKcAF-8y6jZblHiVOJ5VF6xYR_o4tPDdNoDaFVPlan18qanXzato8AI0TrhSX3O14Dg9yv2hYqwjdWVnOOyFu05fxLGtFNdga1UjO5gWUjKtvhsMP0Jiwi57_s6qwSTkefKMQLhcjmzO_2eT3uCn6Oq1vgXuIesZweb2y/s1200/3%20Sweeping%20the%20sidewalk.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJzDoGjqBm4yAuRHq0EMSKcAF-8y6jZblHiVOJ5VF6xYR_o4tPDdNoDaFVPlan18qanXzato8AI0TrhSX3O14Dg9yv2hYqwjdWVnOOyFu05fxLGtFNdga1UjO5gWUjKtvhsMP0Jiwi57_s6qwSTkefKMQLhcjmzO_2eT3uCn6Oq1vgXuIesZweb2y/w640-h640/3%20Sweeping%20the%20sidewalk.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a nearby plaza, the PE teacher was testing students on soccer dribbling skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjQQ2UjFjpw1kiUxPi0PLxh1iLKCUCLasrCiKpJBrpu9piHzwV2YkA2Y385Z1N_5D8o-AJlHBOrt66Q3Iqfxv3ruHcI2itxcgDcrry1fI3mpLTgujmgP8G_zj_NitjlZYQeBzSe0EXXEqzKVmUzCyU86XdcxfvJzvbxUkq4SqHS-v_2xK2OZw77V/s1200/4%20PE%20Class%20in%20the%20plaza.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjQQ2UjFjpw1kiUxPi0PLxh1iLKCUCLasrCiKpJBrpu9piHzwV2YkA2Y385Z1N_5D8o-AJlHBOrt66Q3Iqfxv3ruHcI2itxcgDcrry1fI3mpLTgujmgP8G_zj_NitjlZYQeBzSe0EXXEqzKVmUzCyU86XdcxfvJzvbxUkq4SqHS-v_2xK2OZw77V/w640-h360/4%20PE%20Class%20in%20the%20plaza.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The older the car, the harder it is to find spare parts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5y98lvpv-CUElAmdVbis5dVyW_eQvn3YMsbDQkBUXeR6zx8t2pj1xtO2oCHMezNM5Vtv3AEcD1LhMpTnbfXGZvOKbE_-zFWJGabP_p8gXpV5DuFm9bpmu3kDulruyT1KgZ3rrXm__890ev30KzjuGoDdz9SR46EdRnYQuZ1oSY8mT_E7OpAmSIrC/s1200/5%20Waiting%20for%20parts.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5y98lvpv-CUElAmdVbis5dVyW_eQvn3YMsbDQkBUXeR6zx8t2pj1xtO2oCHMezNM5Vtv3AEcD1LhMpTnbfXGZvOKbE_-zFWJGabP_p8gXpV5DuFm9bpmu3kDulruyT1KgZ3rrXm__890ev30KzjuGoDdz9SR46EdRnYQuZ1oSY8mT_E7OpAmSIrC/w640-h360/5%20Waiting%20for%20parts.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or try to fix it yourself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I can see clearly now"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-StcoQ3iX6WkEtffyZDurlUOwtP4Tz9sG5rzTa56kHQSb_uwzzXEdx506IlvzNJavc74ajy_JbEL55iq6IJ7azBLkFK96AVqaAddFvGrVRBSf2AQspnSQXSXSpcuk_IPvFsGhegDW0s5Yxw9zvUMzGkepX03IUN4X0OFa-pEv3ugNeBepNaP2RRB/s1200/6%20Now%20I%20see%20the%20problem.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-StcoQ3iX6WkEtffyZDurlUOwtP4Tz9sG5rzTa56kHQSb_uwzzXEdx506IlvzNJavc74ajy_JbEL55iq6IJ7azBLkFK96AVqaAddFvGrVRBSf2AQspnSQXSXSpcuk_IPvFsGhegDW0s5Yxw9zvUMzGkepX03IUN4X0OFa-pEv3ugNeBepNaP2RRB/w640-h424/6%20Now%20I%20see%20the%20problem.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A well cared for '57 Chevy to be envied...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CBXHi3o9TX-q2781RNXhXAoky-v6orRyQXXCzLz6R0D0vHq-dzm5hlZlswl1n0ZD_F0bt21-AePWlA3pUhGPqPZVWqpNylLf3zJGTLc-A6sFORlx1Pc3UT5sUtb75WQvSJSVhfgrfLqhHP17EoGs9cE5c5wDk_cXXVeDB-8QFcXhGxd2bhWllXor/s1200/7%20Some%20rods%20are%20looking%20great.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CBXHi3o9TX-q2781RNXhXAoky-v6orRyQXXCzLz6R0D0vHq-dzm5hlZlswl1n0ZD_F0bt21-AePWlA3pUhGPqPZVWqpNylLf3zJGTLc-A6sFORlx1Pc3UT5sUtb75WQvSJSVhfgrfLqhHP17EoGs9cE5c5wDk_cXXVeDB-8QFcXhGxd2bhWllXor/w640-h360/7%20Some%20rods%20are%20looking%20great.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That Chevy cannot transport a bed frame, but a tricycle can.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSM1EbQv9auo7S_YatceZ8QGpQNiO8W64-HGXP3u0Lsw0f5QtvCjFCco4DeTO-EowYhxk3MJpA8iJxuOlJaM1oCXya0o9KyK3p6DKqdqSAznyK7tD3dnAWoZpBGy-WYl86RtpaTEvBqIjJyKajv42JVlG1sYMF4OPGTJPErZy3W1u6qdi1ONYgNE/s1200/8%20If%20no%20car,%20bicycles%20work%20too.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfSM1EbQv9auo7S_YatceZ8QGpQNiO8W64-HGXP3u0Lsw0f5QtvCjFCco4DeTO-EowYhxk3MJpA8iJxuOlJaM1oCXya0o9KyK3p6DKqdqSAznyK7tD3dnAWoZpBGy-WYl86RtpaTEvBqIjJyKajv42JVlG1sYMF4OPGTJPErZy3W1u6qdi1ONYgNE/w640-h640/8%20If%20no%20car,%20bicycles%20work%20too.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rounding the corner, spotted this artist at work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His drawing was not the scene in front of him, but a herd of horses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He said the morning shade was a pleasant working spot, better than being indoors.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJNuUO4xh9CFW1Koijw1CHKs2koTJGChtvNJ9z-d1XxUxn2f2d1p3UshkHb_qInw3nAKyuyRulkN7FA3I7Gy10tH8jXKstQ6pXC64jITKCKQIeYYhwZG74JzpkAHpPV_VNn2pL27_00ILpC7WBWDpsJkSFum1jX6Eie-i5YOwcAY0ayBkDAySFsNI/s1200/9%20Street%20artist%20working.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJNuUO4xh9CFW1Koijw1CHKs2koTJGChtvNJ9z-d1XxUxn2f2d1p3UshkHb_qInw3nAKyuyRulkN7FA3I7Gy10tH8jXKstQ6pXC64jITKCKQIeYYhwZG74JzpkAHpPV_VNn2pL27_00ILpC7WBWDpsJkSFum1jX6Eie-i5YOwcAY0ayBkDAySFsNI/w640-h640/9%20Street%20artist%20working.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next street up was a small outdoor flea market, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with artwork similar to what the artist was drawing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Was this market for the few tourists walking by or who...? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFldYGgRjNV05FvKBC8_kIyHuaOpdrB5uZ_YjcHQHo13mwn2sbSGyAV_QxOlH6kJssy57JM5Y7diLG3LgmJA_wRcOjWYhyoAfVVryiPVwSsexbVjfgpd0EIpnZ9qeVRY0vwoTyTgLzlbMAkNi9SC5iYtYRfsgslt8OLQeVMsiMPZ2FdEtMG5RxliyP/s1200/10%20Local%20art%20for%20sale.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFldYGgRjNV05FvKBC8_kIyHuaOpdrB5uZ_YjcHQHo13mwn2sbSGyAV_QxOlH6kJssy57JM5Y7diLG3LgmJA_wRcOjWYhyoAfVVryiPVwSsexbVjfgpd0EIpnZ9qeVRY0vwoTyTgLzlbMAkNi9SC5iYtYRfsgslt8OLQeVMsiMPZ2FdEtMG5RxliyP/w640-h640/10%20Local%20art%20for%20sale.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div>On our last day in Cuba, we drove three and half hours out of Havana </div><div>to a tobacco farm in the valley near Viñales. </div><div><br /></div><div>We wanted to get photos of cigars being rolled, the old fashion way. </div><div>In Havana there are several large government-owned cigar factories with numerous employees </div><div>manufacturing well known brands of cigars. The worst cigar I had this trip was from one of those factories.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Viñales I hoped to once again experience the rich flavor and smooth easy draw </div><div>of a hand rolled cigar made by an artisan.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving the city, we headed west.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdvXyUAj9YVADmLqZlg1I3qQzBth1Q58K4UEDEwOOeLDdZG0Yum-rQ5oSkSjTNQLD830FD1ZF_iShongdhsalVnq_P87pV71wkbTB9fV5_fshPExmypaP3WgKBHjWHZ-xaThwtZMgjYygXuq0Llr6iHyzYM6CRfTFgs_f2e4eFN8_8v60QeqUHfG0/s1200/Q1006599.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdvXyUAj9YVADmLqZlg1I3qQzBth1Q58K4UEDEwOOeLDdZG0Yum-rQ5oSkSjTNQLD830FD1ZF_iShongdhsalVnq_P87pV71wkbTB9fV5_fshPExmypaP3WgKBHjWHZ-xaThwtZMgjYygXuq0Llr6iHyzYM6CRfTFgs_f2e4eFN8_8v60QeqUHfG0/w640-h640/Q1006599.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nearing the valley, we saw something that is not seen in the States anymore, a team of oxen. In the distance was a team of ox pulling a plow turning the soil. Too far away to photograph.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the snapped off trees in the background. Hurricane Ike came through here last fall, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wrecking havoc far and wide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie544TnzIYj5Dx82RJu2Cez8X8a0ZtExEN7kN2gD5i0PX1864SyZqnt4-k4GUz7mU3knZYYvyO1aBNUG3VyJ1eoVJAApXdjjavyYNuRY1TpbYugOYPvszCxx4UqB-lV0e8BKwpWwUrwPgMC7y11kQ7AGuNSKiIi4UgKa1txj0wQDFL6BpE5KtK_INA/s1200/1%20Oxen%20team.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie544TnzIYj5Dx82RJu2Cez8X8a0ZtExEN7kN2gD5i0PX1864SyZqnt4-k4GUz7mU3knZYYvyO1aBNUG3VyJ1eoVJAApXdjjavyYNuRY1TpbYugOYPvszCxx4UqB-lV0e8BKwpWwUrwPgMC7y11kQ7AGuNSKiIi4UgKa1txj0wQDFL6BpE5KtK_INA/w640-h640/1%20Oxen%20team.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of the tobacco drying sheds were destroyed by the hurricane</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> as they are not sturdy structures. Their purpose is to provide shade and to keep the rain off the drying tobacco leaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We saw numerous new drying barns being built in the valley. When finished they will have a palm leaf thatch roof that keeps the rain out but also allows good air circulation.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAcgpd_R954QzPDNyxUu0ye_rEaYUSa1EM7khHMaAMBiZWv_mG1se3PMuPXg1kDTs7gGLYm5C09o_wkNhNb3zPEwxlKxUKSkvyYnLedR3XDyzsM_Y2ddWM_PE-MeIOGVDgFV3lT3R5pTOwFcuEQkCoOo5ltzCt-yrjs5NpeXPbvVIp1DzrXFSgllZ/s1200/2%20New%20Drying%20shed.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAcgpd_R954QzPDNyxUu0ye_rEaYUSa1EM7khHMaAMBiZWv_mG1se3PMuPXg1kDTs7gGLYm5C09o_wkNhNb3zPEwxlKxUKSkvyYnLedR3XDyzsM_Y2ddWM_PE-MeIOGVDgFV3lT3R5pTOwFcuEQkCoOo5ltzCt-yrjs5NpeXPbvVIp1DzrXFSgllZ/w640-h428/2%20New%20Drying%20shed.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Worker using a chainsaw to trim the longer poles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice no pre-cut lumber being used. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy6SjNJMruw1gJTh6JL0FWX3THzu_g96-HBJXszHKIKgjWzCA8v6Tb-X1OvR4qWJ64QFEC94Ayo00v7zuBkZIutBdCl58fG3KUsIdJ8bcLUTqDdJ2EcRy-74Ss9Bfilg2KEmRGtfioQ1_TNvUYyUqGqNPKQZBRspvEyepMHLdmgsmWfe_hm3a0Owv/s1200/3%20Dry%20shed%20builder.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy6SjNJMruw1gJTh6JL0FWX3THzu_g96-HBJXszHKIKgjWzCA8v6Tb-X1OvR4qWJ64QFEC94Ayo00v7zuBkZIutBdCl58fG3KUsIdJ8bcLUTqDdJ2EcRy-74Ss9Bfilg2KEmRGtfioQ1_TNvUYyUqGqNPKQZBRspvEyepMHLdmgsmWfe_hm3a0Owv/w640-h640/3%20Dry%20shed%20builder.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another Oxen team pulling a cart came into view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the wood harness and nose rings used to manage them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their horn tips have been bobbed as a safety precaution.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29yEPslPU86Kr6uSHwPXON0Ix5AAWDkFplZWk34w3SQHZt33ZSv9l5aKos4vOHVMH5LvhAJLvHEuIIGbJqeDcRXuTKevKmOymlalf4B9GXhsNZyqFn6k4OJ5ujtrzPoVny1qLFfMdVrq7zBDqSX5ozqcFHgqaLzpmV_bQg4dvWNwMhfbUfAf87dwz/s1200/2%20Ox%20cart%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29yEPslPU86Kr6uSHwPXON0Ix5AAWDkFplZWk34w3SQHZt33ZSv9l5aKos4vOHVMH5LvhAJLvHEuIIGbJqeDcRXuTKevKmOymlalf4B9GXhsNZyqFn6k4OJ5ujtrzPoVny1qLFfMdVrq7zBDqSX5ozqcFHgqaLzpmV_bQg4dvWNwMhfbUfAf87dwz/w640-h640/2%20Ox%20cart%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the farm, the farmer gave us a tour, explaining the cycle of planting, growing, harvesting, drying and grading before selling the tobacco leaves. He explained the government</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> agents inspect the dried leaves, grades them and tells them what they will pay for 90% of their crop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From planting through harvesting to drying, then finally selling the leaves takes almost two years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The farmer is allowed to keep 10% of his crop to sell on the open market or roll his own cigars. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roll their own is what they do here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cAxNV9eqbF7oYPffhfftep4ev-L3uHJXnD0GOPRGssZd5Su26y9FoHgh78vmSi7jkstsU1b7oVWoQMkr9d6cZwhg_OBsqhSpfh8TlnEmEiznMV1mOYQ-gCq2WsQkOff8cvLpyYWJ4m6KCmLKMtJ3JpacWQcL11HzdjC55ifEhgeek2ZLyxOrVaJW/s679/4%20Tobacco%20farm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="679" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cAxNV9eqbF7oYPffhfftep4ev-L3uHJXnD0GOPRGssZd5Su26y9FoHgh78vmSi7jkstsU1b7oVWoQMkr9d6cZwhg_OBsqhSpfh8TlnEmEiznMV1mOYQ-gCq2WsQkOff8cvLpyYWJ4m6KCmLKMtJ3JpacWQcL11HzdjC55ifEhgeek2ZLyxOrVaJW/w640-h426/4%20Tobacco%20farm.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then he demonstrated how he was taught to roll a cigar by his grandparents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Detailing many little techniques his family employs to make the best artisan cigar they can.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AKp3duZWPcOB3G6O_Qjndm6xHVuePxxvkNVIiY48vHKhQ2YYYNi_e1TtinStoQ9BSRBvS0nu-qQ_78xElirW5qivv8MxotfBA8F4sbbz6HjZ-YSJ8hya2NKMyZkrynZiX6xraFMlOdM5jju08SRjuMsW6QVgNY3pwVomzCp9QUGs7qALKfXVT0aB/s1200/5%20Rolling%20a%20Cuban.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AKp3duZWPcOB3G6O_Qjndm6xHVuePxxvkNVIiY48vHKhQ2YYYNi_e1TtinStoQ9BSRBvS0nu-qQ_78xElirW5qivv8MxotfBA8F4sbbz6HjZ-YSJ8hya2NKMyZkrynZiX6xraFMlOdM5jju08SRjuMsW6QVgNY3pwVomzCp9QUGs7qALKfXVT0aB/w640-h640/5%20Rolling%20a%20Cuban.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their secret ingredient to the final wrap was a touch of honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> from their hives to seal the edges so it does not unwrap. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrnkM5xV6afhSwARAAZ07I08OsLo7PUngun9-PE3ZzJ1Gx9KJh2akCadpcAC75BkUVBHDYmYMIvBcUeVNHq2Fl_T5r939SqVMPyIXzlsxmTfT_l9umn9CO498Phs8mvzewVZ4-pSScD_0g6KDLb01kDQhKLzHTxIxy0ehVaIevUVQvCNsiew1s8wM/s1200/6%20Finishing%20touches.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrnkM5xV6afhSwARAAZ07I08OsLo7PUngun9-PE3ZzJ1Gx9KJh2akCadpcAC75BkUVBHDYmYMIvBcUeVNHq2Fl_T5r939SqVMPyIXzlsxmTfT_l9umn9CO498Phs8mvzewVZ4-pSScD_0g6KDLb01kDQhKLzHTxIxy0ehVaIevUVQvCNsiew1s8wM/w640-h640/6%20Finishing%20touches.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trimming the end, he dipped the cigar in honey, lit it and puffed away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the while explaining the best way to smoke and enjoy a good cigar.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHvtoluCeYWpI8kLLrNJAPWtxk_LB7aW4iudckPI1ID7OOkizBwWh1pATT-zcKs0TAb3Hl6tsqwaJA-eNkJExKmk9Sd8pGNjmrQi66hPRNZai18KV1qg4nPOjueZZMCSgo8QnAwLwoTHc9ZLuk9n9UIkO-JGYOryytFU9XIcgnjJIUuV9s6pJG72D/s1200/7%20Enjoying%20his%20work.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHvtoluCeYWpI8kLLrNJAPWtxk_LB7aW4iudckPI1ID7OOkizBwWh1pATT-zcKs0TAb3Hl6tsqwaJA-eNkJExKmk9Sd8pGNjmrQi66hPRNZai18KV1qg4nPOjueZZMCSgo8QnAwLwoTHc9ZLuk9n9UIkO-JGYOryytFU9XIcgnjJIUuV9s6pJG72D/w640-h640/7%20Enjoying%20his%20work.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His mother then demonstrated how she rolls her cigars.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbA_dHkz4tuwIyAHUuz5eHkrJXjmR0oD8kKdMTFNU-6xQ7S2hWfst_Kpw_aI5BtjThYMF5X92ykCzux-rujrMSroy1J34byPctgVAK6lA_DClrOxGvT698Fst6wbH1fLMiHormjq4HC1fc8c1fjrGFrEqVhL6IdS7AIGdg9NVPgAA8SEyGRmBDNzQ/s1200/8%20Grandma%20shows%20how.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbA_dHkz4tuwIyAHUuz5eHkrJXjmR0oD8kKdMTFNU-6xQ7S2hWfst_Kpw_aI5BtjThYMF5X92ykCzux-rujrMSroy1J34byPctgVAK6lA_DClrOxGvT698Fst6wbH1fLMiHormjq4HC1fc8c1fjrGFrEqVhL6IdS7AIGdg9NVPgAA8SEyGRmBDNzQ/w640-h640/8%20Grandma%20shows%20how.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course, Alan had to try one of the cigars he had just witnessed being rolled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He gave it a double thumbs up for smoothness and flavor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo_HqwsPVoMdckjeDoNQ9Ny1EbLukTaIC0VGHG7PYep6fCYpdJ7n6VHTLG_MtfT47pRZGJVWPlNRRBzkMtN1dK8C966YFt1GH9Dru7GaJ6VVruZtjymQkram8DuqTear2puf_VrLcp_K1Zh2iCv7mETm4j_tIfUQX4kvoh37aaW91QM_pja0c-lKm/s1200/9%20Alan%20enjoys%20a%20smoke.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo_HqwsPVoMdckjeDoNQ9Ny1EbLukTaIC0VGHG7PYep6fCYpdJ7n6VHTLG_MtfT47pRZGJVWPlNRRBzkMtN1dK8C966YFt1GH9Dru7GaJ6VVruZtjymQkram8DuqTear2puf_VrLcp_K1Zh2iCv7mETm4j_tIfUQX4kvoh37aaW91QM_pja0c-lKm/w640-h640/9%20Alan%20enjoys%20a%20smoke.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After having a typical Cuban lunch in the valley, we returned to Havana, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">exhausted but satisfied with what we learned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That my friends, wraps up our trip to Cuba. Tomorrow we fly back to Texas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for following along, hope you learned something new about Cuba and its people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe even consider making your own trip to the island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't let anyone discourage you from going there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today it is legal for US citizens to visit Cuba. A year from now... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">who knows where we'll be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cuba is safe, the people are very friendly and the cost is very reasonable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***********************</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Upcoming, Sidecars in the Smokies Rally at the end of April, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then the East Texas sidecar gathering in May,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">followed by the USCA National Rally in June.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2023 is shaping up to be a great year to own a sidecar rig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ride safe, ride far.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CCjon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">p.s. Once again credit goes to Alan Wilson for all the color photos you have seen in this Cuba story.</div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8208027712659472082.post-82763879607321412782023-04-23T23:41:00.005-05:002023-10-02T18:10:47.210-05:00CUBA BABY: Havana Day Six, URAL Club Outing<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day Six in CUBA</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outing with the Ural Club</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Ural Club of Cuba had a planned birthday party for two of its members at a relative's home in the country. After they met Alan and me, the group decided we were okay, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">so they invited us to join in the festivities. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Osmany, the Club President, met us at midday on Monday,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> to lead the procession out of the city.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy9rOD4B0O10Lge0wjUeXfjpNRi-VZ1ioLLPx4Vof1h6I3pULsU5250tntDmLvt0Be-pd30FEH6mdHqvDze0sCZvum8JzVhHqgB_OpV6X_806OqF1F4UZl5DqOBc9wLPJ69uST8ynfo1sVBwgFvsJAmg3JXwSgiMFnsNL_eJE2NOe4dxqZKc16M4Q/s1200/51%20Osmany.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1200" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy9rOD4B0O10Lge0wjUeXfjpNRi-VZ1ioLLPx4Vof1h6I3pULsU5250tntDmLvt0Be-pd30FEH6mdHqvDze0sCZvum8JzVhHqgB_OpV6X_806OqF1F4UZl5DqOBc9wLPJ69uST8ynfo1sVBwgFvsJAmg3JXwSgiMFnsNL_eJE2NOe4dxqZKc16M4Q/w640-h419/51%20Osmany.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Several other members provided a three-wheel escort.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4BnPRy7SuH2qYEF5VPAha7FKSaH5EVsF1PDedZtB0fXqfxD9K3g1kUxkJZQIXXVgVfs3ZIq4p04Kf_AXvhDB4HZACuEtOjROJ7MKWWAK_Y5gZHvV_Hgk--bCRWAuAGv7PWmO6ay67NiveinmthCprF1MKXscpv3QyjFI-UXtwF-cl-cMrUsie-B5/s1594/i-JCzPBfJ-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4BnPRy7SuH2qYEF5VPAha7FKSaH5EVsF1PDedZtB0fXqfxD9K3g1kUxkJZQIXXVgVfs3ZIq4p04Kf_AXvhDB4HZACuEtOjROJ7MKWWAK_Y5gZHvV_Hgk--bCRWAuAGv7PWmO6ay67NiveinmthCprF1MKXscpv3QyjFI-UXtwF-cl-cMrUsie-B5/w483-h640/i-JCzPBfJ-X4.jpeg" width="483" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, we had to stop and take a group photo. This was the first wave of the Ural group, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">as more members joined in throughout the day. Last count was 30 some persons at the party.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oZE8qvn8-FmkBJat1sNBW31_mLH7trU6X2u1wDxGkfij79kd7VKaCoBZ6t_Wt95-B2wqiFU6dbIi-IwokHjsnqkp41nBOrAWnKt-otMRhUndvRBVgwJBh-r5BZX4-lekrj-cM-6edSstl_g35AG6O0P9HYZq8eLxZGpoWLessiP7drl-36MVWua2/s1200/L1006626.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oZE8qvn8-FmkBJat1sNBW31_mLH7trU6X2u1wDxGkfij79kd7VKaCoBZ6t_Wt95-B2wqiFU6dbIi-IwokHjsnqkp41nBOrAWnKt-otMRhUndvRBVgwJBh-r5BZX4-lekrj-cM-6edSstl_g35AG6O0P9HYZq8eLxZGpoWLessiP7drl-36MVWua2/w640-h360/L1006626.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the background is the monument El Cacahual, commemorating a major battle fought to gain independence from Spain in the 1890's.</span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> It is now a military parade grounds.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13T13rHgO7Keqwq71AQ9SyyJ26qdM9SKmkqT-GeLxWLdGY6fMPeCNOf4Q2kZiWaPTkR7GrARNcNk7xVezl_qrQoRUn1feIqxFl4fUIIvXOOovuiiYxc4fp1o96TacZPqU6shoYEwCQ9sHVGYjiQG0H3KJlqLvxi7lSoDIlntMxHcmHD0zCgEUW4pz/s1200/i-qRbjZbX-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="1200" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13T13rHgO7Keqwq71AQ9SyyJ26qdM9SKmkqT-GeLxWLdGY6fMPeCNOf4Q2kZiWaPTkR7GrARNcNk7xVezl_qrQoRUn1feIqxFl4fUIIvXOOovuiiYxc4fp1o96TacZPqU6shoYEwCQ9sHVGYjiQG0H3KJlqLvxi7lSoDIlntMxHcmHD0zCgEUW4pz/w640-h234/i-qRbjZbX-X4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From another angle...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSUud-qSN_UuubVm_9EqlJhNzHEgTv8mUipoj24-h-gefgg7hQP63KGMtGIRULRGg7HoS6q5TNb8IIqe63H-t-6qiw7DVk-M9u5BvpiEMOzE2zixVXIAF-ohdagoECJdgt0_66qgE2Arafy8zdhk28tYRgmpb6RGfBOkIj-1_E8NA2-yl8v6NDzKy/s1200/i-SkK9BqP-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1200" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSUud-qSN_UuubVm_9EqlJhNzHEgTv8mUipoj24-h-gefgg7hQP63KGMtGIRULRGg7HoS6q5TNb8IIqe63H-t-6qiw7DVk-M9u5BvpiEMOzE2zixVXIAF-ohdagoECJdgt0_66qgE2Arafy8zdhk28tYRgmpb6RGfBOkIj-1_E8NA2-yl8v6NDzKy/w640-h323/i-SkK9BqP-X4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We left the main road, following the rigs down country lanes. Each driver was dodging potholes and washouts, seeking their own line.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep in mind, these are all former Russian Military 650cc, kick-start Ural machines.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Some of the modifications made to keep them running are innovative. Rebuilding the complete front end to include a timing chain with tensioner and a deeper cover was one that amazed me.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdID6hSJy7QbvPRq90BJTAmDvnypE6mALloeHw7dzUBOB-hKRq7rLxUKl7qUWjIXETH7Y9k4RHwgE9HtCECf-MYFMDRNDW_ypaAyu_QfqefecNm3vvRk0mlVEkduaSPDiripXtjdWhSKdZpSAjKvnTt-TEIy0QJI9oqr3LvhwDgSFwJIp1SMszW19/s1200/L1006630.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdID6hSJy7QbvPRq90BJTAmDvnypE6mALloeHw7dzUBOB-hKRq7rLxUKl7qUWjIXETH7Y9k4RHwgE9HtCECf-MYFMDRNDW_ypaAyu_QfqefecNm3vvRk0mlVEkduaSPDiripXtjdWhSKdZpSAjKvnTt-TEIy0QJI9oqr3LvhwDgSFwJIp1SMszW19/w640-h640/L1006630.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When cars or other vehicles saw us, they yielded to allow us to stay together as a group.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDrxRIC26neUrxeTQ3yEmr3vVv91MHvnGECpBolJIQADgfAfgDhZf2G09Zl229cvU7zAGJYXKFknCjtQrdY0-5cUdbtmJur3WxW4f0iX1HBYciAbEEjJBBrsN0MQiM5Sd1nYgvsza80ZHFkXdOnQdbLNA6nCgID4GrtaMTdQiGAVNfHDxCI1ehJKg/s1200/L1006638.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDrxRIC26neUrxeTQ3yEmr3vVv91MHvnGECpBolJIQADgfAfgDhZf2G09Zl229cvU7zAGJYXKFknCjtQrdY0-5cUdbtmJur3WxW4f0iX1HBYciAbEEjJBBrsN0MQiM5Sd1nYgvsza80ZHFkXdOnQdbLNA6nCgID4GrtaMTdQiGAVNfHDxCI1ehJKg/w640-h640/L1006638.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arriving in the small country village of Bejucal, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">we snaked our way through the narrow streets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note the power lines going everywhere. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF-dBVn9YNihOCx5Jm4XUxg3GGTFpBP5pP2AO3L677qneX0SVtTuRDRqULKHYITfTuWL-_7K1h0_as_BIxsSUOQfP7K2o2cGVwwiYte6aSjBCUTCe1pByukFlRykTSUOVmf2XsCWkEpWM86HiuqYPJW9kMMkC1_W4KkqFqOJlIMlljAKh28fHRP-5/s1200/L1006640.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF-dBVn9YNihOCx5Jm4XUxg3GGTFpBP5pP2AO3L677qneX0SVtTuRDRqULKHYITfTuWL-_7K1h0_as_BIxsSUOQfP7K2o2cGVwwiYte6aSjBCUTCe1pByukFlRykTSUOVmf2XsCWkEpWM86HiuqYPJW9kMMkC1_W4KkqFqOJlIMlljAKh28fHRP-5/w640-h640/L1006640.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally reaching the home where the festivities were to be held.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Again note the power lines, no transformer. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Our electrical engineer friends will have to explain the advantages of this system.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhb9kClH375j81eEr1rZJaEoPZMPm5NvagGlVUlEaExvBz8K_4tDGatQkOk3JIofWv6XwBi2w79KPlnOl8AK1fMJk0rxf9BKDvEn59zQjj-Sb7_0ng4DitCWKe9Ao3deJcBG2gNGLyFsCzlvu1d1W4iTqcZXDi2qpysMjiXUPwgZz4ncCbsyhHjQL/s1200/L1006668.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1200" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhb9kClH375j81eEr1rZJaEoPZMPm5NvagGlVUlEaExvBz8K_4tDGatQkOk3JIofWv6XwBi2w79KPlnOl8AK1fMJk0rxf9BKDvEn59zQjj-Sb7_0ng4DitCWKe9Ao3deJcBG2gNGLyFsCzlvu1d1W4iTqcZXDi2qpysMjiXUPwgZz4ncCbsyhHjQL/w640-h318/L1006668.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Immediately, everyone retired to the back porch, looking for a shady spot to sit down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN7PLaF5nkSjzRLD5AalahrA8ZTngQL55Vb16xsP7LARFHEfnnj6M9uvnZmwRG47fIDHE07dK_NjTSXAn1wGOLrAxAfVfCs08lQXdSiuLyD-IB1fksMurUiMT_7t0hDEmdyT0a8Xb8Ieo5E7GH3dj6v-hz18NjMRfoZ58CHbSZvnLlcpTQklrflnl/s1200/i-jC78Lcg-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1200" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN7PLaF5nkSjzRLD5AalahrA8ZTngQL55Vb16xsP7LARFHEfnnj6M9uvnZmwRG47fIDHE07dK_NjTSXAn1wGOLrAxAfVfCs08lQXdSiuLyD-IB1fksMurUiMT_7t0hDEmdyT0a8Xb8Ieo5E7GH3dj6v-hz18NjMRfoZ58CHbSZvnLlcpTQklrflnl/w640-h371/i-jC78Lcg-X4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The crowd grows larger as others arrive. Conversations or should say male banter,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> among the members grew louder. All are having a great time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVOwwySQ51Q7zQ-3fZMjTJyQ-qIr2zpAeef_SepsH4z3CfikGI2RH79ZQCdOQ0a29Wcg4nn53L2umcWh3DetKJF7AvE6PUA6I0SjfkrPix7CgO5cl7o-RJbIkZxSQR5jR5AvuzoS9RasydArZNA6KVEVqENW66CoKntXPXhHzWyEn2T2LwVXd7_RG/s1200/L1006642.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1200" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVOwwySQ51Q7zQ-3fZMjTJyQ-qIr2zpAeef_SepsH4z3CfikGI2RH79ZQCdOQ0a29Wcg4nn53L2umcWh3DetKJF7AvE6PUA6I0SjfkrPix7CgO5cl7o-RJbIkZxSQR5jR5AvuzoS9RasydArZNA6KVEVqENW66CoKntXPXhHzWyEn2T2LwVXd7_RG/w640-h522/L1006642.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While some clean and prepare the fish for frying...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim46v9Ciuv2XdqwtzwczAvOH0KqS2lPD4U5NMk05nskBu_HyUPEB1KJANK9SV1dZn0B64LZebOoGyXbwMKfMm9S8zD01H0eeADPV20NTSnv4lp4bN4IdKLweI_iP1TjLxK7K3b81nF1-dBh_0kt9xG3gVl8hv6ceNG19VwIF6KHU1tlIERC0LsV3pM/s1770/i-ZqhJsms-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim46v9Ciuv2XdqwtzwczAvOH0KqS2lPD4U5NMk05nskBu_HyUPEB1KJANK9SV1dZn0B64LZebOoGyXbwMKfMm9S8zD01H0eeADPV20NTSnv4lp4bN4IdKLweI_iP1TjLxK7K3b81nF1-dBh_0kt9xG3gVl8hv6ceNG19VwIF6KHU1tlIERC0LsV3pM/w435-h640/i-ZqhJsms-X4.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The lady, who they say is the First Lady of the Ural Club, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">served fried cheese appetizers</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAiEr3CBWTLnd7AxO_z8KVhqEUfqOEiiZv4sUKpWw3kDBtHVqQWpL9v7B7bmeGvoOOvrv7WrxPz_DMXonadZ4zOvR_WnpK-7MI-42QuIVyneeNxUsY7ftRZiTOTh7bmG8p7UMKmpzhC8WV-KrxHYkQRyZFF-Zew8JHcXwlzqAlCYSXJOOUqQR5X-K/s1692/i-xvZDsTC-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1692" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAiEr3CBWTLnd7AxO_z8KVhqEUfqOEiiZv4sUKpWw3kDBtHVqQWpL9v7B7bmeGvoOOvrv7WrxPz_DMXonadZ4zOvR_WnpK-7MI-42QuIVyneeNxUsY7ftRZiTOTh7bmG8p7UMKmpzhC8WV-KrxHYkQRyZFF-Zew8JHcXwlzqAlCYSXJOOUqQR5X-K/w454-h640/i-xvZDsTC-X4.jpeg" width="454" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The matron of the house proudly introduced us to her grandson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRYPD0KTgQ9WKbBjr2m920KPAW8pnmitvJVasxunwD2KBXumW7sud_kIhwrNdWYW8PEJM2_lTwIDGLzJg2nzAKHjghCdbtVtqqVqxPmJQ-FlPtWFa3ji6nnjwWpcHjYnOu6nRXasFcmTe3DjMd8eDFq1xBXONaQUddipl3Y2-V9yl6zqcoOS9cW8/s1200/L1006685.jpeg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLRYPD0KTgQ9WKbBjr2m920KPAW8pnmitvJVasxunwD2KBXumW7sud_kIhwrNdWYW8PEJM2_lTwIDGLzJg2nzAKHjghCdbtVtqqVqxPmJQ-FlPtWFa3ji6nnjwWpcHjYnOu6nRXasFcmTe3DjMd8eDFq1xBXONaQUddipl3Y2-V9yl6zqcoOS9cW8/w640-h640/L1006685.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From the states we brought LED headlamp bulbs that fit the older Urals, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">something hard for them to find locally. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The original founders of this Ural Club were recognized.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Three years ago these five men decided to organize to help each other maintain </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and ride their rigs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More recently under Osmany's leadership, they have organized several civic activities to help the community. After the hurricane that battered Cuba last fall, they carried supplies and necessities to a devastated village. Next month they are hosting a party for children without families.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYx7CBj9ERPkWKYV6W-WHlCaiXtSUdTO8ACe66pDpa-NuP2tr0hNOdvKuiLW9FuPVL4RJJapvtUsVlJGaEOpBDBGGgVtB-2vdmTKz-AoQEtnLd674t0bOqq4zPD4-Dlggks--s4idzDdJq40MhnwiChQ8uhX1tKK_7CdHlnNpwNudtAUln9HTy_3f/s1200/i-ZThJcFZ-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1200" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYx7CBj9ERPkWKYV6W-WHlCaiXtSUdTO8ACe66pDpa-NuP2tr0hNOdvKuiLW9FuPVL4RJJapvtUsVlJGaEOpBDBGGgVtB-2vdmTKz-AoQEtnLd674t0bOqq4zPD4-Dlggks--s4idzDdJq40MhnwiChQ8uhX1tKK_7CdHlnNpwNudtAUln9HTy_3f/w640-h438/i-ZThJcFZ-X4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After the presentation of LED bulbs and a few USCA rally shirts,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">attention turned to a most serious sport in Cuba... Dominos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAOtU9eUSPCH3LPU1eIwYzeSFgIo0shcZsF-jXuY4qj8OZkdIKVSxhWNJvmIECyKkSwX3CVFfvh8yiluCt-7PGzek37G2LJNAHdC3bPkUssQYjrLmY4EyCw7cRbXKDXQ1PbHLbBoAtnQmEihAZnxYj9u9XP70s5LmR3qB3FN4i60saUT5jt60PzcL/s1200/L1006647.jpeg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAOtU9eUSPCH3LPU1eIwYzeSFgIo0shcZsF-jXuY4qj8OZkdIKVSxhWNJvmIECyKkSwX3CVFfvh8yiluCt-7PGzek37G2LJNAHdC3bPkUssQYjrLmY4EyCw7cRbXKDXQ1PbHLbBoAtnQmEihAZnxYj9u9XP70s5LmR3qB3FN4i60saUT5jt60PzcL/w640-h429/L1006647.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Friendly banter arose as teams competed against other teams. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is the first I had heard of Team Dominos.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Osmany and our doctor friend Rafael (with the straw hat) get in on the action.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2sGZyN6Krg8P80gJUwfVehAop_QjPHVaZLD7lm_uh9MFlIsM8aX-x6h9498Soc4OuDYdxTXftq3cJW2VcdQP7TGE-CrznadS1JhKDnPsa7NnjLVpzSk1VU9q88gi_RLJFAfWGhfrzXy7NUKB44yzgaZHAD7c4m7xNhG4wlGjrfqTM86kgVoL9Ror/s1200/L1006656.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1200" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2sGZyN6Krg8P80gJUwfVehAop_QjPHVaZLD7lm_uh9MFlIsM8aX-x6h9498Soc4OuDYdxTXftq3cJW2VcdQP7TGE-CrznadS1JhKDnPsa7NnjLVpzSk1VU9q88gi_RLJFAfWGhfrzXy7NUKB44yzgaZHAD7c4m7xNhG4wlGjrfqTM86kgVoL9Ror/w640-h394/L1006656.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As losing teams were replaced with new players, the volume of voices and laughter rose.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chris here has an infectious smile and easy laugh.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb661wr502GOYRXG24iCb342eM8w5uL7mE7AFGzjbyVfgW0TVS4aGcG7jSoCCtAJ2hSeGZ5AfrWuBiuIgVlGGAJ8YkKArG7HXtT4mR2vVc6zYxgqKDAfw-y1s_nmGO58FwbU9sLYztu8P2HNR24iGynsYkM35U3jHK4plXRfWOZVdP3r20-rLO0GG/s1200/L1006700.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb661wr502GOYRXG24iCb342eM8w5uL7mE7AFGzjbyVfgW0TVS4aGcG7jSoCCtAJ2hSeGZ5AfrWuBiuIgVlGGAJ8YkKArG7HXtT4mR2vVc6zYxgqKDAfw-y1s_nmGO58FwbU9sLYztu8P2HNR24iGynsYkM35U3jHK4plXRfWOZVdP3r20-rLO0GG/w640-h640/L1006700.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When a misplay happened, a major discussion ensued, explaining </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">why one could not do that in Cuba Team Play.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lbXOsCgolSS8_iiez0Vn5_NVogJQzA94b2VVoOXp2qUCVtMrXJyofxH4csQH7Ld55QzrlXZDUu_Nsec2MuOefn3-grKZ4QG5ynTMEgVI95UsCcGIaTh6jT4xiVu4_wjtly4ujzqe4yeG7EKh8peJyF9uywYqZ3pwhC20xoZiZ7eWPZpp71V37loB/s1200/L1006688%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1200" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lbXOsCgolSS8_iiez0Vn5_NVogJQzA94b2VVoOXp2qUCVtMrXJyofxH4csQH7Ld55QzrlXZDUu_Nsec2MuOefn3-grKZ4QG5ynTMEgVI95UsCcGIaTh6jT4xiVu4_wjtly4ujzqe4yeG7EKh8peJyF9uywYqZ3pwhC20xoZiZ7eWPZpp71V37loB/w640-h512/L1006688%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the men enjoyed the cold beer, a more serious, sober group of players </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">took control of the table... the ladies.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlvXuxqIfoE6Z8QCsZ9e3iT6FkFxq_c5x3Gq0vYNHrwAq8oqR_vpuZWmJrmDg0fjr1jKlJHxiZCkYKOsqNL1DjG7VRHWKzZCuSb0yy6sv29sZLFXuGy2dD8gCVxZA_pGktLeug1h0eXmJ4EBIDhLimrZ_z5Mb3hu5CYcSlLQPkXWAYpw3nwh-kXRC/s1200/L1006712.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1200" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlvXuxqIfoE6Z8QCsZ9e3iT6FkFxq_c5x3Gq0vYNHrwAq8oqR_vpuZWmJrmDg0fjr1jKlJHxiZCkYKOsqNL1DjG7VRHWKzZCuSb0yy6sv29sZLFXuGy2dD8gCVxZA_pGktLeug1h0eXmJ4EBIDhLimrZ_z5Mb3hu5CYcSlLQPkXWAYpw3nwh-kXRC/w640-h621/L1006712.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The intensity and focus on what was happening in the game changed, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the vocal volume dropped. Their concentration was evident. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EPBReyAddmVrb9VFAmElSVLdnScoXzr0rRB5D2inH1v76xgS5WOt3_ffhUKMUq8NCcRaGnHdIy7Fq1coMUMVyNK5AOa_jZB6dp4en0ZHvaA2fpvPaHQTRHRMNMgAhZdSVtySgyjX2QvVr3IbEs2r3G-OCyOhSRwgOwHbZ7jtwVN6XB4JuhqdAJOV/s1200/L1006708.jpeg" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EPBReyAddmVrb9VFAmElSVLdnScoXzr0rRB5D2inH1v76xgS5WOt3_ffhUKMUq8NCcRaGnHdIy7Fq1coMUMVyNK5AOa_jZB6dp4en0ZHvaA2fpvPaHQTRHRMNMgAhZdSVtySgyjX2QvVr3IbEs2r3G-OCyOhSRwgOwHbZ7jtwVN6XB4JuhqdAJOV/w640-h640/L1006708.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Am positive this was not their first time to play dominoes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ladies quickly took control, dominating the table, no loud voices, no drinking, no misplays, just straight up tile slamming and smiling as they scored points.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I would not play against those ladies for money.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0ls3HuasXNcjKFYA0eRArLVYFGzYXoHb8634jlgkfg-mPDczaCj7mUZ1KHtfgqka4jiI133Ga7pEr4loL8Mo9ZrgHMOnRpEaHnTHsEAy-4pvynS60-Ey32WN_D8eabE4XrqUotvhOHgRYSb7Z4wF6lv8ZWh7avO2joKP7owxFum_VEIuu-NQ_q90/s1200/L1006710.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0ls3HuasXNcjKFYA0eRArLVYFGzYXoHb8634jlgkfg-mPDczaCj7mUZ1KHtfgqka4jiI133Ga7pEr4loL8Mo9ZrgHMOnRpEaHnTHsEAy-4pvynS60-Ey32WN_D8eabE4XrqUotvhOHgRYSb7Z4wF6lv8ZWh7avO2joKP7owxFum_VEIuu-NQ_q90/w640-h640/L1006710.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Late that afternoon we said our farewells to the club, knowing they might be here till the late hours. We had to return to the city to prepare for a long drive the next day to a tobacco farm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Ural Club of Cuba members send their greetings to sidecar riders everywhere, saying when you come to Cuba, let us know, so we can show you around.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>By profession, the members range from mechanics to doctors, from tour guides to business managers. </span><span>They are a great group of guys who love their sidecar rigs, work hard to keep them running, enjoy riding together and giving back to the community.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They set an example for all sidecar clubs worldwide to follow.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5byi0ObKN9XDdh4frHkAsPvFAXy7Cxy37kgwx1BC1AWt2DzIYJ4sIWDwCqYYhxNK2HeTxBfYUXQZDzP2-F-vHj2-wTURBRND5tt6xYACTNEqYNsA7ohO2xVhitHaSjJNW96hOtoaSHvwQE9a-Q4u0tf53MuLPKYthuGNrDN8NTMKHKTCsRHcsUiJ1/s1200/i-Kzj7WSb-X4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1200" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5byi0ObKN9XDdh4frHkAsPvFAXy7Cxy37kgwx1BC1AWt2DzIYJ4sIWDwCqYYhxNK2HeTxBfYUXQZDzP2-F-vHj2-wTURBRND5tt6xYACTNEqYNsA7ohO2xVhitHaSjJNW96hOtoaSHvwQE9a-Q4u0tf53MuLPKYthuGNrDN8NTMKHKTCsRHcsUiJ1/w640-h333/i-Kzj7WSb-X4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Osmany, President of the Ural Club of Cuba, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> is now the Cuba Country Rep for the USCA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for your spirited hospitality.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ride safe, y'all</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">p.s. Many thanks to Alan for sharing his color photos from the trip. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tomorrow the home of the Cuba cigar, a tobacco farm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div>CCjonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16417345400369951250noreply@blogger.com4