Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Los Llanos, Yopal...and a Wedding

Los Llanos is the planes region of Colombia.
It is as distict in culture and environment as the Amazons or the Coast.
I was invited as a guest to attend a family wedding this past weekend.
Los Llanos is marked with its own accent, music, cultural flare,
warm hearted and inviting people and lots and lots of Meat.
I loved it all. Thanks to all for the kindness and
enormous generasoty I was shown.
A halmark of this great family.

YOPAL

Bride and Groom
It was a wedding to confirm the
long comited relationship they have been sharring
over the past couple of decades
HOROPO
It is the distinct music of los Llanos
I like it even better than Vallanato
It has a feeling of bluegrass meats folk, but different
Hehehe

Some family Pics


A beautiful visit to a beautiful river.
This is the season for the river to be low.


The Llanos is marked with a
traditional cowboy culture. With its
proficent horse handling, enormous numbers of cows.
The land of a Man's Man

This is a cousin, Oscar, 14 years old
I was very impressed with his riding
It inspired me to get back on a horse.
So, its been ten years +/- since I've last been on a horse.
I now am on the hunt for a way to ride before
I get started with ECHO when I am back in the States.
I loved it

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A trip to the Farm

Four Days in the Farm

Orchids




Me in front of the House

Some Chickens..The little one in the center
has a bit of a Napoleon Complex


I'm milking a cow...not the first time
Akwardly Poseing
Wood burning Oven
The Hands of the Grandmother
They are beautiful, soft and she never uses
pot holder. Her hands are a marvel of having
a life of cooking for 9 children and all their family.
The look of love after some 50 years
How beautiful
This is the families daily routine
Milking the cows
Grandfather taking a rest
Everyone freaks out when I pick-up a lizard or
worm. It made me a bit of a legend, even in Farm Country
Some beautiful views
Reminds me of Dr.Seuss' "the lorax"
Bit by bit I'm getting better at light control with my camera
Hope you enjoyed the trip....

Thursday, October 29, 2009

a smattering of random photos...Yah Photos!!

Trip to the Hot Springs
I have now got four or five times
and have to return a couple more times

Set in beautiful countryside


All the pools are quite warm to very very hot
Its simply delicous
with a cold water fountain to dunk yourself under
when you need to cool off. It also serves as a nice
hot cold therapy
The walk down to the park
You can be there just for the day
Stay over in a room in this house
or camp
I've done it all
A beautiful surprise hike around the Property
A new friend
Dad I still want a parrot
(but maybe one not so large)



A Trip to a huge market

So far only have pics of the flowers
but I do go there every so often so
there is a good chance I will have more shots latter on

MERCADO PALO QUEMAU
Flower market at 6am

I always think of my grandmother when I see SunFlowers







Night sceens from the rooftop
A good photo is a mix of luck and patience












MORE FROM QUIBDO....
somehow I misplaced these in my camera,
how I'm not sure

Here the kids are studying a Bible verse
preparing to answer a fe