Les 7 doigts de la main

As part of the winter festival in Ottawa, I had the chance to be behind the scene of the great circus company, Les 7 doigts de la main.

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The discipline is key for these young artists.  Here, one of them getting ready for the show, just before warming up. 

This was an amazing experience, to see them just before the show, things they do, how they do it.  The artist in this photo was practicing this for a long time, trying to make it better and better.  I was all the time looking at her and thinking, she is doing this not only perfect but gracefully, what else does she need to do to get ready?  I guess for them perfection and grace is not enough, it can go beyond that and it shows when they are on stage.

 

 I particularly like these photo.  To me, it's full of magic and it's calling an artist to start performing.  These are part of their tools.

The concentration of these guys is amazing.  While taking photos I had to make sure my camera was not making any noise... They are simply amazing.

Speaking of concentration...

Part of the show.

She is in the air.  This to me was amazing. so fearless... simply amazing.

Les 7 doigts de la main has changed what I thought about this kind of show.  This was funny, beautiful, well done and super entertaining.

It was a pleasure to photograph such an amazing group of talented people.

Igloofest in the national capital region

Two weekends ago, I had the chance of going to the Igloofest.  This is the first time they leave Montreal. This idea of having a DJ performing in the middle of the winter, when is VERY cold, has been always amazing to me.

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The National Capital Region, also referred to as Canada's Capital Region, is an official federal designation for the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, the neighbouring city of Gatineau, Quebec, and surrounding urban and rural communities, has every year the winterlude.  This is a winter celebration! and Igloofest from Montreal came this year for the first time.

The night was amazing... everybody had a summer spirit in the middle of the winter.  The night was perfect, the temperature went up nicely.  My hands were very cold trying to take good photos. So imagine that... So I don't know if the weather was less cold or my hands were actually numbed. 

People were doing a lot of things, crazy stuff...This was like walking into a carnival, in the winter below zero.

I turned around and I see people gathering together looking at something.  Well, this captured my attention, so, I went to see it.  Surprise surprise! some guys were jumping out of inclined ramp... this was actually really cool, considering that I don't practice any winter sport.  It was perfect, snow, nice weather on top of that, I think they were promoting something, like winter sport clothes.

Everywhere I looked something was happening.  Like people posing for a camera, not mine unfortunately, on top of something with some fire coming out of pipes located on the ground souranding .  I thought this was cool, on top of that, some snow was falling... romantic? hmmm fun?? hmmm it all depends who you do it with, but i thing it could be fun and romantic and nice picture to keep and always remember! 

I didn't try this.  By thee I was very tired, cold and I had to walk back home, like 20 minutes. 

After, I went back to get some of that adrenaline coming from the warmest atmosphere, dance music, one of my favorites... shake a little to warm up, grab something to drink, coffee, and get ready for my walk home.

It was a fun night. that makes the winter look better and alive.  I can't believe I am putting these two words together... This is Canada!

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading......

Santa Marta part 2

I have showed part of this beautiful city, now, in part 2, I would like to show the beaches... this is paradise!

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This is Taganga, a very small fishermen village in Santa Marta.  Just 20 minutes from the city. This spectacular place is full of life, perfect to get away from the noise and the pollution of the city. No big hotels in here, not 5 stars hotels... If you wish to stay, they rent rooms that are part of of houses or pesiones, that is how they call it.... That way, you get the chance, for at least your stay, to have a much simpler life. prices are also great.  Next time I go, I will stay for a couple of days. Just imagine waking up in a place like that... have nice black Colombia coffee and arepas con huevos, a very typical breakfast in Taganga. Don't forget to bring your pen and paper... you have to write down every moment you spend here. ah! don't forget your camera! well, at least I wont.  

From Taganga, just 15 minutes walk up and down the mountain, there is a beautiful beach called Playa blanca (White beach)

Here, I am at the highest point before arriving to playa Blanca.  It's a nice walk but you have to make sure to bring sun blocker, sun glasses and your camera ready to capture these amazing views....

These are the chairs we all use to seat, tan... read... How it works is that the folding chairs are usually in front of a restaurant, so you make a deal with the owner, chairs and lunch... a type of package deal.  So, folding chair that way can be cheaper to rent. It's about 1 CAN for your stay at playa Blanca.

In Playa Blanca, food is great.  You walk into any of these restaurants or Estaderos (A place where people stay if we translate to English.  Basically comes from the verb estar to be or to stay, I still don't know, Spanish grammar if not my thing) and the owner comes to you to offer you what they have for the day.  Usually fish is the best choice. So the owner will bring different kind of fish so you can pick which one you would prefer to have for lunch, then, they will make it however you like to eat it.... The prices are great considering the fish you are about to eat has been out the water not long. $20-30 CAN is usually the range... I think this is great! 

A view from the top.  This is playa Blanca

Getting there, we can witness some amazing views of the Caribbean ocean or mar caribe.

To get this image, I have to really find a nice spot. I almost felt down only because I wanted a piece of this mountain or Cliff  to give some more depth to the photo... I don't usually do that, but this time I wanted this piece of rock to be in my photo, to me, it would give a different touch... it's probably in my head.... but hey, I got what I picture in my head before taking this photo. 

Thanks for reading.... 

Santa Marta Part 1

After 9 years, I finally went back home.  I went to the city I love, to the place that warms my heart and my thoughts every time I think about it.... 

This c founded July 29, 1525 by a Spanish conqueror named Rodrigo de Bastidas, who named the city after the Catholic day for Saint Martha.

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Winter in Ottawa, the nation's capital

Ottawa, Canada, is one of the coldest capitals of the world.  If I am not wrong, it is ranked second.

Despite the cold, Ottawa is beautiful even in the winter.

For the next couple of weeks, Ottawa is having the winterlude.  A winter celebration to warm us up to make this long season a little shorter and fun.

Soon, I will show more about this festival... for now, enjoy this little taste of our winter.

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