Memphis Airshow

Blue Angels

...and a word from our sponsor!  Thank you, FedEx. :)

Blue Suede Tiger

The Univeristy of Memphis celebrates it's centinnial this year.  There are over 100 Tigers on the Prowl which have been created by artists around the country.  I thought this one with an Elvis theme captured Memphis perfectly!

Leadership Houston Palmetto Multi-Sensory Trail Grand Opening

Mexico: Las Calentas

Las Calentas is a beautiful private island about an hour out from Puerto Vallarta.  I had a wonderful dinner on the beach followed by a fire show that had a "Cirque de Soliel" feel.  The entertainers are quite talented.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This looks like a photo out of a travel magazine, if I must say so myself. *shameless plug*

The massage was so good, I had one every other day! 3 total.  *shameless indulgence*

At the marina preparing to leave for an all-day excursion.

A hacienda that was once used to process silver.

 

I event went to tequila disillery where they do tastings of 5 different types of tequila.  My favorite was an amaretto flavored tequila. Yummy!

Ile Aiye

Race in Brazil

This issue goes much deeper than I can possibly explain here on my photo blog.  Instead, I leave you with some tools and reading materials to explore independently. 

Brazil: Religion

If there seems to be several photos of churches on this trip, it's because there are! Plus, I have a facination with photographing them. *shrugs*  According to the 2000 census, 74% of Brazilians consider themselves Catholic. This stems from Portugal's colonialization of Brazil.  

Salvador: The Michael Jackson Connection

In 1995, Michael Jackson went to Salvador to film part of the video for "They Don't Really Care About Us" with internationally renowned founders of samba reggae, Olodum.  I shot this photo from the same plaza the video was shot. There is an undescribable energy there and it is still a huge source of pride for the Salvadorian community.

The full video:  http://youtu.be/QNJL6nfu__Q

Salvador da Bahia: Old City

Bahia: Olodum

Olodum is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian cultural group from Bahia, Brazil. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-doon) was founded in 1979 as a bloco afro (African Bloc), a Bahian Carnival association highlighting African heritage and black pride through music, dance theater, and art. From their home city of Salvador da Bahia in Northeast Brazil (often described as the most African city in the Americas), Olodum has dedicated itself to cultural activism in the struggle against racial discrimination and socioeconomic inequality.


Olodum takes its name from the Yoruba deity Olodumaré. They focus their yearly Carnival themes on controversial issues such as black power and socialist movements in Africa and the African Diaspora. In the mid 1980s, the head drummer in the group - Mestre Neguinho do Samba - experimented with Afro-Caribbean rhythms and mixed them with the Brazilian samba. He divided the large surdo bass drums into four interlocking parts and layered the high-pitched repique drums in additive rhythms on top. The result was a new style of music dubbed samba reggae that quickly dominated Bahian Carnival. In the late 1980s Olodum assumed premiere position among the blocos afro in Bahia and became internationally known. They formed a professional musical band Banda Olodum which has now recorded over ten CDs. Olodum musicians have worked with international luminaries such as Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Spike Lee.

During Carnival season the group now parades with some two hundred drummers, singers, and thousands of costumed members. But the group's activities go well beyond Carnival and music. Throughout the year they sponsor seminars, speeches, and conferences on social and political issues and publish a monthly news journal, Bantu Nagô. They operate a factory where they make drums, costumes and other items which they sell to the public. Olodum also runs an inner-city school for Salvador's underprivileged children in which they teach a full array of academic and arts courses in order to build self-esteem and encourage economic ascension among Salvador's younger generation.

Pictured below is one of the original members of Olodum, whom we ran into in the airport.  He was gracious enough to take a few moments to speak to us about his life and experience.

Brazil: Capoeira

Capoeira came to Brazil when enslaved Africans were brought from West Africa during the mid 1500s. The art of capoeira emerged on the slave plantaions in a hidden & subtle form and became a lethal fighting system when forced to defend their new homes in quilombos in backlands. Under the watchful eye of the slave owner, capoeira appeared as a harmless dance.

Many enslaved Africansand their decendants in Brazil, escaped bondage, hid in the backlands and lived in free communities called quilombos. Here, anywhere from a few dozen to thousands of Africans and often people of mixed backgrounds lived as free citizens. The largest and most legendary quilombos is Palmares. Portuguese and Dutch armies were sent to destroy these defiant cities. For almost one hundred years, Palmares was successful in fighting off the invading armies.

When slavery was finally abolished in Brazil in 1888, African Brazilians moved to the towns and cities, bringing with them their culture and traditions. Capoeira survived in the ghettos & humbler neighborhoods despite persecution from police.

Capoeira Angola is the traditional form of capoeira that emphasizes freedom of movement, wisdom over force, strategy over speed. Capoeiristas are like chameleons, blending and adapting to their environment. The best capoeiristas appear calm when they play. Their game flows, defies gravity, and at the right moment, they strike.
*I attended an amazing capoeira performance, but was prohibited from taking any photos. :(

Rio de Janeiro: Around Town

Shopping in Le Blon.  Le Blon is an affluent area of Rio, just west of Copa Cabana and Ipanema. 

After a long day of sight seeing and classes, I ducked in to this cafe to relax and people watch.

University

We attended several lectures at the Federal Univerity de Brazil covering a complete range of topics from public policy, managment, civic responsibility, and race relations. Here, I'm pictured with several University students. 

Hidden Gems

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not one to follow rules much or ask for permission, often leading to the great experiences which are my life. We snuck off from the group to enjoy some true local life and ended up in this cozy cafe dancing with the owner and patrons. One of my best experiences in Rio!

Brazil: Life & Culture

Arcos de Lapa

One of the few surviving landmarks from the colonial era, this aqueduct was finished in 1750. At one time it carried water down from the Rio Carioca, it now serves as a viaduct to the wonderful Bondinho de Santa Teresa (tram) that connects the downtown area to the Santa Teresa area. With 42 arcs and at 800-feet long, it is also known as Aqueduto da Carioca. A wonderfully stark example of the old and new architecture that defines this area.

Unfortunately Rio has a crime rate that is 10 higher than New York City. Though there is consistent police presence, visitors should be mindful  of their surroundings at all times.

There is a significant disply of talent and support of urban art.  Beautiful murals cover public surfaces.  This particular one is on the side of a buidling and is 3-stories in height. 

Soccer is a national pastime.  Almost every night of the week, there is a game playing somewhere! 

Breathtaking Views

Black and white of the Corcovado

 Unedited view as we descended from the Corcovado during the blue hour. Breathtaking!

Homelessness

Title:  A Mile in My Life

We live in such an abundant world, it still shocks and disheartens me when I see levels of extreme poverty. It was 2pm-broad daylight and he slept on a sliver of cardboard as the city bustled around him. We walked past him on the way to a historic library...

Sunrise Over Rio

Woke up to this amazing sunrise on my first full day in Rio.

Amour & Besos

Every where we went there were couples holding hands, kissing, being affectionate, and sharing intimate moments. You can feel the love and enery of genuine kindness as you explore Brazil.

Corcovado

Our first tour took us to Corcovado which is 710 meters high in to the mountains and gave a sweeping panoramic view.  The statue of Christ the Redeemer is the crowning jewel of Rio.   

Those who really know me understand this photo.

 ....and those who saw the pic from Halloween 2009, know why I have that grin on my face. 

There's No Place Like Home: Lafayette, Louisiana

The Catherdral of Saint John The Evangelist.  The first church in Lafayette Parish was "l'Eligise St. Jean du Vermillion" built on a gift of land donated by Jean Mouton in 1821. In 1824 he donated land for a court house and founded Vermillionville, which is now Lafayette.

See where the sign says "Crawfish & Spinich Boat" ....maaaaaaan! It was so good. Imagine the flavors of a cream based crawfish ettoufee (blanc sauce) with spinich served over a bread bowl.  It was an instant 10 pounds and at least 3 hours of extra cardio, but very much worth it. Yummy!

I was stalking her shrimp po-boy, but had no room left after "The Boat" mentioned above. :(

Artists from around the world come to Lafayette and exhibit their creations.  This exhibit was stunning and life-like.  Crowds of people stood at the booth and looked on in astonishment and appreciation.

Atraversiarmo: Let's Cross Over

Atraversiarmo means "Let's Cross Over" in Italian. Each time I travel from Houston to Louisiana, I cross over several bridges.  This one is over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge.  I am inspired by sunsets so it was a great capture. Funny thing, I wasn't trying too hard or overthinking it. I was actually driving..so I just held the camera in one and snapped without even looking.