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SAN TELMO MARKET, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - Sunday 11th February, 2007
The District of San Telmo, my home neighbourhood for the week I spent in Buenos Aires is an area of quiet residential suburbia intermingled with the occasional tree lined square which every Sunday plays host to a thrilling street market. At least that is what they call it. The 'market', which runs the length of Defensa, the long cobbled street connecting La Bocca with the downtown City is effectively a consortium of street entertainers plying their trade for the benefit of the passing throngs who idly browse the makeshift stalls offering everything from authentic Argentinian art to tacky tourist memorablilia.
I spent a whole afternoon mooching from one end of the street to the other and despite, no doubt, being surrounded by tourist's felt for the whole time as though this was a piece of genuine Argentina that I was experiencing. String quartet's and full brass sections battled with guitar virtuos's for the occasional spaces that hugged the elegant buildings lining the street the effect of which combined gave the whole thing the consummate soundtrack. Occasionally, the stalls would spill into the adjoining side streets and on one particular
detour I came across this trio (Right), the three musketeers. They weren't after the limelight of Defensa's main stage but were more than content to learn their skills in the relative tranquility of the side street and were only too happy, as can be seen, to perform for the occasional passing camera.
The old woman (Left), obliviously fanning herself for all she was worth to fend off the overwhelming summer sun was discovered down a similar side street off Defensa. If this was her home she sure had a wonderful taste in decoration, the doors, a particular focal point of many of the cities buildings emblazoned with multi coloured artwork. Or maybe just very nice graffitti.
BARRA DA LAGOA BEACH, FLORIANOPLOIS, BRAZIL - Monday 2nd April, 2007
On the island of Florianopolis, in particular the village of Barra da Lagoa there was one omnipresent force regardless of weather conditions that would be seen somewhere about town on any particular day. The strange old man who walked and walked seemingly from dawn until dusk. I was told that he had just turned one hundred years old and that this had been his daily routine for as long as most
people could remember but I never saw him talk, eat or even smile, just walk with a contemplative smirk that gave the impression that he was remembering all the many good times he'd experienced. And I'd bet my last penny there'd been many.
This photograph (Right) was taken as he headed for home as the sun went down over the last of the surfer's at Barra. At one hundred years old you can quite easily understand why he lurches towards the finishing line as if drawing his last breath but I know he made it because I saw him heading the opposite way the following morning.
PARATY, BRAZIL - Monday 5th March, 2007
I've searched for a word to describe five Argentinian beauties huddled together in heated discussion but it appears that one doesn't exist so I'll call this a gaggle. For my second night in the secluded timber fort style hostel in Paraty a few hundred miles to the south of Rio there was just myself and these five (Below) in residence. Even the hostel owners had gone out for the evening asking me to 'look after the girls'and I think I may have at some time
or other surmised that they were quietly planning what they were going to do to me later that evening. Unfortunately they weren't but the thought was nice while it lasted.
ANGKOR TOM, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - Friday November 24th, 2006
The picture of the three Cambodian infants who I found happily entertaining themselves at the foot of one of the ruined temples of Angkor intrigues me simply because they were all alone miles from any civillisation. The spectacular series of ruins are a good twenty minute drive from nearby Siem Reap, it was blisteringly hot and, despite the appearance of the car park in the background fairly deserted which goes someway to explaining the two boys interest in the sweat soaked westerner who'd just appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. The little girl however, as if in a trance and despite the gesticulations of her brothers still appears totally oblivious to my presence.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - Sunday 26th November, 2006
A few days later in Cambodia's bustling capital Phnom Penh I came across this moto driver (Below) taking a seemingly well deserved nap away from the afternoon sun. Phnom Penh is as much a hive of constant
movement and activity as any other city I have ever visited, the squeal of the decrepid, surely illegal chosen modes of two wheeled transport that fill the air seemingly adding to the sense of chaos and confusion. The cities only beings who seem not to be rushing around at the speed of light are the numerous homeless families who sit huddled at the rear of the footways seeking the refuge of any possible available shade. Fortunately for this cabbie his place of employment provided all the shade and comfort he required.
ROCINHA FAVELA, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Wednesday 21st February, 2007
Finally there is picture taken in the fascinating Rio Favela of Rocinha and it is yet another example of the carefree children who exist smiling throughout the poverty of their existence whilst constantly improvising their very own brands of entertainment. No Wii's or PS3's in Rocinha but then judging by the smile on this girl's face I'd say they just aren't required.
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