Photography Pupils

One of the most important things I have done this year was to do a course in photography; more exactly, I learned how to use my camera. Many people own fancy digital single lense reflex cameras but only a few know how to use them to their full potential.

The first part of the basic course, had an exhibition of the final work done during the course. The classes had different themes for the final work. Ours was based on the decontextualisation of domestic objects and it was influenced by a famous photographer, Chema Madoz. In other words, the task was to put an everyday object like a toothbrush into a new environment.

Thanks to Labloom, our school in visual arts and photography here in Bogotá, I know now, too, how to use my camera! Our teacher and co-owner of the school, Fabian Acosta, is handing me the certificate.

All photos above by Labloom

My final work was a travelling family of Nivea body cream bottles. They travelled all the way to Europe with me, were waiting for the train at Zurich Airport, got onto the Swiss train and did even a snow shoe hike on the Finnish slopes.

So I had my first exhibition already; now I'm waiting for potential buyers wanting to invest in my art. And I'm one step closer to my dream coming true! ;)

Bike Tour La Calera

We met these newlyweds, Colombian Lisandro and his American-Cypriot wife Daniela, on one of the tours organised by Internations in February. Since we met, we have been keeping contact and hanging out on a weekly basis. In many ways, they're very much like minded; outdoorsy and sporty but like also the occational night out.

Lisandro is an enthusiastic mountain biker, so it was only a matter of time that also we start going on off-road bike tours with them. Lukas tried out the new bike with Lisandro already earlier, but last Sunday was the first time for me. It was my second time so far - once before, last summer in Austria I did mountain biking.

Made by Lisandro Benavides

So Daniela, Lukas and I cycled up the paved road to La Calera, where was our first pit stop. The Colombian roads are generally steep: there is no beginner's level, just straight to advanced.

Fueling up with breakfast!

This is yellow arepa, a typical Colombian substitute for bread. I would describe it as slightly bigger, thicker and softer nacho. There are pretty much all the colours of rainbow available, and many different kinds of toppings. Mine was served with avocado and cheese. Side dish: scrambled eggs with tomato and onion. Drink: hot chocolate.

Lukas opted for manlier breakfast, caldo de castillo. It is tasty, quite clear soup with chunks of meat and potatoes in it. After the breakfast, our journey continued. We were invited to a friend of Lisandro's, who had birthday. The plan was to make another off-road tour and afterwards go to Leonardo's for barbecue.

We drove up; Lukas cycled.

Casa de Leonardo.

At Leonardo's we got geared up again and headed for the second part of the trip - the harder part!

On the way we saw this gorgeous lady. I fell in love - she was beautiful and nice. I was joking to the guys that next time they'll go cycling I will come on horseback.

Stylish, eh? ;) Half marathon is a piece of cake in comparison to this! My bum was bruised and burning. Where's my lady saddle??

Yey, we reached the top! The view from the top reaches over whole Bogotá. Normally it would be a relief but this time... it was not all downhill from here on.

Made by Lisandro Benavides

Who designed hand brakes?? I want my old 3-gear Nopsa Boulevard with a lady saddle and leg brake back, please. :D



Back at the house! Now beer and barbecue.

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon! After the lunch I had time to get to know the surroundings and concentrate on my passion, taking pictures.

Living in the countryside has definitely its sides. It's peaceful and calm; here you can recharge your batteries well.

Made by Lisandro Benavides

Tennis Time!

Last Sunday we were invited by our landlord and his wife to play tennis at the club where they are members, Ameríca Tenís Club in Bogotá.

As we are both beginners, we got an instructor who showed us the basics of the moves. He also made us run! I didn't know how exhausting tennis can be! But I enjoyed every minute of it, even when I was catching my breath...

After the lesson we had breakfast, sauna and showers, and got to know the club a bit better. The club's garden is also where we spotted a Colombian fruit called lulo growing in the trees. The same fruit is known as naranjilla or 'little orange' in Ecuador, and it's often used to make juice.

Tennis is definitely a cool sport which I could imagine practising more frequently. It's fast paced, if you're handling the ball well enough, and so much fun, if you get the sensation of succeeding every now and then. So maybe before planning the hobby any further, I should get an instructor, at least in the beginning... ;)

Magnificent Miami - Part 2

Five days in Florida is short time, but long enough to see some of the most important sights of the area. Here I introduce you to some of them.  

Key Biscayne & Coral Gables

One late, lazy afternoon we spent at the beach in Key Biscayne. That's where our friends Raphael and Simone got married and they wanted to show us the spot, which turned out to be pretty heavenly!

Would you look at that! Horatio speeding on the highway. ;) From Key Biscayne it's not a long drive to go to Coral Gables, one of the most gorgeous but also the most expensive neighbourhoods in Miami. Golf carts are the vehicle of choice there!
 

During another visit to Coral Gables, we got to see the famous Biltmore Hotel, which was built in 1926. It served as a hospital during World War II, and according to some people, it's haunted. The hotel has been later used as a setting in many of the TV shows and movies based in Miami. The church is opposite to the hotel.

Ocean Drive on Miami Beach

 

Like I mentioned on the previous Miami post, Miami Beach is known for its art deco buildings, which can be seen already at the steps of our hotel on Washington Avenue. The famous strip, Ocean Drive, was just two blocks down from the hotel.

In front of some of the art deco hotels are also antique vehicles, like this Barbie's dream car.

And funny yet clever ads at bus stops.

It's no walk on Ocean Drive if you don't pop by the beach quickly.

Miami Beach is a place where also the police officers chill out!


Key Largo & Islamorada

One day we spent with a friend and a fellow Vorarlberger Konny. She showed us some parts of the first islands or keys, Key Largo and Islamorada. Those islands form a part of the Florida Keys that are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. And what little pieces of paradise!! However, to reach the prettiest part one must drive a long way, and unfortunately we didn't have enough time to go to the Southern most point of Florida, Key West.

First we had to ask some advice from the tourist bureau in Key Largo.

Little Havana
 

Little Havana is concentrated mostly around Calle Ocho, or the 8th Street. Following the Cuban Revolution, many Cubans fled to South Florida. Over the decades, most of them have immigrated to Florida in the hopes of a better future and earnings. Some of them come legally, most of them land the shore by swimming across the bay...
With them they also brought the knowhow of making cigars and celebrating Latin style! Actually, due to the vast Latin population in Florida, Spanish is as commonly spoken language as English.

And if the tiny Cigar Factory is good enough for Arnold, it's good enough for us.

Enthusiastic players playing in the famous Domino Park.

The Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool is a historic U.S. public swimming pool built in 1924 and located not too far from the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

Boat Ride by the Celebrity Islands

Star Island is one of the man-made islands in Miami. Another interesting factor is that also this is star studded as celebrities like Madonna, P. Diddy, Will Smith, Lenny Kravitz, and Sylvester Stallone have or have had a house on the island.
As Wikipedia explains: "Though it is a public neighborhood, Star Island has a guard house at its entrance, giving it the illusion of being an exclusive, private area. However, anyone can enter after stopping at the gate. There is simply one oval of inland public road on the island and no public access to the water."
Other nearby islands Palm and Hibiscus currently house or accommodated famous people like Jennifer Lopez, Al Capone, Enrique Iglesias, and Shakira. Now you can imagine what the property values on these exclusive islands might be...

One of the busiest ports in USA, the harbour of Miami.

Turquoise waters...

A picture of us entering the tourist boat.

And if you got the urge to go to Miami, which, I think you should, we can highly recommend our hotel, Villa Italia. Cute, clean and close!

Something random that we saw during the stay. In America you really do have everything - also a drive thru ATM! How handy is that?

On our last night in Miami, we went for a delicious dinner at the restaurant called Rusty Pelican, from where you have an amazing view of the city's skyline. The vacation was fabulous, and one day I definitely want to return to Miami!