It is a real privilege when organizations and friends recognize the work I do, but I would like to dedicated this article about my work  to all the women I have met in the slums and villages around the world, the real heroes who have to deal with such adverse conditions and still smile and embrace life with unbeatable energy. They are the real inspiration in my life.

During the weekend, I had the opportunity to experience (from a safe distance on the beach) the high surf warning for the north and west facing shores that was in effect this weekend on the island of Kauai. The swell was in the 20-30′ range yesterday. I could have spent hours just looking at the big waves… wait, that’s exactly what I did!

I should have been working on another project, but the light and the colors were just unreal right after the rain. I just couldn’t resist the temptation! Now back to work!
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Cartagena. Colombia.

I guess I am sticking to the rain topic on the blog even though today is quite a sunny day in California. So let me ask you, what do you think could happen when you are in a really warm place and it starts raining (I really mean pouring) and you have two curious and imaginative kids with you?

Oh well, one went first, then the second… they drag one of our friends too and, in case you were wondering, by the time I took the picture of my friend jumping in the air I had decided this was one of those moments when it was worth to put my camera away in a tight plastic bag and jump right in. It just looked like they were having too much of a blast. From then on we went all over the old town splashing water and jumping in the puddles.

By the time we went back to the hotel, the water was up to our knees and we were soaked to the bones, but the smile in our faces could tell you we did have one of those special moment we will never forget. No pictures though, the camera stayed in the bag the rest of the day.

The moral of the story? Sometimes is good to go with the flow and let your kids teach you how to turn an unfortunate event into one of the best memories of a trip. And remember to always carry a plastic cover for your camera…

When was the last time you went dancing in the rain? Or did anything like that? I am looking forward to hear from you.

Colombia. Cartagena.

Creo que voy a seguir con el tema de la lluvia aunque hoy hace un sol maravilloso en California. Esta es mi pregunta de hoy  ¿qué crees que podría suceder si estás en un lugar donde hace mucho calor y empieza a llover (quiero decir diluviar) y tiene dos niños curiosos e ingeniosos contigo?

Bueno, primero salto uno, luego el otro … Luego arrastraron también a una de nuestras amigas y, en caso de que os lo estéis preguntando, en el momento en que tomé la foto de mi amiga saltando en el aire ya había decidido que era uno de esos momentos en los que que vale la pena dejar mi cámara en una bolsa de plástico hermética y “zambullirme” de pleno en la situación. Simplemente me pareció que se lo estaban pasando bomba. A partir de ese momento nos fuimos por todo el casco antiguo salpicando agua y saltando en los charcos.

Cuando finalmente volvimos al hotel, el agua nos llegaba hasta las rodillas y estábamos empapados hasta los huesos, pero la sonrisa en nuestras caras indicaba claramente que habíamos pasado uno de esos momentos especiales que nunca podremos olvidar. El lado negativo, no tengo ninguna imagen de esos momentos, la cámara se quedó en la bolsa el resto del día.

¿La moraleja de la historia? A veces es bueno dejarse llevar por la corriente y permitir que tus hijos te enseñen cómo convertir un suceso imprevisto y desafortunado en uno de los mejores recuerdos de tu viaje. Y, por supuesto, no te olvides de llevar siempre una cubierta de plástico para tu cámara …

¿Cuando fue la última vez que bailaste bajo la lluvia? o algo del mismo estilo? Estoy deseando escuchar tu historia.

Cartagena. Colombia

Imagine the situation, it’s pouring and I am just trying to keep my camera equipment dry inside a small shop. I saw him coming from far. He was walking happily as if there was nothing that could bother him, not even the downpour and, as he got closer, I just knew I had to take his picture… (for those of you that do not speak spanish “secos” means “dry”). It just felt as if I was in the right place at the right time and I remembered what one of my favorites photographers Henri Cartier-Bresson said once “of course, it’s all luck“.

Imagínate la situación. Empieza a diluviar y yo busco refugio en una tienda pequeñita intentando mantener mi equipo fotográfico seco. Lo vi venir desde lejos. Caminaba felizmente como si nada le pudiera importunar, ni siquiera el aguacero. Cuando estaba a mi altura supe que tenía que tomar la foto. Es uno de esos momentos en la vida cuando uno siente que esta en el lugar adecuado el el momento oportuno. Y me acorde de las palabras de uno de mis fotógrafos favoritos Henri Cartier-Bresson “Por supuesto, todo es cuestión de suerte“.

Palo Alto, USA

If you are in Palo Alto (and if you are not, you should visit us soon!) I will particularly recommend to stop by the Palo Alto Art Center to see the latest site-specific installation by Patrick Dougherty, one of the most remarkable environmental artist in the world.

The site specific installation seems to have a life on itself and, if I was to choose a single word to describe it, “magical” is the first one that comes to my mind. The sculpture changes as you walk around and it keeps transforming itself while you are inside. There are “window-holes” to peek inside (or outside) and several paths to weave your way in and out. The installation was constructed with willow samplings that add to the enchantment as the striking variety of colors metamorphose themselves depending what time of the day you visit it.

The installation inspires and sparks you to explore every corner and, I couldn’t but notice every time I have been there that children and adults alike start giggling and playing as they wander through the hidden corners.

The artist said the installation could last about two years. I will be curious to see how it changes over time.

To learn more about his work, you can visit his website www.stickwork.net. You can also watch interviews with him here and, if you are really curious, there is a great video on vimeo where you can see him creating this wonderful piece of art.

Si estáis en Palo Alto (y si no habeis venido últimamente por aquí, deberíais visitarnos pronto!) os recomiendo especialmente pasar por el Centro de Arte de Palo Alto para ver la última instalación realizada por Patrick Dougherty, uno de los más notables artistas medio ambientales del mundo.

La instalación  diseñada específicamente para el Centro de Arte parece tener vida propia y, si tuviera que elegir una sola palabra para describirla, “mágica” es la primera que me viene a la mente. La escultura cambia continuamente mientras uno camina alrededor y se sigue transformando mientras uno esta en el interior. Hay “ventanas-agujeros” para mirar dentro (o fuera) y varios caminos que entrelazan las múltiples entradas y salidas. La instalación ha sido construida con ramas de sauce que añaden al encantamiento con una sorprendente variedad de colores que se transforman según la hora del día.

La escultura inspira e invita a explorar todos los rincones y, no he podido dejar de notar cada vez que he estado allí que niños y adultos por igual comienzan a reír y jugar mientras descubren los rincones escondidos.

Según el artista, la instalación puede durar unos dos años. Tengo muchísima curiosidad por ver cómo cambia con el tiempo.

Para obtener más información acerca de su trabajo, puedes visitar la página del artista www.stickwork.net. También puedes ver entrevistas con él aquí y, si tienes aun mas curiosidad, aquí puedes encontrar otro vídeo, donde se puedes ver a Patrick durante la creación de esta maravillosa pieza de arte.

An idea for the weekend: get some soap and water and have fun for hours.

I really don’t think this picture needs any words (except that makes me want to have more babies…)

Taken with the iPhone camera in San Francisco

Some kids are born natural models