tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23310336729905904102024-03-12T17:20:57.699-07:00Mike Esposito's Travel BlogView of Taganga, a fishing village near Santa Marta, ColombiaMichael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-43550933431910904152023-08-13T06:27:00.002-07:002023-08-13T06:27:20.472-07:00Photos from trip to Colombia in May-June 2023!<p>My wife and I were exceedingly blessed to spend a month in Colombia in May and June of 2023, after our 2022 trip was hampered by COVID and other illnesses in our family. We seemed to be making up for lost time with encounters with family and friends, as well as side trips to Santa Marta, Pereira, and Manizales. Below are just a few of the highlights of our trip.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKQkFyuvGiKA3WqX-Ozc9VpLyeQPv1Q-yKCOvkqFn-OqtRbKK9AyaA70eUn4umyN6SBWBy7xl-P-X8gUUu26fqai1xAjAX1Xs6zNkfIZqFI18gN_-NRsjzcN3W79Q5LhFlPrOI2-m8TAiGopT9urqPniRhfBZiwGPK24KgjkZTHJja21VLPzLLS37-as/s2048/DSC06398.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Manizales, Colombia" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKQkFyuvGiKA3WqX-Ozc9VpLyeQPv1Q-yKCOvkqFn-OqtRbKK9AyaA70eUn4umyN6SBWBy7xl-P-X8gUUu26fqai1xAjAX1Xs6zNkfIZqFI18gN_-NRsjzcN3W79Q5LhFlPrOI2-m8TAiGopT9urqPniRhfBZiwGPK24KgjkZTHJja21VLPzLLS37-as/w640-h480/DSC06398.jpeg" title="Manizales is a city with pockets nestled in the mountains" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manizales is a city with pockets nestled in the mountains</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnojuFvMct-HZzK-VxVrxkh_H18sIpP84f3paqvsYHJAwHVgWtKE8Blve6zO9e-foI3-Dj5c5sndNmgqUoIUNN_vChqCugkbxJOw1yRp1IsTahD7Vq3fMdfkWuGoms7Hna2hh4YFfv2nq6UYPgWxlHQyLGFoCQW1guTlgiB_najcpOFHlILxR9bn7NUWo/s2048/DSC06358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnojuFvMct-HZzK-VxVrxkh_H18sIpP84f3paqvsYHJAwHVgWtKE8Blve6zO9e-foI3-Dj5c5sndNmgqUoIUNN_vChqCugkbxJOw1yRp1IsTahD7Vq3fMdfkWuGoms7Hna2hh4YFfv2nq6UYPgWxlHQyLGFoCQW1guTlgiB_najcpOFHlILxR9bn7NUWo/w640-h480/DSC06358.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hotel Irotama in Santa Marta has an enormous pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4eugVrpOUtFxRzI9_PSRK870Rmc_tucUv2oWg4Bjoclmmemohb4S8GwMQkvy7nnHubhP4p-MklKcOUtB13GEdlErT9gMxSSpxssNc_JaR5SOglEaxJYfYreAzweswRNL5tTRPYicopH0aC_DjdUq1CsVGf8NR38H770TTWY3bCOf0eiOHdz9Zl4Bh88/s2048/DSC06403.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4eugVrpOUtFxRzI9_PSRK870Rmc_tucUv2oWg4Bjoclmmemohb4S8GwMQkvy7nnHubhP4p-MklKcOUtB13GEdlErT9gMxSSpxssNc_JaR5SOglEaxJYfYreAzweswRNL5tTRPYicopH0aC_DjdUq1CsVGf8NR38H770TTWY3bCOf0eiOHdz9Zl4Bh88/w640-h480/DSC06403.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nevado del Ruiz, an active volcano that was emitting fumaroles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXjC2qoNZQ6vv8gljVGLzQnVSbYrkXxhypDnUn8SmK-PgHNftayLvo3gGBktcXIEWbUZ4Kug2IrCSqobJPWeD8zEilR9ZdoGiZlxTjS6jO83MVOY8Qn2T85_pPs5cSIeiAd4WW4R8H4u_RStrrIKBttHm0LuBoANv5M0lrhXzeFK7olClV-nVtPwtPos/s3264/IMG_3265.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXjC2qoNZQ6vv8gljVGLzQnVSbYrkXxhypDnUn8SmK-PgHNftayLvo3gGBktcXIEWbUZ4Kug2IrCSqobJPWeD8zEilR9ZdoGiZlxTjS6jO83MVOY8Qn2T85_pPs5cSIeiAd4WW4R8H4u_RStrrIKBttHm0LuBoANv5M0lrhXzeFK7olClV-nVtPwtPos/w480-h640/IMG_3265.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We peeked inside a church in Madrid, a town outside of Bogotá, and witnessed a wedding!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD5cuDbvVKZzHtSCoe8yTCgprZpwuGf1_9lsiuqS-xAmxekkSmXHgDj3r9A7pkLGq602f2ZwBcyKv2aImxVld_w2NiS2AzpV20KRskbeDTOP2mEflMCQkN_7rM9U6lylOm69EU7Q3PdpZaqW9p7CoyzkvxtvbIfUryJ98tuwsqgH_kaI_UYxGZM6ZM0c/s3264/IMG_2506.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD5cuDbvVKZzHtSCoe8yTCgprZpwuGf1_9lsiuqS-xAmxekkSmXHgDj3r9A7pkLGq602f2ZwBcyKv2aImxVld_w2NiS2AzpV20KRskbeDTOP2mEflMCQkN_7rM9U6lylOm69EU7Q3PdpZaqW9p7CoyzkvxtvbIfUryJ98tuwsqgH_kaI_UYxGZM6ZM0c/w640-h480/IMG_2506.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dizzying view from the top of the cathedral of Manizales</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzwXlMKYPf3ldm8kGqWbQSwUrATIPsQrbXxf4m0_LTinXbj6S8C0M2F0a0_V6kX-mmSibkJ-d_Uw7de-gyeX5z9KX4aKKKAciGu-t8S2GP8Uefrrt6FbWAayA65R53Nb3Vu-Do3nWozpkknNcpZuSw2vT4SUNHXPNVmGOXy08LQ7YQFnenDpn_fcqKDc/s3264/P1040150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzwXlMKYPf3ldm8kGqWbQSwUrATIPsQrbXxf4m0_LTinXbj6S8C0M2F0a0_V6kX-mmSibkJ-d_Uw7de-gyeX5z9KX4aKKKAciGu-t8S2GP8Uefrrt6FbWAayA65R53Nb3Vu-Do3nWozpkknNcpZuSw2vT4SUNHXPNVmGOXy08LQ7YQFnenDpn_fcqKDc/w640-h480/P1040150.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Museo del Chicó in Bogotá is a former hacienda</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AZaL7n4NRz8TNyYTNaLOVJBg1nac2LFbhZIxL43E-3g3rxFZiuS4y2WBwgSbQ2gaJrQHtTP2p0tB1yxDmhn5UIdlOOd0aV3-xjPuJc5g17t4az6kLsYQ4vId1jeQNtbfnoTX3_mmprRYi0Ew3sOHVjpa3FKrixUIGsWedB-DwhNiiYdwqhqrnKtIn_o/s2048/DSC06409.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AZaL7n4NRz8TNyYTNaLOVJBg1nac2LFbhZIxL43E-3g3rxFZiuS4y2WBwgSbQ2gaJrQHtTP2p0tB1yxDmhn5UIdlOOd0aV3-xjPuJc5g17t4az6kLsYQ4vId1jeQNtbfnoTX3_mmprRYi0Ew3sOHVjpa3FKrixUIGsWedB-DwhNiiYdwqhqrnKtIn_o/w480-h640/DSC06409.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevado del Tolima in the foreground, Nevado del Ruiz in the background</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB--SfRgim8pBsts449TQWPst70H6-xjgjPMoXujmYLp8R5GsdBfiYTb5ZZ9bEzlUlQqIr6ztH-tT5-apHmjPgKRhpJN6gCYgDKW7xn9iZe9qMEMTXPlNwls3pnbJtDdMFYt_v_Qci_wgTP-wzwfXt2BSGwQYJthiA3nZcng4vPNIgTFoRirAdaFp9NjY/s3264/P1030946.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB--SfRgim8pBsts449TQWPst70H6-xjgjPMoXujmYLp8R5GsdBfiYTb5ZZ9bEzlUlQqIr6ztH-tT5-apHmjPgKRhpJN6gCYgDKW7xn9iZe9qMEMTXPlNwls3pnbJtDdMFYt_v_Qci_wgTP-wzwfXt2BSGwQYJthiA3nZcng4vPNIgTFoRirAdaFp9NjY/w640-h480/P1030946.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of birds to see in Colombia like this Bananaquit in Pereira</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTc1pY33pD_uxMQITzuma834236zcoOUoWeC4z_GOK7j_xP0hvZvZNhhlQ_z-hd0GqjhkdtrgxHAKJGWeJPxpYm7DIwpixHGTAyhS47F4MLc2vDGz9Dnlj5i4P59jFeR_mkbg7uHGJPQ6jdLQ1dEmTQcvsE65pz6vJeGlQdoWCdtgSV7245RGZDMTtkQ/s3264/P1040140.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTc1pY33pD_uxMQITzuma834236zcoOUoWeC4z_GOK7j_xP0hvZvZNhhlQ_z-hd0GqjhkdtrgxHAKJGWeJPxpYm7DIwpixHGTAyhS47F4MLc2vDGz9Dnlj5i4P59jFeR_mkbg7uHGJPQ6jdLQ1dEmTQcvsE65pz6vJeGlQdoWCdtgSV7245RGZDMTtkQ/w640-h480/P1040140.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Informal gatherings of musicians, like this one in Bogotá, are always fun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThCXdMDjoxoSAxrCdtCoqlWnXG_G6FUeExaBEwTAt9HD3DijqZfSZbBxadWVAWiRYfU4snsm8rYFGLb_CL1Kye60l1x9rp_DE9DkqRiOFxGdvPSFtg8UylgZKTNq8lZXLBG4utKstjqHHCRaPyEI_LfEPVPf5VG4URRXRTrW_Wsi-1WxMgkr0pQjyy78/s4032/IMG_2932.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThCXdMDjoxoSAxrCdtCoqlWnXG_G6FUeExaBEwTAt9HD3DijqZfSZbBxadWVAWiRYfU4snsm8rYFGLb_CL1Kye60l1x9rp_DE9DkqRiOFxGdvPSFtg8UylgZKTNq8lZXLBG4utKstjqHHCRaPyEI_LfEPVPf5VG4URRXRTrW_Wsi-1WxMgkr0pQjyy78/w480-h640/IMG_2932.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard in the Museo del Chicó in Bogotá is beautiful</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qe3A-pDofcPu7Nx2PFyuY9c6aGP8z0MdN3dYdbo9h9LHSJ7eq3NIMwe5I573eyEU7GGb1pz4cWh_1R1xcLurTFg4WPhVNEpDf1Jm9vMETmXW05rNrU-SRmaChgw_gTrlq_pMN-c1ltpa4OqLHqxKUQUlcMVRzhE8zUtSqAklPQVmifyVCf1cuR4AF8Y/s3264/P1030706.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qe3A-pDofcPu7Nx2PFyuY9c6aGP8z0MdN3dYdbo9h9LHSJ7eq3NIMwe5I573eyEU7GGb1pz4cWh_1R1xcLurTFg4WPhVNEpDf1Jm9vMETmXW05rNrU-SRmaChgw_gTrlq_pMN-c1ltpa4OqLHqxKUQUlcMVRzhE8zUtSqAklPQVmifyVCf1cuR4AF8Y/w640-h480/P1030706.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Laguna de Guatavita park, about two hours north of Bogotá</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz7I-Y_Q7j_cNxyNPkVlgPEDgabrTPhpFSeNmk4xY67YqSAseYDWbIOZ_0WgqYarJuOhtu4WRffzk23rDTpnZoBJ5QJmsR82gwy_3Iqqx_uDv6f6XvAcYWM73v7MMsM5yV-u9jErrzo47A0G0RM0vw8ih8mrraujyyH1yPKrc23c24oAYVbtS_aTCdVo/s4032/IMG_2159.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz7I-Y_Q7j_cNxyNPkVlgPEDgabrTPhpFSeNmk4xY67YqSAseYDWbIOZ_0WgqYarJuOhtu4WRffzk23rDTpnZoBJ5QJmsR82gwy_3Iqqx_uDv6f6XvAcYWM73v7MMsM5yV-u9jErrzo47A0G0RM0vw8ih8mrraujyyH1yPKrc23c24oAYVbtS_aTCdVo/w480-h640/IMG_2159.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like Manizales, the city of Pereira has cable car transportation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xzqL7ApJs3gYtRsb6b_iLFlPgXOGrnNiZ6MdhsYd1UxQgrvyWMITPXzdns30qTDvU8gFTGyXvsRl1DHujBKivp_VmG4n9oVhBdcusdcqZL0u54BU7o2OSdlEhg_OzknVirXuZhqEZ5JFxVMPfsuDoUsamSjZBy50OGV6n89mDft9z-UxQFmqHDvn0-A/s4032/IMG_1559.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xzqL7ApJs3gYtRsb6b_iLFlPgXOGrnNiZ6MdhsYd1UxQgrvyWMITPXzdns30qTDvU8gFTGyXvsRl1DHujBKivp_VmG4n9oVhBdcusdcqZL0u54BU7o2OSdlEhg_OzknVirXuZhqEZ5JFxVMPfsuDoUsamSjZBy50OGV6n89mDft9z-UxQFmqHDvn0-A/w640-h480/IMG_1559.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laguna de Guatavita, site of the Muisca ritual of the cacique or chief, also known as El Dorado or The Golden Man, covered in gold powder and bathing in the lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-14682144177919111822023-05-18T04:09:00.004-07:002023-05-18T04:09:57.649-07:00Colombian Andes: Eastern Cordillera from Bogotá to Choachí (2022)On my last trip to Colombia in June-July 2022, I wanted to see the road between Bogotá and a town to the east named Choachí. (For those of you who have been to Bogotá, this road goes between Monserrate and the Cerro de Guadalupe.) This trip only takes 1-1/2 hours, but it goes through an impressive array of landscapes, including this one. Bogotá is high at 8,600 feet above sea level, but the road would reach the "páramo," a high altitude landscape found only in northern South America, reaching as high as 11,000 feet. The plant life in those climates is amazing.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RaogMsqaknKQR1PouUdhxMAGyZ7MuuOnTj8tlosvbe3Uvs7EHHC-FuYOdJJT3VMCBY01k_UCSAsB8EefCJUvWGagX20KTJeldo9ngHaVlmnbvzHdkpklv3BvXzGfck_4cqpKdkJVv1H2ss-4k_uZnCld6Yj1FafdzzDtfV7BPtdwDQmGkbJBGquP/s3024/IMG_9621.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2858" data-original-width="3024" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RaogMsqaknKQR1PouUdhxMAGyZ7MuuOnTj8tlosvbe3Uvs7EHHC-FuYOdJJT3VMCBY01k_UCSAsB8EefCJUvWGagX20KTJeldo9ngHaVlmnbvzHdkpklv3BvXzGfck_4cqpKdkJVv1H2ss-4k_uZnCld6Yj1FafdzzDtfV7BPtdwDQmGkbJBGquP/s320/IMG_9621.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "páramo" at 11,000 feet above sea level</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Upon descending toward Choachí, the climate gradually gets warmer. The luxuriant vegetation gives an indication of being in "tierra templada" or temperate land.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNFwwII_C0kH_gywLpbEwPJv873ziyji8qK6gR_D0Gcmil2UthioTZBKvh5SiwwQFznHRGLa8pykAbNg7SUc38Ywfku_aldqVrDXKG5V1y3Brq9Qb4fyFYKSFmDCVki8zBdwLodq9JstwozTulJzh2oi8MqrbRPSbtQWZCz4rwHSYzJq54d0vB5M3/s3491/IMG_9677.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3491" data-original-width="3016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNFwwII_C0kH_gywLpbEwPJv873ziyji8qK6gR_D0Gcmil2UthioTZBKvh5SiwwQFznHRGLa8pykAbNg7SUc38Ywfku_aldqVrDXKG5V1y3Brq9Qb4fyFYKSFmDCVki8zBdwLodq9JstwozTulJzh2oi8MqrbRPSbtQWZCz4rwHSYzJq54d0vB5M3/s320/IMG_9677.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>At Choachí, the landscape was bright with sun and I could feel the warmth of the lower altitude.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw1K17GtBYfhrjjGxQD51GqF3BQKSLXuB0rh27FdqU6eLuFXx6UZ3GwbRJwa6t1a9T85WXr9PGbJFAr-PG4MMrcXX_zSD-Q2EsoobtKsipnAEfNnK0vNay_3y475S-pdHCnFpPRIUCw9BB9m-LbtbWfDmlvNMjOq5wf_9yTC44mWaSI3gTJ50Ezz8/s2592/DSC04959.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw1K17GtBYfhrjjGxQD51GqF3BQKSLXuB0rh27FdqU6eLuFXx6UZ3GwbRJwa6t1a9T85WXr9PGbJFAr-PG4MMrcXX_zSD-Q2EsoobtKsipnAEfNnK0vNay_3y475S-pdHCnFpPRIUCw9BB9m-LbtbWfDmlvNMjOq5wf_9yTC44mWaSI3gTJ50Ezz8/s320/DSC04959.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The center of town was brightly painted and featured some nice murals:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFOOvziBIii4EqnOIK9xKiZH7EWrnvuZlGHswRspLHd3153Tzvmqdj2N_ljBlq6NnTQvwAL0qQZyPj8mop7P-KgtEiWBnau_D9OI43W9aggvwi4aEOVhl8R5SxkiZ9dNOnq_gNE8rakFomrTdM4WmV2HcbhEdtsa764pAcsRMjEdrM8NhQPvWhy5M/s2592/DSC04928.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFOOvziBIii4EqnOIK9xKiZH7EWrnvuZlGHswRspLHd3153Tzvmqdj2N_ljBlq6NnTQvwAL0qQZyPj8mop7P-KgtEiWBnau_D9OI43W9aggvwi4aEOVhl8R5SxkiZ9dNOnq_gNE8rakFomrTdM4WmV2HcbhEdtsa764pAcsRMjEdrM8NhQPvWhy5M/s320/DSC04928.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>When it came time to return, I sat on the right side of the bus to appreciate the dramatic changes in altitude. I could see the road where I had been only a short time ago.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6XugohwGICe8o9sLhdpuu1I-_WMY9we7LbfBvsvfPqY6lU1EVIyJT6jdi-MOS-65e99g4iR9NB0KvDyCTR3_FLGA2dccKhdJSJ0dWjnnplG6CKS_vS_O0Stclyz6w2QzcOmxxXADMQc2nNU4CBDU986J3VFN0me4fwXA38UtT0EzjpoObcz3-mex/s4032/IMG_9795.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6XugohwGICe8o9sLhdpuu1I-_WMY9we7LbfBvsvfPqY6lU1EVIyJT6jdi-MOS-65e99g4iR9NB0KvDyCTR3_FLGA2dccKhdJSJ0dWjnnplG6CKS_vS_O0Stclyz6w2QzcOmxxXADMQc2nNU4CBDU986J3VFN0me4fwXA38UtT0EzjpoObcz3-mex/s320/IMG_9795.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NrUXxPWr0lWCaTs8-W7Qw78Yu7PvXpite4_DJ40nWWOZyXYfQUDOMw8D3leYqnJmlU3sOIpNmc1IIxFiogD_YHzLgmNnhwXsp6I_l6qPA0I0RxPk2yLc9g5Yn62IW0b6_COoN6e9srXhqUVh-i6u9pRyaYxjtSxERe31OKx9Gf9oAyNQNPYEfijP/s4032/IMG_9798.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NrUXxPWr0lWCaTs8-W7Qw78Yu7PvXpite4_DJ40nWWOZyXYfQUDOMw8D3leYqnJmlU3sOIpNmc1IIxFiogD_YHzLgmNnhwXsp6I_l6qPA0I0RxPk2yLc9g5Yn62IW0b6_COoN6e9srXhqUVh-i6u9pRyaYxjtSxERe31OKx9Gf9oAyNQNPYEfijP/s320/IMG_9798.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Upon arriving in Bogotá, I was deeply grateful for having seen an area I had wanted to travel for many years!</div>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0Choachí, Cundinamarca, Colombia4.528659 -73.922968-23.781574836178844 -109.079218 32.838892836178843 -38.766718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-89577541176993027842021-11-30T07:51:00.001-08:002021-11-30T07:51:19.063-08:00Attractions in Bogotá and vicinity<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ix9TmEZGE3c/YaZHt5ZbiGI/AAAAAAAC2H8/f0oxnqXIFYkZ_ypjOJlR8WWTXQDeU8OPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/224FC7BA-0503-4074-99F6-572D8FE50FE0_1_102_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ix9TmEZGE3c/YaZHt5ZbiGI/AAAAAAAC2H8/f0oxnqXIFYkZ_ypjOJlR8WWTXQDeU8OPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/224FC7BA-0503-4074-99F6-572D8FE50FE0_1_102_o.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Magdalena River valley from La Piedra Capira, near Guaduas</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is a quick list of attractions accessible in the vicinity of Bogotá, Colombia's capital.</p><p><br /></p><p>La Candelaria, the traditional center of Bogotá, is an interesting place with museums, coffee shops, bookstores and other attractions. For some reason I like hearing people doing English tutoring in the coffee shops or having discussions about politics. Take reasonable precautions but don’t be paranoid.</p><p>From my first trip to Colombia in 1980, I had seen buses to Valle de Tenza but had not gone there until 2015. It’s a few hours from Bogotá and has spectacular scenery and picturesque towns. I immediately connected with people every time I would arrive in the town.</p><p>Suesca, another town outside of Bogotá, is known for rock climbing. While on the bus, I observed a tourist with a large backpack asking for directions. I didn’t go to climb rocks but wanted to see the town. Again, I had some very nice encounters with people there.</p><p>La Piedra Capira, outside of the town of Guaduas, is one of the best-kept secrets of Colombia travel, in my opinion. It’s a fenced overhanging rock that on a clear day boasts an incredible view of the Magdalena River valley, including snow-capped peaks in the Cordillera Central. Talk to several taxi drivers in Guaduas to see who gives you the best price. Go in the morning as the afternoon sun obscures some of the view. (Note: Guaduas itself is a nice destination. It has a design similar to Villa de Leyva, but does not have the influx of foreign tourists that Villa de Leyva has. It was also the home of the Colombian patriot Policarpa Salavarrieta (aka La Pola).)</p>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-15900168684702886782021-06-22T02:30:00.000-07:002021-06-22T02:30:05.047-07:00Chocolate Art and Crafts in Philadelphia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9G9p1K4wmM/YNGp8bEY77I/AAAAAAAC0qA/4AcLyQepqxAdj1mGhuL_Q7zoIDCUM2W6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8CD4F811-8100-44B4-BC42-BE1955B1714D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="783" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--9G9p1K4wmM/YNGp8bEY77I/AAAAAAAC0qA/4AcLyQepqxAdj1mGhuL_Q7zoIDCUM2W6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w587-h783/8CD4F811-8100-44B4-BC42-BE1955B1714D.heic" width="587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Art and Crafts owner Eva Hernández (right) with her sister Perla (left) and Raíces Culturales Co-Founder Yolanda Alcorta</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><span style="font-size: large;">One of the gems of the increasingly diverse Latino community in Philadelphia is the crafts store in the Italian Market in South Philadelphia called "Chocolate Art and Crafts." Its owner, Eva Hernández, dedicates herself to using crafts to show positive images of her home country of Mexico. Raíces Culturales Co-Founder Yolanda Alcorta visited the store in 2019 and found in Eva a willing collaborator in Raíces programming. Fortunately, Eva's store survived the pandemic and along with her sister Perla, will also collaborate with Raíces in a program on Sunday, October 24 dedicated to chocolate and its origins, along with the local organization Penn's Village. Check the Raíces website <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org">www.raicesculturales.org</a> for details as the date approaches!</span><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGypXFlRq_w/YNGpjZxk05I/AAAAAAAC0p0/r7D_iKWAthktE2SoYY1ZgzJIktWVHjEygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9D083C18-F5BB-465B-B686-5F929C967C54.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGypXFlRq_w/YNGpjZxk05I/AAAAAAAC0p0/r7D_iKWAthktE2SoYY1ZgzJIktWVHjEygCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/9D083C18-F5BB-465B-B686-5F929C967C54.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the many treasures available at Chocolate Art and Crafts</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF7I9pSAu1M/YNGpwc9XTZI/AAAAAAAC0p4/EU5YlSbTSvUnI1iGnCS-bVUv3E06yro0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2B97AB1B-E43E-4344-8F95-C79873875021.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF7I9pSAu1M/YNGpwc9XTZI/AAAAAAAC0p4/EU5YlSbTSvUnI1iGnCS-bVUv3E06yro0QCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/2B97AB1B-E43E-4344-8F95-C79873875021.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-72751721066942372022021-05-23T01:35:00.005-07:002021-05-23T01:38:27.041-07:00Local travel in PA as we ease out of the pandemic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvqHhvPTN9E/YKoS92IMr_I/AAAAAAAC0lM/j48jxFrcWgcIjOg7QAzV8EiWAQAprQ3-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1717/6FD25270-F79D-40D0-B336-777FAF7F86DA_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1717" height="538" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvqHhvPTN9E/YKoS92IMr_I/AAAAAAAC0lM/j48jxFrcWgcIjOg7QAzV8EiWAQAprQ3-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h538/6FD25270-F79D-40D0-B336-777FAF7F86DA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An Eastern Bluebird in Ridley Creek State Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0Dv6PVI5UU/YKoPYLF6PGI/AAAAAAAC0k4/gIP3TayvxccO2zR8wrwc5QjCS3TImul7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s3264/5618F929-D1A4-4222-9532-0FE73CAA5040.jpeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hunting Hill Mansion, the central point in Ridley Creek State Park, PA" border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0Dv6PVI5UU/YKoPYLF6PGI/AAAAAAAC0k4/gIP3TayvxccO2zR8wrwc5QjCS3TImul7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/5618F929-D1A4-4222-9532-0FE73CAA5040.jpeg" title="Hunting Hill Mansion, the central point in Ridley Creek State Park, PA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hunting Hill Mansion, where the park offices and banquet facilities are located</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like so many, I'm looking forward to traveling again as we come out of the pandemic. In the meantime, I'm enjoying taking in the local sights, such as in Ridley Creek State Park, which is a wonderful retreat for suburbanites in southeastern Pennsylvania. The park is spacious, but the area that provides a good starting point is Hunting Hill Mansion, which houses the park offices and has a space that can be rented out for weddings via <a href="http://www.peachtreecatering.com">www.peachtreecatering.com</a>. Close by are stables where horseback riding is available. Go to <a href="http://www.hiddenvalleyhorsefarm.com">www.hiddenvalleyhorsefarm.com</a> for more details. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNPCqRuikoM/YKoSU_7nGcI/AAAAAAAC0lA/m2gDvSr_68QtkHyxQUaHYBv2HoEm9n6WACLcBGAsYHQ/s3264/9BA0B4C7-323C-48E1-BB33-642BF51EF0B5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNPCqRuikoM/YKoSU_7nGcI/AAAAAAAC0lA/m2gDvSr_68QtkHyxQUaHYBv2HoEm9n6WACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/9BA0B4C7-323C-48E1-BB33-642BF51EF0B5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the residents at the Hidden Valley Horse Farm</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.comRidley Creek State Park, 1023 Sycamore Mills Rd, Media, PA 19063, USA39.951373 -75.44404349999999211.641139163821151 -110.60029349999999 68.261606836178842 -40.287793499999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-52461072468663458452020-08-04T06:32:00.000-07:002020-08-04T06:32:05.016-07:00Anapoima, Colombia photo gallery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-57723919144078964602020-08-04T06:29:00.000-07:002020-08-04T06:29:00.085-07:00Latest links from my Facebook page (2020)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozcTA1Btias/Xylen7vkyqI/AAAAAAACysc/vwPp3G0uXaoK-OkXmN8yymGuw3Y0JQL5wCPcBGAsYHg/s1717/IMG_5926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1717" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozcTA1Btias/Xylen7vkyqI/AAAAAAACysc/vwPp3G0uXaoK-OkXmN8yymGuw3Y0JQL5wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h396/IMG_5926.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a boat tour of the north coast of Anguilla, 2003</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Below are some more recent links to posts on my Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Luther Bryan, who took me out on his boat from Island Harbour to Scrub Island, Anguilla (2003) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157965739660129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157965739660129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The beach at Negril, Jamaica (2013) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157945675465129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157945675465129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoying Miami Beach with the family in 2003 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157915652970129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157915652970129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Placemat with map of the island of Culebra, a small island off the east coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. I visited there in 2007 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157906931715129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157906931715129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>View of the eastern savannah of Colombia from the eastern edge of the Andes (1981) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157886094160129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157886094160129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Choo Choo Barn, a massive train layout in Strasburg, PA (2015) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157865757760129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157865757760129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Port Antonio, Jamaica (2013) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157861280005129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157861280005129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A splendid horse in El Quelite, Sinaloa, Mexico (2013) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157840170430129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157840170430129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A stairway with a steep descent in the town of Mesitas del Colegio, Cundinamarca, Colombia (1992) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157833519230129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157833519230129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Antwerp, Belgium (2009) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157827491925129">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/posts/10157827491925129</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-60099999078213228732020-05-28T11:35:00.002-07:002020-08-04T05:42:39.882-07:00Reflecting on Travel: semester in Mexico City in 1979<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Charles Shreiner (1924-2019), Director of the Latin American Studies Program at St. Joseph's University, who was responsible for offering the junior year program in Mexico in 1979. I jumped at the opportunity.</td></tr>
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Practically everyone on the planet is grounded because of the coronavirus, and travel plans have to be postponed for our own safety and the safety of others. While we're all waiting, the two things that I can do are the following: 1) look back on previous trips and cherish the memories, and 2) take local drives to look for places to walk and take in scenery (in some parts of the world, the restrictions in place won't allow you to do this). I have been exceedingly fortunate to have spent over 40 years traveling to wonderful locations, and have a storehouse of memories to draw upon. Much as I've enjoyed the exhilaration of traveling, I equally enjoy taking the time to remember these experiences and appreciate them even further.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housemate Eliel Garay, originally from Acapulco, who celebrated his birthday with a drink of rompope liqueur </td></tr>
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The first real opportunity I had to travel afar in any meaningful way was during a semester in Mexico in 1979, when I was a junior at St. Joseph's University. Our university had a study abroad program with the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and it was a fabulous way to get acquainted with another country and culture. We international students stayed at individual houses not far from the university, as there were no dormitories. The university's international department sponsored day field trips to places like Teotihuacán, site of impressive pyramids; nearby Cuernavaca; and the mining town of Taxco. The climate was ideal, and social opportunities with housemates and fellow students were abundant. There were also concerts at the university, and I recall seeing a gentleman named Carlos Maceiras play classical guitar and then break into jazz, which electrified the audience. <br />
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In March, midway through the semester, we felt movement in our house at 5:15 am, and concluded that an earthquake was striking. We went to the doorway and rode it out, then tried to go back to sleep. Shortly afterwards, we saw a huge flash resembling a lightning bolt, which turned out to be the power plant, after which the electricity went out. Housemate Eliel Garay, with his quick wit, sang Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet" after things settled down.<br />
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Later we learned that "something happened to the university" and went outside to find out more. As we walked to the university and met up with some of our classmates along the way, we realized that it had been toppled. The university had a long main building with five wings connected to it, labeled A to E. Part of the main building split off around wing C, bringing down the remainder of that building, then flattening wing E like a set of dominoes. No one was in the building when it happened; the last students in the building left at 2 am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was studying in Mexico City in 1979 when an earthquake destroyed Universidad Iberoamericana, the university I was attending</td></tr>
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<br />The International Department was completely under the rubble, as were the travelers' checks I had kept there for safekeeping. I had bought Citicorp Travelers' Checks at AAA before leaving for Mexico. Wagons-Lits managed these in Mexico City, and I went to the office to put in a claim. I was told that I would have to have a police report, which I would have to get at a certain precinct. It turned out to be a waste of time. My Mexican friends told me instead to go to the "Delegación Política," and one of them accompanied me to the office to get the required documents. In the meantime, my parents had wired me money to tide me over. Ultimately, I was able to return to Wagons-Lits and get the money, but later learned that my friends who had brought American Express travelers' checks got their money on the spot at the Amex office. You can guess which company I used after that!<div><br /></div><div>With the university in ruins, all the offices moved in cramped quarters to the library, a separate building that was still standing. All our classes moved to the residences of several of the housemothers who had been renting out rooms to us. I recall in one house, a beautiful Russian wolfhound would strut in and out while we were having classes. It was initially uncomfortable, but all of us made it work.</div><div><br /></div><div>After finishing our studies in May and saying our goodbyes, I accompanied one of my classmates who was driving from Mexico City to Austin. We drove to San Luis Potosí, saw a band in the plaza who was playing 70s disco music, and stayed the night at a decent hotel. On the second day, we stopped at an open-air market and I got a nice cowboy hat. Back on the road, we got to drier land and ultimately Saltillo. The town was pleasant, but my friend wanted a hotel with an enclosed garage to protect his car, and the hotel turned out to be a disaster. The bathroom floor flooded as soon as I flushed the toilet. During the night we were tormented by midges and tried sleeping in the car to get away from them. After our horrible night's sleep, we hit the road again, crossed the border at Piedras Negras/Eagle Pass to avoid the traffic at Laredo, and proceeded on to San Antonio. The contrast between Mexico and the US could not have been greater: brown all around on the Mexican side, green on the US side. San Antonio was marvelous with its River Walk, and we made up for our bad experience in Saltillo by staying at a nice La Quinta in San Antonio. The next morning we had a sumptuous Mexican breakfast at a restaurant named "Mi Tierra," paid a visit at an Army base as my classmate was an Army lawyer, having reached the rank of Captain, and proceeded to Austin. I spent some time in Austin with my classmate, then proceeded to fly to Dallas and then to Tampa. My ultimate destination was Lakeland to stay with my aunt and uncle, along with another student who had decided to go to Guadalajara first before meeting up with me in Tampa. We enjoyed Lakeland and visited the pre-Epcot Disney World. I recall that the temperature in late May was 85 degrees Fahrenheit - not as oppressive as it normally would have been. After our stay there, we flew to Atlanta and made our way to Chattanooga to stay with my friend's brother. From there we were able to go to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Rosswell, Georgia, and later Rock City, Cloudland Canyon, and Lookout Mountain. After all that traveling, we flew to Atlanta and back home to Philadelphia. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><br />
<br /></div></div>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-21904657810038752012020-02-02T06:24:00.001-08:002020-04-18T14:49:49.212-07:00Links to my Facebook page (2019-2020)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama of the plaza in Tunja, Colombia, from a trip in 2019</td></tr>
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In spite of my resolutions, I haven't posted here since last July, and I will try to be more consistent in the future. I now tend to post more on my Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/">https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/</a> with quick references to places I've visited, accompanied by a photo. In the meantime, before my next Blogger post, I'll provide links to several Facebook posts here. Hope you enjoy them!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/rpp.80491735128/10157397385785129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Havre de Grace, Maryland, where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay, and an important historical site </a> (2020)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10157338825295129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Sunset in Amish Country, PA</a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10157225636465129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">30th Street Station in Philadelphia, PA right before Thanksgiving 2019</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157858438533872&set=pcb.10157858462658872&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Paintings from Roland Richardson's gallery in Marigot, Saint Martin</a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10156969452745129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">An aerial shot of Bimini Islands, Bahamas</a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10156950895180129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">View from the tower in Filandia, Department of Quindío, Colombia </a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10156921428470129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Ceiling painting from the house of Gonzalo Suárez Rendón, Tunja, Colombia</a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10152365685745129/10156912819850129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">The tourist train that starts in Bogotá, Colombia and continues north to the towns of Zipaquirá and Nemocón</a> (2019)<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikeespositotravelblog/photos/a.10151672926745129/10156899442070129/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla</a> (2019)Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-10990173889517076262019-07-22T18:35:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:25:46.113-08:00Returning to St. Martin after 16 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chairs set out in front of the Azure Hotel and Art Studio on Simpson Bay Beach</td></tr>
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After two research trips to St. Martin in 2002 and 2003 as part of a project with <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/" target="_blank">Raíces Culturales</a>, I had the chance to return to the island this year as a tourist with my wife. There are direct flights from Philadelphia, which didn't exist when I traveled there on my first two trips.<br />
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The island, as the smallest island shared by two sovereign states, is known by its two names: Sint Maarten for the Dutch side and Saint-Martin for the French side. Sint Maarten is an autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Saint-Martin is part of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe. Islanders who hope for unifying the two sides as an independent state prefer to focus on its common English Caribbean roots and use the English spelling of St. Martin to refer to the entire island, regardless of the current state of sovereignty. Out of respect for them and their heritage, I use their spelling unless I have reason to differentiate the two sides of the island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tortoises are among the guests at the Azure Hotel and Art Studio</td></tr>
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On my first trip, I stayed at the Seaview Beach Hotel, a small hotel on the beach in Philipsburg. On my second visit, I rented a room with a friend who lived on a hill, in a section called Mary's Fancy. For this third opportunity, we decided on the Azure Hotel and Art Studio, a small, hospitable location on Simpson Bay Beach, close to Princess Juliana Airport. Though you can hear the planes take off while on the beach, it is <b>not </b>where the planes fly incredibly low as they approach the runway. That "honor" goes to Maho Bay Beach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful blue water in Simpson Bay can be seen from the Karakter restaurant</td></tr>
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Accommodations on the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) have a notable advantage to their French-side counterparts: potable running water as opposed to the well water that isn't safe to drink. We learned very quickly the value of having that option, especially because our room had a kitchenette, enabling us to eat in when we wanted.<br />
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I wanted to see how St. Martin had recovered from the massive destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017. By and large, the island looked open for business. The indicators of the hurricane's impact could be seen in damaged cars, a few buildings in partial or complete disrepair, and the second floor of the airport not yet open, but the rebuilding effort after such a devastating storm was a tribute to the hard work of the islanders. Some attractions such as the Sint Maarten Museum in Philipsburg, or artist Roland Richardson's gallery in Marigot, had finished their repairs only shortly before our arrival.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We accidentally went into a new branch of a popular supermarket chain, Super U, on the day of its grand opening in Hope Estate. (No, we didn't win the car) </td></tr>
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There was still plenty that I hadn't seen on the island, so it was worthwhile to return, rent a car and do some sightseeing. For example, I had never visited Loterie Farm, a nature attraction along the road to Pic Paradis, the highest point in St. Martin. Likewise, I wanted to sample the views from the Little Bay Hotel and what remained of Fort Amsterdam, both on a peninsula separating Little Bay from Great Bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Loterie Farm in the center of the island</td></tr>
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In terms of eating, St. Martin is an island that doesn't lend itself to all-inclusive resorts. Even after Irma, enough restaurants have come back to make the dining options considerable, from fast food to high end. We sampled quite a few without breaking the bank, such as a Latin roast chicken eatery called Pollos Hermanos, had coffee and baguettes for breakfast at a wonderful French bakery called Café Atlántico, and caught a soccer game at a small restaurant in the Simpson Bay area that made delicious Colombian empanadas. The town most associated with fine eating is Grand Case, which, while in the process of reopening some of its famed restaurants, still has its renowned "lolos" or seafood restaurants along the beach. Great food, generous portions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My choice from the ample seafood menu of one of the "lolos" in Grand Case</td></tr>
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Returning to St. Martin was wonderful. Not only did we relax and enjoy ourselves, but we were also able to meet with friends that I had made during my first two research trips. For me, St. Martin more than earns its name "The Friendly Island."<br />
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Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-40861495618435263102019-05-06T04:34:00.001-07:002020-02-02T06:26:00.055-08:00Remembering my visit to the Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain (II)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Giralda, the tower of Seville's cathedral</td></tr>
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The rest of the week in Seville was spent finding activities to fill our time. It wasn't necessary to spend every day at the Feria per se, as there were other activities that were just as worthy of our attention. Julia had plenty of friends of Seville and was indispensable in introducing us to Juan Iglesias, who was our contact for a caseta dedicated to flamenco called "Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena." He and I had an interesting conversation discussing whether or not flamenco could be considered "folklore." Juan didn't consider flamenco in the same category as folklore, and preferred to classify it as more of an art form, which meant that it could be subject to more innovation and individual shaping than folklore would. Of course, this is a topic that could be debated endlessly, depending on one's definition of folklore and what fits within its realm.<br />
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I learned that although flamenco dancers do perform sevillanas, flamenco and sevillanas are not one and the same. In fact, the Feria is usually not the best time to find the best selection of authentic flamenco, with a few notable exceptions: the previously mentioned caseta, and a wonderful place called "Casa de la Memoria de Al-Andalus," a small venue in the heart of Seville that presents flamenco in an intimate setting: a courtyard with a canopy high above to protect from any rain. Nancy and I attended one such performance and were blown away. If you go to Seville, do not miss this. Reserving tickets at the Casa de Memoria is an absolute must, as the place is small and tickets sell out quickly. The website is <a href="https://www.casadelamemoria.es/">https://www.casadelamemoria.es/</a> . The Casa is used to accommodating English-speaking guests, so you will have no difficulty there.<br />
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Tom would take flamenco lessons during the day with friends in the city. Nancy and I would tour the city either together or separately. We decided that we would reserve a trip to Granada on one of those days to see the Alhambra, that marvelous palace from the medieval era when the Moors dominated Spain. We learned that only guided tour groups are allowed into the Alhambra, and they are moved through quickly due to the demand. Our tour group was divided into Spanish speakers and English speakers, so while Nancy and I were together on the bus, she went off to the English group and I went with the Spanish group. We convened again for lunch and met a delightful Irish couple, discussing the politics of the day. US foreign policy is always a hot topic for discussion, and while we didn't disagree, we still tried to tread lightly in that area.<br />
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There were two comforting routines that we fell into during evenings that we didn't go to the Feria grounds: a cafe that was convenient to our apartment, and a restaurant not far from there, where we could sit outdoors and take our time. Dinner was served very late. It would get dark at 9:30 pm, and our dinner would continue leisurely until midnight. I was hooked on paella and had it almost every time, along with a delicious dessert consisting of a large ball of vanilla ice cream with a crispy chocolate coating.<br />
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We absolutely had to go back to the Feria on Sunday night for the big sendoff before we returned to the States. The Feria grounds are absolutely packed as people waited for the finale at midnight, when the lights of the Feria gate are turned off in stages, followed immediately by a fireworks show. It was the perfect way to cap off a wonderful week in Spain.<br />
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You can learn more about the 2019 Feria de Sevilla, which is taking place now, having started on May 4 and continuing through May 11, at the website <a href="http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm">http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm</a> .Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-78527215307361178002019-04-28T03:05:00.002-07:002020-02-02T06:26:31.423-08:00Remembering my visit to the Feria de Abril in Seville, Spain (I)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2006 portal to the Feria de Abril (April Fair) in Seville, Spain at night</td></tr>
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I recall reading somewhere that it is incredible that the city of Seville, Spain celebrates two large festivals within two weeks of each other: first, the solemn Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions; and then the joyous Feria de Sevilla or Feria de Abril (April Fair), with all the planning that goes into each. Four of us, Julia López (then the director of a flamenco troupe in Philadelphia called Flamenco Olé), two of her flamenco students, Tomas (Tom) Dura and Nancy Hill, and myself, took this trip in April 2006 to do research on the Feria, which our local arts organization <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/" target="_blank">Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas</a> (Latin American Cultural Roots) was going to present the following year at the International House of Philadelphia, with support from the dance program of the Pew Foundation on the Arts. Of course, our festival would not approach the size of Spain's Feria, which attracts over a million people each year, but our goal was to absorb as much as possible from Feria to be as faithful as possible to detail in our much smaller event.<br />
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My plane arrived in Madrid early in the morning, and from there I had to take a taxi to the Atocha railroad station. After the all-night flight and the change in time zones I was really sleepy, but managed to see at least some of the countryside on the way south to Seville. I recall seeing wide open plains in between snoozes.<br />
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When I arrived in Seville, I was really fortunate because Julia, Tom and Nancy had arrived ahead of me and had already settled in the apartment we were renting. Tom was available to help me get acclimated, but Julia and Nancy had gone to a flamenco show. Nancy begged Julia to show her what fake flamenco looked like, and so they went to a place where glassy-eyed, emotionless dancers went into their routines. Unfortunately for them, they got caught in a thunderstorm walking back to the apartment at night and were thoroughly drenched.<br />
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The apartment was modern and slightly north of the center of Seville, so for the most part it was convenient for us to walk into town and ultimately cross over the Guadalquivir River to Barrio Triana, the site of the Feria grounds and the subject of many sevillanas (traditional songs representing Seville). Feria has existed since the 1840s and over the course of the years has outgrown its locations, but this Feria site was more than capable of handling the million or so tourists who visit it every year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia López (left) and Nancy Hill presenting a gift from Philadelphia to Antonio Silva, director of the Feria de Sevilla</td></tr>
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One of our first activities was meeting the then-director of the Feria, Antonio Silva, and learning about the history of the Feria, which is fascinating. One of the interesting aspects of Feria is that there is an annual competition among the city's architects for the portal design. The goal of the design is to incorporate some aspect of Seville into the portal. The top photo shows the design that won the competition for 2006.<br />
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The official start time of the Feria is midnight Monday going into Tuesday, so when I went to the Feria grounds on Monday afternoon, the people who were there were busy setting up their casetas or tents for the six-day celebration. It was fun watching the preparations and some friendly people who were just walking around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young people at the Feria grounds prior to the start of the celebration</td></tr>
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As the bulk of Feria activity would take place at night, we had the daytime to do a variety of activities. From our apartment it was easy to walk through Seville and take in some of the sights. We had to be mindful that the hours of stores were reduced due to the Feria, and that it was best to shop in the morning. The department store El Corte Inglés was an exception, as it had afternoon hours and was a great place to find books and CDs.<br />
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On Monday night, as Tom and I approached the Feria grounds, there was a huge crowd waiting for the alumbrao, or lighting of the Feria portal, which would take place at midnight. As the entrance to the Feria was closed until this occurrence, the crowds were pressing on us. When midnight did arrive, there was a huge cheer with the crowds flooding the entrance and grounds to take in all the sights.<br />
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We learned that most of the casetas or tents at the Feria were private affairs with particular clubs or groups of people who had reserved their space and took care of their decoration and food sales. There were also public casetas in specific locations, which were much noisier. Tom and I presented ourselves at Seville's municipal caseta. My goal was just to say hello to Antonio Silva, whom I had met earlier in the day, but much to our surprise, we were invited in and were able to take in all the activity, including the delicious fish that was served along with plenty of manzanilla (a variety of sherry) to wash it down. Tom felt somewhat like a fish out of water because he didn't speak Spanish, but he came alive when some women approached us to invite us to dance sevillanas, and he went off to dance with them while I continued my Spanish conversations, not being much of a dancer myself.<br />
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The Feria celebration continues well into the night. Tom and I finished up at around 4 am and went to the bus stop to pick up one of the well-organized free buses that ran continuously and took people from the Feria grounds to the center of Seville across the Guadalquivir River. From there we walked back to our apartment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of a caseta with its lanterns or farolillos</td></tr>
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You can learn about the 2019 Feria de Sevilla, which actually takes place between May 4 and 11 because Easter Sunday was later this year than in most years (April 21), at the website <a href="http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm">http://www.andalucia.com/festival/seville-feria.htm</a> .<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-13744945310129837732019-04-20T07:46:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:26:51.327-08:00The Relationship Between My Travel and Our Nonprofit Arts Organization "Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas" (Latin American Cultural Roots)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of countless performances by our organization Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas (Latin American Cultural Roots)</td></tr>
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In an earlier post, I gave some thought as to why I have never had the desire to become a "travel nomad" as many have done, in order to sample the world and experience the freedom that being tied down to a specific place does not provide. While there are plenty of practical reasons related to family obligations and other considerations, one that is especially relevant is that, from the time I started traveling, I always had the desire to bring back what I had seen and learned in my travels to the people back home in the States. This especially took root after I returned from a year of graduate study at the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia in 1981, under the auspices of the Fulbright program. After a decade of interacting with the Latino community of Philadelphia, I decided to start a nonprofit arts organization in 1991 showcasing the culture of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, which we named <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/" target="_blank">Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas</a> (Latin American Cultural Roots). Fortunately, I had met a short time before a woman named Yolanda Alcorta who happened to be a co-worker of mine at Wyeth Laboratories and who shared the same passion, so together we started Raíces and worked together nonstop for 15 years until she moved to Washington, DC.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yolanda Alcorta and I in front of the Raíces banner</td></tr>
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The Raíces concept was to showcase several Latin cultures together in a single performance so that the audience could see the diversity. To achieve this end, we reached out to many performing groups and individuals in the Philadelphia area to invite them to collaborate with us, which they did. Ultimately, we presented at least some manifestation of the culture of every Latin American nation, as well as Spain. Groups came and went, but we always had the assistance of several of them when it came time to perform, or deliver a workshop to a school. Such was Yolanda's devotion that she quit her job at Wyeth to become our first full-time Executive Director, while her husband Chris supported their family financially.<br />
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Yolanda's mother Elvira Gaitán was born in Guatemala, and as such Yolanda gravitated toward her family in Guatemala and the richness of that country's culture in her travels. She brought back much research material from Guatemala, while I did the same in Colombia while visiting my wife Adriana's family there. We both tried to take in as much traditional culture as we could during our visits. Later, with the assistance of organizations such as Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Pew Foundation, we traveled to other regions, among them Puerto Rico, Spain, and Trinidad to do research to assist us in organizing performances in Philadelphia.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Seville, Spain in 2006 with Julia López (seated, right), flamenco instructor and then director of the Philadelphia flamenco troupe Flamenco Olé, to do research on the Feria de Abril (April Fair) and learn more about flamenco. I'm standing with Juan Iglesias and Nancy Hill, one of Julia's students. Juan Iglesias' wife is seated at left.</td></tr>
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It goes without saying that traveling to these locations helped us enormously in our mission to render faithfully the cultures we witnessed, as well as create a storehouse of memories and "between the lines" anecdotal experiences that found their way into our events. Attendees would notice these subtleties and sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously, felt an air of authenticity that would have been impossible without our travels. For Yolanda and myself, the events and the audience's reaction provided us with great satisfaction.<br />
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A footnote is that our direct involvement in Raíces initially ended in 2006 for Yolanda, and for me in 2009. Verónica Castillo-Pérez succeeded Yolanda as Executive Director from 2006 to 2012, and Mary Rivera from 2012 to 2015. To provide the Raíces Board an alternative to closing the organization in 2015 due to funding issues, I offered to take back the organization's management, which was accomplished in 2016. Yolanda enthusiastically joined me, and since then, we have created events both in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, helped by Yolanda's freelance cultural work in DC since moving there. You can read the story in my article <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/home-4/michael-yolanda-raices-co-founders-retake-the-reins/" target="_blank">Michael and Yolanda, Raíces Co-Founders, Retake the Reins</a>.<br />
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You can follow Raíces more closely via our <a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/" target="_blank">website</a> , our Facebook pages <a href="https://www.facebook.com/raicesculturaleslatinoamericanas/" target="_blank">Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas</a> (in English) and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/folklorelatinodialogo/" target="_blank">Folklorelatino</a> (in Spanish), and our Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/RaicesCultural" target="_blank">@RaicesCultural </a>.<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-81092864963032376352019-03-22T07:42:00.003-07:002019-03-22T07:42:53.664-07:00Links to two Google Maps I created: Places visited; and World dance, music and cultureOver the past few months, I've been busy updating two Google Maps I've created, which represent my interests in travel and culture.<br />
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The first map pinpoints all the places I've visited. You can find it at <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J3OA20JGNDea1vMZTx1YMDqFJAI&usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J3OA20JGNDea1vMZTx1YMDqFJAI&usp=sharing</a> .<br />
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The second map highlights, and contains many links to, audio and video that I've been able to find showing the cultures of the world. This map is located at <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=186yxS_EKfmTb6Dn7WguKLVvc_F4&usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/open?id=186yxS_EKfmTb6Dn7WguKLVvc_F4&usp=sharing</a> .<br />
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Hope you enjoy these!<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-15338133976623303972018-10-09T17:10:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:27:30.187-08:00Sogamoso and Surroundings in Colombia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plaza of Sogamoso, in the province of Boyacá</td></tr>
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The cool Bogotá savannah extends well north of the capital and continues through in similar form toward Tunja, the capital city of the province of Boyacá. A bus ride to the north and east of Tunja showed me that this same savannah continued to Sogamoso, also in the province of Boyacá, before finally ending there. Sogamoso is a small city with lots of activity in its commercial district and large central plaza, which honors both its indigenous past with a sculpture honoring the sun god of its ancestors (the last cacique or chief of the region before the Spanish conquest was named Sugamuxi), and the Catholic cathedral of St. Martin of Tours behind the sculpture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TByj9OaLXC8/W70-z1JrF5I/AAAAAAACdqY/Jl4daDUCsHcNnxvIK01GMgh0DRnUN4KzQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC03227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TByj9OaLXC8/W70-z1JrF5I/AAAAAAACdqY/Jl4daDUCsHcNnxvIK01GMgh0DRnUN4KzQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC03227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the church in the town of Monguí</td></tr>
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It takes a little less than an hour to take a bus to the nearby town of Monguí, winding slowly through the mountains. Monguí is a really picturesque place situated in the hills, and would be noteworthy for its colonial architecture alone. However, the town has carved a niche for itself in another way: as a manufacturer of soccer balls. In the plaza you can find stores that dedicate themselves to this craft. We went in one store to peek at the workers busily making them and look through all the sizes and varieties available, with World Cup posters decorating the walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOJFbd0gQGU/W71BAFtrQRI/AAAAAAACdqk/Nd5D1Fn1tBosJg5P53bsk63vXOAx3pAqgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC03229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOJFbd0gQGU/W71BAFtrQRI/AAAAAAACdqk/Nd5D1Fn1tBosJg5P53bsk63vXOAx3pAqgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC03229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower pots in Monguí decorated with the soccer balls the town is famous for making</td></tr>
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Another noteworthy side trip from Sogamoso is to the Lago de Tota, the largest natural lake in Colombia. The cool breeze reminds you that you are at a high elevation - 3,015 meters (9,892 feet) above sea level, to be exact. There are plenty of captivating views and towns surrounding the lake, among them Aquitania, which prides itself on rainbow trout caught in the nearby waters, as well as being a major source of onions. As for us, we were not in search of trout or onions, but rather for some delicious ice cream in the plaza, which capped off the day nicely.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the shore of Lake Tota</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-53263948663072299922018-09-20T04:04:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:27:41.809-08:00Feria del Barrio in Philadelphia: A True Community Festival, taking place on Sunday, September 23<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WuFiPea8AGA/W6Lys9-4tqI/AAAAAAACdkM/UwUQIgrbNMwO1oGmUc5esbNnhCJBPsrmACKgBGAs/s1600/DSC03032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WuFiPea8AGA/W6Lys9-4tqI/AAAAAAACdkM/UwUQIgrbNMwO1oGmUc5esbNnhCJBPsrmACKgBGAs/s640/DSC03032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longtime Philly resident Elba Dormoi showing her ornate Panamanian pollera at the Feria in 2017</td></tr>
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The Latino community of Philadelphia is an integral part of the city's tourism offerings. At a short distance from the center of town, many cultural manifestations such as food are available. With that in mind, tours were developed hitting some of the key community centers and sampling the culture.<br />
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One event located in this same community is the Feria del Barrio, which loosely translated means Neighborhood Block Party, but in reality this is a larger festival than a typical block party. This event has been in existence since 1979 and is an important component of the Latino community's efforts to affirm and celebrate their heritage with performances, food, crafts and activities for kids. I always like to participate in these events as a way to experience the culture when I can't travel to the countries directly.<br />
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I have been to so many of the Ferias over the years that I've lost count, but I can say that I've been more involved in its planning starting in 2016 via the organization I co-founded with Yolanda Alcorta in 1991, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas (Latin American Cultural Roots), or Raíces for short (<a href="http://www.raicesculturales.org/">www.raicesculturales.org</a>). The event this year takes place Sunday, September 23, from noon to 5 pm and stretches north two blocks from 5th and Huntingdon Streets to 5th and Somerset Streets, with the main stage in the middle at 5th St. and Lehigh Ave. The co-sponsors along with Raíces are Taller Puertorriqueño, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and HACE (Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises), along with Telemundo 62. We are especially enthusiastic this year because we are increasing our cultural offerings at our tables in front of the Taller Puertorriqueño's beautiful modern facility, opened in 2016. We'll feature workshops from the performing groups Inca Wayra, Ballet Folklórico Yaretzi, and Raíces Boricuas, as well as a Guatemalan weaver. The website is <a href="http://feria.tallerpr.org/">feria.tallerpr.org</a> if you want to learn more.<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-53171723816725431882018-09-14T03:09:00.001-07:002018-09-14T03:09:02.779-07:00Info on my presentation: Diversity in Caribbean Culture: An Introduction<h1 class="tribe-events-single-event-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 1.7em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Diversity in Caribbean Culture: An Introduction</h1>
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<span class="tribe-event-date-start" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Friday, September 14 @ 7:00 pm</span> - <span class="tribe-event-time" style="box-sizing: border-box;">9:00 pm</span></h2>
<span class="tribe-events-cost" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.2em; vertical-align: baseline;">FREE</span></div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Michael Esposito, co-founder of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas will lead a lively and vivid discussion on the diverse Caribbean Culture. A global traveller and world adventurer, Mike dives into the Caribbean exploring the unique islands and peoples of the tropics. He is most at home with the Latino Roots Culture and cross-connection of the Caribbean Roots.</div>
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Caribbean Community in Philadelphia will collaborate with Raices in facilatating a dialogue of multi-layered dimension.</div>
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Councilman Brendan Boyle’s Office will be represented with resourceful information for the immigrant community.</div>
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A first installment of Caribbean Conversions during Philly Welcoming Week.</div>
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<a class="tribe-events-gcal tribe-events-button" href="https://www.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&text=Diversity+in+Caribbean+Culture%3A+An+Introduction&dates=20180914T190000/20180914T210000&details=Michael+Esposito%2C+co-founder+of+Raices+Culturales+Latinoamericanas+will+lead+a+lively+and+vivid+discussion+on+the+diverse+Caribbean+Culture.+A+global+traveller+and+world+adventurer%2C+Mike+dives+into+the+Caribbean+exploring+the+unique+islands+and+peoples+of+the+tropics.+He+is+most+at+home+with+the+Latino+Roots+Culture+and+cross-connection+of+the+Caribbean+Roots.+%0ACaribbean+Community+in+Philadelphia+will+collaborate+with+Raices+in+facilatating+a+dialogue+of+multi-layered+dimension.+%0ACouncilman+Brendan+Boyle%26%238217%3Bs+Office+will+be+represented+with+resourceful+information+for+the+immigrant+community.+%0AA+first+installment+of+Caribbean+Conversions+during+Philly+Welcoming+Week.+%0A&location=Taller+Puertorrique%C3%B1o%2C+2600+N+5th+St%2C+Philadelphia%2C+PA%2C+19133%2C+United+States&trp=false&sprop=website:http://creativephl.org&ctz=Atlantic%2FAzores" style="background: none rgb(33, 117, 155); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; float: none; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; margin-right: 1.25em; margin-top: 21px; padding: 6px 9px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;" title="Add to Google Calendar">+ GOOGLE CALENDAR</a><a class="tribe-events-ical tribe-events-button" href="http://creativephl.org/event/diversity-in-caribbean-culture-an-introduction/?ical=1&tribe_display=" style="background: none rgb(33, 117, 155); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; float: none; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; margin-top: 21px; padding: 6px 9px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;" title="Download .ics file">+ ICAL EXPORT</a></div>
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Details</h2>
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<dt class="tribe-events-start-date-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Date:</dt>
<dd style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><abbr class="tribe-events-abbr tribe-events-start-date published dtstart" style="border-bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: default;" title="2018-09-14">September 14</abbr></dd>
<dt class="tribe-events-start-time-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Time:</dt>
<dd style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><div class="tribe-events-abbr tribe-events-start-time published dtstart" style="border-bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: default;" title="2018-09-14">
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm</div>
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<dt class="tribe-events-event-cost-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Cost:</dt>
<dd class="tribe-events-event-cost" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">FREE</dd>
<dt class="tribe-events-event-categories-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Event Category:</dt>
<dd class="tribe-events-event-categories" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creativephl.org/events/category/inphilly/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">In Philly</a></dd>
<dt style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Event Tags:</dt>
<dd class="tribe-event-tags" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creativephl.org/tag/arts-education/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Arts Education</a>, <a href="http://creativephl.org/tag/digital-media/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Digital Media</a>, <a href="http://creativephl.org/tag/discussionpanel/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Discussion / Panel / Talk</a>, <a href="http://creativephl.org/tag/free/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Free</a>, <a href="http://creativephl.org/tag/workshop/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Workshop</a></dd>
<dt class="tribe-events-event-url-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1; list-style: none;">Website:</dt>
<dd class="tribe-events-event-url" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2060356187614056/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;" target="_self">https://www.facebook.com/events/2060356187614056/</a></dd></dl>
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Organizers</h2>
<dl style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><dd class="tribe-organizer" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creativephl.org/organizer/raices-culturales-latinoamericanos/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;" title="Raices Culturales Latinoamericanos">Raices Culturales Latinoamericanos</a></dd><dd class="tribe-organizer" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creativephl.org/organizer/caribbean-community-in-philadelphia/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;" title="Caribbean Community in Philadelphia">Caribbean Community in Philadelphia</a></dd></dl>
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Venue</h2>
<dl style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><dd class="tribe-venue" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://creativephl.org/venue/taller-puertorriqueno/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s;">Taller Puertorriqueño</a></dd><dd class="tribe-venue-location" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: none; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><address class="tribe-events-address" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding-right: 3px;">
<span class="tribe-address" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="tribe-street-address" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2600 N 5th St</span> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="tribe-locality" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Philadelphia</span><span class="tribe-delimiter" style="box-sizing: border-box;">,</span> <abbr class="tribe-region tribe-events-abbr" style="border-bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: default;" title="Pennsylvania">PA</abbr> <span class="tribe-postal-code" style="box-sizing: border-box;">19133</span> <span class="tribe-country-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">United States</span></span><a class="tribe-events-gmap" href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2600+N+5th+St+Philadelphia+PA+19133+United+States" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168fac; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.4s ease 0s; white-space: nowrap;" target="_blank" title="Click to view a Google Map">+ Google Map</a></address>
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Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-9809249716359497262018-06-11T17:58:00.003-07:002020-02-02T06:27:56.752-08:00Playing the tourist in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (2018)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bávaro Beach in the Punta Cana tourism area</td></tr>
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My wife and I had wanted to visit Punta Cana for years and finally had our opportunity in May 2018. We found a great deal at the all-inclusive Iberostar resort in the Bávaro Beach area, comprised of three hotels: Bávaro Suites, Iberostar Punta Cana and Iberostar Dominicana. We stayed at the Bávaro Suites area but could use the facilities at the other two hotels. As it turned out, we liked the Bávaro Suites just fine and had a nice-sized room close to the pool area.<br />
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This hotel complex is geared to serving huge crowds, and many of the guests hailed from Europe and South America as well as the US (Germans and Argentinians were especially there in good number), so Americans don't dominate there the way they sometimes do at other resorts. Food was plentiful and varied; not everything was a hit in my estimation but there was so much to choose from that it was inevitable to find plenty to one's liking. The service was very good overall. The Dominicans that we encountered on our trip struck me as friendly and exuberant, accommodating and easy to chat with.<br />
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I observed that items were pricey, and outside of the normal run of tourist activities, there was not much of interest close by unless you didn't mind being on a long guided tour to Isla Saona, Altos de Chavón or Santo Domingo which would have eaten up most of the day. Any impulses I might have had to stray from the resort or the shopping areas in Punta Cana were tempered by the distances, the cost of hiring a taxi, and the intense heat. Things for sale were mostly the souvenirs that everyone is accustomed to buying, save some local crafts. The best way to catch the local flavor was by buying food, no pun intended. A free shuttle can pick you up at the hotel at certain times of the day to be taken to a small shopping mall called the San Juan Plaza Shopping Center. We did find a few souvenirs there but we especially liked finding Dominican specialties in the supermarket.<br />
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Accurately or not, I generally gauge the pride or the knowledge that the local hospitality industry has in the regional culture by the amount of cultural items that are available at the airport. It was impossible to find so much as a guidebook there, and in that respect the area did not compare as well to Cancún, which was built in the middle of a number of culturally significant centers, such as the Mayan ruins at Tulum. My recollection was that the taxis to go into town were not as expensive in Cancún as they were in Punta Cana.<br />
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For me, the negatives were minor because the amenities and the friendliness of our hosts made the trip more than worthwhile. After noticing how difficult it would be to go off the beaten path in a way that I would have normally liked, I decided that for this trip, I would not engage in that pursuit and play the tourist on this trip - just this once.<br />
<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-14673236633120761592018-05-23T03:45:00.001-07:002020-02-02T06:28:08.239-08:00A quick business trip to Bogotá, Colombia (2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the "welcoming committee" at Andrés DC Restaurant in Bogotá</td></tr>
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In 38 years of traveling to Colombia, I had never taken a strictly business trip there, but an opportunity arose this year (2018) as I was hired by a consultant to do research on pharmaceutical manufacturing. (I have probably not mentioned here that I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry in one capacity or another for over 30 years, and now I do consulting independently under the name TrainReach Consulting, LLC (<a href="http://www.trainreach.com/">www.trainreach.com</a>). One occasion to learn more about the manufacturing and distribution side of the industry came at the GS1 Healthcare Conference in Bogotá, Colombia in April. The timing was wonderful, and aside from the informative topics on the use of barcodes in healthcare, our hosts made every effort to expose us to Colombian culture. The attendees came from several areas of healthcare, from Pharma companies to hospitals and pharmacies, and from every inhabited continent except Africa, which would have its own convention in May.<br />
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There were two instances where the culture was celebrated: first, with a reception at the hotel featuring a band that played music from the Barranquilla carnival; and second, a dinner at one of the Andrés chain of restaurants that have become so popular. The first of these was Andrés Carne de Res in the nearby town of Cota, which became popular not only for its food, especially the steak (hence the name "Carne de Res"), but also for its quirky design and a plethora of touches, with a Disney-like precision but definitely Colombian style. There is jovial entertainment or interaction of one form or another almost constantly, and you see it from the time you walk in the door, such as in the photo above from when we arrived.<br />
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While we were there, I had the chance to chat with a gentleman from Belgium who was visiting Colombia for the first time, and as he was not going to be able to do any additional touring in the country, I shared with him what I knew and tried to give him some perspective. I've learned that one has to be really careful sharing anything that is negative, because of the danger of possibly reinforcing stereotypes. Of course, there were plenty of positive things to share, such as Colombia's incredible biodiversity and cultural diversity, and he could see the legendary Colombian hospitality for himself.<br />
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The weekend gave me the chance to relax in Bogotá before returning home. The week had already been packed!Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-32973268467844878662017-09-19T16:56:00.003-07:002020-02-02T06:28:30.530-08:00The Valle de Tenza in Colombia<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plaza in Guateque</td></tr>
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I have traveled to Colombia over a 37-year period and recall seeing many buses indicating that they were traveling to the Valle de Tenza in the province of Boyacá, about a three-hour ride from Bogotá, toward the northeast. Foreign tourists did not appear to visit the region with any regularity, as most of them go to the colonial-style town of Villa de Leyva, also in Boyacá but in a different direction.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town of Somondoco as seen from Guateque</td></tr>
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In December 2015 I made my first trip to the area, visiting the towns of Guateque and Tenza. One can not help but be impressed by the immense mountains and gorges that mark the route once one turns off the main road to Tunja and heads east. After the considerable twists and turns, I stopped in Guateque, the first major town in the valley on our route. Guateque has a temperate climate, warmer than Bogotá and the towns immediately to the north of the city. While in Guateque, I met with a professor named Luis Carlos Uscátegui who was in the area doing research and supporting an artisans' cooperative that specialized in basket weaving. He suggested that I visit Tenza, and I hailed a taxi to take me there. I didn't have a lot of time to spend in Tenza, but it was well worth it: the town was beautiful and quiet. I had some time to meet a gentleman named Marco Antonio Roa, who was the director of folk dance groups in the town. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the quiet streets in Tenza</td></tr>
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In April 2017 I returned to the valley. This time I passed Guateque and kept going to a town named Garagoa which was a little farther down the route. There were even more landscapes that awaited, and I was taking every photo I could with my iPhone while the bus bounced over the bumps in the road. My time was limited in Garagoa, so I focused on the church, which did not disappoint with its beautiful interior and many statues that were lovingly preserved. The local people were very friendly, and eager to chat with me about American politics.<br />
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Valle de Tenza still has more that awaits my discovery, as there are several other towns in the area with their own views and enchantment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the church in Garagoa<br />
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Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-33950419726400556152017-08-18T17:51:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:29:17.214-08:00Expanding focus of blog to include all travel - a selection of photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have decided to expand the focus of my blog to include all of my travel, though there will still be plenty of content related to Latin America. I have already been sharing information on all my travel experiences on my Facebook page, @mikeespositotravelblog. The blog's url will remain the same even with the change in focus.<br />
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Below are a few sample photos from different trips, some local, and others more distant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecuadorian tall ship in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin at the exact top of its jump at the National Aquarium in Baltimore</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scene in Antwerp, Belgium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn in Valley Forge National Historical Park with a covered bridge in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse and carriage in Villa de Leyva, a town in Colombia famous for its colonial architecture. I thought it amusing that the driver was on his cell phone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite photos: a garden in Anapoima, Colombia featuring a colorful heliconia (Hanging Lobster Claw)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument to Irish immigrants to Philadelphia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest zoo in the United States, with some of its favorite inhabitants, the giraffes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taller Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Workshop), an arts organization in Philadelphia founded in 1974<br />
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Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-76695792012404912562017-01-04T08:53:00.001-08:002020-02-02T06:29:33.313-08:00A Visit to Riviera Maya in Mexico<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scene from Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun</td></tr>
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We couldn't believe our good fortune! My wife and I won three free nights in an all-inclusive at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun on the Riviera Maya, in a contest sponsored by the Travel and Adventure Show in Philadelphia in March 2016. We selected November as the time to go, late enough to avoid most of hurricane season and the increased rain, but before the airfares would go up around Thanksgiving.<br />
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A few quick facts about the area: Riviera Maya is a more recently developed resort area to the south of Cancun, which stretches to Playa del Carmen and the park X-Caret, and further south to the ruins of Tulum. You would still fly into Cancun International Airport and pay for a shuttle to take you to your hotel. As there is no other significant development in the area aside from the beachfront hotels or the town of Playa del Carmen, the only practical ways to access Cancun or other parts of the region from a Riviera Maya resort are via taxi or a guided tour.<br />
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Our having only three nights meant that we decided not to go to Chichén Itzá, Tulum, or any other long guided tour, so as to be able to make the most out of our all-inclusive resort. The staff at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun is exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the food nothing short of spectacular.<br />
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We realized when we arrived that the temperature of the pool and the sea in general was colder than we had envisioned. It may have been due to the time of year, which featured some cool breezes, or it also could have had to do with the area's latitude. It is farther north in the Caribbean region than Punta Cana, Jamaica, Puerto Rico or the islands of the Lesser Antilles (such as St. Martin). People who have gone to Cancun and Riviera Maya at different times of the year may have had different experiences than ours.<br />
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The beach immediately adjacent to the resort was convenient for having drinks delivered to you, and ideal for sunning./We noticed that the water was full of seaweed and not quite as appealing, which led us to look for another beach to visit. Our first thought was a place called Playa Maroma in between our resort and Playa del Carmen. Playa Maroma has beautiful, powdery sand, but the same issues with the water existed, making it more appealing for water sports or swimming with dolphins in a pool next to the beach than simply going into the sea to swim.<br />
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We quickly left Playa Maroma and headed via taxi and ferry to Isla Mujeres, where we spent an afternoon. There we found the beach we were looking for: beautiful, with calm waters ideal for floating or swimming, but it wasn't the famed Playa Norte that is talked about so much. The beach we found is a three-block walk from the ferry terminal and is called Playa Centro. I noticed that the beach at Playa Centro was wider than Playa Norte and the water was calmer, at least where I could observe. Playa Norte is good if you book a hotel on that beach and can just take a few steps from your room to go into the water, but for our purposes Playa Centro was ideal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playa Centro, one of the beaches on Isla Mujeres</td></tr>
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Obviously, if we had had more time we would have explored more of the area, but for a short, relaxing vacation, we were more than satisfied with our experience. Our goal is to return for a longer stay and visit the ruins and other attractions there.<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-52676197674615331342016-07-30T05:09:00.001-07:002020-02-02T06:29:48.763-08:00A Brief Visit to San Antonio del Táchira, a border town in Venezuela (2014)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church in San Antonio del Táchira, Venezuela</td></tr>
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I traveled to the border town of Cúcuta in July of 2014 and saw how available a side trip to Venezuela would be, especially to the border town of San Antonio del Táchira, in the state of Táchira in the western part of the country. Venezuela has received a lot of attention lately because of its turbulent political and economic situation. (Note: Shortly after I made this trip, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro closed the border crossing, and the situation fluctuates frequently, so check your country's travel advisories before making any attempts to cross.) If it hadn't been for the fact that my sister-in-law and her family were traveling with me, I may not have attempted it.<br />
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As with many border crossings, there is a lot of activity between both countries. The Simón Bolívar Bridge crosses the narrow Táchira River between Cúcuta and San Antonio. The two sides are very similar culturally, and both countries legitimately claim Bolívar as their hero. Bolívar was born in Caracas, but also liberated Colombia and was the first President of the liberated nation "La Gran Colombia" which included Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador separated from Colombia in 1830, and Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903.<br />
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I was aware that a brief half-day stop in a border town did not constitute a proper introduction to Venezuela, but we were told that San Cristóbal, a nearby city that used to be a favorite destination of Colombians before visas to go beyond San Antonio became a problem, was also rife with demonstrations and not safe to visit. Still, I was determined to make the most of my brief visit and learn as much about Venezuela as I could while I was there.<br />
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Once you pass the border crossing, the town resembles a typical Colombian town with its plaza and buildings. The difference lies in the multitude of monuments to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. I also perceived a certain tension that didn't exist in Colombia, and had the feeling that I was being watched, which may or may not have been my imagination, as my sister-in-law prepared me for the trip with a series of do's and don'ts and I was a little more vigilant that I would have been normally. Fortunately, we spent our morning there without incident, and even made some friends at the local library. My primary takeaway was that the culture of the state of Táchira was very similar to that of the Colombian Andes, but certainly not identical and worth studying further. Also, I found the border town to be a gold mine of information on Venezuela, mostly geared toward primary and secondary school students, but still satisfying my curiosity.<br />
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In part because of my strong interest in returning to Venezuela when conditions permit, I watch the situation closely and am saddened by the plight of Venezuelans trying to survive in that turbulent political climate. Hopefully the country will straighten out its affairs in the very near future for the benefit of all Venezuelans.Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-35750405010480674872016-04-15T15:36:00.000-07:002020-02-02T06:30:18.456-08:00My son David's wedding in Mazatlán, Mexico (2013)<div>
Our family had the unique opportunity of participating in a "destination wedding" in December 2013 when our son David and his wife Wendy, who live in the Philadelphia area, decided to have a Catholic ceremony in Mazatlán, Mexico, a seaside resort to the north of Puerto Vallarta. Wendy is a native of Culiacán, a few hours' drive from Mazatlán. </div>
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We were delighted to be able to meet Wendy's extended family and friends and enjoy the surroundings. There was time especially for us men, who were not involved in the planning, to relax at the resort. At that time of year, Mazatlán has a wonderful climate: warm but dry, in contrast to its very hot summers. The water temperature in December is a little cold, but the resort where we stayed, El Cid Marina, had a heated pool. The resort is popular with Americans, Canadians, and Europeans as well, and some retirees call it home at least part of the year, so you will most likely run into English speakers. The beach area is filled with modern hotels, as can be expected, but there are parts of the city that do not look Americanized at all, so you can experience the best of both worlds.</div>
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The night before the wedding, Wendy's family invited us to the restaurant "Pedro y Lola" which faces the city's plaza. As it was during Christmas season, the plaza was abuzz with activity and adorned with plenty of lights. Musicians came to our table to play both Latin and American favorites. Mazatlán is well known for its seafood and we had plenty of opportunities to sample it during our stay: a breaded fillet that I ate at Pedro y Lola, shellfish, ceviche, and fish tacos, to name a few. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedro & Lola Restaurant facing the plaza in Mazatlán</td></tr>
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After our enjoyable evening, we eagerly anticipated the following day's wedding ceremony. The church where the Catholic ceremony was called San Judas Tadeo (St. Jude Thaddeus) and was a great place to start our day. The church faces a small plaza with plenty of trees. David and Wendy looked great, her family and friends were obviously enthusiastic, and the church had a nice floral arrangement in front of the altar and a large picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the wall to the left of the crucifix.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and Wendy at their church ceremony</td></tr>
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Mexican law requires a civil ceremony in addition to the religious ceremony, so when we went to the Hotel Emporio, the location of both the ceremony and the reception afterwards, we saw that a nice kiosk was set up near the beach for the civil ceremony. At about the same time, there was an outdoor reception on a second-floor patio at another part of the hotel, and I heard the Luis Miguel song "Delirio" playing, which was a perfect complement to the pretty beachside setting. After the ceremony, there were lots of pictures taken on the beach by the photographers hired for the occasion as the sun was beginning to set.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy couple poses with their parents</td></tr>
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The reception, which was held in a room on the first floor, opened up to a spectacular evening view of the sea while we enjoyed the food and drink, with a mariachi band to start with, followed by a dance band featuring a nice mix of Latin music.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures on the beach</td></tr>
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The day after, we were invited to a nearby, picturesque town called El Quelite, a name derived from the Nahuatl language that refers to a class of edible plants common to Mexico. At El Quelite we ate lunch at a popular restaurant called "El Mesón de los Laureanos." The word Mesón refers to a type of restaurant with a traditional look, while Laureano is a family name. After we finished, but before returning to Mazatlán, we were able to stop into the church across the street to view their beautiful Nativity scene.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsCFSCOd7yM/VxFpQ_TjeZI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/pderZJG9nOgEMhtv1e-qyE5GhNX1cmUaACLcB/s1600/El%2BQuelite%2BNativity%2Bscene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hsCFSCOd7yM/VxFpQ_TjeZI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/pderZJG9nOgEMhtv1e-qyE5GhNX1cmUaACLcB/s640/El%2BQuelite%2BNativity%2Bscene.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nativity scene in the church at El Quelite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With a little free time, I walked through downtown Mazatlán to see the historic buildings. It was December 31, which happened to be the date that new mayors in Mexico are sworn in. When I arrived at the plaza, a party celebrating the inauguration of the city's new mayor took place. The mayor understandably had bodyguards, but the festivities were open to the public and I had the chance to sip some punch and listen to a band playing for the occasion.<br />
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As we were flying out early the next day, our New Year's Eve celebrations were focused on having dinner at the hotel. (There was a New Year's Eve party at the hotel that we could have attended, but we thought it pricey.) For us, it was the perfect way to cap off an experience that remains etched in our memory. I would definitely enjoy going back to Mazatlán if the occasion presented itself.<br />
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<br />Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2331033672990590410.post-56850020027687846172016-03-17T15:49:00.002-07:002016-03-17T15:49:36.234-07:00One of My Favorite CDs: Danzas Puertorriqueñas, Rafael Hernández - Orchestra and Arrangements <div id="yui_3_15_0_1_1458253433407_2192" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif, Roboto; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-top: 0.1em; padding: 0px;">
<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_14">Danzas Puertorriqueñas - Rafael Hernández - Orquesta y Arreglos (Disco Hit - DHCD-9173)</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_21">Songs (all instrumental):</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_28">Luz María, Dos Estrellas, Mi Estrella, Quejas del Alma, Mi Perla, Sin Ti...Jamás, Perla del Caribe, Llévame al Cine Mamá, María Lina, La Bella Margot, Máscaras Alegres, Lluvia de Perlas</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_7">Years ago, I ordered a cassette from the Isla catalog, which featured products representing Puerto Rico. Up to that point, I had a hard time finding any recordings of Puerto Rican danzas that featured an orchestra as opposed to folk instruments such as the cuatro. I liked the danza performed on the cuatro, of course, but I wanted to hear a recording that reflected the intent of danzas to be performed at formal soirée dance settings. I found a cassette of danzas by the late Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández in the catalog and ordered it. When I received it, I realized that I was sent a cassette that wasn't the same one showing in the catalog. Still, I put it on and to my absolute delight, I fell in love with it from the very beginning. The music and arrangements reveal their origins in what sounds like the late 1950s or early 1960s and are played with an infectious energy and a slightly faster tempo than other danzas that I had heard.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_35">Out of all of these, the only song that is slightly lacking for me is Sin Ti...Jamás because there is, for me at least, a tension between the rhythm and the melody that doesn't feel resolved. The others are sheer delights, with Luz María, Dos Estrellas, Perla del Caribe, Llévame al Cine Mamá, and Máscaras Alegres standing out as my favorites. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_15_0_4_1458253433407_42">After wearing out the cassette, I had to purchase the music on CD, which of course I did not regret for one minute. This is an album that has given me hour upon hour of listening pleasure.</span></div>
Michael Espositohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02139264211912268418noreply@blogger.com0