carrer Verdi

It's been many-a-days since I last posted.

I've been delayed because there are so many pictures and I wanted to do justice to each of the contestants at la festa de Gràcia, 2008 and the people who were kind enough to let me photograph them.

So, today, I begin with the people on Carre Verdi.

We met Esther, studiously, methodically and carefully mixing the paint on her palette to capture the right mood and intensity of the street.

Esther
Barcelona, 2008

Esther didn’t realize that she became part of the picture for there was a BIG BLACK SPOT on her teeny, tiny upturned nose.

Esther's Palette
Barcelona, 2008

Further down, behind the beverage counter was Julio Soto from Cuba, in Barcelona for about 3 years. He had a bright face y una sonrisa que me encanta. (A smile that enchanted me) and I couldn’t resist taking his photo.

Julio Soto
Barcelona, 2008

He couldn’t resist my effervescent, bubbly and sparkling personality and charm, either. (Wow!! I sound like a cool beverage of lemonade on a hot, humid day!).

I think he was surprised that anyone would want to photograph him because carrer Verdi itself was clearly the star, festooned in array of flamboyant colors that would make a lover of Las Vegas happy to be here.

Anyway, carrer Verdi’s theme was on Mexico. When you look at the flickr photo stream, you will see what a great job they did.

Carrer Verdi received 3rd place of honor out of the 15 of those who participated.

We congratulate carrer Verdi and I thank Julio Soto and Esther for indulging me.

View barcalunacy's la festa Gràcia, 2008 FLCKR photoset.

Hasta Mañana

Sundays in Barcelona are peaceful with families strolling along the sidewalk, activities in the plaças and on rare occasions and I do mean RARE you see somebody actually working.

So it happened as I crossed the street, I saw this man stooping, wiping, and painting the steel persiana with the orangest gloves you ever so and a most serious look.

Barcelona, 2008

I began taking pictures and explained that his motions and silhouette were more to my interest and not his face.

As he relaxed (in that way I have of making people feel good), I complimented him on a job well done. He explained that he promised the proprietor 8 years ago to do this job and the day finally came when his chips were called in.

She had nagged he said (but I think he really meant a gentle nudge) to do the job and under what circumstances he agreed now to do it, I will never know.

She, the proprietor, was his wife and we all know that wives are these patient, good-natured and understanding genders.

NO?

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset

plaça Rius y Taulet

Many years ago, what seems like a googolplex amount of time passing, the Smurf’s were a popular television show, as American Idol and Dancing with the Stars are today.

Come one Halloween year, I convinced one of my sons to be Papa Smurf. I didn’t sew then and I don’t now but I thought my brilliant, outlandish idea would be fun, using old clothing and what not.

plaça Rius y Taulet, 2008

Oh, yes! The best part of my imagination was working and coming to reality. You, who have no stitching skills, would appreciate this. I made the hat out of felt material, and I got ballerina shoes, improvising them to look like Papa Smurf’s shoes.

Now wait!

I, his mother, in my creative wisdom, used Elmer’s glue (yes, you read it correctly) to paste about 20 cotton balls, on his cute little face. (Yes, I am biased.)

My son was Papa Smurf and I was swollen with pride and his face was just swollen.

plaça Rius y Taulet, 2008

Oh, how he would have been at home at plaça Rius y Taulet.

Plaça Rius y Taulet received 7th place honorable mention out of 15 who participated in la festa, Gràcia! 2008.

Congratulations to you!

View barcalunacy's la festa Gràcia, 2008 FLCKR photoset.