1.2 - mi macondo
10/11
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while i walk around the alleys of Buenos Aires, through its vibrant and hustling energy, I find my self thinkin back to the calmness of a pueblito in Antioquia.
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El pueblo de Venecia fue mi Macondo.
The ghosts of the characters of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel were accompanying my daily walks. I started imagining which of the names from Marquez's novel would match the faces of the strangers I encountered daily. Dozens of Aureliano, Jose and Remedios everywhere. The magical realism I read about in the book was adding a dreamy filter to everything I saw.
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Okay, enough with the projections and romanticization, typical of a white dude reading Marquez in Colombia. ​
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What really warmed my heart was the tempo of Venecia.
As if the clock on the church in the plaza was simply ticking at half the speed.
I think that towns, anywhere in the world, follow an alternative system to track time.
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Alejandro told me fascinating stories about his family-owned coffee farm and insisted that I try all the different types of coffee he had.
This lovely man greeted me every morning with a smile and sold me the best mango I ever had in my life.
And this man made exquisit papas. He was very curious about my camera and excited yet shy to pose for me.
The three weeks I spent in Venecia reminded me of the value of slowing down. It was not easy, as I am not used to stepping out of my overly stimulated and adrenalinic lifestyle. Going on walks and taking these pictures helped me ground my self.
The people of Venecia made me feel welcome and at home, embracing me in their safe bubble of fresh fruit and soft sunsets.
In case you want to know what I did while living in Venecia, below you can find the 4 portrait videos I did for 'Cerro Tusa Spring', located in a literal paradise, cuddled by the soft Antioquian hills.
