Photo
Essay By :
One Day Someone asked
me, “Is Colombia beautiful?” I had been traveling and taking pictures for ten
years, from Asia through the Americas. And yet I was not sure if should say
“yes.” I am Colombian, and I could not be sure.
Once back in Colombia I
took my camera and went north. I was overwhelmed by the places, indigenous
peoples, and ethnic groups I’d never seen before. I had not been a traveler in
my own country and the experience was magical.
These are some of the
most beautiful faces I found.
Wayuu
Wayuu, the desert
people of Colombia. Wayuu is the main ethnic group in La Guajira, and many of
the people here do not speak Spanish. This woman was selling souvenirs in Cabo
de la Vela, a small town close to the border with Venezuela. I asked her, “What
is on your face?” “Fat!” she said. They use this to protect themselves from the
sun.
Helping clean rooms
In Cabo de la Vela the
hotels are “huts.” There are no beds. Everybody sleeps in hammocks. During the
morning children wake up and run to play on the beach. However, many of them
work during the day, selling necklaces and bracelets. This young man was
helping his mom clean one of the rooms.
On the beach
To reach Cabo de la
Vela one has to cross a desert by 4x4. If you don’t know the way, it’s very
easy to get lost. The panorama is incredible. I found this young lady on the
b
Shy subject
I love taking pictures
of children. This girl was extremely shy. I showed her a couple of pictures I
took of her sister and they both were laughing. Finally she took out her head
from the pot and I took a picture of her.
Very ok!
Walking through the
streets of the old town in Cartagena de Indias, I heard a voice asking me
questions. I looked around and did not see anybody. The voice kept asking
questions and I thought maybe it was a joke. When I was close to leaving, I
looked down and found his face. Locked in the house, he was drunk. I asked if
he was ok. “Take a picture of this, because I am very ok!” he said.
Bringing water to the
village
Tayrona National
Natural Park is ideal for camping. However, if you are used to traveling with a
very small budget (as I do), hammocks are pricey (over 5 euros). I crossed
paths with this young man who was bringing water to the village.
Cooking near the river
Colombians love “Paseo
de Olla.” Usually a chicken is cooked in a big pot. The activity takes place
next to rivers. To cook next to the water is one of the best feelings.
Everybody is happy. “Aguardiantico y cervecita” all around! Cali is a city in
western Colombia. This girl was playing with orange mud while her parents were
cooking.
A good hammock
Cabo de la Vela can be
very hot during the day. Everybody goes inside and lies down on a hammock at
noon. The easiest way to pass time is with a cold Venezuelan beer (Polar) and a
good hammock.
Helping haul fish
Many parents take their
children to work with them. This young boy was helping his father to haul fish
from the boat. I bought two of their fish. After I left they were smiling.
Orange mud
In the countryside of
Cali, this child and her friend decided that a good idea would be to put orange
mud around their faces and hands. It was a spectacular present for the eyes,
and I ended up covered in orange as well.
Fishermen on the beach
The only option for
eating in Cabo de la Vela is fish. Many fishermen sell them on the beach. Fish
is always eaten with rice, lemon, and patacón. Fruits are all around, their
juices readily available.
You dance
Salsa is very typical
in Cartagena de Indias. Don't worry if you don't know how to dance. In a couple
of minutes you will find yourself dancing and hoping that nobody is looking at
you. After two hours and a couple of aguardiente shots, you will be the one
taking people out to dance and screaming, “wepaaaaa carajo!"
Very small village
Some of the indigenous
groups that live in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta are the Kogi, Arhuaco, and
Wiwa. This young man is from the Kogis and was in a very small village deep in
the jungle. Most of the Indigenous do not speak Spanish, and to communicate
with them is very difficult.
Good conversation
Cartagena de Indias is
a world heritage city, with a beautiful old town. It's easy to find many people
sitting in parks or on the streets, and a good conversation is always welcome.
This man was very proud, telling me how incredible the city was.
Shower
In Cabo de la Vela
children play all around. I found this little man who was enjoying taking a
shower. His family told him to spray water at me. I ran away. Before I left, I
looked back and took a picture of his victory defending his territory.
Andrés Vanegas
Canosa or Andy VC is a
Colombian freelance photographer of Spanish decent. He focuses on the
human consequences of war and crisis in developing countries. He shows the
human faces affected by the effects of poverty, indigence and war. ”Some
people are used to think that social problems do not exist. But they do exist!
There are serious issues that need the attention of the international
community. Those issues are happening right now, in this world! thats how the
tittle came: Made in the Earth“
Andy VC covers
not only social problems, but also travel photography. A chance to expose the
beauty of this world and give ideas to people about where to travel and what to
do.
Andrés Vanegas
Canosa is also a lawyer with experience in both the private sector and multilateral
organisations. In 2013 Andy VC was 2nd place for the Colombia National Award of
the Sony World Photography Awards.
Source: Matodor Network
Source: Matodor Network
