Imaging Brazil 247: Cooking Pan at Boa Viagem Beach in Recife, PE (2009)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

247: Lobster in cooking pan

Boa Viagem Beach in Recife is very popular among tourists. The enchanted beach is flanked by a wall of apartment towers and hotels, and there is an interesting outdoor market nearby, which attracts many visitors in the afternoon and evening. It’s a real pleasure to stroll past dozens of stalls full of local delicacies, handicrafts, art, and handmade trinkets. Also on the beach is much to see and to do. There are several sports facilities, and there are dozens of beach clubs offering a variety of food, snacks and beverages. When I was walking on the beach, I encountered this big pan, with the big claws of a red lobster protruding.  It was as if this unfortunate lobster was trying its ultimate escape attempt.

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2009, 2017

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Imaging Brazil 177: Puppy Dogs in Curitiba, PR (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

177. Puppy dogs

APRIL 2008: Puppy dogs

In Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná, you can visit a large-scale open air fair in the center on Sundays. Hundreds of stalls offer a wide diversity of handicraft, utensils, local art, food and drinks. You can meet interesting souvenirs and hand-made decorations for reasonable prices. It is not uncommon to bargain about the price. That Sunday, I spent several hours there, wandering along the stalls, taking pictures, and paying closer looks at eye-catching objects. What also caught my eye, were these two Golden Retriever pups. They were kept in a large plastic box, and they were looking so cute, with a kind of humble expression that must have melted many hearts. When I took this picture, the dogs received attention of two different people who didn’t resist stroking their soft, light brown fur. I really hope that these pups have found a good home and have lived a good dog’s life. 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

Imaging Brazil 175: Orange and Blue in Belo Horizonte, MG (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

175. Orange and blue

DECEMBER 2008: Orange and blue

A large-scale handicraft exhibition has been held at Expominas in Belo Horizonte for more than twenty years. This exhibition – generally held late November, early December – is claimed to be the largest handicraft fair in Southern America. Every year, there is a certain main theme. In 2008 it was ‘Japan’, because the ‘Japan Year’ was celebrated in Brazil that year. An entire pavilion was decorated in the Japanese style, and showed a large collection of Japanese handicraft, food and drinks. However, it was not only Japanese handicraft that was shown at the fair. Handicraft artists from all Brazilian regions had gathered in Belo Horizonte: among others, indigenous handicraft from the Amazon Forest, and handicraft typical for the Northeastern, Western, and Southern Brazil. A large share was from the organizing state: Minas Gerais. The colorful cloths shown in the photograph are from the state’s countryside. 

 © Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

Imaging Brazil 165: Namoradeira in Belo Horizonte, MG (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories

165. Namoradeira

JUNE 2008: Namoradeira

When you wander around in a random street in the smaller towns of the state of Minas Gerais, you have great chances of being stared at by a beautiful young woman. Most of these women are slightly tanned or dark, with a glamorous look in their eyes. Almost perfect, you might say. If you approach these women a little bit, they do not turn off their look. On the contrary, they continue to stare at you. Not surprising, because they are made of wood or plaster. These so-called namoradeiras are typical examples of the Minas Gerais culture. In the conservative places in the interior of the state, young women were not allowed to walk alone on the street, but were kept at home. A young man with great interest for such a young woman had to ask the father of his daughter’s hand. To attract attention of the young men, the young women leaned at the window. The wooden or plaster namoradeiras are offered for sale at local markets, as I encountered this one at the famous Feira Hippie in Belo Horizonte.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

Imaging Brazil 154: Hare Krishna in Curitiba, PR (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

154. Hare Krishna

MAY 2008: Hare Krishna

On Sundays, almost all streets in downtown Curitiba are occupied by hundreds of stands that exhibit local handicraft and food.  You will encounter a huge variety in bijouterie, bags, shoes, home decorations, clothes and toys. This fair is widely known and attracts large numbers of visitors. In May 2008, when I joined a large group of students at a student meeting in the capital of Paraná, I visited the fair and was amazed of what I saw around me. Colorful handicraft, very creative creations, and ingenuous vending techniques. That day, it was sunny but cold. Many people used coats and vests against the cold wind. But there were some exceptions, and one of them wore an orange robe characteristic for a Hare Krishna adept. Apparently, he was very concentrated in his mission to have people interested for his cause. The man was surrounded by tall girls, visibly looking very serious. But I have no idea whether they were seriously interested in Hare Krishna.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2015