You know how whenever your high school English teacher would complain that the expression “life changing experience” was trite and hackneyed? Well, there are no other words to express our life changing experiences in Chivirico!
It all started in February, 2006 with our first trip to the southeast coast of Cuba. This, because Trina’s description of what was to be her inaugural PhotoCuba workshop sounded just too interesting and exciting to pass up. While there was no way to know exactly what to expect from the hotel, the village and the local Cubans, we were quite sure that whatever Trina had to offer in the way of photography lessons would be, at the very least, worthwhile. The temptation of sun and photo-making in new surroundings (and an excuse to escape our own cold winter) was just too hard to resist, and so we signed on. And we signed on again in 2007. And we signed on again in 2008.
In addition, we have returned to “our” little village of Chivirico three more times. Six trips to the same tropical location in a matter of only twenty six months surely tells the whole story. If not, then our literally thousands and thousands of photos complement the telling and the retelling.
From both a photographic and a personal point of view, Chivirico is unlike any other place in the world. It is enticing and seductive. Add Trina’s excellent touch as a teacher of photography and traveling companion, and you truly do have magic.
Charming and pretty, and with a spectacular view of the Sierra Maestra Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Los Galeones Brisas Hotel is perched atop a small mountain, with a road leading directly into the village. From the gardeners to the wait staff to the management you can expect a daily dose of hugs and kisses. Remember, this is a small hotel, with a family atmosphere. Nowhere are we welcomed more warmly. We always stay on after the workshop; it’s just too alluring (and inexpensive – and the food is great, too!) to pass up!
We are drawn to the village and our dear friends and “our family”, over and over again. Whether it is just to sit on Tia and Tio’s porch sipping hot, sweet and locally grown coffee: or just to hang out at a baseball game; or, from time to time, at the local concert venue (Nautica, where the admission will set you back about a quarter – and that’ll cover you and a few of your friends); or to share a meal in one of their homes, or to sit on a rooftop to observe the eclipse of the moon – photo taking and making are an ongoing process.
It is pretty well guaranteed that nowhere else in the world will you find people so amenable to being photographed as they go about their daily business. Each of the three times we’ve taken the PhotoCuba course, we’ve learned something new about ourselves and what contributes to successful photomaking. Each of the three times that we’ve taken the course, we’ve found it engaging.
The progression in the style of our own work is obvious and noticeable. Trina is a fine teacher; her pedagogy, exemplary. Her respectful and thoughtful encouragement always spurs us on to new and different ways of looking at our subject matter, and our creativity has become so much more fluid and emotional.
Just when we think we can’t squeeze out one more photo from the little village of Chivirico, on the southeast shore of Cuba, inspiration strikes again.
We shall definitely be keeping in touch with Trina and the gang in Guelph. ‘Cuz not only have we formed fast friendships in Chivirico, but with our fellow PhotoCuba travelers!
¡Muchisimas gracias por todo, Trina, y tienes suerte!
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