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San Antoni artwork
Originally uploaded by NihalD
My last day in Barcelona….it’s been a mix of reflection, inspiration, and a culmination of one era and into the next. I’ve made some great connections with people from all across the globe – strangely I haven’t met too many Catalonians. Perhaps it being summer has driven most of the locals away to far off lands and a summertime respite. Either way, I’d like to share one last piece of art before I head back to the states.
Also, check out my new friend Cara’s blog about her travels:
http://www.travelingoyester.com/2010/08/23/barcelona-baby/
There’s a plug about myself in there that I was taken aback by! My hope is that I can inspire…if there’s one thing I’d like to do on this earth it’s just that. Breath new life and encourage others to make the change and be the hope in their lives so that they have be that effortless inspiration for others. Domino effect. 
Barcelona is amazing but there is only so much city life you can take. I took a quick 2 day trip down to Sitges, a popular beach town just an hour south of Barcelona. What I didn’t show you is the evening beach parties, the quaint (but not so tasty) beachside tapas bar I went to…or the interesting crowd of people I met (none of which were from Spain). More to come…I still have a good five days in Barcelona and will be uploading more travel videos!
The summer season is slowly winding down and much as happened for me in the past month. As for updates, I call it the “creative curse” when updating sometimes causes too much stop and go to constantly keep up. So allow me to let you know what’s been going on.
In June I was invited by Trinity University to give a presentation to a Film and Politics class. The students watched the short film on the Nyumbani Village for a Q&A session afterwards. Now, the class was incredibly engaging and asked the most poignant questions. One student in particular asked me why I choose to go to Kenya to cover the topic of AIDS when right here in DC we had the highest AIDS rate in the country. I was taken aback and assured him when the opportunity arises – I’ll take it! Great class, very gracious professor, all in all I was honored to give my first University presentation at Trinity. A huge THANK YOU for having me to them.
In July I was met with The Emerging Leaders Program group from Ireland in D.C. The group consists of young adults from Ireland who are invited via the State Department program with a focus on conflict resolution and peace building. A double honor to be invited to such an event with bright minds and eager spirits. Loved it and hope to stay in touch with everyone I met.
These are events I feel grateful to have been a part of. I’ve also had several creative projects involving event planning, marketing, and P.R. for local businesses in the D.C. area. Currently I’m now ready and open for projects and will take my work with me during my trip next week.
Travel story ideas? People to suggest I meet and possibly interview? Event in and around Catalan? Let me know!
I’ll be in Barcelona for the rest of the month
The trip down south was one eye opening experience. I wasn’t able to get as much footage of the spill or the surrounding areas along the coast as I would have liked but I did come across some rich ideas for a documentary. I made the drive from Hattiesburg, Mississippi in the pouring rain to find the rain has barely subsided by the time I got there. I ran across a BP protest going on in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans and since it I didn’t want to risk damaging my camera I turned to my darling iPhone. Instead of getting some great HD footage I managed to capture a few shots and talk to some enraged locals.
For next time I’ll have to gather the funds to make a trip with the intention of simply shooting footage. I welcome any ideas or assistance in getting a fund raising off the ground. I have a few ideas of my own but right now I’m in the middle of a party planning project for June 26th. Yes, my dear brother is turning 30 and I was granted the honor to throw a last minute shin-dig.
This should be interesting.
The Nyumbani Village short has been completed, the first premiere was a success and I’ve been recovering from the past few weeks of intense focus! So, to fully regroup I thought I would take a quick detour. The change of pace I so need takes me to Mississippi and Louisiana for the weekend.
In the wake of the oil spill there is so much talk about what’s really going …I want to uncover what’s really going on here? Why did this happen, could it have been avoiding, and most importantly how is it effecting both the environment and the people living in the areas?
It seems that the gulf coast hasn’t even had time to recover before being hit once again.
I’m taking my camera for this trip so get ready for some stories…please email me with any questions or suggestions! Enjoy your weekend!
Hello – so after long nights of logging, editing, and tweaking shots it’s finally all come together.
The premiere will take place at the Rayburn Building for members of the Africa and Global Health committee tomorrow at 3pm. If you are in DC Please come out and support – otherwise I’ll post shortly!!!
Since I’ve been back I’ve had to care for my father who was rushed to the hospital the day after I arrived – so pardon the lack of updates. Good news he’s recovering. I’ve been the sole caretaker while my mom is away but in the meantime I’ll be updating and editing the film. Deadline: May 21st!
Posted May 3rd, 2010. 1 comment
I’m just minutes away from leaving the airport…there is a flurry of activity all around me so this is going to be short and sweet. Dar es Salaam has been abundant with new experiences: Driving on the left side, jumping in the middle of the Indian Ocean and swimming all the way to shore, getting sea urchin pins in my toes (ouch!), 91 degrees and full humidity for most of the days here, long nights of wedding parties. There has been little alone time to update! However, as for the project I start shooting at the Nyumbani home in Nairobi. I should have internet connection at the hotel tonight…
Lesson I learned from Tanz? Well..you have to be relaxed here because NOBODY is in a hurry…
that is except for me at the moment. Off to the airport!!
Imagine being trapped under a hot blanket in the worst part of a fever….that’s the kind of weather I’ve been experiencing here in Dar es Salaam, the first stop on this adventure. It’s not so bad once you get a waft of a breeze or are in front of the blasting AC but during daytime hours you are definitely in for a sweating session. I am getting used it it, slightly. In the interim I’ll be booking my ticket next week for Nairobi and testing out the camera in this heat. However, most of my time here in Dar is going to be spent enjoying wedding festivities and seeing family I haven’t seen in years. You better believe I am going to enjoy one of my greatest pleasures while I’m here too: the beach!
When I get a second I’ll update with pictures.
Posted April 1st, 2010. 1 comment
I haven’t posted lately because I’ve had a sudden attack of stage fright. You know the kind where you’d much rather stand behind the curtain instead of showing off you’re latest dance move? You wait in bated breath hoping all the practice is going to pay off. Ooo the tension in the air! Hopefully it’s an adoring audience that watches as you sway and sashay in your rawest expression. Oh, where would we be if we didn’t need encouragement? Thanks for all the support from my friends and family I’ve been getting these past few months. I’m back to update you on the progress of the trip planning.
Two full days left of checking equipment. So far I’ll be taking:
Panasonic AG-HMC 150
Two batteries
Tripod
Reflectors
Laptop
Two External hard drives (thank everyone who insisted on this)
Lavalier
shotgun mic
All of this will be either carry on or securely smushed into my extra large backpack. Yep, I’m taking a large roll-on pack that includes straps to mimick the rough look and appeal as if I was ‘backpacking across the Andes’ . Heaven only knows if I’ll have any help to carry any of my stuff so this way I’m prepared to roll with the punches and chin up. This is one adventure I am excited to have the opportunity to take. I’ll carry you with me as much as I can to include you on the journey. I’m slightly over my stage fright already. Like any skill, you have to practice…use it or lose it!
So for now I’ll be available on my cell until It’s turned off until the last week of April. If anyone need to contact me please email me!
Posted March 25th, 2010. 2 comments
