Gypsy Adventures

My Scholarship entry - A local encounter that changed my life

travelinggypsy — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:40:06 GMT

The carnal pulse of euphoric music engulfs the cobble stone streets of Pamplona. A feeling of exhilaration washes over me as I wander amid the gyrating sea of punch-drunk, dancing bodies. Santo Domingo square thrives with the unbridled excitement of the unknown. I can’t help but wonder if these feelings are a harbinger of things to come.
At dawn I step into the traditional white gauchos, accented by the infamous, beast taunting red sash. My heart nearly thumps out of my chest, while anxiously waiting for the screeching rocket to spark into the sky, marking the beginning of this dicey endeavor. With my brother by my side, we are ready to take on the world! The streets echo as several pastores raise their rolled newspapers and chant to the image of San Fermín. The bulls rush from their pen with powerful speed. The crowd screams and chaos ensues as the frantically enthralled masses push their way towards the arena.

Jogging several hundred feet ahead I think “It will be a while before they are near." 40 seconds pass, the enormous beasts are within arm’s reach! The ground trembles at what feels like the equivalent of a 9.6 on the Richter scale. The reek of sweating hide cannot conceal the smell of fear that consumes the air. It is madness! Avoiding bulls and dodging the fear crazed runners, my temples pulse as bursts of adrenaline give me strength to run like I've never run before. We lock arms and hurdle a few piles of fallen people. Heading straight to the back wall of the arena we check for injuries, hug and snap a few photos before the next round of bulls are released. A gush of wind blows past. We see several people going down like rag dolls, limp and motionless falling to the ground. Realizing we are not in a safe zone we climb into the stadium to become onlookers of this surreal experience. A spectacle that would be unimaginable anywhere else in the world is that of Encierro. This act, unlike any other I’ve encountered leaves me with a deep appreciation for life.

Photos: A vibrant, traditional culture in the Land of Smiles - Photo scholarship 2011 entry

travelinggypsy — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Friendly faces, a vibrant, traditional culture and new perspectives is what I found while exploring Thailand, the land of Smiles. Photography for me is both magical and mysterious. I've been fascinated with it since I was a little girl. My parents would press a button on the Polaroid and a piece of paper would emerge that slowly revealed an image, a moment in time forever captured. Being self taught, I go beyond the surface of physical aesthetics to expose the heart and beauty in the spirit of the people that cross my path along my travels. I keep my mind and body in constant motion. I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. I am embarking on a round the world trip beginning March 2012 and would love to work alongside Mr. Edwards to help prepare myself for the rest of my venture. As I submit this entry I hope to encourage others to always believe in themselves. My upbringing wasn’t ideal, but financial hardships should not hold you back from achieving your dreams. I intend to freeze not only the brilliant and shining moments that inspire and encourage the great qualities of life, but also capture trials and tribulations that are inevitably faced in the form of hardship and tragedy. I believe compassion and faith of individuals can band together to overcome all adversity for the sake of the common good. Through my photography, I hope to create a real life forum depicting a sense of connection and belonging to the World where everyday existence is a source of ownership, pride, and enduring relationships. My explorative, adventurous personality should fit well for the requirements of the photography scholarship. Fusing my natural abilities and knowledge I gain through this amazing opportunity, I dream to become a beacon of enlightenment for myself and those around me.

Photos: Running with the Bulls ~ San Fermin

travelinggypsy — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:34:00 GMT

My little brother and I ventured to Pamplona - Iruña, España to run with the bulls

Photos: Você fala português?

travelinggypsy — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:20:00 GMT

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil