Treasures of the Caribbean Part II

After some days of mountain in Minca it was time to go down the Sierra to visit the beautiful beaches of Palomino.

The vegetation of the lush Sierra extends up to the beaches, the wind is strong and fishermen struggle every day against the wild waves to take their boats out to the sea.

The mist constantly moisturizes this jungle paradise.

From the Sierra numerous rivers flow into the sea and along the Palomino region there are many  river mouths where it is a pleasure to be swayed by the soft and sweet current of the river to jump afterwards into the spirited waves of the sea.

Behind those mountains in the photo are the snow-capped peaks which unfortunately would not be disclosed to our view.

Palomino is a very beautiful place. Still wild despite being increasingly present in the radar of many foreign and national travellers.

In front of the beach was La Sirena, the fabulous hostel where we stayed. We slept in hammocks under a thatched roof of woven palm and every morning a puppy would wake us up to go and play on the beach.

During the day we walked to the mouth of a river and then we took long naps on the beach.

In the evenings a little rum and all the constellations up in the sky.

I loved this vacation because of the company, the new friends we made and their diverse ways of living, the beauty of Nature and above all because from time to time I need to go back to basics: T-shirts and a toothbrush, water, fish, sleeping outdoors, not looking in the mirror, feeling the discomfort and re-adapting to become free again from too much urban comfort.

Photos by Pablo Abitbol.

Click here for Part I of Treasures of the Caribbean: climbing up the mountain.

Treasures of the Caribbean Part I

Once again beaches. It seams as if my life was all about fun and travel during the past months. And, so it is to a certain extent but that did not stop my brain and my heart from processing information, ideas, possibilities; all focused on further steps in the project that is LIRIO.

These days you will find me every morning greatly enjoying my yoga practice before I head to the library to hunt for information and in the afternoon organizing my ideas. Generally though, loosing my mind over the magnitude of the task ahead: to design, alloy and hammer a corporate personalty for myself.

I still need some time to materialize such a plan and be able to jump into the void with homemade wings.

So, while it's time to announce something interesting, let me show you two treasures of the Caribbean I discovered during my vacation.

In Colombia theres a place where the mountains of eternal snow peaks extend and softly fade until they touch the Caribbean Sea. It's the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

30 minutes away from the seashore, up the Sierra, is Minca and there, Oscar's Hostel,  hidden in mountains of a thousand shades of green, with Santa Marta and the sea to it's feet.

Through these woods of bamboo and towering trees a group of howling monkeys passed early in the mornings in search of breakfast. Sometimes they came up to the tops of the trees to take the first rays of sun.

Several streams and springs run through this area which a decade ago was devastated by livestock. With his green hands Oscar has patiently brought it back to life. Soon this place will become a natural reserve. Oscar and Sandra, his wife, are wonderful.

And so, hiking wild trails, listening to friends making music and relaxing during warm scented nights I fell in love with Minca and the beautiful lives our dear hosts live.

In part II: descending from the mountain to touch the sea.

A new life

This is what I see everyday if I wake up when the sun is rising

At the back buildings at El Cabrero and the lagoon shining. Front old town's façades glowing lilac with the morning light and far away the sea, hiding behind an early mist.

And how did I end up living here, in Cartagena de Indias? As it always happens when I wish something. By whispering a phrase to the wind, very close to my beloved's ear.

After the four years we spent in an idyllic German small town moving back to Bogotá proved to be too noisy, cold and perturbing. We wanted to feel the sun and be neighbors to the ocean so we risk it all once again, packed and jumped into the Caribbean adventure.

A lady from Getsemaní neighborhood enjoys the "fresco"

It was hard for me to leave the beautiful studio I shared with a dear friend and realize that I would have to start building my life again, for the hundredth time, well, the seventh time. To expect the loneliness of one who's new to a town and has no friends. To leave behind my clients and the beloved  downtown jeweler's neighborhood where everybody knows each other.

The streets of Getsemaní

Now I live in this beautiful city, The Heroic, amidst day-to-day warriors, travelers and exiles from other parts of the country; I live between the old town's legends and the harsh present.

Castillogrande

And I have to say that this life is delicious but far from easy. The incredible heat and the sea present uncalculable challenges for someone who's not born in this ardent region. It takes a lot of energy and fruit juices to perform any task. But...

Photo by Pablo Abitbol

There's the breathtaking beach, recharging and alleviating you, still providing plenty of protein

and those magnificent sunsets followed by breezy nights

Yes, I like this new life and it excites me to plan LIRIO's future. By the way, I have already begun to work. Soon you will see.

Drop

Some days ago Nicolás came to my studio because he wanted an engagement ring for his girlfriend.
We talked about what he had in mind and draw some options. We let the ideas rest for a couple of days until he decided on this design:

After agreeing on the form we set out to pick the stone for the ring. It's very exciting to find the perfect stone; there's something about the brightness and color of a stone that makes you want it. It doesn't have to be the heaviest or most transparent one, it's rather a kind of sparkle that arouses a strong desire to choose it.

Once chosen the stone I began to work on the ring while Nicolás anxiously waited to see the finished jewel.

The day Nicolás returned to my studio to see the ring we both were surprised at the result: he because the ring didn't turn out the way he had imagined it, and me because I was satisfied at the result and expected full approval.

This is how the ring looked like the first time:

In my profession it is true that the key is in the details. The same ring changes enormously by modifying the finish of its surface. The first time the matte finish highlighted the yellow hue of gold of this white gold alloy and the well defined edges gave the ring a very sharp and geometric character.

But when Nicolás saw the smooth and glossy interior of the ring he knew that was how he wanted the exterior finish as well. He also wanted the edges to be soft and rounded.

This is how the ring turned out:

By completely polishing the ring the gray tone of palladium became predominant and the smooth surface reflected changing hues from gray to warm greenish brown. The soft edges made it look fluid and delicate.

This time Nicolás was pleased and I, although initially reluctant to change, also fell in love with this new version.

As in every project I work on this one gave me the opportunity to appreciate more my profession and to learn. I love having the opportunity to know a little about my clients while we talk about what they want. It also makes me happy to listen to their ideas and be able to make some changes to obtain the desired piece.

I have learned that I need to count on the surprise factor, which translates into time.  Sometimes the details look great on paper or on other jewelry projects but are not necessarily appropriate for the present occasion, so I need to have time to change them. I also learned that the view of others can point to which design solutions I'm limiting myself and of course, that I should not fear the glossy finish ;)

 

What version of the ring do you like the most? Matte or glossy?

A talisman

Many years ago, when I decided to become a goldsmith, an image came to my mind: that I would spend countless lonely hours in front of the shinning fire transforming precious metals and gems into objects with a soul. I was fascinated by the idea of creating and blow a certain spirit into the little metallic sculptures.

This is an object created with an intention: that the person who wears it should remember how strong she is and the lessons she has learned.
This is a talisman for a friend of mine.

It's this

With candy-like colors, this beautiful and crunchy...

chard is a delight on any preparation you make.

What's this?

What's this returns!

As my trusty Pentax Optio 330GS suffered an accident I began experimenting with a new camera, which is far more complex and heavy (I'll present the new camera soon). So probably the photos will be a bit strange while I learn the secrets of my new toy.

Now, guess what's this with such vivid colors

Write what you think it is on the comments section and wait for the answer here on Sunday.

New Home

Sunset in Bogota          Photo by Pablo Abitbol

It's almost three months since Bogota is my hometown again. This city of magnificent and violent sunsets, never ending rain, cold houses and sometimes scorching sun. I was born here. I have lived many years here. I love and hate this town.

I say to myself that I don't have time to write on this blog but the truth is that I spend a lot of time looking through the window at those flaming sunsets trying to digest what is happening around me, trying to reconcile the peaceful dream that was living those past years in my little German town with the heart-rending lack of restraint that is living in this city, in this country, in this century.

I had never seen my city so poor, so broken, so full of tears. And my heart is very sad.

So, please, have patience with me while I recover the strength, the illusion and acquire a protective cuirass. I promiss, though, not to become blind and apathetic.

Now that my soul's atmosphere was revealed, it seems sincere, even therapeutic, to return to this space. We'll see if LIRIO blooms once again the way flowers can only do around the Andes and if LILI becomes strong and happy again.

I'll leave you with something that I do enjoy everyday: the colors, the smell, the taste and the exuberance of this soil.

Market Place of Paloquemao in Bogota

In the midst of the summer

There's a lot going on in my life right now. The days go by so fast and sometimes I can't finish my daily labors because they are so many and also because when the weather is beautiful, sunny and hot it's impossible not to go out for a walk.

During June and beginnings of July I worked in the new jewelry designs for summer and some special commissions. I also began a new training with lots of exercises and a similar diet to the last one, but this time I do the workout first thing in the morning and it feels really good.

For the last 15 days I have been busy closing my German home and packing.

Yes. I'm going back to Colombia after almost 4 years in Witten. In my heart there's a mix of happiness for the return and the beginning of a new chapter but also sorrow for the wonderful people and places that I will leave behind.

I will miss the calm and the walk to the woods very much.