ISLA FUERTE
THE OCEAN
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THIS PLACE WAS MY HOME FOR TWO MONTHS
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DAYS AT THE RHYTHM OF THE SEA
THEIR FACES, THE SUNLIGHT, THE SALTY WATER
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Even now, I’m still amazed by how beautiful these images are. Every time I look at them, I’m transported back to the moment they were captured. The light, the energy, the people, the feeling in the air.
They don’t just show what was there; they carry the emotion of it all. They remind me of joyful memories, of genuine connection, of laughter shared and quiet moments observed.
It’s incredible how a single frame can hold so much meaning, and how that meaning continues to grow over time.
THE STORY
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I lived in the island’s Casita de la Cultura. Each morning, the children would arrive wrapped in laughter, joyful shouts, and a vibrant energy that made the whole place tremble with life.
We painted, we learned about photography and storytelling, and most importantly, we learned how to simply be together, sharing those salty, sun-kissed days by the sea.
My days began at 6:00 a.m., awakened by the song of roosters, the bray of donkeys, the cheerful chatter of children on their way to school, and the voice of the "empanada" lady calling from the street.
The rhythm was simple: making arepas, preparing the space, and a few hours later, opening the doors to welcome everyone in. From the moment the house filled with music, games, and dancing, to the quiet evenings spent walking the island, I shared my days with those who made this place feel like home.
There was Doña Orfelina, nearly 80 years old, the island’s midwife with a thousand stories; Amalfi, whose meals I loved and always looked forward to; and Keytin, who cared for me with tenderness, holding space for me when the days felt long and far from everything familiar.
The children’s hugs and the sea under the golden 4 p.m. sun brought me back to simplicity, to presence, to myself. To the portraits that move me. To living slowly, softly, and fully.
Gracias totales.
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