Food Preparation-A hora do almoço

Isabella painstakingly cutting the Mandioca (Yuca)

Lucas-L and Matheus-R marinating the Beef.

Here in the outback of Mato Grosso,Brazil,  the women prepare the vegetables and the men carefully prepare the meat. Everyone here takes food preparation very serious and with a lot of pride. after all I was told, you don't want to get a reputation for making bad and tasteless food. All the food is brought in daily from local farms to ensure freshness and  high quality.  

Sisters-Iirmãs

Preta

Fran, I think shes the boss

These two sister Preta, and Fran, work hard all day long six days a weeks running a little luncheon severing all kinds of typical Brazilian snacks known as Salgados. They moved here to Brasilia, two years ago from the northeast of Brazil, seeking a better life. They are always full of energy and greet everyone they sever with a big warm friendly smile. One day while I was walking by (they had seen me with my camera one day) they ask me if  I was a photographer and I said yes and I just happen to have one of cameras with me. So, ask them if I could take their portraits and they were more than happy to oblige me.  I pray they have many years of peace, safety and prosperity here in the capital city of Brazil.

Planaltina de Goiás

Me and my Best Friend.

Young mother with baby outside a class were they teach them how to be better mothers .

Bye for now and hope to see you soon!

They say, the best camera you have is the one you have with you at time. Such is the case in these photos. I didn't have time to grab my trusty 40D and speedlite so I had to make do with what I had...my ipad camera. Well, it actually was a good lesson for me in more ways than one. For one thing, at least I did have a camera with me and was still able to inter act with these kids and have fum with them, though I keep thinking I wish I had my regular camera with me. These photos are from kids who live in a poor community outside of Brasilia, Brazil called Planaltina. Where once a month a local church from Brasilia, goes and teaches them about God, prays for them, listens to their problems and distributes food to them. In Mark 10 vs 14 Jesus said "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Amen. I guess I'll never grow up then.

Feira dos Povos do Cerrado

Young lady working the Acaraje Booth a traditional dish from Bahia

Playing and dancing to Traditional Music

The big chief from the state of Mato Grosso 

The night was filled with food, fun and dance as Brasilia, celebrated the 8th annual Feira dos Povos do Cerrado. It was my first chance to mix and mingle with some of the Indigenous people of this beautiful country  and hopeful not the last.

Festa São João

Youth enjoying the festival

Hi Mom, like my outfit

Doing the Alligator Dance

The Festa São João or the Saint John Festival, aka the Festa Junina is celebrated every June in Brazil. it use to be only on the 24th of the month but now they celebrate it through the whole month. I believe in Oporto, Portugal, home of port wine, where the festival has it's origins, it's only celebrated on the 23 & 24 of the month and not the whole month like in Brazil.

Lunch Time or Almuezo

Street Vendor serving up Lunch. Quito, Ecuador 

There is probably not one place in the world where you can't find a small outdoor stand to have a good inexpensive lunch or as they say in Quito, La hora del almuezo or lunch time. 

Music Food & Fun

Dancers Perform at Gran Folia  

Delicious Food From Bahia

Percussion Section From Mamãe Taguá

As Carnaval came to a close last night in Brasilia, at the Gran Folia Stage there was no shortage of dynamic performances and food from different regions of Brazil, to sample.   

Mercado Municipal

Front of Mercado

Inside of the Mercado

The Mercado Municipal, a fun place in Brasilia, to shop hang out and have a snack. It looks old but it's not because nothing in Brasilia is old.