Some Guy and a Camera

I went to a salt mine with a cathedral inside of it in a town called Zipaquirá, Colombia. This is the statue of a salt miner out front. Cool. I actually took a whack at a tunnel wall of salt with a miners pick. Not so easy, I’ll have you know.

Monserrate is a church/monastery above Bogota. Nice flowers.

This policeman, I use the term man loosely, was barely two decades old. Here he tells the story of Pablo Escobar and his closest Lieutenants. The national pride with which he spoke was incredible. All of the police and military I have spoken to thus far here in Bogota have been incredibly polite and helpful. Addressing me as caballero (A gentleman, me?!), they have been eager to help and tell me about their history and the current state of affairs here.

Vendors crowd into the main plaza in the Candelaria in Bogota. Two days before Colombian Independence day.

Extravagantly adorned military officers litter Bogota’s streets. Keeping the peace, I suppose. Although I must admit, in this area with all random backpack checks and constant presence, it feels more secure than some places I have been. Word is that Colombia has certainly “cleaned” itself up. I’ll take a large police presence over car and letter bombs any day.

I am not sure I will ever get over my fascination with armed military personnel on the street.

N,S,E,O in Spanish. On the floor of the Police museum in Bogotá.

I am interested in what my viewers (Did I just call you viewers?)have to say about this. What do you think it means? I have been both places and can think of one major parallel, but am eager to know your thoughts.

A street in the Candelaria neighborhood in Bogota, Colombia.

There is a section in the National Police Museum dedicated to Pablo Escobar. The police make a point to express that it is not to exonerate the man, only to pay respect to the police involved in his pursuit and eventual execution.

Freija

Barranco Street Art

The lovely and talented Hallie Chase.

Supporting Holland during the world cup 2010 in Lima.

Our beloved tattourist. Tattooing people on his travels around South America.

http://jasontylergrace.com/home.html

How’s that for a World Cup Look?

This marks the first camera phone photo that I have posted here. I thought, and do think, the subject matter warrants it’s presence. I was on my way to the bar where I work and saw a flaming car. I literally came out of a bodega and there it was. Without realizing the danger, I walked near to the blaze and then something popped. A small part of the car exploded and some flaming debris flew out into the intersection. “Oh yeah,” I though, “this may be dangerous.” I backed up a couple steps, but watched as the emergency workers responded and extinguished the fire and the threat. The firefighters were rushing to put out the blaze and I snapped a few shots with my iPhone because I didn’t have my camera. Let this be a lesson to never leave home without my camera again. wow.