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sharing some scenes as we traveled along the Rio Coco throughout the week…
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there was a constant change in weather throughout the trip…
…foggy…sunny…rain showers…blistering sun and heat…
typical housing along the river…
many of the homes are on stilts due to the rainy season when there’s lots of flooding and mud…
there are everyday chores…washing clothes and dishes…as well as themselves in the river…
the young children will accompany them to swim and play…
usually in the nude or in their clothes…rarely would one see a bathing suit…
this is the cayuco (boat with no motor) that I mentioned in an earlier posting…
the children learn early how important this craft is for their daily survival…
gathering firewood or picking bananas…
or just relaxing…
we had to stop and show our passports frequently to the local federales…
and later in the trip they hitched a ride with us…
with the specific instruction of no photographs…
heading home…with their bowl and cup…
a free meal is usually provided by the school through organizations such as the World Food Program…
an example of what the paths are like from the river to the villages…
…always straight up!
there were no issues going from the Nicaragua side of the Rio Coco to the Honduras side…
or vice versa…
How wonderful, you’ve captured so much in your images. The landscape looks so pretty but I’m sure it’s much different during the floods.
I’m so happy that there are people who see to filling those bowls and cups and people like you and all those you traveled with are making such a huge difference for so many in their day to day lives … I’m so proud of you.
Great little clip of the cows crossing over!
So true Susan…I saw many signs as to how high the water can go and it’s amazing how big that river can/will get during the rainy season! The cows crossing was a favorite…I felt as if I was having a national geo moment for sure! Thank you my sweet…always for your comments and following along!
‘with the specific instruction of no photographs…’ erm I think you were lost in translation here (grin)….. I would too, this is a too good opportunity to take a picture of the federals. I am always surprised by how new these outfits are and I will stop talking my mind here…
Absolute fabulous shots of the surrounding and the crossing of the cows is great.
This river is like the aorta of the country, everything happens in and around it.
(I took pictures of me going by bus from West to East Berlin also not allowed 😉 )
Love and hugs.
LOL! Totally lost in translation! I so chuckled when our translator told me what they had said and I can so see you doing the same on that Berlin trip! You know you point out something that went quickly through my mind at the time but since lost it…everything about their uniforms were new and crisp. Amazing isn’t it? Thanks so much…love your perspective, always!
The colorful reflections in the river, the dogs, the children, the women…you know how much I love your take on things in other parts of the world, Robin. We get our education from your images (that speak louder than a thousand words!). Thank you. And yes, that video at the end says it all. We aren’t in Kansas anymore, are we!
So true Ginnie! We aren’t in Kansas anymore! That so made me laugh! Thank you always!!
Your photos are fabulous, and so support the story you are sharing about the everyday life on the Rio Coco. Thank you so much for sharing such details. I feel as if I made the journey with you but from the comfort and security of my home. Love and hugs… XoXo
That’s exactly what I hope from my photography and words. THANK YOU! xo
Your posts from this trip give me such a mixture of feelings -it’s really hard for me to sort out – and I didn’t even go on the trip! For now I only have fragments of thought about the rawness of nature, the perseverance of humans, the goodness of reaching out, the smallness of the world, and the connections that unify us. Every photograph is truly picture perfect – telling the story even more than your words. The video of the cows crossing the river, with the sounds of the scene, brings home the reality of this life – in all its glory and all its struggle. Amazing . . .
Thank you so much Donna! I love those words…the rawness of nature. That paints its own picture for sure. Always love your visits!
Such a beautiful place, wonderful photos – and you captures a perfect ‘food photo’, too – love it!
And of course I thought of you, ha ha!! Thanks Katrin for your visit when I know you are so busy!
Such a wonderful country , so lush and green! What do people grow on the land? It seems so fertile and rich but the children depend on meals provided by organisations? The more I travel along with you the more questions I have. I admire your courage to ” get lost in translation” . Great shot! Did that once with a policeman in Nairobi ( not even on purpose!) and almost lost my camera.
It is wonderful to read all the comments above and to see how many people you touched with your words and pictures.
Thanks Karen! The villages grow mainly beans and corn. They grow it to feed their families and sometimes to sell to other families within the village. Beans and corn is basically what they feed their families. If they are lucky they may have a chicken or two…a pig…and a cow…but that’s not for every family. I’ll get to more of the village life in a future post. Oh, I remember that time when you almost had your camera confiscated! But I was very very careful with the feds…
Wow, coming in late with my comments I so agree with everyone’s take on it. Such beautiful landscape, I can only imagine how different it is during the floods. Interesting, too on how the weather was everchanging.
I love the clip of the cows crossing – What a nice surprise to get that and I love the two little boys in the grass. Such green grass, so lush.
I always have more questions when I see your photographs and yearn to learn more and more. I I wonder about the bugs and parasites in the water and how they wash themselves and dishes and crocodiles and if they get attacked. So many questions.
I, too would take all of these places and people with me in my heart and mind forever and wonder later on how they’re doing and what they’re doing, just like you had mentioned to me in your email. It would affect me so much, as it does you.
I wonder if I am odd because I still think about 9/11 with such clarity (I was still at Medco in F.L.) Exactly how the day started at with the news at home, next off to the orthodontists office with the TV on when the 2nd tower was hit, then off to the office and then leaving early, picking up my baby and demanding Rick come home, too. I felt safer going home, being further away from the city and having my family with me. And although I didn’t know anyone personally that died, why does that day still pop in my head so often and I think of all of those poor people and the scenes on TV and the smoke in the air that I could actually see?
I couldn’t imagine what my head would feel like if I experienced all of the things in life you have! The good and the bad, all of the people! I don’t know how I could process it and take what I need and let the rest go. I don’t think I could ever sleep.
Oh, almost forgot….Love you.
xoxoxo
I wondered about the bugs and parasites as well…but I’m thinking a couple of things…one that their bodies become used to so much of it and two…that it’s the reason for so much disease. As far as the crocodiles, I think the villagers have awareness of the areas that is and isn’t safe, coupled with knowing the depth of the water etc.etc. I guess what I’m trying to say…they know their “land.” I understand and had a lot of the same feelings about 9/11. I had flown out of Newark the night before and felt the same way…so happy that I was home. There was a secured feeling just being home. Thanks for your visit…love you too!
My goodness, you’re a great photographer! Excellent!