I don't know what it is about this corner of the city, but I've always really enjoyed it... Maybe it's because I usually look up and admire the shapes of the clouds as they drift and shift among the tops of the tallest buildings downtown, or maybe it's because I appreciate every little glimpse of greenery that catches my eye, especially the tiny flowers, but the fact is that I really enjoy walking through there and getting lost in the details, even though it’s probably one of the most chaotic spots in the city, thanks to the intersection of three avenues, the two most frequently run-through traffic lights in Caracas, and its proximity to the busiest shopping mall around.
I wonder if anyone else stops to appreciate the flowers in these planters near the BBVA ATMs; they seem like insignificant details, but in an area dominated by noise, people walking in a hurry, and long lines of cars at the traffic lights, they truly offer a moment of respite in the midst of the storm. I’ve also wondered what all those people think when they see that guy walking down the sidewalk stop, pull out his phone, and take these photos so passionately and not even with a professional camera, but with my own phone. It must seem strange, or at least I would have thought so in the past.
But today things have changed, and everyday scenes like this one make me very happy. Although I’ve always loved this city, over the last couple of years, when I decided to change my mindset and focus on my inner peace, I began to see everything more closely… Even in the most chaotic scenes there is beauty, and a deeper meaning that can move us if we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes; and I don’t say this to be negative, but with the purpose of practicing love, charity, and humanity. All these details that I’m gradually beginning to feel as natural to me somehow lift my spirit, and I started by wanting to improve myself, and now I can truly use that strength to help others, even though I’m still a work in progress...
Those of you who live here in Caracas will surely recognize these spaces peeking out from behind all those flowers, and boy, as I write these lines, I’m surprised to see the wide variety of flowers in this planter. I don’t think the area is ugly; it’s a mix of very old residential buildings and relatively modern skyscrapers that looks really nice on a Sunday morning when everyone is at home resting, only to return to its grotesque reality on Monday at the same time. But as they say, I think it all depends on how we view our surroundings, and perhaps that’s what this post is about, even if it comes in the form of photographs...
Yes, naturally all the photographs are framed with the sky in view, or focused on small details that push the chaos into the background, and that is a skill we ourselves should cultivate in order to live a more peaceful life, especially in countries like mine where there’s a new piece of bad news every hour. We have the ability to ignore what doesn’t contribute to our peace of mind, though it’s a path we must continue to navigate, since reality still exists... From the day I took these photos, I knew I’d submit them to Hive’s Phone Photography Contest, which is now in its 105th week, a truly rewarding experience that motivates you to enjoy the moment of capturing photographic moments and reliving them by writing about your feelings here; I really recommend participating 😉
