The year
commenced in crutches out in the sitio (farm) that now has become like a zen-like
temple where I can go to quiet down externally and internally. My parents were
in Brazil visiting, and was delighted with their presence. Luna was becoming 1
year old (estimated as we don’t know her real birthday).
River near the Farm
(Border of Minas Gerais/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
...Daslu last days...
Life has evolved
since then, as it always invariably does. The team and I began the year at
Daslu, under stressful circumstances of tight budgets, delayed store openings
etc. Yet, the store and more importantly the people became part of us. How to
forget the end of the year fete at the Ballroom, us thanking everyone for their
work and for allowing us to lead the Company. Many sleepless nights we spent
those early months of the year, no Carnival (not that I care too much about it
anyway), or holidays, focused on the monumental daily task on turning around an
operation in very much in the public eye and beholden to very tight financial resources.
How much fun we had? We talked about prints, clothing, the “Collection”, able
to apply an aesthetic sense to business! Pure joy!
"High" Winter Collection - our last fashion show at Daslu
(Cidade Jardim Shopping, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
...homecoming NYC...
Yet at some
point in March, my shoulder blades itched and my wings were in need of flight
despite the challenge. I headed to NYC, to the place I call “home”. I felt
joyous running down the East River – a fabulous flight, seeing my wonderful
neighbours again, admiring the Zapatista
Mural on 117th between 1st and 2nd ave, eating
Quesadillas de Huitlacoche & Flor de Calabaza on 116th between 2nd
and 3rd , listening to music at Camarada’s or African Rap/Techno @
SOB’s or even the Shrine in Harlem (in the absence of St. Nicks). 
Mural in Harlem
(Harlem, NYC)
Serendipity
played its cards and in a week’s time had beautiful encounters late at night in
coffee houses, restaurants, music venues. The people of NYC active and about,
communicative, able to talk on Syria, Internet, politics in Mexico, Africa, all
in a 6 nights’ sitting – the mind, the soul overflowing in all senses, just
what one expects from the city. Nonetheless, I was there to move out of my then
apartment, that had been a refuge for many years.
My former NYC nest - El Barrio
(118th btwn 1st and Pleasant, East Harlem, NYC)
My brother Oliver, dutifully helped me pack
and we did it over 48hours, wrapped it and put it in storage. Him and I, even
participated in a Butoh class after I having foresworn that the class would not
be a parallel experience to the pregnant women yoga class (I did not know it
was for pregnant women!) we took many years before while he housed me in Wellesley,
Mass. A chapter in life was closing, yet, a closed chapter gives rise to a new
one in the perpetual book of life.
And like
many other times, NYC, delivered the change.
...meanwhile in Paris...
A few weeks later, off to France
for a conference. Roaming thru the streets during the off-time with my loyal
soeur companion of many years, Ix, we walked, walked and photographed. A
pregnant lightly portruding belly contained her new little monster with her
partner. She told me the news before a cinema/concert at the Louvre that night!
I was elated for her and partner, such a wonderful wonderful person.
Ix (and little monster to be - Marie)
(Paris, France)
Saw other
beautifully familiar faces while in Paris, Estelle, Thomas, David, friendships built over many
many years. Had even the opportunity to have late night bohemian drinks at bar
on the 11th talking about the politics of Godzilla being taught in
Vienna with Eric Drescher.
...Back In SP, Plug N'Work is innagurated...
Changes
would continue. Our work at Daslu finished at the end of May in what was to be not
the best transition, yet we all moved on. All us partners, had been talking for
a year or so about doing “something” in tech and innovation, so we founded the
Plug N’ Work (now affectively called Plug, www.plugnwork.com.br
), finally born 1 week before our departure from Daslu (accidental timing!).
...Europe & Its Immigrants (unwanted)...
Itch for
travel (tis insatiable thirst for knowledge) began once again soon after
opening of PnW. First stop was the TED conference in Edinburgh, refreshing
“brain spa” indeed as the brochure mentions, then Barcelona for meetings (my
first Air BnB experience!), an overnight stint in London seeing our star
Project Manager @ AZLera Freddie Brunt and Joao Amaral and a surprise meeting
with an old old friend, Cintia; in between Greece. Athens deserves a mention. I
went to photograph the story of African immigrants, the hardships they are
having to endure after crossing over from Turkey via boat under intolerable
circumstances that see many of the perish and the critical conditions made
worse by the advent of ultra-right racist movements/parties such as Golden Dawn.
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Anti Racism Grafiti
(Athens, Greece)
|
Met
one such immigrant from Cote d'Ivoire thru the B&B host (a wonderful
bohemian reduct in a street lined with orange groves) in Athens. Their plight,
their daily fight for survival dwarfing any issue I may have. I am working
towards at least one positive story here, will come back with news.
...Asia, revisited...
I came back
from Europe eager for more. Not many weeks thereafter, was back on a plane,
this time to HK, Tokyo, Shanghai via South Africa; the joy of travel. A run
around Bowen road, wrapped in a humidity embrace, ever so familiar.
Geographical references like “Kowloon side”, “Robinson Road”, the Peak,
Hollywood Road, Lan Kwai Fong, New Territories, Chek Lap Kok, became ever more
meaningful with the hissing of the train from the airport to HK proper. And
once again I was floating, dreaming in happiness, loving being back in Asia.
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Pedestrian Altar
(Hong Kong)
|
Despite the
hectic meeting schedules of start-up incubators and spaces, familiar faces were
there to bond and break bread. In particular my Puerto Rican friend Rafa, with
his ever wide smile and sincere joy, Crystal, Kei Ma, Clare So, See See. Off to
Shanghai (first time of this wonderful livable space) and then Tokyo which
eventually led to Kyoto. What to say on Kyoto? Is there more to say when
silence abounds in fully urban settings lined by small streams of clean water
amongst gardens in ever polite and educated company? Bicycles drawn, the
streets became roads to discovery. All ended so soon, summer gave to fall, and
back to Brazil it was.
Grandmother weaving little girls hair amongst housing complex
(Shanghai, China PRC)
Run Lola,
Run; the title of the German film from many years ago which compared different
settings and outcomes based on the difference of one single event. How life
mirrors this. One single outcome made all the difference, Frost-like thoughts.
...Chiapas, moving...Back...
Back in
Brazil, restlessness as autumn begets October. My first “surprise” birthday
party with the many friends cultivated in over as many months here in Sao
Paulo. Yet, the Brazil sejour was not to
last, as I then headed home, to my birthplace, for the first time in almost 2
years. What to
think? Backward, Chiapas is backward and tis not sitting still, tis crawling
back despite all the best efforts of the rest of humanity to progress. I had
sensed already the call to duty during the election campaign over the summer in
Mexico, being there consolidated. “I must go back”, twas a constant voice as I
visited one government office after another as a “user” of the terribly
organized services they provide. Faulty roads, fragmented society, where is the
progress of the optimist Brazilian society so close yet so far? Nowhere to be
seen in Chiapas. A state without much
initiative or vision of the future, it needs people, “I must go back”. Mother
and Father were good, glad to see them smile.
Mother, Father & Kikin (not pictured parrot: Kiko)
(Chiapas, Mexico)
...Africa, moving forward on the shoulders of its youth...
November
arrived, and the much anticipated voyage to Africa, the first in 2 years began
its effervescent preparations. Yet, I dream of Africa, and the island is
another part of me. Much has changed, much remains the same. Mocambique and in
particular Ilha de Mocambique, has become another home. After a brief stint in
Maputo and the arriving to Ilha, seeing the ocean, the bridge, the umbilical
cord that connects the island to Africa, I arrived. Arrived on a hot (very hot)
afternoon, and went to Project Ocean. Saw the team, the kids, the reason on why
we work and why we live, to make progress in life, to be able to contribute
something to the community that gives you everything.
Music & Singing class at Project Ocean
(Ilha de Mocambique, Mozambique)
The kids never
disappoint, so intelligent, so bright and sharp, the only difference: the kids
were not kids, they were young adults. Not unlike
a parent, the realization came suddenly on the nights of the first debates on
conflict resolution, the level of maturity and reason astounded my companions
and myself? Was wowed… could not think of anything better to suit my heart,
mind and soul than their linguistic maneuvering and argumentation; Bach could
not have written anything better (maybe the Cello Suites #1, but tis
debatable). Then and there, realized how much progress they had made and how
the energy of the AZLera young volunteers had cultivated their minds. The
future looks wonderfully bright.
“Mocambique e nossa terra gloriosa…. O pátria amada, vamos vencer”
...Tis about people...
Throughout
the year, there have been so many faces, wonderful new
acquaintances made. The “Pnw /Thoreau Team”, Jorge, Derek, Daiana, Leonardo, Suzana, Renata, Justin and the loyal Sr Roberto…
The team (not pictured: Leonardo. Justin, Suzana and Sr Roberto)
(Ilha de Mocambique, Mozambique)
....and the AZLera
team (Always growing) of Freddie, Jessica, Joao, Natalia, Daniela, Margarida,
Max, James, stand apart, as they have become all an intricately important part of my life.
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The team (not pictured: Joao, Max, Margarida, James & Natalia)
(Ilha de Mocambique, Mozambique)
|
My brother,
Christopher, living with me for the larger part of the year, another constant presence.
But there are others whose recent presence pales in comparison to their
importance, Priscila Gomide, an ever growing influence, so small(!), yet so
influential.
Priscila Gomide, Mami & friend
(Ilha de Mocambique, Mozambique)
...and Luna,
always there in the shadows and the light of day, wagging her tail eager to
meet with a “smile”.
And there
are many more of you that affected my life, Chilita, John Vidol, Yung Mei,
Albert, Victor, yet I could not mention for fear of increasing the length of
this epistle ever more.
December is
now here; find myself on the keyboard, writing. The season brings forth many of
my shortcomings etc., has been a part of my character for many years. Above all
however, it brings thanks and grace. For all that you have given me, for the
moments and the knowledge you have shared, which always humbles me and sheds
light on my ignorance. Always thankful for the patience, as I know that my
personality is trying and my mind slow to process. Thank you, I hope to see you
in the New Year, will surely need your help and knowledge in what is expected
to be a year of transformation.
Thank you,
happy holidays and incredibly energy in the new year that commences with many
challenges and opportunities. Hope to see you then.
Ws
magnifique, Wil! Merci pour être toujours la, si proche, toujours...
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