Children of Pr. Estrela, Mindelo, a photo from Sao Vicente, Barlavento

Photographer's Note

Praça Estrela (Star Square) in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, is the less charming counterpart or the poor relation of the more aristocratic Praça Nova, be it now or in ancient times (another azulejos panel).
In recent years the city made some improvements in the praça with kiosks to accomodate some vendors. But I guess the business is not very successful here. The kiosks have panels of azulejos (blue and white tiles) on some sides, with scenes that were copied from old drawings or old pictures of Mindelo (some made originally by foreigners).
One day I was photographing some panels but the kids wanted to be in the picture, especially the smaller one. Then I allowed them in front of the camera. The picture that I wanted first, it's now in workshop (and background of the boys). It's a view of the Porto Grande bay, with Monte Cara, which was also known as Washington's Head.
I guess these children are sons of vendors. Here you see the big differences that you can find among the Cape-Verdeans' skin colors. Most people are like the smaller boy, but you can find from white to very black. The Chinese are also present in Cape Verde, every year more.
Location in WikiMapia: 16.8836191, -24.9886608.

riclopes, manatee, stego, Amaz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

riclopes (35577) 2007-05-30 7:29

Espectáculo, Francisco. Os azulejos são muito giros e os putos são obviamente a cereja no topo do bolo. E sem te esforçares...aliás foi-te imposta :) Gosto dos contrastes da cor de pele que referes e o pormenor dos WSs são uma delícia.
Excelente post.
Ricardo

manatee (4668) 2007-06-01 1:14

the cildren allways are a good optio in the picstures, give you a joy and they are a nice cratures in this bad wolrd.
I like this, i have some pictures of some boy in Belize, looks like them, andi like it.

Very good

Elias

P.S Original the vainilla came from Papantla my hometown, but unfortable the production get down and there is not more productoes in my home tow maybe a 5% of the people works in this busines.

Bluejeans (64251) 2007-06-02 5:31

Ola Francisco gostei muito desta foto com estes dois putos um ficou timido o outro mostrou a sua alegria , os paineis da azulezos sao muito bonitos e estao bem conservados , gostei!!!
Um abraço amigo!!!

stego (24132) 2007-06-15 18:00

Olá Francisco,
Miúdos são sempre uma tentação para fotografar, mas não é fácil que deiam grandes fotos. Estes estão deliciosos, cada um com a sua expressão, o grandalhão tímido e o pequeno armado em diabrete. :-) E claro, os azulejos dão um belo fundo. Tb. gostei de ver os WS's.
Um abraço, José.

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-03-28 1:26

i somehow like this photo a lot...it comprises everything that could be found in that place:
portuguese influance (represented by azulejos), links to the continental africa and brasil (see the differences in the skin tones)...and the ocean, ever prevailing ocean and inevitable boats...
best wishes, j.

Amaz (11475) 2009-07-09 9:39

Bela mostra do antigo património Português e da geração jovem do arquipélago!!
Boa composição e lindas estas cores!!!

Francisco, uma pregunta pessoal: Sabe Você que passa com Maria Ramalho ( TE usuário: Lay)???
Ela foi muito ativa e também ter belas fotos, então ela tive algum problema com um holandês e finalmente ter se deprimido. Infelizmente eu não tenho agora o contacto com ela....