Love doesn’t know age

Today’s post is not Design related, yet it was inspired by the design of love.

Last week, I began the Design workshops at a new house called Albachiara which is also an emergency center where street kids are taken to be put into rehabilitation programs. When I started the workshop one of the kids caught my attention as his face’s left side was all bitten up. To be honest, I felt intimidated by him no only because of his face’s wounds, but also because he didn’t speak to the other kids and felt disconnected.

On the second day, he came to me and asked me if he could tell me something. I said yes. He told me that he was worried about his “woman” as he had been taken into the emergency center and his family probably didn’t know he was there. I asked, why are you worried about your “woman”? He told me she was pregnant and he didn’t want her to think that he had disappeared of her life just because she was pregnant. I asked him to give me what he wanted to tell her that I would do something to make sure his “woman” knew he was living now at the emergency center.

He wrote this letter to his “woman”

Love letter from sixteen year old boy to his "woman"

(Translation)

Hi:

My love, I only write to let you know that “I haven’t left you” and to tell you that I love you specially because of that little person that you have in your belly. I will never leave you!. My little princess I am in Albachiara in the neighborhood xx xx. I will be here for about fifteen days. I only ask you to wait for me to raise the baby that is on its way. I only ask you to wait for me that as soon as I can, I will go to your side because I love you and I am not an inept to raise our baby. Try to survive these days that as soon as I get there, believe me, you won’t have necessities. I love you.

A big kiss to you and the baby.

Soon to be father ... here his facial wounds are almost healed.

I was no able to get the letter to the girl, but I was able to make sure his family and specially his aunt (which lived in the same neighborhood as the pregnant girl) knew he was now in a rehabilitation center. Today, he wasn’t part of the Albachiara house anymore, as he had been taken to a stable home where he can be in touch with his “woman” and his baby.

With this letter, he taught me that Love has no age, social status, nor education. This boy will do what it takes to be a responsible father even if he has to be so at the age of sixteen.

Much love,

~Isa

iDo Colombia – Final Ceremony at Casa Corazones

Here is a thirteen minute video showcasing the final ceremony we had at Casa Corazones from the Children of the Andes Foundation in Bogota, Colombia.

After two weeks od exploration, creation and prototyping, we developed beautiful instruments that represented our identity and inspirations.

Please enjoy …

English Medieval Towns … and their architecture

Happy New Year everyone. I have a feeling that this year will be positive, full of new opportunities and bright experiences.

In my last post I explored London’s fashion and architecture. After being in one of the most fashionable cities in the world, I embarked in a week trip to England’s midlands. Was it cold? you cannot imagine. Was it priceless? you cannot imagine.

The town where I spent most of my time was called Oakham the county town of Rutland (smallest county in England) It lies 17.4 miles east from Leicester, and has a total resident population of 9,975.

There I fell in love with its main church called All Saints Church which was built during the 14th century. I also enjoyed my visit to the Oakham Castle. The interior decoration of the castle is simple and medieval, and it is dominated by hundreds of horseshoes left there by the royals.

All Saints Church

Oakham Castle - Exterior

Horseshoes at Oakham Castle

Walking through the streets of Oakham, specially at night, you can feel as part of a medieval movie and imagine people carrying torches and wearing hooded capes. My favorite street became Dean’s Street which houses some of the oldest cottages in downtown Oakham. You can also appreciate Dutch style roofs.

Oakham Streets

For a couple of weeks we took small trips to a town called Stamford located 100 miles north of London. Stamford used to be a wool town and since them it has retained a lot of  its old architecture. “Many of the buildings are constructed from old Lincolnshire limestone”.  Stamford is house of many churches as well, which I enjoyed visiting and admiring.

Stamford old architecture and stainglass windows

We also paid visit to the most beautiful chapel called Normanton Church. The church stands in front of a man-made reservoir, and it escaped being demolished when the reservoir was built. “It was deconsecrated in 1970 and a Trust was formed to try and ensure its preservation”. You can feel closer to the higher spirits when you reach the back of the church and look towards the water.

Normanton Church

Closer to the higher spirits

Finally we explored the beauty and solitary life of a small village called Hambleton which houses Hambleton Hall where the royals enjoy spending a couple of days a year. In this village we enjoyed a cold Stella and admired the beauty of its small cemetery.

Hambleton Centre and Cemetery

Enough snow for now. I must admit England is beautiful and full of history. Where will I head in the year 2011 … don’t know yet, and I must say, Colombia is calling.

Till next post …

London’s Fashion and Architecture

This year’s end has brought me to one of the most fashionable and architecturally conscious cities in the world, London.

I always wondered what was about London that every Londoner I met had such an exquisite taste for fashion and elegance. Now I get it. “The great thing about London is that it lives and breathes fashion. The street is still the best way to get a snapshot of London style.” - Todd Lynn

Classic look of Londoner even after a snow storm.

During the day and the beginning of the evening, people are reserved and practical, but the night brings the best of the best. Out in the streets you can admire women in high heels and coats and men  in fashionable trousers stepping on the ground with confidence and elegance. Once you enter a restaurant skin is exposed and silk dresses and shirts become the hot topic. Do not be surprised if their underwear reflects their style. No surprise London-based Agent Provocateur has proved to show why being the sexiest woman is priceless.

Fashion does reflect the city’s architecture which reflects history and modernity at the same time. Some structures such as the Tower of London have been alive since before the Great Fire of 1666.

Other buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral have been rebuilt four times after being devastated by the Great Fire. The first one  built in 886 and destroyed in the fire of 962. The second cathedral was begun in 962 and burnt, with the whole city, in the fire of 1087. The third  St Paul’s, known as Old St Paul’s, was begun by the Normans. Its built took over 200 years, and a great deal was lost in a fire in 1136. Thereafter, the roof was once more built, and by 1300 it was the third longest church in Europe with one of Europe’s tallest spires at 585 feet (178 m) long and 100 feet (30 m) wide.”Old St Paul’s” was gutted with the fire of 1666. Great Fire of London of 1666. While it might have been salvageable a decision was taken to build a new cathedral in a modern style instead. The current building was designed by one of the most famous architects in the history of England Sir Christopher Wren.

Old St. Paul's

St. Paul's on a winter afternoon

Skyscrapers are not famous in London as development building codes protect the views from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Nevertheless, you can see some tall buildings in central London such as the 30 St Mary Axe mostly known as the Gherkin by Sir Norman Foster.

View Towards Gherkin from top of The Monument.

Other notable modern buildings include  the Great Court of the British Museum also designed by Norman Foster.

Court at British Museum

Several monuments pay homage to people and events in the city such as The Monument by Sir. Christopher Wren which provides views of the surrounding area whilst commemorating the Great Fire of London which originated nearby.

The Monument

Nelson’s Column is a nationally recognised monument in Trafalgar Square, providing a focal point for the whole central area of London.

Nelson's Column

Trafalgar Square

Finally, I must say the most beautiful architectural icon of London Architecture and history is the Big Ben located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. It is the largest four-faced chiming clock and the third-tallest free-standing clock tower in the world. The clock first ticked on 31 May 1859. And it served an honor to me by allowing me to hear the noon bells on December 17th 2010. Indeed an emotional moment for a lover of fashion and architecture in London.

Big Ben

Next blog post will exposed medieval towns in England’s midlands, so please stay tuned.

Merry Christmas to all.

The Kindness of South American Strangers (via My Unplanned Adventure)

O.k. This time I am not re-blogging about Design.

This time I am sharing with all of you, the beauty of being a South American.

Yes I have been far from home for over eleven years now, and I still have cultural differences both with people from the U.S. and other nations. That is the beauty of being in a multicultural city isn’t it?

Through twitter, I was connected somehow to someone traveling through Colombia. I don’t even know this person, but am now a faithful follower of her stories about traveling in my country.

Here is an inspiring one that may not teach you much about Design, but indeed teaches you about kindness and that not everyone in Colombia is as bad as media assures.

Next week, back to Design.

Buen camino y buena marcha,

Isabel

Monday was a terrible morning that turned into a wonderful day thanks to the kindness of a Colombia stranger. I am now traveling in Antioquia, a region of Colombia known for extremely welcoming people. They treat you as a family member immediately. It is such a special feeling to travel in a place like Antioquia (or the Northeast of Brazil), especi … Read More

via My Unplanned Adventure