off-the-ground

Some more shots from the break dance battle.

carlos

Carlos. 40 years-old. He has been working since age 14 and has been living in the streets for 10 years. When I asked him if he had a family, his response was: " I don't have anyone. I don't know anyone. I don't remember anyone".

working

I saw this little boy during that break dance battle. When I asked him why he painted his face, he said "I am working right now". He is 10 years old.

ser joven no es un delito

Last weekend in Xela, there was break dance/hip-hop battle. I got the chance to document a part of it.

He was actually off the ground for a little bit.

Photography is beautiful. Because it gives me the opportunity to capture such a gentle touch like this, that would occur only for a moment.

mano duro

Partido Patriota organized La Noche de Paz – Peace Night. Communications Director of Partido Patriota, Flor Escobar said that this is their third year of organizing this event. The purpose is to say “Welcome” to the end of the year parties, she commented.

Songs of Claudia Rebecca Samaya, that started the night, was followed by younger tune of Five Gas Band. And before the awaited concert of Marimba La Voz de Los Altos, we listened to the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. I felt sorry for the Youth Orchestra, because in the first place sound system had a lot of issues during their session and I don’t think they received the interest of audience that they deserved.

Marimba, the traditional Guatemalan instrument. LaVoz de Los Altos is a famous marimba band.

I went there, not knowing that it was organized by a political party. The whole purpose of me being there was to photograph La Voz de Los Altos. It was kind of a surprise, a visually rich one. Apart from all the political connotations, I have to tell that they have one of the (visually) best political campaigns with catchy color choice.

Lupercian Lopez Orozco, 70, looked beautiful among the shades of orange.

This orange color with a white fist on it started to appear on it, signifying the "mano duro" policy, that Partido Patriota has. Members of this political party is usually retired from the army. And their discourse is all about "peace and solidarity".

While one of the bands was playing, some of the kids were amazed hearing the type of music, that was played. Except for pop song covers, their music had a heavy touch of jazz.

Skarlett, 8, was at the concert with her mother, Azuceva. While another chico was playing with her face with strawl, she was trying to tell me that she liked the concert. After a while she came back with a phone number, written on her arm with a red lipstick. So eventually we exchanged phone numbers and she asked me where I am from. We did a little chit-chat before I continued to take photos.

Josefina

Josefina Limatuj, 36, is selling Christmas decoration at the market in La Democracia. She said that depending on the season, what she sells changes. In December, she and her husband sell things for Christmas and New Year, in January, school supplies, in February, things for Valentine's Day. They have been doing this for 14 years. They work from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. And they have four children.

colors of shadows

I shot this photo on the day of Virgin of Guadalupe at the Cnetral Park of Xela. It looked like a waltz of Shadows to me.