Broken Embraces

Hola
Love. Everybody wants it.
 It doesn't matter if you haven't love yet or denies it. But everybody goes through it one way or another.  It's really complicate to define what love really is. Everybody has their own definition of it. But there is one thing to be aware of. There is a thin line between obsession and love. I personally believes in love. Anybody could and can be loved. Yes, I admit it there was a time when I didn't believe in it. That it was all a fairy tale and only the fortunates could find it. But now as an open-minded adult, I realized that one must open their heart to let the feelings in. First you have to love yourself and then love others.


Last time I wrote about Spain was more from an American point of view. This time I decided to write about a Spanish movie directed by Pedro Almodovar. He beautifully created a seductive story between a director and the main actress. They say Spaniard are very passionate and here is a perfect example. This movie makes you fall in love with them and also feel the pain of betrayal and heartbreak. I hope you enjoy it.

The Magic of Spices

Hello,
I want to keep the theme of the magic of food. It doesn't matter what culture you belong to but food is universal. As human we need it for nourishment but sometimes we exceed the limit while others suffer because of lack of food. The movie I picked it's American and honestly it's not the best but it does fit into theme. It's called the Mistress of Spices. It has to do with a woman who parents died when she was a child. She learned to mince, cut and pick spices. But knowing how to work with the spices also have some baggages. Here is the trailer to be a tease.  

Comida de Amor

Have you ever wonder if food had some type of magical power. A power that can cause humans act a certain way. Like Water for Chocolate is a wonderful movie that mixes a love story with traditional food and creates a journey to find love. Alfonso Arau directed the film that was based on his wife novel (the same title of the film). He is also a popular actor in Mexico and a known director throughout the world because of this film. This is a romance story but the plot is very interesting and the desire for love just craws into your mind.

There are some foods that have some arousing power. I would love to share the whole list with you but it's too long for here. But please check out some love food.

Little paradise, little disaster

Ey vos,

You are known for your beautiful surf beaches and your endless green forest. Yet you have a sad story to tell, from your history to the present time. Your story inspires me to continue my path for a better life. I am writing about my birth place, El Salvador. I won't talk much about my past but I will speak out for her. My families have always seen El Salvador of a beautiful country lost in corruption. My mother, my father and my aunts and uncles went through some hard times of corruption. They were students at the time and it wasn't safe to trust the government. I am blessed to have such a rich history and hope to stay strong in my journey like my family.

"Hasta La Victoria Siempre"

- Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Pane e tulipani

Hello travelers,
I'm sorry for the short notice. More would be added later. I just had to keep my word. Here is a movie I enjoyed. I don't have my resources to be detailed. But enjoy the trailer.
Ciao

Hello again,

Well sorry for the quick note last week. I was not able to be detailed because of lack of resources. So back to the movie. The movie was directed by Silvio Soldini.  Pane e Tulipani is about a middle-aged woman who doesn't feel satisfied with her life. She was stranded at a gas station and decided to have her own little vacation away from her family. In her journey of finding happiness she meets different characters that will also play a big part of her life. In this movie you get to the beauty scenery that Italia has to offer. We have so many paths to choose but its never too late to change your route.

Next week we are flying to Central and South America. A home that is a mystery to me.

Rouge, Rouge, Rouge

Mon Amour,
You are known for your crepes, your history with art, architecture and music.  I always dreamt of traveling to France and it came true this past summer. Stepping outside the train and reading everything in French was a culture shock. We stayed in Paris and I fell in love with the city. Everywhere I look I saw beauty, love, and romance. I can't explain it but I was struck with  love. The people, the scenery, oh and the food. Je te desire! I felt sophisticated and artsy. In a way it inspired me to continue my interest in film and traveling. Now I want to learn more about art, architecture and photography. Merci Beaucoup.

Now France is popular to a lot tourist from everywhere. There's music, art, and of course delightful food on every corner. The romance that the scenery has to offer is to get lost in it. Here are some places to visit:

• Basilica of the Sacre Coeur
• Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris
• The Eiffel Tower
• The Palace of Versailles
• Louvre Museum
• The Pompidou Centre

I don't want to get in detail why these places I recommend but I'll tell you this. Each one of them have a very interesting history that I will let you discover on your own.




A review of the Red Balloon by  The New York Times.

The movie that I selected was the Red Balloon directed by Albert Lamorisse. Monsieur Lamorisse was known because of his short films and documentaries. Sadly he passed away while filming one of his documentaries. He was won Oscars and other awards for his films. This particular one was the that opened the door to film making. His son played the part of the little boy. This film is about a relationship between a boy and a balloon. Instead of befriending a dog or cat the boy connects with this red abandoned balloon.

La Furia Roja

Spain,
Your culture is so rich with art, architect, and music. Overall Europe is just full of different but yet dense culture and you can't your help to be in awe. Spain is known for many things but the Spanish guitar steals your heart away. The bull fights are extremely captivating and your art has been influential to others. Nevertheless you are the roots of a lot of Latin American countries and though sometimes you neglect them you still are the motherland.

Now I'm sorry but I have to talk about this movie even though it does have American touch to it. Vicky Christina Barcelona. It is directed by Woody Allen, a native Brooklyn kid. He is known because of his style of film-making and narratives. He is one of my favorite directors and his sense of humor is dark and sarcastic. You just have to love it. Well back to the movie, it's about two American women visiting Spain for vacation. Come to find out they fell in love with the romantic atmosphere of Spain. The movie is entertaining with so much personality you will relate to one of them. 

La Dolce Vita

Hello Italia,

When I think of you. I think about the endless scenery, the beautiful beaches, and the rich culture. Your people talk with emotion, with their body and their food. Where the arts, opera, and architectures is the heart of land. Where the food and wine connects families, friends and even strangers. Everything is art and passion for you.There is something about you that keeps me wanting more. One day I will visit you. Ciao

Now to the reel. This film is not just another international film but it is a part of my childhood. I grew up watching this film with my father, my little brother and cousins. I forgot the title but I was united again by my cousin.  Cinema Paradiso is the film that began my love story with films. The story line is well put and the mixture of the music and the scenery is just perfect. I can relate to the Toto and his story. I need to start my journey through lens.

Trip Delayed

Hello fellow travelers,

Please forgive me for not being on time. There has been some complications but all is well. Now back to my traveling list. This time we will stop in England. Where we can have an afternoon tea and for supper we would go the pub to get some fish and chips. There is this perception that England is always cloudy and gray. Well I was a witness of it and sadly it was true but there were some sunny days. I truly enjoyed staying in a flat for two weeks with my family. The culture was completely different from United States. The music, the food, the style and just everything. Yes the government controls the television industry but it is still less censored than the US. I love it. If you have the chance to visit England please take it. You will not regret it. Cheerio Big Ben. I will back.

D

Now to the movie section. I have seen a lot of English films. I recently watched One Day and An Education. The one that I will talk about will be An Education. We will go back in time for this film. I adore Carrey Mulligan's role in this movie. To be a student in love with the idea of learning French and being sophisticated but it is important for one to receive an education. This story is very inspiring to keep on track and be independent. I mostly recommend this movie to drama lovers.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1174732/

Flor Mexicana

Mexico,


You are known to be very traditional and machista (men have the power). But yet there is soft spot that is hidden within the culture, the country and the history. You started the idea of love songs can be shared through marachi. You have a long and fighting history defending your raza (race). I admit there is something about your pride that I admire and how your people are very traditional. Sadly drugs, corruption and violence have taken over the Latin America. I consider you as a flower with thorns. Romantic and Repressed.

"No Eres Tu, Soy Yo"

I enjoyed this movie because of the concept not so much about a scenery. This movie is about man going through a break-up. The saying " it's not you, it's me" is very popular when somebody is about to break up with you. Nobody likes to go through a break up. Javier, the protagonist, does not deal with the break up so easily. Instead he becomes very emotional. It's funny because Mexico has thing of being a man. Man shouldn't cry or show weakness but in this case he does the opposite. No matter what your language or culture, love is universal and once is broken is hard for any human to regain it again. I recommend this movie for  anybody who is interested in romantic comedy. 

PS

Next week I feel like traveling to Europe. 

Brazilian Breeze

Brazil,
 The body of South America.The beaches, the music flowing through the crowded streets, the language and the of course el futbol. Where the rich meets the poor. Your children suffer of political corruption, illness and violence. But your beauty stands out with the music of the drums. My time is coming and I can't wait for 2014 for the World Cup. 

One of the movies I enjoy from Brazil is "City of God." The director's way of capturing the raw and sadness of the darkness in Brazil was beautiful. The drugs, gangs, and violence that surrounds this beautiful, lushful country is sometimes forgotten. The story about a kid who wants a way out and he does it by taking pictures for a paper of the gang war behind the paradise. I do recommend this movie to people who enjoy different film making. Oh and please let me know what you think.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/