The Skateboarder

     

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     The weather broke wonderful this afternoon in Miami.  I could tell the locals were loving it.  The lonely benches were full, men and women dressed up to go out, boats started moving in the marinas, and families were back in the park walking.  I was loving the break in the weather myself as the breeze kept me cool and comfortable in the afternoon sun walking to dinner.

     Today I wanted to catch a few people in "street photography" mode.  I got two keepers.  The first was this skateboarder.  He was having his fun here near, using this launching pad six to eight feet from three lanes of traffic.  He was quite good with his tricks.  To him they were just warm ups.  If it was me on the board, it would be death defying.

     Home tomorrow!  I cannot wait.  I know it will take more than a few minutes to get used to the noise of five extra bodies running around with their own agendas, but that is what being a Dad is all about right?

-ehw

The Three Block Alternate Universe

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     This building on the Bay in Downtorn is massive, modern and very interesting.  Yet just three blocks away is historic downtown Miami...are buldings just as interesting in different way! 

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I've never seen a perfume store this large before!  Of course I probably could have used this store to hide my sweaty self!

There were also other veteran buildings to enjoy....

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Classic architecture!  Love it...I just hope the electrcal gets updated to keep up with modern technology Walgreens will want to cram into that store!

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     You'll also find neat little eateries tucked in like this cafeteria right across from resturants I could not afford to eat at!

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     And four blocks south of the cafeteria is this across the canal...modern wow factor.

     Miami is an amazing city in many, many ways! 

-ehw

Midday Prayers

Gesu Catholic Church

Gesu Catholic Church

     Whenever I travel have a little game..its called make a pilgrimage.  Today as I finished up the daily session, I looked at the weather and it said thunder storms due in town by 3PM.  Since I could fill out my homework anytime, I figured I better make the pilgrimage sooner rather than later.  

     The weather held up all of 15 minutes after leaving the hotel.  I then ducked into a resturant and got lunch.  I waited for a break in the weather to make the final dash up and over four blocks to the city's oldest Catholic Church, Gesu.  As I walked up I could see all the symbols of my faith on the outside.   I entered the door and felt myself overwhelmed by a sudden feeling of being at home while being away from home.  I was happy to have a wonderful environment to focus on Jesus, the blessed sacrament, and have the story of salvation envelope my senses.  This was a wonderful gift people made a hundred years ago for us today.

     As I left out the door for another adventure I said a thank you prayer to those who labored and freely gave to make this sanctuary.  I prayed that others may also come and find the Lord's lessons here in the stained glass, the lives of saints presented, and the sacrament of the Eucharist.  I also...yes...left a little contribution so it will be there for the next soul who seeks refuge for a few minutes from the wild world outside. 

-ehw

P.S. I did a little experiment today and edited as much as I could with my camera for color, contrast, and sharpness.  I did a little cropping in Snapseed.  Interiors worked the 23mm out, and outside I used the 18-55mmm zoom.

The old and new altars in the Sanctuary

The old and new altars in the Sanctuary

An amazing baptismal font

An amazing baptismal font

I always try to find and photograph St. Joseph...what a good example of a father he is.

I always try to find and photograph St. Joseph...what a good example of a father he is.

Everything has meaning, everything presented beacons one to join Christ on the Cross.

Everything has meaning, everything presented beacons one to join Christ on the Cross.

Miami, Florida

 

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    I'm off on another adventure to Miami, Florida.  Attending a work convention in downtown.  So far this downtown is different than most towns I've visited in this country, and I'm doing my best to explore the unique flavor of this city.  One minute you're looking at a Little Havanna or Latin America area, turn around 90 degrees and view the avant garde billion dollar condo sykscrapers.

     So I'll endeavor to bring you a few good photos from the city while avoiding the fun any city can offer.  For instance today I saw three teens rescue their bicycles from a theft right in front of me.  It was very interesting...guy riding down the street on two similar bikes, then a bike rams the guy perpendiculary to knock him down.  He got in protest only to face the two girls whose bike he stole, and the teenage young man who was with them.  The perp said someone sold him the bikes... and gave them up without a fight.  As this resolved itself a guy decided to try and run a red light right through my body about 30 seconds later in the cross walk.  Just a minute after those two episodes I watched fancy boats (worth three of my homes) float on down the waterfront in a leisurely manner, and families enjoying life in the park.

      This war memorial is from 1942 and right down the street in Bayfront Park.  The lighting was not particlarly wonderful today, so I resorted to B&W on few photos to get something interesting from my travels.  The photo below is the reflection of my hotel in the hotel across the street.  

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