A Few Images From Paris

I arrived home this past Monday, after spending almost a week in Paris. A fascinating city, worthy of many return visits. I think I will need at least a month to see all Paris has to offer.

I followed a friend's advice and obtained a French Health Pass on the day of my arrival to enter museums, restaurants and public venues. Health passes are available at any pharmacy for $36.00 euros.

You have to show your vaccination card at the pharmacy. They transfer the information to the document, you pay the fee and receive the pass in the spot. Without the French Health Pass, people are not allowed to enter most establishments. They requested the document at every restaurant I visited.

My main concern was where to obtain a COVID test 24 hours prior to returning to the states. Without a negative test result, the airline will refuse people to get on board. On my first day I learned that COVID-19 test are available at any pharmacy in Paris. The test cost $26.00 euros, and there is a pharmacy in every corner. No appointments necessary as you can see me on the last picture, standing outside the pharmacy waiting to be called for the test.

The top picture was taken from Bateaux Mouches, across the Seine River. The second picture is the pharmacy where I obtained the French Health Pass. The last image is where I took the COVID test 24 hours prior to my returning trip.

El Problema del Puertorriqueño Es El Propio Puertorriqueño

Puerto Rico no tiene remedio, la gente no aprende a votar. Al pueblo puertorriqueño le gusta que le den fuete. Ya lo dijo Luis Francisco Ojeda: "¿Quieren fuete? cojan fuete, el pueblo tiene lo que se merece."

Edward O'Neill acaba de salir victorioso en la eleccion especial de la alcaldia de Guaynabo. Cabe recordar que su padre, Hector O'Neill fue acusado y destituido de alcalde por un escandalo de acoso sexual. La persona que tomo la posicion de alcalde, Angel Perez, ha sido acusado, destituido y arrestado por el FBI por corrupcion. 

Ya lo dijo alguien en un comentario que acabo de leer en un periodico de la isla, "el problema de Puerto Rico no son los partidos ni los politicos, es el pueblo que continua dandole el voto a la misma gente". 

Al pueblo le dieron a escojer cinco opciones, cinco candidatos para empezar con borron y cuenta nueva. El pueblo de Guaynabo escojio a Edward O'Neill; en otras palabras, mas de lo mismo. 

Los puertorriqueños no aprendemos. Por eso siempre estaremos jodios y quejandonos de la misma caca. Continua la monarquia en Guaynabo City.

[Caricatura cortesia de Kike Estrada]

2022 New Years Eve Fireworks

Photographing fireworks has always been a challenge for me, despite watching dozens of YouTube videos for the past five years and trying different suggestions by the "experts". 

On New Years eve, I decided to give fireworks photography one more try. I had nothing else to lose, everything I've tried in the past didn't work. Surprisingly, the planets aligned for me this time and I captured several good images. 

I arrived early to the Camden boardwalk next to the New Jersey Adventure Aquarium, across from Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. The camera was setup in Bulb mode, and it was held in the tripod in vertical position. This time I was able to capture the most keepers, great pictures from a fireworks show. All in all, I am very satisfied by how the pictures look. Enjoy the pics!