I recently had a chance to visit the Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project in the beautiful lush St. Anns hills. I have always thought that going full time into photography I may not get the highest paying jobs or live the glamorous lifestyle but I get to see some beautiful places and meet the most amazing people. I have always promoted that Trinidad and Tobago has the most incredible and fascinating people in the world but that is another story in itself.
Fondes Amandes is a beautiful facility nestled in the hills of St. Anns. I was fortunate enough to photograph a youth workshop there and got to walk the immediate grounds a bit. I remember years ago looking at a documentary and discovering that while we saw some amateurs climbing Mt. Everest, the camera men actually went up and down several times to get the footage... silly camera men! But at this workshop the attendees were divided into two groups and separated by a steep hike... and what's more they did certain activities simultaneously. So needless to say I saw a lot of the trail that day!
There is always something about being outside that appeals to me. Being in the open, among the trees... hearing the leaves and smelling the grass. There is a certain rhythm that makes it feel right and welcome. A great place to reflect and learn. I always seem to seek out quiet and calm and I often find it inland... among lush green and browns. I will definitely have to venture back here with more time and maybe some friends to share the memory.
It is such a melting pot of learning, creation, culture, music, art and environment... I wish more people could see and experience.