One of the things I love about the Internet is how it makes possible the most improbable meeting of minds. Take Patrick "Barry" Barr, a Jamaican who spent his working years in New York but retired fairly recently to Lima, Peru, of all places. I met him on Flickr a few years ago and over time we became better acquainted via comments left on each other's photos.
We couldn't be more different. Yet, I knew from early on that Barry was someone I wanted to meet in person. His photos (please visit
his Flickr site if you can!) show that he clearly loves people -- of all kinds -- despite the fact (in my opinion) that he is slightly introverted himself.
So, this evening, we were able to meet in real life for the first time, in front of Lima's main cathedral. What ensued was a fascinating evening, which I'd like to share with you via mine and Barry's Flickr uploads.
After we met at the cathedral, we exchanged portraits, appropriately enough.
Barry, as taken by Sam.
Me and Sam, as taken by Barry.
We visited the Lima Cathedral and viewed the coffin containing the remains of Francisco Pizarro.
Then, on to Lima's Chinatown, where this family was playing, singing and dancing for tips.
We ate some amazing food at Gran Chino Siu, where we met Alfredo, a former journalist, avid photographer and chemical analysis salesman. He shared our gigantic meal and told us about some of Lima's many secrets.
While we were eating, Barry spotted this couple, shuffling ever so slowly past the restuarant. I can't do justice to the poignancy of this sight, so let me quote Barry's photo description:
"It would be difficult to find a more symbiotic couple. She is blind, and he needs to be supported, as they walk, slower than a snail's pace, begging for alms. He is almost leaning back into her arms."
Wow. Think on that, friends. It was at once the most disturbing and most inspiring image of the evening. Hence, the title of this post, which I was reluctant to change, even as the post became broader in scope.
We topped off the night walking through the busy market streets that surround Chinatown and where our visual dessert consisted of these two revolutionary pushcarts.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hi Don,
Yesterday was, indeed, a memorable day! After years of interaction, sometimes interspersed with long silences (which is why there should be a law against having 1,400+ contacts on Flickr).
You have done such a wonderful pictorial and verbal report on what we experienced and shared, from our meeting at 4 o’clock in front of the cathedral, to our brief tour of the cathedral, to the Chifa Gran Chino Siu, to our brief Alfredo-led tour to that little, dark “restaurant” around the corner, to our aborted trip in search of rechargeable batteries (aborted because Alfredo’s cellphone rang for the 10th or 12th time and he had to rush off as if to a fire), that I simply must tip my hat to you.
I am a bit lazy, so I have never tried to re-invent the wheel, and now see no point in writing the story that you told so well.
The very best, my friend. The pleasure was all mine.
And regards to your family.
Barrybar