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Thursday, August 20, 2009

My Town Friday Shoot-out / Signs

With this post I am finally caught up with the Friday Shoot-out gang. I hope you went back and saw about ‘power’ in Brasil.

DSC06881 In Brasil I have two issues with SIGNS – The streets are shadowed with signs, there are billboards along the roads, and large, often garish signs atop every store. I try ignore them. And to beat it all they are in PORTUGUESE! Can you imagine?  If I don’t focus on the ugly things then I can’t read them, or understand their purpose.  As you can see they are often not only above the store (loja) but the same sign will be painted on the store front and a third may even hang down near the sidewalk – Why is all I can ask? DSC_2994

When Camillo is driving I sometimes catch a sign with a word I don’t know and I ask…. most the time I just ignore them. As you can imagine this attitude of mine has somewhat DSC_3010stymied my ability to meet the true purpose of this shoot-out.

Of course there are other signs that can be photographed;  signs of love, signs of holidays, or signs of Spring.

Yes, remember here in Brasil we are looking at spring just around the corner. I didn’t have my camera (isn’t that always the way it is?) but across the street from our favorite lunch-time restaurant is a prenatal clinic – the waiting room was full and there were 3 very pregnant women out in front….. a sure sign of spring in the air.

 

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The parrots landing two by two in the trees out front – a little necking in the tree tops, a sure sign that spring is here and summer, with them sleeping in our attic with their new families, is only a short time away.

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The Ipe tree is beginning to bloom. The last days of dry season are here, each day starts with an overcast sky and clouds in the valley – a sure sign of spring on its way.  All our signs of spring are subtle and easy to miss – but rainy season is obviously a sign that spring and summer are here.

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30 comments:

  1. Spring seems so far away here, we're just about to enter into autumn. lol
    The flower on the tree is a beauty. It reminds me of the flowers of the Daffodil.

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  2. The mountain range reminds me of here where I live - the mists and mountains - lovely!

    I missed friday shoot out - so I hope to do tomorrows

    Love your photos.

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  3. I like it that you took signs beyond the word kind...signs of spring. Nice touch!

    By the way, my verification word was "Fingstro" Is that Portuguese for "Manicurist"?

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  4. I think it would be quite fascinating to try and learn portugese and enjoy the signs.

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  5. really like your signs. clever take on the theme I wouldn't have thought of. flowers are beautiful!

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  6. A sure sign that Friday Shoot-outs will continue to flourish is that GingerV is involved.

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  7. I like it that you went beyond the literal sense for signs. I really like the photos that represent your sign that spring is coming. The two little birds in the tree are cute. Thanks for a great post.

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  8. That last picture is exceptional!
    The local signs being all in portugese gives you a special perspective - you can appreciate them as works of art. That's what I did when I first moved here and didn't speak the language, and now the words get in the way of the forms and colors and innocent wondering about what the heck it means.

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  9. Ginger, I like that you did your own interpretation of "signs" for the shoot out. Makes it all the more interesting! The exact opposite is true here in Germany, no signs are allowed along the highways nor roads, only at certain times like when voting time is coming around. but they are then taken down again. stores do have signs, but only above the doors. I was so used to billboards and such in NJ, I thought the landscape looked naked here without all that garrish color. Now I am used to it and can see why germany does not allow all that trash to clutter their lovely countryside. Hope all is well there. I hear congratulations are in order, since you have taken over from patty for the shoot outs! I think it is great. Debby

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  10. Such a terrific post... me, the nature lover did not think of the signs of the seasons.

    Your pictures are just beautiful, Ginger.

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  11. What a brilliant post, really inspirational! I didn't even think about signs in your way. Well done. Great pictures too x

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  12. Wonderful signs and wonderful shots as always. Love coming to visit you on Fridays!! Sarah

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  13. The mountains are breathtaking! And I love that you moved the meaning of signs beyond the written word.

    Otherwise we wouldn't have seen the parrots!

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  14. Beautiful shots there at the end! I'm jealous, though, fall is just around the corner for me and I hate being cold:(

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  15. Beautiful photos! Love the pictures of the parrots. I would imagine your attic to be fairly noisy going into summer, right?

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  16. That last photo is breath-taking. I like your interpretation of signs, using "signs of the season".

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  17. Good to hear from you there in the southern hemisphere, where spring is on its way. I really loved seeing your depiction of Iguacu Falls for "Power" Our family was there 13 years ago, and I thought it was one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. Powerful.

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  18. I LOVE that final shot - so peaceful, and I love your new header image too!

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  19. A wonderful imaginative take on signs! Love the birds! And the mountains! And....and....just love them all!

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  20. love your intrepretation of this one. :)

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  21. I do not think you could post anything here that would not be great, unless of course it was the group of FSO blogs who came to see you and i was not in the pic, LOL

    I let out a great sigh of enjoyment when I come over here!

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  22. I am glad the beautiful mountains have no signs to mar the beautiful scenery.

    Yes, spring seems to be here early as well. Usually August is our coldest month. But we are getting warm weather.

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  23. I like that you didn't take "signs" literally. It didn't occur to me.

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  24. I appreciate and love more of Brazil. You keep me closer to it. Your photos are such a beautiful postcard and you always shot it great that I can see the story behind. The writing is great too. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Signs of Spring coming to Rio is a beautiful post complete with exotic language, parrots and beautiful mountaintops. Your views are breathtaking Ginger!
    Spring arriving in the south means winter for us..... blagh! Enjoy your weekend, lovely lady!

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  26. love your take on the theme and always enjoy your photos - the last one is breathtaking!

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  27. Nice interpretation. Love the last shot of the mountains. Very pretty.

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  28. Just wonderful, GingerV. Nice creative twist. That is what makes this so much fun. You never know what awaits beyond the click of the mouse.

    I just love those mountains. Exceptional photo.

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  29. Your photos are exceptional. I know there is beauty everywhere; however, your location is stunning. I do share your dislike of the look of most signs when they start to 'take over'. Your 'signs' and 'power' assignments are terrific.

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  30. Two great back to back shoot-outs! The power of waterfalls is almost magnetic, pulling me toward them when I'm there.

    And the first picture of Camillo is a sign that he isn't working too hard at his Convention!

    Thanks for the great work.

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