OFF THE BEATEN TRACK PART 3, BROAD CHANNEL

Hello all again! Today on our trip we went to a place called Broad Channel. This is a small fisherman's town at the end of Brooklyn farther than JFK airport. Broad channel is a small island, the subway goes on top of the water for at least a mile. We are talking about the subway guys. This is 40 minutes away from Manhattan on the A train. This small town has in total one pizza place, one pharmacy and two deli/markets. Its full of amazing people. This is how amazing... I lost my sweater on the way to our meeting point. When I got there I was looking for the class without a sweater and I could swear it was 45 F. It was cold and foggy and windy. I went to THE deli and got some coffee, the woman said this is my sister and the sister said, do you need a sweater? I said" At this point i'll take anything to make myself a little warmer", she said " meet me at the corner and I'll give you a sweater child". I said "thanks" and asked for a return address, she said "no, no worries I have a ton of them". I mean seriously??? Here are some pics from my trip. Keep in mind this is 40 min away and by subway.

EASTER SUNDAY

Ester Sunday has always been a day of getting together with the family and doing something different. We decided to go to the Botanical Garden in Brooklyn. After waiting for the train that never came twice, and after three misleading MTA attendants sending us to the wrong place we decided to take a taxi there. It was a beautiful day, perfectly spring weather. The garden was so much fun, Maia had a blast, she ran a ton and loved seeing all the different kinds of flowers. Maia's Mamu ( grandma) came with us. After the garden we wanted to have a yummy meal and ended up at the Blue Ribbon. Soooo delicious! I had the Lamb shank... :) Here are some images of our day.

Elmo was on 6th ave. when we came back to the city around 6 pm. After this it started raining so we ran into The Gap and we ran into some of my husbands high school friends we hadn't seen in a very long time with their kids and all. It was a wonderful day!

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK PART 2

Hello all. Today in our class we went to Flushing. The last stop on the 7 train. Its about 45 minutes away from NYC. Its basically the real chinatown of NYC. This is where all the noodles are made by hand, the frogs and serpents are sold live and tourist like me decide... maybe I'll buy some live crabs and cook them tonight and give hubby a surprise.

First we met at Grand Central at 9:45 am, enjoyed my financier coffee and that little financier pound cake they give you. Had a bran muffin at Juniors and met the students in the class by the clock. We took the 7 train to the last stop on that train: Flushing. I love dumplings and have to say that for 3 bucks you can have a dozen of the best dumplings in New York State. I had some pork buns also... I still think Momofuko's pork buns are unbeatable. And noodles. I went to the supermarkets and checked out the fresh produce and protein including eal, crabs and frogs. All alive and not too happy. Crammed into plastic containers. Yuk! Here are some pics from my day. The funniest thing??? I had to go to the Venezuelan embassy after and I had 6 live crabs in a bag. I am sure she was looking at my bag and how it made some noise and moved. jajajaj These are the crabs moving in my kitchen sink!

Ready to boil the water with the onions, ginger, garlic and the celery root.

First one goes in.. and the second and the third.. all five. We had a dead one in the bag..

Boil for ten minutes and after fill the pot with ice to stop the cooking process. Then take out and serve with sauce. Soy sauce, chopped ginger and a touch of lime.

Good results! enjoy with a cold beer!

Now this is part of our lunch at the golden mall.

The guy at the Golden Mall eatery making dumplings.
Turtles for sale! Not to have as pets. eeeek! Look at his really long neck.
Frogs anyone?????
Ok here is where I dropped the ball, yuk! These things look nasty! They slithered around in there.. uhhh I get chills just remembering!
Tea shop... Bought some ginger and some lotus flower tea.

It was a fun day.

Until next wednesday!

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK NYC

I am a teachers assistant in a class at the ICP , International Center of Photography called " Off the beaten track" What it's about???? Going to places in NYC that have been forgotten or abandoned, or that simply people don't really know they exist! Brooklyn, queens and all around. The first class was the closest and more accessible one on the syllabus. We went by Shei Stadium where there are a couple of streets that are filled with Latin Americans, all car stuff, anything you need for your car, from the glass, rear mirrors, plates, anything you could possibly imagine. There are no paved roads, and there is a concierge called Anibal. He is from Mexico and he tells you where to go for your needs. There is also a chicken who roams about and really good food stands with real mexican food. I had fried plantain with salt. yummy! Here are some images of my first adventure!

VENTA DE FOTOS DE EL AVILA

Hello all, I am selling a small edition of images from the Avila. If you want to have a small window into the city that you love the most. Here is a chance to own a little breath of Caracas. The city we all love. At all times of day. from various points of view. Send me an email letting me know what size you are interested in and I will send it to you in a small tube, straight to your home. We all miss home even more after realizing that we are probably never going to move back there. So let me help put a smile on your face every time you look at your wall. You will imagine you are in Caracas looking out your window. The beauty.... El Avila

Prices range from $175 and up depending on size. buy more than one and get a discount. Thinking of a good gift to your hardworking Venezuelan hubby, this is a good gift.

The edition of each image is 10. Prices vary depending on size. Inquiries at laraalcantara@gmail.com

CARACAS, VENEZUELA AHHHHHH...

I just got home on Friday night. I am staying at my moms house, which to me is the most beautiful house on the planet. I woke up this morning and I got to see the tropical rain falling on this movie like garden. The smell of wet grass, with the sounds of the crickets is just a memory of when I was a child and woke up to this every morning and didn't ever think I would miss it this much. A slice of white hand made venezuelan cheese and an arepa, delicious corn flour patties. Welcome home is all I hear.

PHOTO SESSIONS FOR 2011!

Photo packages

Family or Children's Portrait session ( Recession special)

. 1-1 1/2 hour portrait session

. Two locations within walking distance

. A CD with 30-40 high resolution images ready for print. No prints

. $375

Extra hour is $75.

Petit Pois, newborn session

. 1/2 hour portrait session

. 20 high resolution images ready for print. No prints

. $ 250

Before and After session

. Two 1-2 hour sessions, one maternity and one newborn session

. 1 location

. 30- high resolution images ready for print of each session. No prints

. $400

One special year

. Three 1-2 hour portrait sessions, within child's first year.

. 2 locations within walking distance

. 30 high resolution images ready for print from each session. No prints. ONe gallery board matted with one of each shoot.

. $575

Birthdays

. 1 1/2 hours of shooting time Extra hours are charged additional.

. 100-200 high resolution images ready for print. No prints. One matted image of your choice 4X6, or one 8x10 print no matt.

. $375. extra hour is $75.

All photo shoots take place outdoors, at your home or at a location of your choice taking advantage of the natural light. There is a travel fee for locations outside of New York City.

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Lara Alcantara Photography
646-234-3391
laraalcantarachildren.com