depth

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Look into their eyes, feel through their skin. No need for color. Just the rawness and intensity of b&w and its ability to touch you....

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

On the Road

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Move forward with a sense of adventure...... and remember: NO LIMITS!

The road is out there and the world is just waiting for you....

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

an african ride

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Always on the road, sharing pieces of Africa, sharing moments and encounters. Endless driver, helping assistant and fun friend. Thank you, Sale!

Sambori

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

It is all in the approach, eye contact, the smile, the body language.... and you will get what you give.

In a village called Joal, I played sambori with these girls before taking this picture. Different language, but sometimes it is easier to understand one smile. And the most touching thing of this scene was to hear their laughs when they saw themselfs on the picture...

Getting involved with them in fantastic interaction while building a rapport full of joy made me leave that place with a bigger warm heart. So delightful people....

sai sai

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

This BIG little boy is full of energy and happiness. Everytime his father tenderly calls him "sai sai" he responds with his lovely smile and his bright shiny eyes... Such a beautiful sai sai face!

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Kirikou n'est pas grand, mais il est vaillant
Kirikou est petit, mais c'est mon ami

Besitos y más besitos!

This song is for you:

Magic Storm

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

My first African storm makes me feel very alive... Lightning, loud thunders, wild wind and heavy rain that reminds me of New Orleans.

A stormy night full of mistery and soul essence....

The big storm outside, wind blowing through the windows, a power cut, an empty house and sweet Silvie. One more magic moment.

Grand Yoff

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Just a moment in life catched by a camera. So small, so precious. Where time no longer matters....

And want to thank Monique, her family and neighbours for their hospitality and for sharing with me a piece of their lifes!

Run for Freedom

Photo by Bouba Cissé

Moments. But also feelings, hopes, dreams and wishes. And this picture contains all of it. Moments, feelings, hopes, dreams, wishes and the most important: FREEDOM. Some words that I will always keep in my heart: Run for Freedom. Words that brightened my soul and words that also made me cry feeling emotions again.

This is a story of slaves, this is a story of pride, this is a story of freedom.... Run for Freedom!

For ever.

Baobab

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Gouye. The Tree of Life.

Long ago, a small girl found a book between all the books of her father's library. A small book with a blond little boy in the cover that caught her eye... and it was full of drawings inside!

That was the first time I saw a drawing of a baobab in my life. And, since then, one of my dreams that just came true. I touched the skin of a baobab and felt the vibration of it's soul under my fingers...

Called Mother by some African people, this fascinating tree is very alive. Some of them, like the one in the picture below, are considered sacred. Put your left hand on a sacred baobab bark and make a wish.... It will come true....

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

keep a weather eye on the horizon

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Fragments of magical moments where life gets a different meaning... Everything is right in the place it has to be. And the world is a fantastic place to live. In Africa, Heaven is on Earth and Earth is in Heaven. Just pure magic....

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

nanga def

Photo © 2007 Ana Yturralde

Yéksil ak jaam, Welcome!

Here you will find some images that will show you inside my heart... Little pieces of feelings, sensations, heart beats and freedom... pieces that compose this puzzle called AFRICA.

I left there part of my soul... but I brought with me a portion of Africa in my heart. It was a good deal...

Hope you enjoy these small fragments of life...

Salaam maalekum!