This is Chile
Sometimes it’s not about the photo. Yes, I’ve been improving my photography (or at least I hope I have). And I enjoy a good image much more than a blurry snapshot. But in this case, it’s not so much about technical perfection.
I have another version of this same scene without the dog. It’s a better picture. But the whole reason I took the shot is that this? This is Chile.
I was standing inside a modern, air-conditioned gas station that is much more along the lines of the fancy British service stations that are practically destinations themselves than any sketchy, “do I really have to pee this badly?” gas station you’ll find on your average highway in the US. Over in the restaurant – there is a restaurant – flat-brimmed straw hats caught my eye. A couple of huasos, Chilean cowboys, were sitting down for a snack.
Outside, their horses were waiting patiently. And ok, there are horses in the US. There are cowboys in the US. But something about the juxtaposition of cars racing 70 miles per hour down the road and a lifestyle where the horse is still a main mode of transportation made me grab my camera. There is something else outside my urban, globalized, online lifestyle.
So why choose this over the better photo? The dog, of course. It wouldn’t be Chile without a friendly, well-fed street dog!
You are so right! I am surprised to see you still notice huasos and street dogs after beeing in Chile for so long, but then again, the dogs are hard to miss…they are everywhere.
Where I am, there is 2 feet of snow and the temperature is -20 celsius today.
Did you find Lola in the street or did you adopt her from a shelter? This looks like the Copec in Rancagua, is that right? Thanks for sharing your summer pictures with us..I wish I could be there too
We found Lola in the street. I definitely still notice the street dogs…mostly because I want to take so many of them home!
And yes, definitely the Copec outside Rancagua, well spotted.
Hi, I know solos dogs, packs of dogs…dogs dogs dogs!! I even started taking photos of dogs everywhere until one particular day I reversed into someone trying to take said photo, and then spent a few hours in a remote police station trying to sort out insurance details..end of dog catalogue!
Hahaha, oh no! A cautionary tale for those of us who can’t get enough of the street dogs.
We were eating at Lucas’ parents house the other day and during dinner a horse and carriage passed by the window. I loved it! What a great shot!!!
I can totally imagine a horse and carriage in parts of their neighborhood, but I’m sure it was still a shock to see one just clip clopping on by as you guys were eating.
I wish there was a like button for blogs because I don’t really have that much to say other than I really like that juxtaposition too and I like your newly improved pictures as well
Thanks!
I loved the horses and carriages in Chile – magical!
I prefer the horses from outside Santiago because they’re usually in better condition. These guys were healthy and happy in their horse box.
So many street dogs in South America, but so well cared for in general. I thought they’d have me running away and screaming ‘rabies’ but they’ve generally been the cutest. I even saw one in Mendoza that had clearly been taken in for veterinary surgery, despite having no owner. In England they would put it down on the spot.
A lot of them have quasi-owners who give them food and take care of them…you’ll even see street dogs with coats on in the winter here. Of course I wish they could all have permanent homes, and there are those that aren’t in such good health, but some of them clearly have a good life and enjoy their freedom.