Valle de la Pascua/El Avila — ElEONORA GOMEZ BAS

I made this book at North Bennet Street School (Boston, MA) in 2002. My wish was to give a container to a select group of photos from a trip to "Valle de la Pascua" (Estado Guárico, Venezuela), and from my hikes up "El Avila" mountain (Caracas, Venezuela).

My boyfriend and I went to "Valle de la Pascua" (a 4 1/2 hour drive from the capital) in 1999 to visit an altar built for the "Anima de Pica-Pica" (Pica Pica Soul). Legend has it that a man by the name of José Zambrano was once found dead by a Pica-Pica plant (cause of death is all over the place!). The man who stumbled upon him was searching for his lost mule, and promised José a proper burial if he helped him find it. Upon finding his lost livestock, word spread that the dead man's spirit was able to grant wishes and perform miracles, thus the present day chapel where people travel from all over. Having exhausted my own resources trying to solve a problem at the time, I went to Pica-Pica's chapel to light my own candle and ask for help. My wish was granted a couple of years later...

The second half of this book is a small collection of photos I took during my daily walks in the mountain I grew up next to. "El Avila" is Caracas' backdrop, cherished by every one who lives there, and admired for its ever-changing palette and imposing presence (my photos, of course, are mostly cats!).

All photographs taken using Canon A1 and Canon Rebel SLR cameras, with Kodak T-MAX 400 film.