Porto Grande, Cape Verde

Porto Grande (Mindelo Bay) is a massive natural harbor on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. “Cap-Vert” comes from the Portuguese language. Cabo Verde (green cape) was named by Portuguese explorers in 1444. You would think by its name that everything would be lush and green, but in reality the mountains are extremely barren volcanic rock.

Our ship docked at Mindelo Bay on the north coast of the island of Sao Vincente. On our previous visit to Porto Grande, we were driven up a winding mountain road to the very top of Monte Verde. We remembered the ride up being long, narrow, rocky and gray. We also remembered it being cold, extremely windy and quite foggy at the top, so it took us no time to rule out another trip to the top of the mountain. We decided instead to just get off the ship and wander some of the streets of Mindelo within easy walking distance of the port.

Porto Grande (Vista docked in background)

boats of various kinds docked in the harbor

Mindelo, today the second largest city in the country, was the last of 9 islands to become inhabited. Today it is the second largest city in the country. It is also one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa.

 

local fishermen sell their catch

   

...and fish drying

lots of dried fish

...and fish being caught

The woman featured on the buildings (below) is Cesária Évora, Cape Verde's greatest musical icon. Évora (“the Barefoot Diva”) was globally famous for singing Morna—the melancholic, soulful national music of the islands. She always performed without shoes to show solidarity with the poor.

 

Cesária Évora

mural on building at the port

 

Here are a few fun facts about Cape Verde.

• No one lived in Cape Verde Islands until 1456.
• Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau were once one country.
• People in Cape Verde are either African or Portuguese.
• The long-eared bat is the only native animal to the islands.
• Sugar cane liquor is the national drink.
• Only 10% of the land is suitable for agriculture.
• There are more Cape Verdeans living abroad than there are in the country.
• It is estimated that there is one goat for every 2 people on the island.
• Cape Verde is the 3rd largest nesting site for Loggerhead turtles.
• It is rude to eat in public without sharing your food. 

 https://our-ancestories.com/blogs/news/10-fun-facts-about-cape-verde-islands

I wouldn't be me if I didn't love an open air market and snapping "people pictures." I will say that these are not the easiest type of photography to be successful with for several reasons. Street photography takes some skill which I sometimes have success with and just as often do not. Of course, it's easy to grab a shot of someone who is preoccupied and not aware that a camera is even near, much less being pointed at them. 

But I much prefer to engage with a person and it thrills me if they will actually look into the camera. But in order to achieve that, it is only polite to first ask permission before taking their picture, especially if it is going to be more than a "sneak" shot. Then there is the language barrier, but usually if I point at my phone and then at them, they understand that I am asking permission. This is where I may - or may not have success. Some will give me an adamant "NO" and at that, I smile, shake my head (up and down) and move along. Then occasionally someone is ok with it and will even smile (like the lady with the baby on her back in my last post). It doesn't matter to me if they smile or not - my goal is to try to capture the essence of the person. 

Today I got lucky - 2 older ladies and (I assume) a granddaughter gave me a nod. I also caught an older man looking down the sidewalk, unaware of my camera. Most of the photos I take (and share on this blog) are nothing more than an attempt to document a place. So capturing a couple of "people photos" that aren't blurry or have some other issue makes for a really good day. One other thing I've started doing - when someone gives me permission to take their picture, I do it quickly, then show it to them. Most of the time they seem very happy to see it. I figure that's the least I can do in exchange for the privilege of getting to capture their image.

 

Sao Vincente local

the granddaughter?

closer in

and my favorite