There is nothing more special than to visit with folks you know -family- in a distant place and have them receive you as if you were at home, make you feel comfortable and shower you with affection and joy. It makes the travel experience much more enriching and enjoyable. This is what is happening to me in Pontevedra, Galicia.

On my third day in Europe I arrived at my destination, a hotel in La Lanzada, Sanxenxo, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for me. I was invited to the 35th anniversary celebration of my cousin, Beatriz Fernandez and her husband Tino. It was celebrated at the ‘Pazo de Señorans’, originally a 16^th century manor house, restored & refurbished to its former glory. There are many ‘Pazos’ or old-time country homes in this part of Galicia.

My first night in Europe was spent in Nazare, on my way up the northern Portuguese coast. I rented a car at Lisbon airport and took about 2 hours to wind my way north toward Galicia. Nazare is famous for having the best surfing in all of Europe. It is nestled between two cliffs which provide a deep underwater chasm that churns out the energy to create the mammoth waves. While I was there the ocean was more placid (in season for surfers is in the winter), but I could tell by the way the waves broke on shore that this was indeed a special place for surfing.

I have embarked on a fascinating journey into my past and the heritage of the ancestors who shaped me. I am travelling by land up the cost of Portugal to my homeland of Galicia where both of my parents were born. I will be staying there for the next 20 days.

My mother comes from a long line of teachers, writers, doctors and small-town bourgeoisie intellectuals who fled the Spanish Civil War to end up in New York City where I was born. My father was the son of a Captain of the docks in what was then a small fishing village, Sanxenxo, which has now become a beach resort of some consequence. My grandfather, who I never met, was also the accordion player in the municipal band -of some prominence in his little village at that time!

By Malcolm Barnes Washington D.C. November 12, 2022

“Dominican Fashion” has arrived for the first time in Washington DC. The majesty of art and fashion from great designers who with their exuberant strokes and textures make possible the exhibition of modern fashion design from the Caribbean in the nation’s capital. The event, open to the press, took place Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Sheyla Vie Collections, 5333 Wisconsin Ave Washington DC. Held to create support for Dominican fashion, it brought together some of the most prominent fashion designers in Latin America. The montage of various dresses and apparel by Maribo Productions complemented the outstanding designers from the Caribbean, Central America and Spain, such as Alex Adames and Luisa Tobon from Panama; Benito Antonio, Raiza Bonaparte, Ramon Antonio and Fernando Gantier Dominicans; Fernandita Salazar, from Honduras; Adriana Amado from Colombia and Sanel Rivera of Puerto Rico. Featuring Artists Julio Infante, from the Dominican Republic and Israel Lozano from Spain, as special guests. The models that graced the runway gave life and movement to each of the exclusive pieces of the exhibition.