Smoke, Charcoal, and a Distracted Photographer./ Monomad Challenge [Eng/Esp]

These snapshots 📸 are my submission for the #monomad challenge by @monochromes and @brumest.

Greetings, dear friends.

Yesterday was one of those days that far exceeded all expectations. I got up early with the idea of visiting some friends in the countryside and, while I was there, taking some photos. I spent some time with them and, after coffee and a few white lies—because people in the countryside also exaggerate, it's part of their idiosyncrasy—I went for a walk in the woods.

After about twenty minutes, I saw smoke in the distance and immediately became alarmed. I thought: charcoal burners at work. I couldn't believe it. I had wanted to find them for a long time and had never been lucky enough to do so. These ones were different, too: they were illegal charcoal burners, which is why they were well hidden in the woods.

Right there, I devised my strategy to get there without getting into trouble. I plucked up my courage and went. Luckily for me, one of them turned out to be the son of my country friend, so everything went much more smoothly.

The work these people do is impressive: rudimentary tools, harsh conditions, and constant exposure to danger. They are armed because, as I was told, thefts and assaults to steal their wood are quite common.

That's their means of transportation, in case they need to flee.

The entire process is almost artisanal. They remove the burnt wood little by little, carefully extinguishing it. It is exhausting work, carried out in unbearable heat.

I was there for about two hours. I even helped them out a little. We talked a lot, I learned a lot, and I enjoyed the experience. There was risk, anticipation, learning... and I left with my photos and safe and sound. What more could you ask for?

That was my adventure yesterday. I hope you found it interestin. For now, I bid you farewell, truly grateful for your time, and send you a big hug.

Saludos, amigos queridos.

Ayer fue uno de esos días que superan con creces cualquier expectativa. Me levanté temprano con la idea de visitar a unos amigos en el campo y, de paso, hacer algunas fotos. Estuve un rato con ellos y, después del café y de unas cuantas mentiras —porque en el campo también se exagera, eso va en la idiosincrasia—, salí a caminar monte adentro.

A los veinte minutos, más o menos, vi humo a lo lejos y enseguida se me encendieron las alarmas. Pensé: carboneros trabajando. No lo podía creer. Hacía muchísimo tiempo que quería encontrarlos y nunca había tenido suerte. Estos, además, eran distintos: carboneros ilegales, por eso estaban bien escondidos en el monte.

Ahí mismo tracé mi estrategia para llegar sin meterme en problemas. Me llené de valor y fui. Para mi suerte, uno de ellos resultó ser hijo de mi amigo guajiro, así que todo fluyó mucho mejor.

Es impresionante el trabajo que hacen estas personas: herramientas rudimentarias, condiciones durísimas y una exposición constante al peligro. Están armados, porque según me contaron los robos y asaltos para quitarles la madera son bastante comunes.

Ese es su medio de transporte, por si hay que salir huyendo.

Todo el proceso es casi artesanal. Van sacando la madera quemada poco a poco, apagándola con cuidado. Un trabajo agotador, con un calor insoportable.

Estuve allí cerca de dos horas. Incluso me puse a ayudarles un poco. Conversamos mucho, aprendí muchísimo y disfruté la experiencia. Hubo riesgo, expectativa, aprendizaje… y salí con mis fotos y sano y salvo. ¿Qué más se puede pedir?

Esta fue mi aventura de ayer. Espero que les haya parecido interesante.

Por ahora me despido, agradecido de corazón por su tiempo y les mando un gran abrazo.

Technical data: 
📸 Nikon D200, NIKON lens 18-70 mm
📝 Translation: DeepL (free version)
🙋‍♂️ Authorship: All photos were taken by me  @muhammadhalim.

Redes y contacto

📸 Instagram: @muhammad_photography
📘 Facebook: Muhammad Halim Machado
💬 WhatsApp: Escríbeme por WhatsApp