Seriously, it's quicker for me to drive up into the nearby Parque Nacional del Desierto de los Leones in the mountains near Mexico City than it is to get to the Zócalo in the centre most days. And in this thickly forested National Park, at an altitude of 2700 metres, is an old monastery, founded by the Carmelites in the early 1600s and a true gem of a place to visit. By the way, there's nothing remotely resembling a desert up here nor any lions, just in case you were wondering.The old monastery and its grounds are an excellent spot for doing Photo Walks with textured stone walls covered in soft moss, long chilly corridors and barred windows, and patios and gardens awash with flowers. Add to all that the existence of some mysterious tunnels underground and it has the perfect plot, especially when it comes to kids.Put a camera or phone into the hands of seven kids aged 5 to 12 years old and give them an interesting check-list of things to photograph and I can assure you that the activity will be stimulating and the outcome surprising. I learn so much from children... their creativity and lack of knowledge of the rules we adults adhere to in photography produce scenes and images I rarely see in other contexts. In fact, these seven kids took the challenge of finding new viewpoints to a whole new level that totally surprised me.We all had an eye-opening experience and learnt not only about taking photos, but also some history and nature facts too. And what better way to end the time than with a cup of hot frothy coffee by a cosy fire where barefoot monks once tread.
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Margaret MetcalfeBorn to travel, explore and share photos and experiences Archives
May 2019
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