"You're not a Moluccan, if you can't eat papeda!"

That's what they say....
Back in the days when I was younger, pure and innocent and obviously crime didn't exist....right :-P
Almost every weekend I stayed at my grandparents and once in awhile we ate papeda, something that looks like wallpaper paste and tastes like...well..like nothing. Unless it was eaten with vegetables, spices and fish. It was made from potato starch, in the Moluccas it's traditionally made from sago or cassava. Only in the Moluccas it's possible to use sago and cassava, because the water in/around the islands contains a lot of minerals and that's why the water can get more hotter then for example in the Netherlands.

And there you have it on a beautiful sunny day along the coast in Suli, Ambon, papeda for lunch. Made by a wonderful woman named Lily who's perhaps the best cook on pulau Ambon I can tell ya that! It looked so good, it smelled so bad, and tasted amazingly! A ball turned around and taken out a ceramic pot with bamboo "tweezers" dropped subtle into my bowl and vegetables and vegetable stock soaked in hot spices got added. We all lapped/sipped the papeda out of our bowls, yes we lapped/sipped it out of our bowls with all the noise you can imaging 'cause that's the way you eat papeda. No shame in the game.

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Meat

By Justin Canning
Justin Canning Photography

Snug as a Bug in a Rug!

That's how I felt when I arrived for the first time in the Spice Islands are now called the Moluccas. While sitting next to the window something I don't prefer I saw the Islands coming towards us, flying underneath a rainbow that welcoming us and landing on the most greenish island I've ever seen, Ambon. A blanket of full warmth conceiving that this could be a start of a beautiful journey.

(Photo taken at Natsepa, Ambon)

A tale of urban exploration

It with coffee in hand and in good company that we went seeking for empty spaces, filled with memories of another era. Abandoned places that lay around the city waiting to be crushed by yet another condo project or a shopping mall. It seems to be the new trend of capitalism's evolution.

Satu Darah (One Blood)

After a small vail in the Moluccan community, while Museum Maluku was closing, the third generation was flagrant with the situation what I actually had expected. There's refreshing vibe going through the Moluccan community in the Netherlands I noticed this myself but also other Moluccans it's like we're repacking. Moluccans are making movies, books, music, clothing and jewelry with more passion then ever. All pretty awesome developments, something that must be kept supported and be proud of. Yet I continue to worry about the future regarding to the identity, will we maintain our culture as desired, will the traditions be continued or will Moluccans just blend into the crowd ...which is good to for some reason, but still. My hope is that there will be as much as possible documented whenever in books, movies, audiorecords etc. doesn't matter, keep documenting what you have and what you know because where will we be without the first generation? Are we then still one blood? Let loose, share your knowlegde for the next generation because sharing is caring and shame is lame. And I say it again; “Sometimes in order for something wonderful to happen, we must let go of the idea we have been holding onto of what wonderful is. We must close one door in order for another to open….”

(Photo taken from one of the members from Satu Darah Motorcycle Club)

Montréal, je t'aime.

Dans une rue au coeur d’une ville de rêve,

Ce sera comme quand on a déjà vécu:

Un instant à la fois très vague et très aigu...

O ce soleil parmi la brume qui se lève!

Paul Verlaine, « Kaléidoscope »

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Abandoned Morgue

One of the things I do in my spare time is visiting abandoned buildings. Also known as Urban Exploring, Urbex or UE. It starts with discovering a location that may be empty and how this is particularly accessible. The adrenaline starts flowing through my veins and planning is therefore usually the most exciting because you do not know what to expect. Think of holes in the ground, hazardous substances etc. When arrived at the location it is natural to look for an opening, I never break in but do assume that there are always people who have been there before me and there is always a window open or something similar. Sometimes on a higher level that will require to go climbing. I do not know how many times I've climbed through toilet windows or through basements but it always gave an Eureka feeling. Once inside your heart starts even harder to beat because who says you're the only one in the building, avoiding an alarm and electric cables you name it. Continously on the lookout but there's always a cat or bird that scares the S#!t out of you ....
The best thing is when you can make the best photos without touching anything. Photos that will show the feeling of emptiness and a look into the past keeps you wandering what's next.

(Photo taken in an abandoned morgue, Belgium)

Folklore Urbano

Sun sets on the city

 

Brindisi Urbex Weekend

Looks like everything is in a state of war!
"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny." ~ Alexander Solzhenitsyn (Photo taken in Brindisi, Italy)

Zombie walk

This photo was taken at the 2012 Montreal Zombie Walk, where people walk with appropriate attire and zombie-like behaviour. The make-up and costumes are amazing! For more info: http://montrealzombiewalk.com/