In South America, every town (and village) has its own central square, usually called «Plaza de Armas», parade ground in English. They are often built to the same model: a square with a statue or fountain in the center, trees around it, and a church. It’s almost always shaded and the meeting place for locals and tourists alike. This is where the hearts of the locals, from the youngest to the oldest, beat.
This Saturday, February 18, 2017, in Arequipa, as in many other places around the world, Peruvians are celebrating a wedding. For my part, I’m strolling through the city, which on a special day offers me some of its most beautiful images. Just arrived Plaza de Armas, unpolite, I took the place of the official photographer to take the portrait of the groom-to-be, 20 years ahead of schedule. As if to exonerate myself, I showed his father the photo of his little boy, without anticipating his reaction… At first, he lets out the first hint of a cry, which he immediately suppresses before remaining silent, visibly moved. In view of the embarrassment, my voice did not offer to take his email address to send him the photo, which I still regret.