Memories of the Conch Shell

I've been trying to photograph several conch shells that I own for quite some time. Each time, without the end result I was looking for. And then, a few weeks ago, while photographing the final images for this site, I discovered a suitable lighting situation for the conch! This image was taken with my cell phone. For you TMobile customers, I highly recommend the new phone that they came out with, the "myTouch" 3G phone that they just released. I usually don't have much use for "bells and whistles", but I love this phone! But, I digress....memories of the conch shell? Anyone who grew up in Hawaii knows that many a Hawaiian event-whether it's May Day or Aloha Week, or other various occasions that are specific Hawaiian celebrations, the pageantry, or show starts off with some young man dressed in skimpy attire (not unlike a loincloth) blowing a conch shell from the back of the auditorium. This is the 'announcement' that the ceremony is about to begin. He blows it as loud as he can once from the back. Then, he runs down to the center of the aisle, stops, and blows again. Then, he runs up to the front of the audience and blows it one last time. Each 'note' is blown as long and hard as he can hold it. Often, this announcement is followed by someone chanting in Hawaiian. When the chanting is complete, the rest of the 'show' begins. I just thought I'd share with you what is part of the norm of growing up in Hawaii. Looking at this shell and recalling those memories reminded me that this is not the experience for the rest of the world. My other shadow is from the remnants of a car sitting near a parking lot by the Flying Star restaurant in Bernalillo, New Mexico. I can't figure out why it is there; it's kind of like a random sculpture! Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can also view all Shadow Shot postings I've done by scrolling all the way down and on the left side you will see an archive of labels for my posts. Look for Shadow Shot Sunday and click on that link for an "all you can view" buffet of shadow shots!