Ybor City Part 2 (dedicated to Apryl Foster)

This is the final Ybor City post, which includes a few favorites. The second part of this post is dedicated to a 33-year-old Tampa woman, who loved Ybor city and spent the last night of her life there.

First, 13 photos:

This is Keith. We talked for a few minutes and even shared a “bro” hug. Did you ever meet someone where later you wondered more about their story?  Well Keith’s story is one I wondered about… and when I looked at my photos later, I just wondered what he was doing there, with a big ol’ backpack, resting up against the wall.

Some folks go to Ybor city to enjoy a cigar. In this photo, I captured some of the smoke that sometimes fills the street outside of a cigar shop. It really was not too stinky – and actually dissipates quickly. Notice the little sign to the right says, “Please come In and TAKE PICTURES” -This is a very hospitable place.

Of course there are folks who work in Ybor city, and here is Hunter, on his break from his job with some take-out food for the staff. I took 4 photos of Hunter and I used these two because when I placed them side by side, I noticed how the street and walkway flowed with a little right bend.

 

Some people go to Ybor city to dine out and catch a movie – and we met Brenden while waiting for the valet to bring us our car. If it sounds fancy to have valet parking – it really is not; instead, it is more of a necessity because parking spots in Ybor are difficult to find – and for a quick ten dollars, the valet will park your car for you.  I also like the other folks in the background of this shot.

Many people party at Ybor city. Here is looking down at one of the lines to get into a club. Linked to LULD week #83 and Dawn’s lingering look at windows.

 

This is cedric – he also works at Ybor city – and in this shot – I like the rainbow table, the different lights, and mosaic tile floor. Oh – and that Shamrock green ATM sign links to JNW’s shamrock this week.

This is Santiago and Kenny.  They kinda have a Breaking Bad feel to me – just a bit – ha!

Do you see this building to the left? This is a major party place that looks like a castle inside and a lot of folks dress up in “goth costumes” to party there.  It felt quite sinister seeing some of the outfits (i.e. ripped shirts with fake blood – or dark zombie costumes). The next photo shows a collage of folks – and two of them were coming from this castle in Ybor.

This is one of my favorite photos from my trip – for a few reasons. I like the splashes of red. Like the umbrella pattern with the stripes of her dress. I also like the energy of this couple. However, the special part was when this couple said I made their night because it was their 9th wedding anniversary – and having their picture taken felt special to them.  I am going to send them a signed and framed print. 🙂

Love the smirk – and the shot!

Here is one of the street shots I took of Ybor city – the lights, folks walking, and limo all give a feel for the vibe here.

For Part 2 – here is my dedication to Apryl Foster.

Apryl Foster is a 33 year-old that went missing in early February-  after partying at a bar in Ybor city. I read about her story in the news while having some morning java at my cousin’s kitchen table.  I do not know many folks that still have the paper newspaper delivered, and so it is a treat to explore the jam packed Sunday News when I visit them.

The Tampa Bay Times showed a photo of Apryl Foster’s parents releasing a dove in her memory. When I read that Apryl went missing from Ybor city – it was the day after I was there. I was glad that I was on guard when I was taking my pics.  I reflected back on how I stayed pretty close to the cigar shop that my mom and cousin were at. (You know… I was just being careful and situationally aware).

 

Anyhow, last week I checked on Apryl’s story to see what unfolded and found out that her death was actually DUI related (story is here).

She left the bar and while close to home, she pulled off the road for 50 minutes and then instead of going straight, she turned left and drove into a lake!

However, the part that shocked me was that they were keeping the DUI part private!   I guess it is because if the DUI news is released, it might interfere with other helpful tips that keep coming in, which could help with other cases.

 

Closing Thoughts…

I disagree with keeping the truth about the DUI quiet, because by doing so, they are robbing people of the full story!  So a big shout out of THANKS to Wfla, Channel 8, for reporting the truth.

Also, by not sharing openly that Apryl’s demise was DUI related, they are missing out on a chance to teach more people about the danger of drinking and driving.

Now I know some of you cynics out there might be thinking that “it does not make a difference” because no matter what we report, “people do not care and they will still drink and drive.”

But I think it does make a difference – it can…. even if it is a very small difference.

Every single time we share the truth about the dangers associated with alcohol consumption, we raise awareness — and it adds up — to one day sink into someone’s head to where they “get it” and to where they care!

So please….

Please don’t drink and drive!  Even if you have been doing it safely for years – today is the day to say “no mas” 

Here are some tips for teens: 

1.  Remind teens that driving buzzed is still driving impaired (and could be deadly). 

2. Talk to teens about how some people minimize impaired driving because they have “safely” gotten away with “driving after drinking ” dozens of times.  But it is like playing “Russian Roulette” with a vehicle. 

3. Judge Judy says that “automobiles can be lethal weapons” and we need to operate them with CARE and regard. 

4.  Young kids can benefit from learning about the addictive nature of alcohol.  For example, talk about not “driving under the influence” –  and also about not going through life “living under the influence” – Maybe also talk about how easy it is for some folks to use alcohol for escaping – for short-term coping – or how some people “party hearty” because they are conditioned to view that as the ultimate indulgent thing to do for enjoyment.  On a trip to Florida in 2009, this group of folks sat at this table, beachside, drinking for hours.  While talking with them (we knew them all), well I realized that a few of them viewed spending their entire Saturday getting smashed as their “right” and as their pleasant way to unwind.  I was trying not to be too critical at the time, but I was really shaking my head because these were older folks – and I guess I just felt a little sad for them that this was “the preferred way” they wanted to spend their entire day off from work.  I also learned that day that the way we “view” alcohol is sometimes  skewed and sometimes so conditioned to be one way.  

5. Use everyday examples to talk with tweens and teens about alcohol dangers — stories like Apryl’s are everywhere (sadly) – so let’s use these examples to teach.  For example, I saved an email from WiseGEEK (here) and then one day we were “conversating” about the topic, and I pulled it up on my phone and shared this snippet of sobering info:

“On average, one person is killed every 53 minutes in a drunk driving accident in the US. Drinking is found to be involved in nearly a third of all traffic deaths in the US. Additionally, a third of drinking-related traffic accidents are caused by repeat offenders, meaning those who drink and drive are somewhat likely to continue the habit. On average each year in America, about 1 in 2000 drivers are operating under the influence of alcohol on a given trip.”

6. Talk to teens about the damage that alcohol causes to the body.  It is not a health drink folks, and every time we indulge, it comes with a price to our physical body. 

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In closing, I wish you a great ending to your week – and here is a Throwback Thursday song to wrap up the post, Losing Grip by Avril Lavigne (here).

 

 

Also, if you know anyone that needs info about alcohol – click here – or click on the link below for self-help alcohol awareness tips from helpguide:

Alcohol Abuse Treatment and Self-Help