Village of Pinecrest Aventura Mkt Council

Before I met Jude Bagatti, I admired her from afar as I noticed her running along Red Road stopping to clean up and recycle the litter and discards left by unthinking travelers.

As you read about her you will see that she is a blend of colorful adventures which extend far from the Pinecrest bike path.

With the creative ability to see an award winning photo opportunity, and her talent in weaving words, Bagatti travels the world and records what she envisions and experiences.

She has written a travelogue called Fear and Loafing in Belize: One Woman's Singular Adventure, explaining her solitary experiences in the country of Belize. Reviewed by poet Peter Hargitai, it is a wonderful companion piece for anyone thinking of visiting Belize.

Bagatti carries her single lens camera with her around the world. She prefers natural lighting and polarizer to flash photography. She said her eye is the most important piece of equipment. This method has produced success for earning her numerous awards including Kendall Camera Club Photographer of the Year five times.

"What I hope to accomplish in my photography is to give others pleasure and see the wonders of God's creation. There is so much..." Bagatti said. "I like to look at others photos, also."

Her travels have taken her from Zihuatanejo on the Pacific Coast of Mexico to Nepal where she trekked through the Himalayan foothills. Japan was seen by mountain bicycle through the Isu Peninsula.

More relaxing was her cruise through the Panama Canal, then it was on to London and Ireland. She traveled through Africa for 35 days, and yes, she did successfully climb Kilimanjaro in the light of a full moon. The six-day ascent to Uhuru Peak at 19,344 feet furthered her scope of experiences lending creativity to her writings.

"I buried a crystal [that I] mined in Arkansas," she said.

"If being an explorer was a paying job, it would be my job. I see myself with a trinity of main passions: photography, writing and traveling. You might say I have a multi-hued kaleidoscope of intersecting interests."

Bagatti has worked as a massage therapist since 1983. She is a pro at various massage techniques and she also does Reiki healing. She occasionally works as a model for the "Live on Wednesday", a group of artists.

When Bagatti is not off trekking, she gives time to her community. She volunteers at Fairchild Tropical Gardens, serves on the Historical Preservation Board for the City of South Miami, and is Deputy Sheriff at Elections for her precinct general elections

"It is a challenge to keep campaigners and media 50 feet from the door," she laughs.

Most recently, Bagatti earned a two-year certificate in Spiritual Companionship from Saint Thomas University. She enjoys sharing all of her experiences.

Bagatti, born in New Jersey, holds degrees in Law and Sociology from the University of Miami. She has lived in Coconut Grove, resides in South Miami, and runs through Pinecrest, where she can be seen keeping fit for her next marathon or triathlon while keeping our city clean.

Her poem Grandma's Shoes, is evocative enough to remind me of adventures with my own grandmother. Bagatti hopes to publish a book of poems illustrated with her photographs and a book of photographs annotated by stories of her travel experiences.

If you would like to view her photography, purchase her book on Belize, or just say hello, she can be reached at 305-663-9793.