A True Cultural Journey May Begin With Curiosity But Ends In Understanding.
JoBeing close to the people I visit and getting to know them is an important part of travel for me. To wake up in a village and listen to the sounds of morning and feel the hospitality of the villagers is a pleasure I cherish. Life in the village is simple and simply beautiful for the way it is. Some understand life only within the bounds of their own heritage and the customs of the elders, but their lives are rich in ways we don't understand.
Having a passion for culture and tradition, I have traveled extensively to remote areas of the world to discover beautiful people along with their traditions. I have come to love and respect their differences and unique qualities. These differences in each of them are the color, splendor, and spice of life. I find in them an opportunity to learn and grow as each culture has so much to teach us all.
The cultures are rich in honored tradition but not without struggle. There is pride in the village. There is warmth in the home. There is love for one another and hope for the future. There is respect for the elders and sometimes the transition of "progress" from the humble home to the "better life" is painful for the ones moving on as well as the ones remaining in the village.
Today culture is fragile in many areas of the world as change presents itself in varied ways. There is an interruption of closely held tradition and the curiosity of whatever else may be offered in place of the time honored ways.
In any case, the beauty of the people remains and the warmth of their heart is a gift to the traveler.
I hope you can look into the hearts of the people through the images I have captured to magnify the unique beauty of their culture.
Life's Stuff
No license, no gas, no pollution, no noise, no problem!
It is our hearts, minds, souls, thoughts and actions that define our life. And yet, the never ending myriad of things that enter in and out of our life also serve to define us in some small way. Each culture relies on the things they become accustomed to.
Doors
As we dare to open a door, we must be prepared to enter a place we never knew existed. Doors of our lives which as we enter may close behind us and it is possible we may never be able to return the same way. Familiar doors bring joy to the one who found comfort there. To others the familiar door is a reminder of the inner longings which took him from that familiar door in the first place.
New Guinea
Life is to be celebrated. Natural dyes provide the color, native birds the elaborate feathers, years of blessing and caring for the hair provide the head dress, (his natural hair) the spirit of life provides the energy of the dance.
Sky
With feet planted firmly on the earth, we must also allow ourselves to gaze upwards. The world in all its vastness is still smaller than the sky above us. It is in looking all directions that we begin to imagine the possible.
Congo
Along the massive Congo River the village people live a simple and quiet life. The only transportation is by boat, and in most cases a dugout canoe carved with their own hands. They live very isolated from the modern world. The people are visibly spiritual with song and worship.
Nepal
The tiny country of Nepal is a Kalidoscope of people long steeped in tradition. Surrounded by the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas their country seems nestled in protection yet many struggle in poverty working hard to have even the necessities of life.
Sahara
Life is not easy in the burning sun of the day, or the wind and sandstorms of the mighty Sahara. The desert people must be strong and wise to the whims of the desert's many moods. They must know where to find precious water to survive and keep their herds alive. They must read the stars and understand the seasons. They have learned to live with the earth.
Sahara
Shifting, changing, elusive, endless. Never to be controlled, never to be counted, remembered one day at a time, recognized one minute at a time. Beauty ever changing, ever mystifying.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a majical land of diversity and color where people work hard and value family life. Satistaction and acceptance in one's lot in life is exhibited by the women so beautifully dressed as they attend to the mundane chores of the day such as this beautiful lady doing her wash.
West Africa
There is a time between morning and night, lightness and dark, shadows and sunlight - it makes no difference. Home is still the place of refuge.
Ghana, West Africa
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Ann Tribe of Burma
The Ann Tribe of Myanmar (Burma) are an especially happy and welcoming people who greet visitors with amazing smiles. The smiles are black as they paint their teeth regularly with charcoal. It is a sign of beauty and to signify marriage. Also, they believe that only dogs should have white teeth. They have proudly become the "black teeth" people of Burma.
Ethiopia
This stunning Ethiopian girl begins her day (as many in the world do) by getting water from the well to take to the village. The quiet dignity she possesses and the way she goes about her task enhances her beauty.
Yunnan China
The scribe is skilled in writing ancient scripts and characters. He is a respected elder of society and keeps alive the traditions he learned from his father. In Yunnan the writing is called Yi Script and may differ from Chinese. The characters are beautiful art.
Bhutan
The commitment oft times begins at four years of age in Bhutan for boys to begin their spiritual training in the monastery. The family is honored to present a son to be immersed in the teachings of Buddha. The gift of oneself to the monastic life is to surrender all pleasures to a higher purpose and is instilled in those who will continue on. They are schooled in doctrine, devotion and discipline. There is beauty in commitment to a cause and belief.
Cambodia
Life has been hard in Cambodia since the horrific reign of the Kmer Rouge. The people have suffered greatly but have maintained a sweetness through it all. Progress has been slow but moving forward. They are a beautiful and courageous people full of hope for the future.
Orissa Tribal India
Culture and tradition are strong in Tribal Orissa. People hold fast to symbols of thier individual tribes. The clothes, the jewelry, the tatooing, the number of piercings in the ears, the way a hair clip is used, colors - all are symbols of identity. It is easy to recognize each tribe by a simple glance.
Nepal
The Sadu live simply to simplify life. Doing without is what he strives for. With no worldly goods, his time is spent in meditation and a form of self denial.
Pakistan
There can never be too many decorations on a driver's truck. They can never be too elaborate. The miles are many but pride goes with him for the duration of the Journey.
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