Photoessay: Prague after Dark
Prague, with its Old World charm, is one of Europe's most lovely cities. But she really shines after the sun goes down. Wandering the winding cobblestone lanes, you take comfort in…
The Local Watering Hole, Prague
Recently, while in Prague, Czech Republic, we would pass a local pub at least twice a day, as we came and went. Most of the time there was an interesting cast of characters lingering in the doorways. Too tempting for the photographer in me to pass up. Now, I won't bore you with all of them but will share a few. Ask anyone and they will boastfully tell you Czechs drink more beer per capita than anywhere else.
“The Observer,” Kumba Mela Festival, India
A man, clutching his chillum, gazes over the throngs of devotees gathered at the world's largest religious festival, Kumba Mela, in Allahabad, India. Millions come during this holiest of Hindu religious festivals to bathe away their sins with a "Holy Dip" in the sacred River Ganges.
Morning Worship Along the Ganges
A Hindu devotee performs his morning rituals on the banks of the Ganges River in the ancient city of Varanasi. This morning liturgy includes the cleansing of the body and mind with holy water from the Mother Ganges while reciting prayers and mantras. Hindus believe that adherence to a series of daily morning and evening rituals will curry them favor in life and will purify them for their quest for communion with God.
Fishing in Bayou Country
As the saying goes, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day working." And these guys are making the best of a late summer's day of fishing deep…
Boys and Their Boat
Two boys enjoy a little idle time drifting near their floating village in Vietnam's serene Halong Bay, at the edge of the South China Sea. Life here is not as…
Mrs. Johnson and the Praise House
For the better part of the next hour, Mrs. Johnson tells us her story - she recently moved back to St Helena from New Jersey - and the history of this praise house. This area was once a part of the Mary Jenkins Plantation. Thus, we are standing in the Mary Jenkins Community Praise House. Prior to the Civil War, slaves who were living on plantations were often allowed to build small structures for worship known as praise houses. After Emancipation, former slaves who remained in the area would build more substantial praise houses. This one was built in 1900. Mrs. Johnson tells us that the community is dwindling and services are no longer held on a regular basis. But her eyes brighten and a smile crosses her face as she tells us that the services they do have are lively affairs with much hymn singing and praising, and ending with a shout. A shout was a tradition practiced by African slaves where the worshipers move in a circle as they chant, clap their hands, and shuffle and stomp their feet.
Reflecting on America
As this election cycle continues to wear me down I find myself Reflecting on America. And do you know what I have concluded? America is great, has been great, and…
Diggers and Lemmings
Diggers, those praying mantis-like steel monsters, are invading, eating everything in sight. They have docile, benign-like names such as Deere and Cat, but don't be fooled. These creatures are…
PHOTOESSAY: LIFE IN BUDAPEST, PART 2
Travel is a state of mind. It has nothing to do with existence or the exotic. It is almost always an inner experience. ___Paul Theroux, Fresh Air Fiend: Travel Writings…