when I came to Geographic I was 25 I was the youngest photographer here through
the youngest photographer here through
the youngest photographer here through through the the courage and foresight of
through the the courage and foresight of
through the the courage and foresight of Bob gilga he he gave me opportunities
Bob gilga he he gave me opportunities
Bob gilga he he gave me opportunities and I didn’t completely fall on my sword
and I didn’t completely fall on my sword
and I didn’t completely fall on my sword on any of them and and I you know I just
on any of them and and I you know I just
on any of them and and I you know I just had this opportunity to balance a crazy
had this opportunity to balance a crazy
had this opportunity to balance a crazy career with a life and almost any time I
career with a life and almost any time I
career with a life and almost any time I speak there’s there’ll be a young woman
speak there’s there’ll be a young woman
speak there’s there’ll be a young woman in the audience who says can you really
in the audience who says can you really
in the audience who says can you really do it and I and I say to them you know
do it and I and I say to them you know
do it and I and I say to them you know if you mean can you have it all no oh
if you mean can you have it all no oh
if you mean can you have it all no oh you know life is not without compromise
you know life is not without compromise
you know life is not without compromise but can you find balance and and
but can you find balance and and
but can you find balance and and whatever the priorities in your life are
whatever the priorities in your life are
whatever the priorities in your life are can you can you bail us those with
can you can you bail us those with
can you can you bail us those with something you love absolutely because if
something you love absolutely because if
something you love absolutely because if I can do it with my crazy job and my
I can do it with my crazy job and my
I can do it with my crazy job and my crazy family I think anyone can so I
crazy family I think anyone can so I
crazy family I think anyone can so I would like to take you to see a little
would like to take you to see a little
would like to take you to see a little bit of the wonderful stuff I’ve been
bit of the wonderful stuff I’ve been
bit of the wonderful stuff I’ve been lucky enough to experience and I’m gonna
lucky enough to experience and I’m gonna
lucky enough to experience and I’m gonna start by telling you a story that
start by telling you a story that
start by telling you a story that happened to me when I was a very young
happened to me when I was a very young
happened to me when I was a very young photographer it happened in 1980 and my
photographer it happened in 1980 and my
photographer it happened in 1980 and my first trip to Africa was to a country
first trip to Africa was to a country
first trip to Africa was to a country called Namibia and we set out to find a
called Namibia and we set out to find a
called Namibia and we set out to find a very remote tribe the Himba tribe this
very remote tribe the Himba tribe this
very remote tribe the Himba tribe this was at a time when there had been seven
was at a time when there had been seven
was at a time when there had been seven years of drought and so this nomadic
years of drought and so this nomadic
years of drought and so this nomadic tribe was particularly distant now and
tribe was particularly distant now and
tribe was particularly distant now and trying to survive we got a special
trying to survive we got a special
trying to survive we got a special vehicle to take us up to to try to find
vehicle to take us up to to try to find
vehicle to take us up to to try to find them and the first people I saw after
them and the first people I saw after
them and the first people I saw after looking for about four or five days for
looking for about four or five days for
looking for about four or five days for a group of three women and two kids and
a group of three women and two kids and
a group of three women and two kids and they were down in kind of a little
they were down in kind of a little
they were down in kind of a little ravine and I went down the ravine and
ravine and I went down the ravine and
ravine and I went down the ravine and they looked at me as though I had landed
they looked at me as though I had landed
they looked at me as though I had landed by spaceship they just stared kind of
by spaceship they just stared kind of
by spaceship they just stared kind of open-faced stared and I went down and in
open-faced stared and I went down and in
open-faced stared and I went down and in those days back in the olden days when
those days back in the olden days when
those days back in the olden days when we had Polaroids I pulled out a Polaroid
we had Polaroids I pulled out a Polaroid
we had Polaroids I pulled out a Polaroid camera and by way of making friends with
camera and by way of making friends with
camera and by way of making friends with them I took their picture no they didn’t
them I took their picture no they didn’t
them I took their picture no they didn’t know what I was doing
know what I was doing
know what I was doing and that I handed them the little white
and that I handed them the little white
and that I handed them the little white square and they had no idea what I was
square and they had no idea what I was
square and they had no idea what I was handing them but as their pictures came
handing them but as their pictures came
handing them but as their pictures came up on the Polaroid all of a sudden the
up on the Polaroid all of a sudden the
up on the Polaroid all of a sudden the women just fell to the ground rolled
women just fell to the ground rolled
women just fell to the ground rolled literally rolling around laughing and
literally rolling around laughing and
literally rolling around laughing and pointing and looking at each other and
pointing and looking at each other and
pointing and looking at each other and giggling and the and and what I finally
giggling and the and and what I finally
giggling and the and and what I finally recognized without a word of their
recognized without a word of their
recognized without a word of their language was they were saying this is
language was they were saying this is
language was they were saying this is you know yeah that’s that’s you yeah
you know yeah that’s that’s you yeah
you know yeah that’s that’s you yeah that’s me because none of these women
that’s me because none of these women
that’s me because none of these women had ever seen her own face before they
had ever seen her own face before they
had ever seen her own face before they lived in a desert in a drought there
lived in a desert in a drought there
lived in a desert in a drought there were no reflective surfaces and they
were no reflective surfaces and they
were no reflective surfaces and they recognized their own jewelry and
recognized their own jewelry and
recognized their own jewelry and clothing and bodies but they were seeing
clothing and bodies but they were seeing
clothing and bodies but they were seeing their faces for the first time I spent
their faces for the first time I spent
their faces for the first time I spent about 36 hours with this tribe because
about 36 hours with this tribe because
about 36 hours with this tribe because it was really tough to get in and chop
it was really tough to get in and chop
it was really tough to get in and chop to get out and I learned so much from
to get out and I learned so much from
to get out and I learned so much from them so I’d like to take you to meet
them so I’d like to take you to meet
them so I’d like to take you to meet them we that’s me on the left and you
them we that’s me on the left and you
them we that’s me on the left and you can see why they were a little
can see why they were a little
can see why they were a little frightened because really I mean they’d
frightened because really I mean they’d
frightened because really I mean they’d never seen glass wasn’t it it turned out
never seen glass wasn’t it it turned out
never seen glass wasn’t it it turned out that they had never seen a Caucasian
that they had never seen a Caucasian
that they had never seen a Caucasian woman before and they thought I was ugly
woman before and they thought I was ugly
woman before and they thought I was ugly you know because in their culture dark
you know because in their culture dark
you know because in their culture dark you know ochre covered skin was a thing
you know ochre covered skin was a thing
you know ochre covered skin was a thing of beauty and you know here I was
of beauty and you know here I was
of beauty and you know here I was wearing these ridiculous clothes and I
wearing these ridiculous clothes and I
wearing these ridiculous clothes and I had this thing on my head and I had
had this thing on my head and I had
had this thing on my head and I had these things on my face and but what I
these things on my face and but what I
these things on my face and but what I like about this picture is that it
like about this picture is that it
like about this picture is that it doesn’t it look like it’s a couple of
doesn’t it look like it’s a couple of
doesn’t it look like it’s a couple of girlfriends talking just chatting and we
girlfriends talking just chatting and we
girlfriends talking just chatting and we were without the benefit of language and
were without the benefit of language and
were without the benefit of language and from this encounter with these women
from this encounter with these women
from this encounter with these women I learned that without language you can
I learned that without language you can
I learned that without language you can tell anyone that their kids are
tell anyone that their kids are
tell anyone that their kids are beautiful that you like their hair that
beautiful that you like their hair that
beautiful that you like their hair that you know that you’re interested in them
you know that you’re interested in them
you know that you’re interested in them you can express interest and you can
you can express interest and you can
you can express interest and you can pantomime and it’s actually better than
pantomime and it’s actually better than
pantomime and it’s actually better than having an interpreter because you’re
having an interpreter because you’re
having an interpreter because you’re communicating directly with somebody
communicating directly with somebody
communicating directly with somebody without a wall being set up that blocks
without a wall being set up that blocks
without a wall being set up that blocks the communication so I’d much rather
the communication so I’d much rather
the communication so I’d much rather make an idiot out of myself pantomiming
make an idiot out of myself pantomiming
make an idiot out of myself pantomiming something then then have an interpreter
something then then have an interpreter
something then then have an interpreter saying it correctly and having it fed
saying it correctly and having it fed
saying it correctly and having it fed back to me so I learned a lot the
back to me so I learned a lot the
back to me so I learned a lot the reality for these women was pretty rough
reality for these women was pretty rough
reality for these women was pretty rough they they were trying to keep their
they they were trying to keep their
they they were trying to keep their babies fed one of the ways they
babies fed one of the ways they
babies fed one of the ways they communicated they held their breasts up
communicated they held their breasts up
communicated they held their breasts up and pointed to their mouths and wondered
and pointed to their mouths and wondered
and pointed to their mouths and wondered if I had some kind of magic potion or
if I had some kind of magic potion or
if I had some kind of magic potion or something that would help their milk to
something that would help their milk to
something that would help their milk to come in they lived in this beautiful
come in they lived in this beautiful
come in they lived in this beautiful part of the world just beautiful the
part of the world just beautiful the
part of the world just beautiful the Namib Desert but can you imagine finding
Namib Desert but can you imagine finding
Namib Desert but can you imagine finding lunch and yet these people were master
lunch and yet these people were master
lunch and yet these people were master survivors from generations and they
survivors from generations and they
survivors from generations and they could find food and water where none of
could find food and water where none of
could find food and water where none of us would ever have been able to do that
us would ever have been able to do that
us would ever have been able to do that they lived side by side with wildlife
they lived side by side with wildlife
they lived side by side with wildlife amazing wildlife and they had an
amazing wildlife and they had an
amazing wildlife and they had an understanding that I could observe just
understanding that I could observe just
understanding that I could observe just just the way they related to the
just the way they related to the
just the way they related to the wildlife each knowing that the other
wildlife each knowing that the other
wildlife each knowing that the other animal could kill them and when they
animal could kill them and when they
animal could kill them and when they when they were lucky enough to to you
when they were lucky enough to to you
when they were lucky enough to to you know kill some wildlife and get some
know kill some wildlife and get some
know kill some wildlife and get some fresh meat they didn’t waste anything
fresh meat they didn’t waste anything
fresh meat they didn’t waste anything and their clothing and everything was
and their clothing and everything was
and their clothing and everything was used as part of their lives it’s a
used as part of their lives it’s a
used as part of their lives it’s a beautiful country and and I was lucky
beautiful country and and I was lucky
beautiful country and and I was lucky enough to go back last year for the
enough to go back last year for the
enough to go back last year for the first time in almost 30 years and I
first time in almost 30 years and I
first time in almost 30 years and I loved Namibia but my life started in the
loved Namibia but my life started in the
loved Namibia but my life started in the Midwest this is my mother and this
Midwest this is my mother and this
Midwest this is my mother and this picture was taken by my dad on I think
picture was taken by my dad on I think
picture was taken by my dad on I think their first date
their first date
their first date and what I love about this is my mother
and what I love about this is my mother
and what I love about this is my mother grew up under the firm hand of a very
grew up under the firm hand of a very
grew up under the firm hand of a very very strict Catholic Irish mother and
very strict Catholic Irish mother and
very strict Catholic Irish mother and mom you know I don’t think I’ve told you
mom you know I don’t think I’ve told you
mom you know I don’t think I’ve told you this but you’re wearing pants and and I
this but you’re wearing pants and and I
this but you’re wearing pants and and I remember when I was growing up I could
remember when I was growing up I could
remember when I was growing up I could never wear pants at Grandma’s house but
never wear pants at Grandma’s house but
never wear pants at Grandma’s house but my mother this is you know this is fixed
my mother this is you know this is fixed
my mother this is you know this is fixed well of her character she somehow
well of her character she somehow
well of her character she somehow convinced this mother of hers to let her
convinced this mother of hers to let her
convinced this mother of hers to let her go for the summer to Glacier Park and
go for the summer to Glacier Park and
go for the summer to Glacier Park and wait be a waitress which is greater than
wait be a waitress which is greater than
wait be a waitress which is greater than anything I’ve ever conquered I’ll tell
anything I’ve ever conquered I’ll tell
anything I’ve ever conquered I’ll tell ya and out there she met dad and dad
ya and out there she met dad and dad
ya and out there she met dad and dad took this picture and came back and
took this picture and came back and
took this picture and came back and built a life these are my parents with
built a life these are my parents with
built a life these are my parents with me when I was really little and this is
me when I was really little and this is
me when I was really little and this is how I grew up I grew up classic
how I grew up I grew up classic
how I grew up I grew up classic Midwestern good people hard work not you
Midwestern good people hard work not you
Midwestern good people hard work not you know
know
know it comfortable and happy we didn’t go
it comfortable and happy we didn’t go
it comfortable and happy we didn’t go anywhere except up to our little lake
anywhere except up to our little lake
anywhere except up to our little lake cottage which is still in the family I’m
cottage which is still in the family I’m
cottage which is still in the family I’m happy to report this is you can tell I’m
happy to report this is you can tell I’m
happy to report this is you can tell I’m the one in the white hat I’ve always had
the one in the white hat I’ve always had
the one in the white hat I’ve always had quite a sense of style but we just had
quite a sense of style but we just had
quite a sense of style but we just had you know this wonderful life but it
you know this wonderful life but it
you know this wonderful life but it didn’t it didn’t include seeing the
didn’t it didn’t include seeing the
didn’t it didn’t include seeing the world but I somehow I inherited my
world but I somehow I inherited my
world but I somehow I inherited my mother’s wanderlust
mother’s wanderlust
mother’s wanderlust mom wanted to go anywhere anytime this
mom wanted to go anywhere anytime this
mom wanted to go anywhere anytime this is the picture that Marianne spoke about
is the picture that Marianne spoke about
is the picture that Marianne spoke about that was from my beginning photo class
that was from my beginning photo class
that was from my beginning photo class and it for many many years it was the
and it for many many years it was the
and it for many many years it was the only photograph I hung in my home
only photograph I hung in my home
only photograph I hung in my home wherever I lived because it changed my
wherever I lived because it changed my
wherever I lived because it changed my life I who was always going to be a
life I who was always going to be a
life I who was always going to be a writer I fell in love with a camera and
writer I fell in love with a camera and
writer I fell in love with a camera and the things I could do with it and see
the things I could do with it and see
the things I could do with it and see through it
through it
through it and I changed my major after two weeks I
and I changed my major after two weeks I
and I changed my major after two weeks I worked at the University paper and then
worked at the University paper and then
worked at the University paper and then I went down to work for a really
I went down to work for a really
I went down to work for a really terrific rural daily in southern
terrific rural daily in southern
terrific rural daily in southern Minnesota that had a wonderful photo
Minnesota that had a wonderful photo
Minnesota that had a wonderful photo history and you know interestingly
history and you know interestingly
history and you know interestingly enough it was great preparation for
enough it was great preparation for
enough it was great preparation for Geographic because we had no assignments
Geographic because we had no assignments
Geographic because we had no assignments our job was to fill the paper with
our job was to fill the paper with
our job was to fill the paper with things that were important and that’s
things that were important and that’s
things that were important and that’s very much how we work now once we have
very much how we work now once we have
very much how we work now once we have an assignment Geographic photographers
an assignment Geographic photographers
an assignment Geographic photographers go off on their assignment and nobody
go off on their assignment and nobody
go off on their assignment and nobody knows if they get out of bed in the
knows if they get out of bed in the
knows if they get out of bed in the morning they just have to come back with
morning they just have to come back with
morning they just have to come back with the stuff so this is a weather picture
the stuff so this is a weather picture
the stuff so this is a weather picture this is an exercise class at a
this is an exercise class at a
this is an exercise class at a retirement home also down there I
retirement home also down there I
retirement home also down there I developed a love for the land and for
developed a love for the land and for
developed a love for the land and for nature because it was really out on the
nature because it was really out on the
nature because it was really out on the flat flat prairie and I came to love the
flat flat prairie and I came to love the
flat flat prairie and I came to love the flat flat Prairie and and I just learned
flat flat Prairie and and I just learned
flat flat Prairie and and I just learned that in the simplest places you really
that in the simplest places you really
that in the simplest places you really have to be able to find a photograph
have to be able to find a photograph
have to be able to find a photograph that make that communicates whether make
that make that communicates whether make
that make that communicates whether make someone smile or cry or just read the
someone smile or cry or just read the
someone smile or cry or just read the caption below it I’ve always said that
caption below it I’ve always said that
caption below it I’ve always said that if you can meet a shy Norwegian farmer
if you can meet a shy Norwegian farmer
if you can meet a shy Norwegian farmer and make it to his kitchen table then
and make it to his kitchen table then
and make it to his kitchen table then you can conquer any culture on earth and
you can conquer any culture on earth and
you can conquer any culture on earth and I learned that at the Worthington Daily
I learned that at the Worthington Daily
I learned that at the Worthington Daily Globe
Globe
Globe cuz Midwesterners are shy you know it’s
cuz Midwesterners are shy you know it’s
cuz Midwesterners are shy you know it’s so funny that’s funny shy friendly you
so funny that’s funny shy friendly you
so funny that’s funny shy friendly you know once you’re introduced they’re very
know once you’re introduced they’re very
know once you’re introduced they’re very welcoming but initially they’re very shy
welcoming but initially they’re very shy
welcoming but initially they’re very shy I learned this a lot I went to
I learned this a lot I went to
I learned this a lot I went to photograph at a Hutterite colony and I
photograph at a Hutterite colony and I
photograph at a Hutterite colony and I arrived the first day and I told them I
arrived the first day and I told them I
arrived the first day and I told them I worked for National Geographic which
worked for National Geographic which
worked for National Geographic which they had never heard of and that I was
they had never heard of and that I was
they had never heard of and that I was interested in photographing their
interested in photographing their
interested in photographing their community and they said well we don’t
community and they said well we don’t
community and they said well we don’t believe in photography and I said okay
believe in photography and I said okay
believe in photography and I said okay well can I spend some time with you and
well can I spend some time with you and
well can I spend some time with you and they said sure and so they put me to
they said sure and so they put me to
they said sure and so they put me to work in the garden and I went in and I
work in the garden and I went in and I
work in the garden and I went in and I snapped peas and I helped cook and about
snapped peas and I helped cook and about
snapped peas and I helped cook and about the second day they decided it would be
the second day they decided it would be
the second day they decided it would be so terrible if I photographed their kids
so terrible if I photographed their kids
so terrible if I photographed their kids you know because well it was just their
you know because well it was just their
you know because well it was just their kids and they all wanted pictures of
kids and they all wanted pictures of
kids and they all wanted pictures of their kids by the third day they were
their kids by the third day they were
their kids by the third day they were bringing me cameras to repair because
bringing me cameras to repair because
bringing me cameras to repair because the truth was they loved photography but
the truth was they loved photography but
the truth was they loved photography but they weren’t about to let some stranger
they weren’t about to let some stranger
they weren’t about to let some stranger waltz into their community and just
waltz into their community and just
waltz into their community and just start snapping away I had to earn it and
start snapping away I had to earn it and
start snapping away I had to earn it and that was a great lesson for life for me
that was a great lesson for life for me
that was a great lesson for life for me that you really need to earn it with
that you really need to earn it with
that you really need to earn it with people in national Geographics greatest
people in national Geographics greatest
people in national Geographics greatest gift to the photographers and writers is
gift to the photographers and writers is
gift to the photographers and writers is the time to do things new and well and
the time to do things new and well and
the time to do things new and well and and to earn it to earn those photographs
and to earn it to earn those photographs
and to earn it to earn those photographs I wish I could say it’s just because
I wish I could say it’s just because
I wish I could say it’s just because we’re all so doggone talented but the
we’re all so doggone talented but the
we’re all so doggone talented but the truth is hard work and time are the key
truth is hard work and time are the key
truth is hard work and time are the key ingredients that talent can’t do without
ingredients that talent can’t do without
ingredients that talent can’t do without this is the only manipulated picture in
this is the only manipulated picture in
this is the only manipulated picture in my book and it was a such a privilege to
my book and it was a such a privilege to
my book and it was a such a privilege to photograph this I did for our our kids
photograph this I did for our our kids
photograph this I did for our our kids magazine and they were doing a story on
magazine and they were doing a story on
magazine and they were doing a story on a wonderful little girl who was a young
a wonderful little girl who was a young
a wonderful little girl who was a young lady who was a poet and a writer and a
lady who was a poet and a writer and a
lady who was a poet and a writer and a musician but she was also born with Down
musician but she was also born with Down
musician but she was also born with Down syndrome and she was 18 and she was at
syndrome and she was 18 and she was at
syndrome and she was 18 and she was at an age where she was painfully painfully
an age where she was painfully painfully
an age where she was painfully painfully aware that she was a little bit
aware that she was a little bit
aware that she was a little bit different and yet she wanted the same
different and yet she wanted the same
different and yet she wanted the same things that most eighteen year olds
things that most eighteen year olds
things that most eighteen year olds wanted she wanted to be beautiful she
wanted she wanted to be beautiful she
wanted she wanted to be beautiful she wanted to find love she wanted to be
wanted to find love she wanted to be
wanted to find love she wanted to be seen as a grownup girl
seen as a grownup girl
seen as a grownup girl the thing that was really terrifying to
the thing that was really terrifying to
the thing that was really terrifying to her was the thought of being
her was the thought of being
her was the thought of being photographed
photographed
photographed so I actually spent three days with
so I actually spent three days with
so I actually spent three days with Melissa before I could photograph her
Melissa before I could photograph her
Melissa before I could photograph her because I just needed her to get to a
because I just needed her to get to a
because I just needed her to get to a comfort level where she would allow me
comfort level where she would allow me
comfort level where she would allow me to do so and it was like the last hour
to do so and it was like the last hour
to do so and it was like the last hour of the last day I was there and I
of the last day I was there and I
of the last day I was there and I finally sat down and I took her hands of
finally sat down and I took her hands of
finally sat down and I took her hands of mine and I said Melissa you do not have
mine and I said Melissa you do not have
mine and I said Melissa you do not have to do this you just don’t say she was
to do this you just don’t say she was
to do this you just don’t say she was getting visibly upset because she felt
getting visibly upset because she felt
getting visibly upset because she felt she was making you know disappointing me
she was making you know disappointing me
she was making you know disappointing me and I said honey you don’t have to do
and I said honey you don’t have to do
and I said honey you don’t have to do this it’s okay it’s okay we tried and
this it’s okay it’s okay we tried and
this it’s okay it’s okay we tried and you know you did your best and it was
you know you did your best and it was
you know you did your best and it was really interesting when I said that to
really interesting when I said that to
really interesting when I said that to her and I gave the control to her she
her and I gave the control to her she
her and I gave the control to her she said well I’m gonna go in my room for a
said well I’m gonna go in my room for a
said well I’m gonna go in my room for a minute and so she went into her room and
minute and so she went into her room and
minute and so she went into her room and she came out in this pink dress her
she came out in this pink dress her
she came out in this pink dress her favorite dress and she was ready to be
favorite dress and she was ready to be
favorite dress and she was ready to be photographed and not only would she let
photographed and not only would she let
photographed and not only would she let me photograph her she had ideas and one
me photograph her she had ideas and one
me photograph her she had ideas and one of her ideas was she said I feel like
of her ideas was she said I feel like
of her ideas was she said I feel like dancing and so she ran I was up on the
dancing and so she ran I was up on the
dancing and so she ran I was up on the porch and she ran down and she ran into
porch and she ran down and she ran into
porch and she ran down and she ran into her backyard and she just started
her backyard and she just started
her backyard and she just started dancing and these are three frames of
dancing and these are three frames of
dancing and these are three frames of Melissa dancing and we just put them
Melissa dancing and we just put them
Melissa dancing and we just put them together for my book because I to me it
together for my book because I to me it
together for my book because I to me it was only together that they really
was only together that they really
was only together that they really showed Melissa’s spirit this is a
showed Melissa’s spirit this is a
showed Melissa’s spirit this is a graduating class of the high school in
graduating class of the high school in
graduating class of the high school in North Dakota
I I am always laughing when I’m taking
I I am always laughing when I’m taking pictures I just think life is so funny
pictures I just think life is so funny
pictures I just think life is so funny and and I just makes me happy to find a
and and I just makes me happy to find a
and and I just makes me happy to find a way to look at something that has a
way to look at something that has a
way to look at something that has a little bit of a twinkle and this is
little bit of a twinkle and this is
little bit of a twinkle and this is graduation at Annapolis the truth for
graduation at Annapolis the truth for
graduation at Annapolis the truth for photographers is everything’s been
photographers is everything’s been
photographers is everything’s been photographed it’s all been photographed
photographed it’s all been photographed
photographed it’s all been photographed so our job is really to go out there and
so our job is really to go out there and
so our job is really to go out there and find a way to take a new picture of
find a way to take a new picture of
find a way to take a new picture of something that’s been photographed once
something that’s been photographed once
something that’s been photographed once or a million times this is a from an
or a million times this is a from an
or a million times this is a from an assignment I had I got I went out to
assignment I had I got I went out to
assignment I had I got I went out to photograph a family branding out in
photograph a family branding out in
photograph a family branding out in western Nebraska and they lived so far
western Nebraska and they lived so far
western Nebraska and they lived so far out in the boonies that I had to get
out in the boonies that I had to get
out in the boonies that I had to get there the night before in order to be
there the night before in order to be
there the night before in order to be there in time for the branding which
there in time for the branding which
there in time for the branding which started very early so they let me stay
started very early so they let me stay
started very early so they let me stay in the ranch house and I woke up the
in the ranch house and I woke up the
in the ranch house and I woke up the next morning looked out the window and
next morning looked out the window and
next morning looked out the window and this amazing sky was happening I call
this amazing sky was happening I call
this amazing sky was happening I call this a macro sky it was just gorgeous
this a macro sky it was just gorgeous
this a macro sky it was just gorgeous and the horses were in the pasture so I
and the horses were in the pasture so I
and the horses were in the pasture so I grabbed my camera and I ran down and ran
grabbed my camera and I ran down and ran
grabbed my camera and I ran down and ran down to the fence started shooting
down to the fence started shooting
down to the fence started shooting shooting shooting so happy you know
shooting shooting so happy you know
shooting shooting so happy you know those things last for about three
those things last for about three
those things last for about three minutes this guy started breaking up you
minutes this guy started breaking up you
minutes this guy started breaking up you know I kind of gave a little cheer and I
know I kind of gave a little cheer and I
know I kind of gave a little cheer and I turned around and that’s when I realized
turned around and that’s when I realized
turned around and that’s when I realized there were four or five Cowboys leaning
there were four or five Cowboys leaning
there were four or five Cowboys leaning up against the fence just looking at the
up against the fence just looking at the
up against the fence just looking at the crazy lady and about that time I
crazy lady and about that time I
crazy lady and about that time I realized that I was wearing a t-shirt
realized that I was wearing a t-shirt
realized that I was wearing a t-shirt and underwear because I just saw this
and underwear because I just saw this
and underwear because I just saw this guy and ran out there and so needless to
guy and ran out there and so needless to
guy and ran out there and so needless to say I was not very intimidating to these
say I was not very intimidating to these
say I was not very intimidating to these guys and the rest of the shoot went
guys and the rest of the shoot went
guys and the rest of the shoot went rather well you know branding day at a
rather well you know branding day at a
rather well you know branding day at a ranch is better than Christmas it’s just
ranch is better than Christmas it’s just
ranch is better than Christmas it’s just great
great
great this little guy came up to me in the
this little guy came up to me in the
this little guy came up to me in the morning of a branding and started
morning of a branding and started
morning of a branding and started tugging on my jeans he said you won’t
tugging on my jeans he said you won’t
tugging on my jeans he said you won’t see me rustle steer
see me rustle steer
see me rustle steer and I said absolutely honey I’m a little
and I said absolutely honey I’m a little
and I said absolutely honey I’m a little busy right now but absolutely I want to
busy right now but absolutely I want to
busy right now but absolutely I want to see you Restless dear and so then about
see you Restless dear and so then about
see you Restless dear and so then about lunchtime and I was shooting and
lunchtime and I was shooting and
lunchtime and I was shooting and shooting shooting he came up tugged up
shooting shooting he came up tugged up
shooting shooting he came up tugged up my jeans even want to sleep me rest a
my jeans even want to sleep me rest a
my jeans even want to sleep me rest a little steer and I said tell you what
little steer and I said tell you what
little steer and I said tell you what end of the day when we’re all done I’m
end of the day when we’re all done I’m
end of the day when we’re all done I’m all yours buddy I’ll I’ll photograph you
all yours buddy I’ll I’ll photograph you
all yours buddy I’ll I’ll photograph you the whole time
the whole time
the whole time so end of the day he walks over to this
so end of the day he walks over to this
so end of the day he walks over to this little calf I said okay we’re ready to
little calf I said okay we’re ready to
little calf I said okay we’re ready to go but he walks over his cab and he
go but he walks over his cab and he
go but he walks over his cab and he wrestled and he wrestled and he wrestled
wrestled and he wrestled and he wrestled
wrestled and he wrestled and he wrestled and this calf never moved a millimeter
and this calf never moved a millimeter
and this calf never moved a millimeter was just like that you know and I this
was just like that you know and I this
was just like that you know and I this is picture what’s him all sweaty after
is picture what’s him all sweaty after
is picture what’s him all sweaty after he’d tried and I said to him well does
he’d tried and I said to him well does
he’d tried and I said to him well does your little calf have a name he said to
your little calf have a name he said to
your little calf have a name he said to Europe name is Michelangelo I thought
Europe name is Michelangelo I thought
Europe name is Michelangelo I thought this is extremely cool out here in the
this is extremely cool out here in the
this is extremely cool out here in the middle of nowhere he names his calf for
middle of nowhere he names his calf for
middle of nowhere he names his calf for one of the finest artists who’s ever
one of the finest artists who’s ever
one of the finest artists who’s ever lived he said I got some other ones back
lived he said I got some other ones back
lived he said I got some other ones back at the barn name for the other Ninja
at the barn name for the other Ninja
at the barn name for the other Ninja Turtles people are funny somewhere along
Turtles people are funny somewhere along
Turtles people are funny somewhere along the way about a decade into this job I
the way about a decade into this job I
the way about a decade into this job I met this guy this is my husband Don and
met this guy this is my husband Don and
met this guy this is my husband Don and he was a writer here and I was a
he was a writer here and I was a
he was a writer here and I was a photographer and eventually we tripped
photographer and eventually we tripped
photographer and eventually we tripped over each other in really fast we were
over each other in really fast we were
over each other in really fast we were married and we had the first one and
married and we had the first one and
married and we had the first one and then we had the second one and you know
then we had the second one and you know
then we had the second one and you know fortunately Don and I we were a little
fortunately Don and I we were a little
fortunately Don and I we were a little bit older when we got married and we
bit older when we got married and we
bit older when we got married and we really talked about how to make this
really talked about how to make this
really talked about how to make this work because we wanted to have a family
work because we wanted to have a family
work because we wanted to have a family and we didn’t want we didn’t want to
and we didn’t want we didn’t want to
and we didn’t want we didn’t want to mess it up I guess and so we decided we
mess it up I guess and so we decided we
mess it up I guess and so we decided we needed to set some boundaries so that
needed to set some boundaries so that
needed to set some boundaries so that you know in this business you can just
you know in this business you can just
you know in this business you can just get constantly have opportunities to
get constantly have opportunities to
get constantly have opportunities to wonderful things so it’s really hard to
wonderful things so it’s really hard to
wonderful things so it’s really hard to say no so we decided to set up some
say no so we decided to set up some
say no so we decided to set up some boundaries and we did and I decided
boundaries and we did and I decided
boundaries and we did and I decided anything that took me away for more than
anything that took me away for more than
anything that took me away for more than two weeks I would take the kids with me
two weeks I would take the kids with me
two weeks I would take the kids with me and in Don decided he would never be
and in Don decided he would never be
and in Don decided he would never be away from them for more than a month and
away from them for more than a month and
away from them for more than a month and that’s what we did
that’s what we did
that’s what we did so the traveling belts
so the traveling belts
so the traveling belts headed out all over the world the kids
headed out all over the world the kids
headed out all over the world the kids have both been to every continent except
have both been to every continent except
have both been to every continent except Antarctica and I really want to take
Antarctica and I really want to take
Antarctica and I really want to take them there this is in the Galapagos
them there this is in the Galapagos
them there this is in the Galapagos Islands Charlie’s favorite place on
Islands Charlie’s favorite place on
Islands Charlie’s favorite place on earth I think this is Chinese opera this
earth I think this is Chinese opera this
earth I think this is Chinese opera this is a New Zealand and when we traveled we
is a New Zealand and when we traveled we
is a New Zealand and when we traveled we never stayed in hotels we all it was
never stayed in hotels we all it was
never stayed in hotels we all it was cheaper and way better for the kids to
cheaper and way better for the kids to
cheaper and way better for the kids to stay in neighborhoods in apartment on a
stay in neighborhoods in apartment on a
stay in neighborhoods in apartment on a beach house we lived on a kibbutz once
beach house we lived on a kibbutz once
beach house we lived on a kibbutz once and they just became fantastic travelers
and they just became fantastic travelers
and they just became fantastic travelers I think I was really lucky but we also
I think I was really lucky but we also
I think I was really lucky but we also did just really simple basic things to
did just really simple basic things to
did just really simple basic things to make sure that they loved traveling you
make sure that they loved traveling you
make sure that they loved traveling you know I just they were always comfortable
know I just they were always comfortable
know I just they were always comfortable they always had their stuff they were
they always had their stuff they were
they always had their stuff they were never just dressed about things and
never just dressed about things and
never just dressed about things and there was a lot of bribery involved also
there was a lot of bribery involved also
there was a lot of bribery involved also and you know they’re great travellers to
and you know they’re great travellers to
and you know they’re great travellers to this day they’re incredibly flexible and
this day they’re incredibly flexible and
this day they’re incredibly flexible and whether we were in you know Europe or in
whether we were in you know Europe or in
whether we were in you know Europe or in the Middle East they just hunkered in
the Middle East they just hunkered in
the Middle East they just hunkered in there like gypsies and join the other
there like gypsies and join the other
there like gypsies and join the other children this is South America Canada
Britain Papua New Guinea
Britain Papua New Guinea I have this thing for British man I’m
I have this thing for British man I’m
I have this thing for British man I’m gonna confess it right now I mean I
gonna confess it right now I mean I
gonna confess it right now I mean I married one see but I just find British
married one see but I just find British
married one see but I just find British men delightful and and I’ve worked on a
men delightful and and I’ve worked on a
men delightful and and I’ve worked on a couple different projects in Britain and
couple different projects in Britain and
couple different projects in Britain and Ireland and this is an Irish farmer Mr
Ireland and this is an Irish farmer Mr
Ireland and this is an Irish farmer Mr O’Sullivan and this has taken the day
O’Sullivan and this has taken the day
O’Sullivan and this has taken the day that his 12th child came home from the
that his 12th child came home from the
that his 12th child came home from the hospital that’s number 11 on his back
hospital that’s number 11 on his back
hospital that’s number 11 on his back but look at the character there you know
but look at the character there you know
but look at the character there you know I love that that Brits are hardworking
I love that that Brits are hardworking
I love that that Brits are hardworking and have a great sense of humor and
and have a great sense of humor and
and have a great sense of humor and they’re they enjoy bad weather I’m from
they’re they enjoy bad weather I’m from
they’re they enjoy bad weather I’m from Minnesota you know
Minnesota you know
Minnesota you know and they got a sense of humor too this
and they got a sense of humor too this
and they got a sense of humor too this is the Calder Valley Mouse Club and it
is the Calder Valley Mouse Club and it
is the Calder Valley Mouse Club and it is that you know a lot of people say
is that you know a lot of people say
is that you know a lot of people say well how do you research your stories
well how do you research your stories
well how do you research your stories you know well you know it is not much of
you know well you know it is not much of
you know well you know it is not much of it is done in a library or online for me
it is done in a library or online for me
it is done in a library or online for me some of it I mean depends on on the
some of it I mean depends on on the
some of it I mean depends on on the subject matter but but you never stop
subject matter but but you never stop
subject matter but but you never stop researching so I was in a little tiny
researching so I was in a little tiny
researching so I was in a little tiny cafe in northern England and I was
cafe in northern England and I was
cafe in northern England and I was having lunch and so I was reading the
having lunch and so I was reading the
having lunch and so I was reading the bulletin board because I read everything
bulletin board because I read everything
bulletin board because I read everything and talked to everybody
and talked to everybody
and talked to everybody and there was literally a little recipe
and there was literally a little recipe
and there was literally a little recipe card that said on it there will be a
card that said on it there will be a
card that said on it there will be a meeting of the Calder Valley Mouse Club
meeting of the Calder Valley Mouse Club
meeting of the Calder Valley Mouse Club at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday so I went and
at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday so I went and
at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday so I went and it’s just so quintessentially British
it’s just so quintessentially British
it’s just so quintessentially British these guys raised mice in their back
these guys raised mice in their back
these guys raised mice in their back garden and then they have little shows
garden and then they have little shows
garden and then they have little shows and you’re looking at a champ there
and you’re looking at a champ there
and you’re looking at a champ there because look at that tail and check out
because look at that tail and check out
because look at that tail and check out those spot this is an Italy and this
those spot this is an Italy and this
those spot this is an Italy and this adorable woman I was in a cemetery
adorable woman I was in a cemetery
adorable woman I was in a cemetery photographing and I noticed her she had
photographing and I noticed her she had
photographing and I noticed her she had her little blue detergent bottle filled
her little blue detergent bottle filled
her little blue detergent bottle filled with water and she was walking around
with water and she was walking around
with water and she was walking around watering her friend’s flowers and I
watering her friend’s flowers and I
watering her friend’s flowers and I loved that there were all these pictures
loved that there were all these pictures
loved that there were all these pictures on the tombs and where people were kind
on the tombs and where people were kind
on the tombs and where people were kind of buried in drawers I thought that was
of buried in drawers I thought that was
of buried in drawers I thought that was so cool so at one point she came near to
so cool so at one point she came near to
so cool so at one point she came near to me and I I motioned her over and I said
me and I I motioned her over and I said
me and I I motioned her over and I said in my appallingly bad Italian you know
in my appallingly bad Italian you know
in my appallingly bad Italian you know could I take your picture
could I take your picture
could I take your picture and she nodded and she walked over to
and she nodded and she walked over to
and she nodded and she walked over to these two empty drawers sat down her
these two empty drawers sat down her
these two empty drawers sat down her detergent file and assumed his post and
detergent file and assumed his post and
detergent file and assumed his post and I couldn’t believe my little guy so I
I couldn’t believe my little guy so I
I couldn’t believe my little guy so I was snapping away and then afterward she
was snapping away and then afterward she
was snapping away and then afterward she came up to me and she said in Italian
came up to me and she said in Italian
came up to me and she said in Italian and I finally understood her to be
and I finally understood her to be
and I finally understood her to be saying could you send me this picture
saying could you send me this picture
saying could you send me this picture for my grave which explains suppose she
for my grave which explains suppose she
for my grave which explains suppose she wanted to look like an angel those days
wanted to look like an angel those days
wanted to look like an angel those days you just don’t forget yeah this is my
you just don’t forget yeah this is my
you just don’t forget yeah this is my family we spent about five years on and
family we spent about five years on and
family we spent about five years on and off working in the Middle East when the
off working in the Middle East when the
off working in the Middle East when the kids were growing up and it’s probably
kids were growing up and it’s probably
kids were growing up and it’s probably the favorite chapter as a family that’s
the favorite chapter as a family that’s
the favorite chapter as a family that’s Charlie on the right down in the middle
Charlie on the right down in the middle
Charlie on the right down in the middle Lily on the left and this was taken in
Lily on the left and this was taken in
Lily on the left and this was taken in the Kingdom of Jordan which I think if
the Kingdom of Jordan which I think if
the Kingdom of Jordan which I think if you asked anybody in our family where
you asked anybody in our family where
you asked anybody in our family where their favorite places we’ve ever worked
their favorite places we’ve ever worked
their favorite places we’ve ever worked we would all say Jordan
we would all say Jordan
we would all say Jordan it is just a magnificent country this is
it is just a magnificent country this is
it is just a magnificent country this is in Petra see you right there see that
in Petra see you right there see that
in Petra see you right there see that little disc right there in this
little disc right there in this
little disc right there in this beautiful building there it is this is
beautiful building there it is this is
beautiful building there it is this is an amazed Petra is an amazing ancient
an amazed Petra is an amazing ancient
an amazed Petra is an amazing ancient city where the entire city which at one
city where the entire city which at one
city where the entire city which at one time numbered I believe thirty thousand
time numbered I believe thirty thousand
time numbered I believe thirty thousand was carved from the sandstone of Petra
was carved from the sandstone of Petra
was carved from the sandstone of Petra and it’s still there and it’s still
and it’s still there and it’s still
and it’s still there and it’s still beautiful it’s one of the loveliest
beautiful it’s one of the loveliest
beautiful it’s one of the loveliest trips you could ever make and it’s much
trips you could ever make and it’s much
trips you could ever make and it’s much safer than Washington DC so people ask
safer than Washington DC so people ask
safer than Washington DC so people ask me all the time you know were you
me all the time you know were you
me all the time you know were you nervous taking your kids to the Middle
nervous taking your kids to the Middle
nervous taking your kids to the Middle East and you know I did my homework I
East and you know I did my homework I
East and you know I did my homework I these are my kids I would never take
these are my kids I would never take
these are my kids I would never take them someplace dangerous and I can tell
them someplace dangerous and I can tell
them someplace dangerous and I can tell you that apart from you know individual
you that apart from you know individual
you that apart from you know individual horrible things like are is happening in
horrible things like are is happening in
horrible things like are is happening in Iraq and the Middle East is a safe and
Iraq and the Middle East is a safe and
Iraq and the Middle East is a safe and beautiful place and boy do they need
beautiful place and boy do they need
beautiful place and boy do they need visitors to understand and bring back
visitors to understand and bring back
visitors to understand and bring back the real knowledge of the Arab world
the real knowledge of the Arab world
the real knowledge of the Arab world this was a story I did on Lawrence of
this was a story I did on Lawrence of
this was a story I did on Lawrence of Arabia and I wanted you know Lawrence
Arabia and I wanted you know Lawrence
Arabia and I wanted you know Lawrence traveled in the desert with Bedouins and
traveled in the desert with Bedouins and
traveled in the desert with Bedouins and I wanted to go out with the Bedouin and
I wanted to go out with the Bedouin and
I wanted to go out with the Bedouin and camp and go on the Bedouin police patrol
camp and go on the Bedouin police patrol
camp and go on the Bedouin police patrol but they were very reluctant I couldn’t
but they were very reluctant I couldn’t
but they were very reluctant I couldn’t quite understand what the problem was
quite understand what the problem was
quite understand what the problem was and we actually ended up going through
and we actually ended up going through
and we actually ended up going through King Hussein’s office because they were
King Hussein’s office because they were
King Hussein’s office because they were very very reluctant about it and I was
very very reluctant about it and I was
very very reluctant about it and I was trying to understand but then they were
trying to understand but then they were
trying to understand but then they were you know they were told please take her
you know they were told please take her
you know they were told please take her in and there were three guys and before
in and there were three guys and before
in and there were three guys and before we left to go out in the desert for a
we left to go out in the desert for a
we left to go out in the desert for a few days they spoke no English but first
few days they spoke no English but first
few days they spoke no English but first one came up to me and a very rehearsed
one came up to me and a very rehearsed
one came up to me and a very rehearsed English said you are our mother and I
English said you are our mother and I
English said you are our mother and I and I said thank you and then the second
and I said thank you and then the second
and I said thank you and then the second the second Bedouin policeman came up and
the second Bedouin policeman came up and
the second Bedouin policeman came up and said exactly the same thing you are our
said exactly the same thing you are our
said exactly the same thing you are our mother and at that point what I realized
mother and at that point what I realized
mother and at that point what I realized was they thought I was terrified because
was they thought I was terrified because
was they thought I was terrified because in their culture women don’t go out into
in their culture women don’t go out into
in their culture women don’t go out into the desert with a
the desert with a
the desert with a men and they were comforting me and
men and they were comforting me and
men and they were comforting me and saying we will treat you the way we
saying we will treat you the way we
saying we will treat you the way we would treat our mother and they did its
would treat our mother and they did its
would treat our mother and they did its magic there they are
magic there they are
magic there they are my guys my sons would make me the best
my guys my sons would make me the best
my guys my sons would make me the best blanket and you know the first cup of
blanket and you know the first cup of
blanket and you know the first cup of tea and a really nice camel and it was
tea and a really nice camel and it was
tea and a really nice camel and it was great this is Charlie on the right and I
great this is Charlie on the right and I
great this is Charlie on the right and I love this picture because you could take
love this picture because you could take
love this picture because you could take a look at my son’s face you know he we
a look at my son’s face you know he we
a look at my son’s face you know he we were at a Bedouins wedding and a big
were at a Bedouins wedding and a big
were at a Bedouins wedding and a big dust storm came up and Don grabbed Lilly
dust storm came up and Don grabbed Lilly
dust storm came up and Don grabbed Lilly and I looked over in Hamoudi our friend
and I looked over in Hamoudi our friend
and I looked over in Hamoudi our friend hill Modi had grabbed Charlie and
hill Modi had grabbed Charlie and
hill Modi had grabbed Charlie and wrapped him up in a cofee and headed out
wrapped him up in a cofee and headed out
wrapped him up in a cofee and headed out and I was trying to hide cameras and
and I was trying to hide cameras and
and I was trying to hide cameras and when the dust settled this is the scene
when the dust settled this is the scene
when the dust settled this is the scene I found and you know honestly if you
I found and you know honestly if you
I found and you know honestly if you look at Hamoudi he you know he could be
look at Hamoudi he you know he could be
look at Hamoudi he you know he could be central casting for you know our highly
central casting for you know our highly
central casting for you know our highly prejudiced terrorist films and and yet
prejudiced terrorist films and and yet
prejudiced terrorist films and and yet look at who he really is and you know I
look at who he really is and you know I
look at who he really is and you know I look at this picture of my son and my
look at this picture of my son and my
look at this picture of my son and my friend and to me it reveals the culture
friend and to me it reveals the culture
friend and to me it reveals the culture that I know the most welcoming culture
that I know the most welcoming culture
that I know the most welcoming culture on earth and so of course it’s very hard
on earth and so of course it’s very hard
on earth and so of course it’s very hard for me to see how much fear has been you
for me to see how much fear has been you
for me to see how much fear has been you know forced upon us
know forced upon us
know forced upon us there’s the camel that’s in the boat
there’s the camel that’s in the boat
there’s the camel that’s in the boat there it is these are the kids I mean
there it is these are the kids I mean
there it is these are the kids I mean they had the time of their lives you
they had the time of their lives you
they had the time of their lives you know their milk and goats are running
know their milk and goats are running
know their milk and goats are running around rocks are riding donkeys and
around rocks are riding donkeys and
around rocks are riding donkeys and camels and and this is Lily learning to
camels and and this is Lily learning to
camels and and this is Lily learning to write in Arabic the way the Bedouin kids
write in Arabic the way the Bedouin kids
write in Arabic the way the Bedouin kids did with a stick that’s got a charcoal
did with a stick that’s got a charcoal
did with a stick that’s got a charcoal tip and writing on a rock and mock
tip and writing on a rock and mock
tip and writing on a rock and mock Buddhist teaching her to write her name
Buddhist teaching her to write her name
Buddhist teaching her to write her name did a lot of work in Israel this is in
did a lot of work in Israel this is in
did a lot of work in Israel this is in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives Jewish
Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives Jewish
Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives Jewish man Nava Ning on a very special day this
man Nava Ning on a very special day this
man Nava Ning on a very special day this is the Muslim quarter of the old city in
is the Muslim quarter of the old city in
is the Muslim quarter of the old city in the old city is just amazing it’s just
the old city is just amazing it’s just
the old city is just amazing it’s just an amazing place and you go down these
an amazing place and you go down these
an amazing place and you go down these skinny little alleys and you think
skinny little alleys and you think
skinny little alleys and you think there’s nothing there but then somebody
there’s nothing there but then somebody
there’s nothing there but then somebody takes you to their their home you go
takes you to their their home you go
takes you to their their home you go into a little doorway this there’s a
into a little doorway this there’s a
into a little doorway this there’s a whole home in there there’s look it’s
whole home in there there’s look it’s
whole home in there there’s look it’s just a wonderful wonderful city this is
just a wonderful wonderful city this is
just a wonderful wonderful city this is a very traditional Jewish
a very traditional Jewish
a very traditional Jewish part of town and it it you know it looks
part of town and it it you know it looks
part of town and it it you know it looks like it could be right out of a European
like it could be right out of a European
like it could be right out of a European shadow and life is just wonderful to
shadow and life is just wonderful to
shadow and life is just wonderful to observe a you know I I wish I had an
observe a you know I I wish I had an
observe a you know I I wish I had an invisibility cloak when the kids and I
invisibility cloak when the kids and I
invisibility cloak when the kids and I used to wonder about which superpower we
used to wonder about which superpower we
used to wonder about which superpower we wanted to have I always said I want the
wanted to have I always said I want the
wanted to have I always said I want the invisibility cloak because just to see
invisibility cloak because just to see
invisibility cloak because just to see life going on you know in Israel you see
life going on you know in Israel you see
life going on you know in Israel you see side-by-side religion and politics all
side-by-side religion and politics all
side-by-side religion and politics all the time but it’s actually kind of hard
the time but it’s actually kind of hard
the time but it’s actually kind of hard to get into a into a single frame the
to get into a into a single frame the
to get into a into a single frame the comfort of it you know and then you see
comfort of it you know and then you see
comfort of it you know and then you see tragedy you know this was in a town we
tragedy you know this was in a town we
tragedy you know this was in a town we loved we’re actually there was some real
loved we’re actually there was some real
loved we’re actually there was some real cooperation between the Palestinians and
cooperation between the Palestinians and
cooperation between the Palestinians and the Israelis and then somebody blew up a
the Israelis and then somebody blew up a
the Israelis and then somebody blew up a bus and this is the family of the driver
bus and this is the family of the driver
bus and this is the family of the driver that breaks your heart and yet
that breaks your heart and yet
that breaks your heart and yet everywhere you see this wonderful
everywhere you see this wonderful
everywhere you see this wonderful commitment to faith and you see that
commitment to faith and you see that
commitment to faith and you see that people come from all over the world
people come from all over the world
people come from all over the world these are Christians from Brazil the
these are Christians from Brazil the
these are Christians from Brazil the whole world seems sort of at least the
whole world seems sort of at least the
whole world seems sort of at least the monotheistic part of the world is kind
monotheistic part of the world is kind
monotheistic part of the world is kind of invested in this little tiny place
of invested in this little tiny place
of invested in this little tiny place and I am Telling You you can stand on a
and I am Telling You you can stand on a
and I am Telling You you can stand on a hill in Galilee and you see Jordan and
hill in Galilee and you see Jordan and
hill in Galilee and you see Jordan and you see Syria and you see Lebanon right
you see Syria and you see Lebanon right
you see Syria and you see Lebanon right there it’s so tiny and yet the source of
there it’s so tiny and yet the source of
there it’s so tiny and yet the source of so much global angst this is a little
so much global angst this is a little
so much global angst this is a little Greek Orthodox woman point praying at
Greek Orthodox woman point praying at
Greek Orthodox woman point praying at the praetorium on Good Friday which is
the praetorium on Good Friday which is
the praetorium on Good Friday which is the holiest place for the Greek Orthodox
the holiest place for the Greek Orthodox
the holiest place for the Greek Orthodox the place where Christ was condemned to
the place where Christ was condemned to
the place where Christ was condemned to die and then it’s funny you turn around
die and then it’s funny you turn around
die and then it’s funny you turn around and it’s life this is I’m forum yeah
and it’s life this is I’m forum yeah
and it’s life this is I’m forum yeah little guys misbehaving
and the humanity I mean what I really
and the humanity I mean what I really what I hope I bring back is the humanity
what I hope I bring back is the humanity
what I hope I bring back is the humanity I just I really want to humanize any
I just I really want to humanize any
I just I really want to humanize any culture that I am lucky enough to be
culture that I am lucky enough to be
culture that I am lucky enough to be embedded with and that’s how you feeling
embedded with and that’s how you feeling
embedded with and that’s how you feeling it when you’re with working for
it when you’re with working for
it when you’re with working for Geographic you’re kind of embedded if
Geographic you’re kind of embedded if
Geographic you’re kind of embedded if you’re lucky this was a wonderful
you’re lucky this was a wonderful
you’re lucky this was a wonderful ceremony in northern Israel and Galilee
ceremony in northern Israel and Galilee
ceremony in northern Israel and Galilee very happy beautiful ceremony of
very happy beautiful ceremony of
very happy beautiful ceremony of bonfires followed by the day that the
bonfires followed by the day that the
bonfires followed by the day that the little Hasidic Jewish boys got their
little Hasidic Jewish boys got their
little Hasidic Jewish boys got their hair cut for the first time and I really
hair cut for the first time and I really
hair cut for the first time and I really wanted to go but it was gender specific
wanted to go but it was gender specific
wanted to go but it was gender specific and there was nothing my religious Fixer
and there was nothing my religious Fixer
and there was nothing my religious Fixer could do they just you know women
could do they just you know women
could do they just you know women couldn’t be where the action was and
couldn’t be where the action was and
couldn’t be where the action was and there’s a lot you know so many cultures
there’s a lot you know so many cultures
there’s a lot you know so many cultures are divided by gender and you just have
are divided by gender and you just have
are divided by gender and you just have to look at it not judgmentally but just
to look at it not judgmentally but just
to look at it not judgmentally but just like okay we got a problem here what do
like okay we got a problem here what do
like okay we got a problem here what do we do so when I realized that the answer
we do so when I realized that the answer
we do so when I realized that the answer was no I just turned to my religious
was no I just turned to my religious
was no I just turned to my religious advisor and I said so what if I went
advisor and I said so what if I went
advisor and I said so what if I went looking at so much like a girl and he
looking at so much like a girl and he
looking at so much like a girl and he said you know I love this idea so I just
said you know I love this idea so I just
said you know I love this idea so I just went to the barbershop and got all my
went to the barbershop and got all my
went to the barbershop and got all my hair cut off and I dressed in my
hair cut off and I dressed in my
hair cut off and I dressed in my husband’s clothes and I just went and I
husband’s clothes and I just went and I
husband’s clothes and I just went and I and said nothing but past as as a guy
and said nothing but past as as a guy
and said nothing but past as as a guy and was able to get the photographs and
and was able to get the photographs and
and was able to get the photographs and this is the next morning when the little
this is the next morning when the little
this is the next morning when the little boys are carried from rabbi to rabbi and
boys are carried from rabbi to rabbi and
boys are carried from rabbi to rabbi and the rabbi’s cut the cut their hair and
the rabbi’s cut the cut their hair and
the rabbi’s cut the cut their hair and you know cut a little lock of their hair
you know cut a little lock of their hair
you know cut a little lock of their hair and then give them the sweets and it’s
and then give them the sweets and it’s
and then give them the sweets and it’s just it’s just beautiful security in
just it’s just beautiful security in
just it’s just beautiful security in Israel is really a pain in the neck and
Israel is really a pain in the neck and
Israel is really a pain in the neck and I can’t tell you how much time you spend
I can’t tell you how much time you spend
I can’t tell you how much time you spend when you’re working over there just
when you’re working over there just
when you’re working over there just getting permission to photograph things
getting permission to photograph things
getting permission to photograph things and this was the final Friday prayer at
and this was the final Friday prayer at
and this was the final Friday prayer at the end of Ramadan at the Dome of the
the end of Ramadan at the Dome of the
the end of Ramadan at the Dome of the rock and the al-aqsa mosque and you know
rock and the al-aqsa mosque and you know
rock and the al-aqsa mosque and you know it’s really scary for the Israelis to
it’s really scary for the Israelis to
it’s really scary for the Israelis to know that two hundred thousand Muslims
know that two hundred thousand Muslims
know that two hundred thousand Muslims are going to be drooping through the old
are going to be drooping through the old
are going to be drooping through the old city and up to the Dome of the rock and
city and up to the Dome of the rock and
city and up to the Dome of the rock and I couldn’t get any permission except
I couldn’t get any permission except
I couldn’t get any permission except they said a military pilot could take me
they said a military pilot could take me
they said a military pilot could take me if I would fly no lower than six
if I would fly no lower than six
if I would fly no lower than six thousand feet well that’s all the access
thousand feet well that’s all the access
thousand feet well that’s all the access I had so I just took a really big limbs
I had so I just took a really big limbs
I had so I just took a really big limbs and did an aerial of it and you can just
and did an aerial of it and you can just
and did an aerial of it and you can just see this prayer that last 10 minutes and
see this prayer that last 10 minutes and
see this prayer that last 10 minutes and this many people are in perfect rows on
this many people are in perfect rows on
this many people are in perfect rows on their on their carpets being you know
their on their carpets being you know
their on their carpets being you know practicing their faith and it’s
practicing their faith and it’s
practicing their faith and it’s extremely moving I also wanted to be
extremely moving I also wanted to be
extremely moving I also wanted to be inside the Dome of the rock on the last
inside the Dome of the rock on the last
inside the Dome of the rock on the last Saturday the last morning of Ramadan
Saturday the last morning of Ramadan
Saturday the last morning of Ramadan went at sunrise Ramadan breaks and and
went at sunrise Ramadan breaks and and
went at sunrise Ramadan breaks and and there are women all inside the dome well
there are women all inside the dome well
there are women all inside the dome well I tried everybody for permission it just
I tried everybody for permission it just
I tried everybody for permission it just wasn’t going to happen so they let my
wasn’t going to happen so they let my
wasn’t going to happen so they let my last my last hope was the Imam of the
last my last hope was the Imam of the
last my last hope was the Imam of the mosque so I went to his home and he was
mosque so I went to his home and he was
mosque so I went to his home and he was busy seeing a lot of important guys but
busy seeing a lot of important guys but
busy seeing a lot of important guys but I heard some noise in the kitchen so I
I heard some noise in the kitchen so I
I heard some noise in the kitchen so I went in and his wife and his daughters
went in and his wife and his daughters
went in and his wife and his daughters were making dinner so I just went in and
were making dinner so I just went in and
were making dinner so I just went in and started chopping vegetables and talking
started chopping vegetables and talking
started chopping vegetables and talking to them and they invited me to stay for
to them and they invited me to stay for
to them and they invited me to stay for dinner and then the Imam came and sat
dinner and then the Imam came and sat
dinner and then the Imam came and sat down with us and this lovely charming
down with us and this lovely charming
down with us and this lovely charming highly educated family we had a really
highly educated family we had a really
highly educated family we had a really nice time and at the end of dinner I
nice time and at the end of dinner I
nice time and at the end of dinner I said you know I asked his permission to
said you know I asked his permission to
said you know I asked his permission to be inside the dome and he said no
be inside the dome and he said no
be inside the dome and he said no absolutely not
absolutely not
absolutely not and so I I went back to my apartment a
and so I I went back to my apartment a
and so I I went back to my apartment a little you know downcast and about 4
little you know downcast and about 4
little you know downcast and about 4 o’clock in the morning a woman came to
o’clock in the morning a woman came to
o’clock in the morning a woman came to my apartment and knocked on the door and
my apartment and knocked on the door and
my apartment and knocked on the door and said dress modestly bring one camera and
said dress modestly bring one camera and
said dress modestly bring one camera and I followed her and she created a
I followed her and she created a
I followed her and she created a diversion while I slid inside and a
diversion while I slid inside and a
diversion while I slid inside and a group of women welcomed me into where
group of women welcomed me into where
group of women welcomed me into where they were praying because the Imam had
they were praying because the Imam had
they were praying because the Imam had said no but his wife said yes I really
said no but his wife said yes I really
said no but his wife said yes I really think it’s a great advantage to be a
think it’s a great advantage to be a
think it’s a great advantage to be a woman in this job I think people assume
woman in this job I think people assume
woman in this job I think people assume that it’s a disadvantage and I just
that it’s a disadvantage and I just
that it’s a disadvantage and I just think you’re less threatening you’re
think you’re less threatening you’re
think you’re less threatening you’re more of an aberration and most
more of an aberration and most
more of an aberration and most importantly for me in in gender divided
importantly for me in in gender divided
importantly for me in in gender divided cultures you get to be with the girls
cultures you get to be with the girls
cultures you get to be with the girls and they are having a good time and
and they are having a good time and
and they are having a good time and they’re not covered very much this is up
they’re not covered very much this is up
they’re not covered very much this is up on the Syrian border a place called the
on the Syrian border a place called the
on the Syrian border a place called the shouting Mountain where when these you
shouting Mountain where when these you
shouting Mountain where when these you know when Wars happen and artificial
know when Wars happen and artificial
know when Wars happen and artificial fences are put up then people are
fences are put up then people are
fences are put up then people are divided so these Druze families were
divided so these Druze families were
divided so these Druze families were across from their neighbors and family
across from their neighbors and family
across from their neighbors and family and friends in Syria and they literally
and friends in Syria and they literally
and friends in Syria and they literally came with megaphones and
came with megaphones and
came with megaphones and macular x’ and stood and yelled back and
macular x’ and stood and yelled back and
macular x’ and stood and yelled back and forth to each other and caught up on the
forth to each other and caught up on the
forth to each other and caught up on the news it was wonderful
news it was wonderful
news it was wonderful this is a beautiful Bedouin woman and
this is a beautiful Bedouin woman and
this is a beautiful Bedouin woman and his hurt and we were at a wedding and
his hurt and we were at a wedding and
his hurt and we were at a wedding and her little boy came up to me and said
her little boy came up to me and said
her little boy came up to me and said would you photographed my mother she is
would you photographed my mother she is
would you photographed my mother she is so beautiful that cute I said absolutely
so beautiful that cute I said absolutely
so beautiful that cute I said absolutely and she is you know and she’s a classic
and she is you know and she’s a classic
and she is you know and she’s a classic Bedouin woman tough as nails and a heart
Bedouin woman tough as nails and a heart
Bedouin woman tough as nails and a heart of gold this was a Druze wedding and you
of gold this was a Druze wedding and you
of gold this was a Druze wedding and you know I asked a lot of questions when I’m
know I asked a lot of questions when I’m
know I asked a lot of questions when I’m gonna cover something and I was invited
gonna cover something and I was invited
gonna cover something and I was invited to this wedding so I found out that the
to this wedding so I found out that the
to this wedding so I found out that the bride would be at her dad’s house and
bride would be at her dad’s house and
bride would be at her dad’s house and that when she heard the groom coming
that when she heard the groom coming
that when she heard the groom coming because they play music and drums and
because they play music and drums and
because they play music and drums and things that she must burst into tears
things that she must burst into tears
things that she must burst into tears and cry hysterically in order to honor
and cry hysterically in order to honor
and cry hysterically in order to honor her father and to say I don’t want to
her father and to say I don’t want to
her father and to say I don’t want to leave dad you know and also as a sign of
leave dad you know and also as a sign of
leave dad you know and also as a sign of modesty that she had no interest in
modesty that she had no interest in
modesty that she had no interest in leaving with this other man and and sure
leaving with this other man and and sure
leaving with this other man and and sure enough first bang of a drum and she just
enough first bang of a drum and she just
enough first bang of a drum and she just cried her little eyes out and you can
cried her little eyes out and you can
cried her little eyes out and you can see her girlfriends are like is she
see her girlfriends are like is she
see her girlfriends are like is she doing a good enough job is this okay
doing a good enough job is this okay
doing a good enough job is this okay Graham is laughing you know because you
Graham is laughing you know because you
Graham is laughing you know because you know it’s this tradition but a really
know it’s this tradition but a really
know it’s this tradition but a really important tradition and this woman
important tradition and this woman
important tradition and this woman deserves an Emmy I am also really really
deserves an Emmy I am also really really
deserves an Emmy I am also really really fortunate in that I got to a point in my
fortunate in that I got to a point in my
fortunate in that I got to a point in my career where I was really comfortable
career where I was really comfortable
career where I was really comfortable with my work and wanted and I think a
with my work and wanted and I think a
with my work and wanted and I think a lot of us reached this point in our
lot of us reached this point in our
lot of us reached this point in our careers whatever our careers are but you
careers whatever our careers are but you
careers whatever our careers are but you get to a point where you want to give
get to a point where you want to give
get to a point where you want to give back a little bit you want to do
back a little bit you want to do
back a little bit you want to do something that adds depth to your life
something that adds depth to your life
something that adds depth to your life and meaning and that that you know
and meaning and that that you know
and meaning and that that you know honors something else besides yourself
honors something else besides yourself
honors something else besides yourself and so this is a project that I did a
and so this is a project that I did a
and so this is a project that I did a few years ago and this was sort of the
few years ago and this was sort of the
few years ago and this was sort of the at the beginning of me really deciding
at the beginning of me really deciding
at the beginning of me really deciding this was my priority in life
this was my priority in life
this was my priority in life and I was called last Dan and my
and I was called last Dan and my
and I was called last Dan and my girlfriend Barbara Kingsolver wrote
girlfriend Barbara Kingsolver wrote
girlfriend Barbara Kingsolver wrote these beautiful essays and it was an
these beautiful essays and it was an
these beautiful essays and it was an exhibit and a book and we through print
exhibit and a book and we through print
exhibit and a book and we through print sales we managed to raise by a quarter
sales we managed to raise by a quarter
sales we managed to raise by a quarter of a million dollars to help with
of a million dollars to help with
of a million dollars to help with grassroots conservation efforts in the
grassroots conservation efforts in the
grassroots conservation efforts in the United States and it’s so wonderful I
United States and it’s so wonderful I
United States and it’s so wonderful I mean don’t you love it when you
mean don’t you love it when you
mean don’t you love it when you take your job and you get to a point
take your job and you get to a point
take your job and you get to a point where you say actually what I do could
where you say actually what I do could
where you say actually what I do could make a little bit of a difference it was
make a little bit of a difference it was
make a little bit of a difference it was so fun watching this wood stork with
so fun watching this wood stork with
so fun watching this wood stork with this alligator because they did this
this alligator because they did this
this alligator because they did this little dance you know the alligator
little dance you know the alligator
little dance you know the alligator would move two inches the wood stork
would move two inches the wood stork
would move two inches the wood stork wood thickest back that you know the
wood thickest back that you know the
wood thickest back that you know the would get alligator go this way the wood
would get alligator go this way the wood
would get alligator go this way the wood sterk would get a little closer they it
sterk would get a little closer they it
sterk would get a little closer they it was choreography it was just amazing
was choreography it was just amazing
was choreography it was just amazing choreography of survival I also started
choreography of survival I also started
choreography of survival I also started working with my brother Bobby on
working with my brother Bobby on
working with my brother Bobby on projects for Habitat for Humanity and
projects for Habitat for Humanity and
projects for Habitat for Humanity and that led to some projects with
that led to some projects with
that led to some projects with international aid organizations under
international aid organizations under
international aid organizations under the umbrella of a wonderful organization
the umbrella of a wonderful organization
the umbrella of a wonderful organization called Church World Service and they are
called Church World Service and they are
called Church World Service and they are the fund raisers and then they partner
the fund raisers and then they partner
the fund raisers and then they partner with aid groups all over the world and
with aid groups all over the world and
with aid groups all over the world and what I love is that their focus is
what I love is that their focus is
what I love is that their focus is mainly on women and children so this is
mainly on women and children so this is
mainly on women and children so this is Uganda this is in Cambodia the day they
Uganda this is in Cambodia the day they
Uganda this is in Cambodia the day they got clean water you know the day that
got clean water you know the day that
got clean water you know the day that kept the well also in Cambodia my
kept the well also in Cambodia my
kept the well also in Cambodia my nephew’s here and he’s his mom is
nephew’s here and he’s his mom is
nephew’s here and he’s his mom is Cambodian see those family are are you
Cambodian see those family are are you
Cambodian see those family are are you sleeping Mexico in the maquiladoras so
sleeping Mexico in the maquiladoras so
sleeping Mexico in the maquiladoras so what what I do is every year I head out
what what I do is every year I head out
what what I do is every year I head out usually in the spring and I go to about
usually in the spring and I go to about
usually in the spring and I go to about 3 countries where people are having a
3 countries where people are having a
3 countries where people are having a hard time and and and I just like three
hard time and and and I just like three
hard time and and and I just like three days per country and you just go and see
days per country and you just go and see
days per country and you just go and see the amazing work that aid groups are
the amazing work that aid groups are
the amazing work that aid groups are doing I mean I go it’s kind of rough for
doing I mean I go it’s kind of rough for
doing I mean I go it’s kind of rough for a couple of days and then I go to leave
a couple of days and then I go to leave
a couple of days and then I go to leave and I think oh my gosh these wonderful
and I think oh my gosh these wonderful
and I think oh my gosh these wonderful people are here 24/7 for months and
people are here 24/7 for months and
people are here 24/7 for months and years at a time
years at a time
years at a time the Masai School in Kenya with his cane
the Masai School in Kenya with his cane
the Masai School in Kenya with his cane workers in the Dominican Republic and
workers in the Dominican Republic and
workers in the Dominican Republic and you know I remember early on in my
you know I remember early on in my
you know I remember early on in my career I was a little nervous I think
career I was a little nervous I think
career I was a little nervous I think women photographers were I remember I
women photographers were I remember I
women photographers were I remember I remember Jody Cobb saying you know I
remember Jody Cobb saying you know I
remember Jody Cobb saying you know I think they think we’re just going to
think they think we’re just going to
think they think we’re just going to take little pink pretty pictures and I
take little pink pretty pictures and I
take little pink pretty pictures and I do remember thinking actually really
do remember thinking actually really
do remember thinking actually really sort of you know saying I can photograph
sort of you know saying I can photograph
sort of you know saying I can photograph more than women and chilled
more than women and chilled
more than women and chilled and now it is my distinct privilege to
and now it is my distinct privilege to
and now it is my distinct privilege to spend time with photographing women and
spend time with photographing women and
spend time with photographing women and children because in most places they’re
children because in most places they’re
children because in most places they’re the people that need the help the most
the people that need the help the most
the people that need the help the most and it’s very freeing
and it’s very freeing
and it’s very freeing this is Hurricane Katrina and this was
this is Hurricane Katrina and this was
this is Hurricane Katrina and this was this little woman who who lost her home
this little woman who who lost her home
this little woman who who lost her home she wasn’t this was her 90th birthday
she wasn’t this was her 90th birthday
she wasn’t this was her 90th birthday and they were the guys who were working
and they were the guys who were working
and they were the guys who were working on her house brought her this cake and
on her house brought her this cake and
on her house brought her this cake and then there you can see one of them’s up
then there you can see one of them’s up
then there you can see one of them’s up on the roof fix it her roof this is also
on the roof fix it her roof this is also
on the roof fix it her roof this is also from Katrina just what happened to
from Katrina just what happened to
from Katrina just what happened to somebody’s photo albums it’s a great
somebody’s photo albums it’s a great
somebody’s photo albums it’s a great tragedy you know what happens when you
tragedy you know what happens when you
tragedy you know what happens when you marinate a city for about three weeks
marinate a city for about three weeks
marinate a city for about three weeks it’s just it’s so it’s one of the
it’s just it’s so it’s one of the
it’s just it’s so it’s one of the greatest tragedies I’ve ever seen in
greatest tragedies I’ve ever seen in
greatest tragedies I’ve ever seen in terms of you know challenging this was
terms of you know challenging this was
terms of you know challenging this was shot of a minister whose church was
shot of a minister whose church was
shot of a minister whose church was burned down in South Carolina and the
burned down in South Carolina and the
burned down in South Carolina and the only thing left was the baptismal font
only thing left was the baptismal font
only thing left was the baptismal font so that’s what he was standing on you
so that’s what he was standing on you
so that’s what he was standing on you can see back there where his church used
can see back there where his church used
can see back there where his church used to be and this organization was helping
to be and this organization was helping
to be and this organization was helping him build a new church this is in
him build a new church this is in
him build a new church this is in Honduras after a hurricane and a lot of
Honduras after a hurricane and a lot of
Honduras after a hurricane and a lot of people were coming for her health and
people were coming for her health and
people were coming for her health and clinical aid was in a horrible horrible
clinical aid was in a horrible horrible
clinical aid was in a horrible horrible refugee camp the saddest one I’ve ever
refugee camp the saddest one I’ve ever
refugee camp the saddest one I’ve ever seen I’ve spent a lot of time in refugee
seen I’ve spent a lot of time in refugee
seen I’ve spent a lot of time in refugee camps and they range from places that
camps and they range from places that
camps and they range from places that give people dignity and hope to really
give people dignity and hope to really
give people dignity and hope to really reduce tragedies and and this is up on
reduce tragedies and and this is up on
reduce tragedies and and this is up on the Sudanese border and it it’s a tragic
the Sudanese border and it it’s a tragic
the Sudanese border and it it’s a tragic place but about two years after I shot
place but about two years after I shot
place but about two years after I shot this picture because I was really
this picture because I was really
this picture because I was really worried about this woman and her
worried about this woman and her
worried about this woman and her children I was in Richmond Virginia and
children I was in Richmond Virginia and
children I was in Richmond Virginia and I was at a refugee office and I looked
I was at a refugee office and I looked
I was at a refugee office and I looked up on the wall and this picture which
up on the wall and this picture which
up on the wall and this picture which was made into a part of a calendar had
was made into a part of a calendar had
was made into a part of a calendar had been taken out and pinned on the wall
been taken out and pinned on the wall
been taken out and pinned on the wall and I said to the refugee guy boy that
and I said to the refugee guy boy that
and I said to the refugee guy boy that picture looks kind of familiar to me and
picture looks kind of familiar to me and
picture looks kind of familiar to me and he said yeah and she’s doing great and I
he said yeah and she’s doing great and I
he said yeah and she’s doing great and I said you know her he said oh yeah she’s
said you know her he said oh yeah she’s
said you know her he said oh yeah she’s one of they’re one of our families
one of they’re one of our families
one of they’re one of our families they’re all doing great and she works at
they’re all doing great and she works at
they’re all doing great and she works at Popeyes Chicken and her husband said you
Popeyes Chicken and her husband said you
Popeyes Chicken and her husband said you know at Home Depot and I just tell ya it
know at Home Depot and I just tell ya it
know at Home Depot and I just tell ya it just bowled me over
just bowled me over
just bowled me over because if I’ve ever been in a hopeless
because if I’ve ever been in a hopeless
because if I’ve ever been in a hopeless place this was it and they made it this
place this was it and they made it this
place this was it and they made it this is the best refugee camp I’ve ever been
is the best refugee camp I’ve ever been
is the best refugee camp I’ve ever been in this is a these are people who are on
in this is a these are people who are on
in this is a these are people who are on the Thai border with Burma and there’s
the Thai border with Burma and there’s
the Thai border with Burma and there’s been a civil war in Burma forever and
been a civil war in Burma forever and
been a civil war in Burma forever and there are a lot of Burmese refugees who
there are a lot of Burmese refugees who
there are a lot of Burmese refugees who come over but this wise aid organization
come over but this wise aid organization
come over but this wise aid organization said these people just need food that’s
said these people just need food that’s
said these people just need food that’s it they need a place to live in food and
it they need a place to live in food and
it they need a place to live in food and so they turned the entire camp over to
so they turned the entire camp over to
so they turned the entire camp over to the people and they had their chiefs in
the people and they had their chiefs in
the people and they had their chiefs in there and it was like villages there
there and it was like villages there
there and it was like villages there were no fences there was no security
were no fences there was no security
were no fences there was no security there was no and they just they were
there was no and they just they were
there was no and they just they were farming and they and food you know
farming and they and food you know
farming and they and food you know supplemental food was being brought into
supplemental food was being brought into
supplemental food was being brought into them and you can what a fat happy baby
them and you can what a fat happy baby
them and you can what a fat happy baby you know it works
recently I was in Pakistan and I’m gonna
recently I was in Pakistan and I’m gonna close with some pictures from there I
close with some pictures from there I
close with some pictures from there I went there because of the earthquake I
went there because of the earthquake I
went there because of the earthquake I went back after you know that they were
went back after you know that they were
went back after you know that they were closing the refugee camps and the people
closing the refugee camps and the people
closing the refugee camps and the people were trying to recover from it and I was
were trying to recover from it and I was
were trying to recover from it and I was just there for four days and I bounced
just there for four days and I bounced
just there for four days and I bounced all over Pakistan but I was so deeply
all over Pakistan but I was so deeply
all over Pakistan but I was so deeply touched by these people and I was you
touched by these people and I was you
touched by these people and I was you know what’s happening in Pakistan now is
know what’s happening in Pakistan now is
know what’s happening in Pakistan now is really heartbreaking but look at this
really heartbreaking but look at this
really heartbreaking but look at this little guy you know charlie you know you
little guy you know charlie you know you
little guy you know charlie you know you know how many times I said okay go brush
know how many times I said okay go brush
know how many times I said okay go brush your teeth and and this happens in a
your teeth and and this happens in a
your teeth and and this happens in a refugee camp also you know that the
refugee camp also you know that the
refugee camp also you know that the humanity and the the sort of common life
humanity and the the sort of common life
humanity and the the sort of common life force that we all have it’s really
force that we all have it’s really
force that we all have it’s really humbling and this was taken in a village
humbling and this was taken in a village
humbling and this was taken in a village at the end of nowhere
at the end of nowhere
at the end of nowhere and we bounced along in a truck without
and we bounced along in a truck without
and we bounced along in a truck without roads I mean we we left a road and six
roads I mean we we left a road and six
roads I mean we we left a road and six hours later we were still bouncing along
hours later we were still bouncing along
hours later we were still bouncing along in the desert trying to get out to these
in the desert trying to get out to these
in the desert trying to get out to these some of these aid projects and we were
some of these aid projects and we were
some of these aid projects and we were so far out that there was no way we
so far out that there was no way we
so far out that there was no way we would ever get back for any kind of
would ever get back for any kind of
would ever get back for any kind of accommodation or anything so we were
accommodation or anything so we were
accommodation or anything so we were pretty much at the mercy of the
pretty much at the mercy of the
pretty much at the mercy of the villagers and in this little tiny
villagers and in this little tiny
villagers and in this little tiny villager first of all they had nothing
villager first of all they had nothing
villager first of all they had nothing and these women looked so beautiful
and these women looked so beautiful
and these women looked so beautiful and here I was in like these khaki pants
and here I was in like these khaki pants
and here I was in like these khaki pants and
and
and is bad shirt and I’m trying to be modest
is bad shirt and I’m trying to be modest
is bad shirt and I’m trying to be modest I got a horrible scarf on and and and
I got a horrible scarf on and and and
I got a horrible scarf on and and and they all just had this incredible grace
they all just had this incredible grace
they all just had this incredible grace and beauty about them and they were fun
and beauty about them and they were fun
and beauty about them and they were fun and you know after a while I was with a
and you know after a while I was with a
and you know after a while I was with a guide and she and I sat down we were
guide and she and I sat down we were
guide and she and I sat down we were cooking around the fire and finally the
cooking around the fire and finally the
cooking around the fire and finally the the women started laughing hysterically
the women started laughing hysterically
the women started laughing hysterically and I said okay what come on what and
and I said okay what come on what and
and I said okay what come on what and and that she said well they want to know
and that she said well they want to know
and that she said well they want to know if you’re a man or a woman because I
if you’re a man or a woman because I
if you’re a man or a woman because I look so awful and I said so I grabbed my
look so awful and I said so I grabbed my
look so awful and I said so I grabbed my breasts I said and then I you know I
breasts I said and then I you know I
breasts I said and then I you know I pulled out a picture and showed them a
pulled out a picture and showed them a
pulled out a picture and showed them a picture of my children and and then they
picture of my children and and then they
picture of my children and and then they laughed really funny because they just
laughed really funny because they just
laughed really funny because they just thought it was hysterical that any man
thought it was hysterical that any man
thought it was hysterical that any man would have me you know but that night
would have me you know but that night
would have me you know but that night after they fed us and people who have
after they fed us and people who have
after they fed us and people who have nothing give everything it’s just
nothing give everything it’s just
nothing give everything it’s just extraordinary they fed us and and they
extraordinary they fed us and and they
extraordinary they fed us and and they pulled some cots out for us to sleep
pulled some cots out for us to sleep
pulled some cots out for us to sleep outside in the desert and at one point
outside in the desert and at one point
outside in the desert and at one point my guide said they want to know if you
my guide said they want to know if you
my guide said they want to know if you would like music and I said I would love
would like music and I said I would love
would like music and I said I would love music and so the kids are all up on the
music and so the kids are all up on the
music and so the kids are all up on the bed with us you know and this little
bed with us you know and this little
bed with us you know and this little parade of man about eight men came in
parade of man about eight men came in
parade of man about eight men came in with handmade instruments and they sat
with handmade instruments and they sat
with handmade instruments and they sat down all around our beds and they
down all around our beds and they
down all around our beds and they started playing traditional music until
started playing traditional music until
started playing traditional music until we fell asleep under an unbelievable sky
we fell asleep under an unbelievable sky
we fell asleep under an unbelievable sky and I you know is one of those things I
and I you know is one of those things I
and I you know is one of those things I get to do that make life worth living
”
Be First to Comment