Nepal
Bhaktapur Days
Two men watching the world go by in Bhaktapur.
Colorful Kathmandu
Breakfast in Bhaktapur
Mom!
A little girl in Phadking begging her mom to come give her some attention. Kids will be kids.
Glacial Layers
Dropping off the Goods
A man carries produce by bike delivering to the stores on the streets of Bhaktapur.
Nightly Shopping
One of the numerous small stores in Bhaktapur.
The Long Climb Up
Eyes On The Street
The Grid
The electric grid in Kathmandu. Up to code? Wouldn't want to be an electrician.
Bhaktapur Mornings
The streets are a bit quieter at sunrise. I always enjoy getting out to stroll the streets during these hours to enjoy a different feel for a place that becomes quite loud and busy during the day.
A Life Lived
Elderly man on the streets of Bhaktapur. Amazing how appearance can aptly demonstrate such a life lived.
Last Light Everest
The Butcher's Office
Yak Siesta
Yaks enjoying some quiet grazing time with a stunning backdrop of Ama Dablam
Buzzing
Helicopter in the Khumbu near Everest Base Camp for scale. Helicopters provide an amazing safety net in this region allowing quick rescue and descent to safer altitudes for those that become injured or are dealing with severe mountain sickness. Without these immediate evacuations, there surely would be more deaths. However, they are becoming a point of contention. If you have been in the Khumbu, you will become accustomed to hearing them buzz by every 10 minutes or so. They are loud. They are disruptive noise pollution to an otherwise serene mountain landscape and ecosystem. The agricultural Sherpa communities have to listen to them hourly. The wildlife patterns and behaviors these must effect. Many folks with deep pockets are paying to be shuttled up and down for flyby tours or a quick stop at base camp before flying back down to Lukla or Kathmandu. The helicopter companies are making a fortune as well as insurance companies. I talked with numerous locals about this and they are quite frustrated and said the government and companies are greedy and don't listen to them. Just imagine growing up in a community high in the remote Himalaya ...living off the land...no automobiles ....and all of a sudden you have a helicopter flying just overheard seemingly every time you look up.
It's one of the myriad issue that needs to be addressed as the Khumbu is facing serious sustainability issues with tourism all around. How can voices of the communities most impacted be heard? How do we find balance? What role/culpability as tourists/travelers do we have visiting the area?
Airing Out
Enchanting Solukhumbu
Open Early
This woman's fruit stall was the only thing open in the early morning hours on this street in Kathmandu
Namche Sunrise
Fish Delivery
Awaiting for the truck to back up and unload the fish for the day in Kathmandu
Tree of Dreams
I was fortunate enough to help create and paint this tree in the OORC Orphanage we work in. After it was complete, all the kiddos added their handprints to finish it off. Hopefully it serves as some sort of inspiration for years to come!
Porter Life
A porter heads our of Pheriche after delivering his load in the morning sun. He will head down to pick up another heavy burden to carry back up to the high altitude being paid by the kilo. An incredibly hard life.
Sadhu
Mobile Market
Bike vendors in Kathmandu selling fruit.
Call To Prayer
Bhaktapur translates to "Place of Devotees," and is listed as a World Heritage Site. Walking the city streets retains a palpable energy of nostalgia. True devotion to faith as bells chime and drums beat calling people to prayer at an ancient temple, busy markets bustling with fresh food and kitchens flavorsome treats assaulting your nostrils, people sitting cross legged playing local board games and chatting. The energy feels so human. Nobody hiding away in their boxes.
Trodding Along
A Yak trodding along with Ama Dablam looming behind.
Night Watch Bhaktapur
High Lama
The High Lama oversees Mani Rimdu at Tengboche Monastery
Delivery Man Rest
Street Views
A man in Thamel checks out the street activity in the early morning.
Abandoned
An abandoned building with a weaving wheel relic in Bhaktapur.
Impossibly Cumbersome
Lukla Take Off
Take off from the most dangerous airport in the world.
Butting Heads
Two baby goats squaring off and butting heads drawing some attention of the locals in Bhaktapur.
Mandala
Demonstration from a master at his craft. Mandala (meaning circle) is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. They are circular in nature symbolizing that life is never-ending. he design of the mandala is supposed to be visually appealing so as to absorb the mind in such a way that irritating thoughts are unable to get through and a spiritual essence surrounds the individual observing the mandala, which in turn allows the individual a higher consciousness or awareness, almost as though being hypnotized. This allows the busy mind to take a break while the creative mind is allowed to run free.
Weighing In
A girl playfully jumps on the scale that is being used to weigh fish in Kathmandu.
Music Makes The World Better
My Friend Chet, Jaga and Purna singing in front a stunning backdrop. A magical moment. No place better to appreciate music and the energy than in the mighty Himalaya.
Dingboche Nights
In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” — Alfred Stieglitz
A frigid night in the Himalaya snot cascading from my nose, pincushion feet pricked by frigid needles. my fingers glued to my tripod. Cold hands, a warm heart. A quick saunter up a steep 'hill' at over 15 thousand feet had the heart and endorphins pumping in a beautiful synchronized dance. Sweat dribbled down my forehead and onto my brow. A salty flavor on my lips. Lungs pounding. Excitedly mumbling to myself...."This is life." The stars lit the rocky animal paths and the crisp sound of dry rocks crunched beneath my feet. Looking up in wonder at the dramatic skies only to find myself tripping over my own feet. Dramatic summits cloaked in their finest white gown reflecting the most soothing aura. Just me, a small group of Brazilian photographers, and the grandest mountains on our planet.
Nature was not only abundantly visible....it was speaking deeply without a word, Beckoning me to listen in the humblest of senses. An injection of presence, gratitude and life. John Muir's quite couldn't ring truer. "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." Photography has been an amazing tool for me in this regard.
Whether it's the Himalaya or my backyard, I take these life lessons with me. It's simple really. Connect with the world around you. Take a few moments everyday by yourself and tap into your senses and let them soar. We too often get so bogged down by the trivial meaningless things in our life that we often forget the simple joys.
Prayer Rock
Prayer Rock Supervisor
All Smiles to Namche
