- “Umbrella Boatâ€
- LOCATION: Arakan State (Burma), 2009
- STORY: Where would you find a sail made from used umbrellas? “Traditional†in a lot of cultures means not throwing anything away—many people are too poor to afford this luxury (is this a luxury?). This is not the case in my own culture, but the green side of me appreciates this efficiency, and I’m often reminded of it when I travel. The boat in the photo is a great example: the sailmaker clearly honored this tradition of thriftiness, and the product was a beautiful celebration of her culture.
- “Don Filoberto With Familyâ€
- LOCATION: Antigua (Guatemala), 2005
- STORY: Sharing time and stories with the family of Don Filoberto, a small-scale coffee farmer near Antigua, was one of the most heartfelt experiences I had during a Culture Xplorers trip in Guatemala. The mother and daughters cheerfully taught us how to make tortillas, later enjoyed by all. Then the family accompanied us to their small plot halfway up Volcano Agua. Don Filoberto shared insights on farming, along with vivid memories of the hardships his family endured during Guatemala’s long civil war. At our farewell, Don Filoberto thanked us warmly for the financial support and sense of reciprocity that visits like ours provide.
- “On The Way To The Animal Marketâ€
- LOCATION: Otavalo, (Ecuador), 2000
- STORY: As a teacher, I am touched by this young boy taking a calf to the weekly Animal Market in Otavalo Ecuador after-school . That day, I talked with many children in the market, working with relatives, selling goats, guinea pigs, chicken, etc.. The photo reminds me of life’s complexities for so many rural and indigenous children who balance education with other family responsibilities. The market itself is such a powerful site where community traditions are shared, not only through the goods of everyday life, but as a site where generations spend time together, sharing in each others’ daily lives.
