Visceral Journeys

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, October 16, 2010 | 5 photos

In 2005, I sold my house, quit my job as an architect and shortly thereafter in 2006, left the country to travel the world. I was doing the impossible trip, going to ‘dangerous’ places, leaving the security of home and my full-time job. I kept a travel blog and through my blog, my cell and Skype shared stories and experiences in order to give my friends and family a series of snapshots of the world.

Of all the places I visited, none left an impression as much as India. Each state was like traveling to a distinct country all within a common border. Regional languages, engaging smiling faces, dogged perseverance in the most shocking of circumstance, stunning natural beauty, raw poverty, vividly diverse spirituality, outsourcing modernity, and an inquisitiveness and energy that poured out of most folks I encountered have stayed with me.

Upon returning home, I set out to share as many stories and images from my travels as possible through photo exhibitions, my website and through talks.

The chaos and violence in the world today can be overwhelming. Face to face interactions unveil our common humanity and chip away at the stereotypes and ignorance of other cultures. I felt compelled back in 2006 and continue to feel compelled to share my experiences and help to open people's eyes to the amazing world we live in.

Traveling, photography and the freedom to experience both continue to be my dream. Learning from Jason would be an honor and perhaps an initial step towards a new career as a professional photographer and an opportunity to again bring the world home to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience it firsthand.