Roy

Marfa, Texas- If your pickup has a strange noise or your Bronco just ain't what she used to be, call Roy, he's your boy. Thirty-eight years in business and he's still in top form, everybody knows Roy.

Enlightened Bean

The Enlightened Bean restaurant in Presidio, Texas is a family run business. Two sisters and their mother own this bit of "culture" in the old border town. They had a photo of the Dalai Lama in the place they proudly flaunted and said they were "on the way" to being enlightened themselves. Here is Spanish speaking mama alongside a wonderful old photo of herself, they were all so sweet!

Our pal Mattie

We stayed one night up at Chinati Hot Springs and the next night they gave our room to someone else. I didn't think it was important to reserve it because who would have thought anyone would find their way all the way out here? With the nearest other place to stay an hour and three quarters away in Marfa, Mattie, who worked some up at the springs, said we could stay in her guest house. Turns out it was an old cafe that Pancho Villa used to frequent in the booming metropolis of Ruidosa, Texas- pretty damned cool. Right on the river across from old Mexico it was certainly another world; Border Patrol trucks parked in obscure little groves of shrubs, huge UFO like blimps with cameras mounted on them and nothing but wilderness and mountains for hundreds of miles until there was any hope of finding some sanctuary. We stayed over at Mattie's and when we went to pay her in the morning she refused, saying "just do something nice for someone else sometime..." Right on Mattie!

Ruidosa Bound

Ruidosa Bound

Santa Fe Sunset

Santa Fe, late in the afternoon, a cold walk back to the car from the plaza. Looked up and caught a glimpse of the elusive soul of New Mexico high-tailing it away from those over-priced boutiques and jewelry stores... buenos noches amigo.

Ruidosa, Texas

Near Ruidosa, Texas on the border with Mexico. Dolly, Grace and I just got back from a wonderful adventure to Big Bend, Marfa and Chinati Hot Springs... SWEET!

Snacky-poo

Catching a mid-afternoon snack/drink at the local warung (store), an old man enjoys his fruit drink. I photographed this warung last year and created a photo-montage of the place. This trip I went back and presented the owner a framed copy of said print. It was great watching everyone study the photo and see who from the neighborhood was included in the collage then laugh at themselves!

Vespas and Temples

Bali youth culture: temples, dreadlocks and Vespas.

The Timeless Landscape

 

A Man and his Rooster

A man and his rooster are not easily parted in Bali. The islander's penchant for cockfighting is not a difficult ethical question for the devout Hindus here, it is simply an unadulterated passion they seem to enjoy without question. Nights often find men by the side of the road mock taunting their prize cock in hopes that the glory of victory will visit them and the agony of defeat will remain on that ski jump seen by so many of us Crackers on ABC television .

Tampak Siring

Tampak Siring holy springs, bathing in the sacred waters. Pilgrims come from all over Indonesia to partake in the experience. This day I donned my sarong and put my head and body under all of the thirteen spring outlets.... ahhhhhh!

Let's go, with Ganesh and Wilma!

 

The sacred and the profane, its all here in the world's largest Hindu Theme Park: Bali land! See for yourself as Ganesh and Wilma Flintsone battle for dominance under the glowing lava of the volcanos! 

Gift shops sell all manner of accessories- anything your heart desires, so long as your heart is true in spirit! 

Selling Flowers for Offerings

A small girl by the side of the road sells flower petals for offerings. Devotion to the gods is a regular part of daily life and requires a substantial commitment of one's time. Commerce, social engagements and religious servitude are all centered around community and honoring the various Hindu Gods. This cute girl and her mom were happy to have some silly foreigners stop and look at their goods. Meanwhile, the nearby temple at the base of the volcano was magical as thunder boomed above- KABOOM!

Pandi

Pandi, the renowned painter in the ricefields, at work at his studio. Pandi has a slogan he often paints right on his canvases, it says "Pandi will be famous in the year 2020." With that kind of optimism and his talent he can't be far from right. 

Tjokorda Rai

Traditional Balinese Healer, Tjokorda Rai. The guy has the spirit of a sixteen year old mixed with the wisdom of the ancients. He performs "healings" with a small stick that he jabs your feet with as you are lying down. He then uses the same stick to "operate" on your body, opening up channels to release "blockages" and help you with what he thinks you need done. For me, he wants me to look in the mirror every two hours and remember to "swallow my smile." I think that part is advice he offers to a lot of his patients, but, it certainly can't hurt- to try to be happier and more content inside. I don't know, what do you think? If he is following his own advice, he sure seems happy to me. 

Bali Eyes

Temple ceremony at Camphuan temple, families proud of their young dancers, homage to the gods at the junction of the rivers. Nice to feel at home so far from home, several times local people shouted out to me "Robert, Robert!"

Ceremony

Ceremonial offerings and their bearers.

Friends in Bankien Sidem: Wayan and Nyoman

Up on the ridge, above Ubud is a magical little community of our friends who were good enough to host and put together our Balinese wedding last summer. My wife Elizabeth was so fetching in her Balinese dress and hair style; I am so happy for her in my life.  I am in Ubud now to take care of our new business "Jalan Kajeng," we are starting to make some jewelry and belts based on "mid-century modernist" designs- kind of primitive, fun and whimsical items of personal decor. I'll try and post some samples if they come along in time- enjoy!

Tourist Rice Paddies