A train wreck in Egypt last week took many lives. Just made me think of my own ride on an Egyptian train.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Old News
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Little Faces
Everywhere I have sought to serve, little faces have captured my heart as I've captured them in photographs. Children are precious the world over. As you look into their eyes, know that I have done so in person – they are not simply an unknown snapshot in a glossy magazine.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Deere
Snapped a few shots of my 1966 John Deere 110 with a Kohler engine and triple blade deck. An exhaust valve and head-gasket was all she needed to keep up her long life of service.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
From Flat to Flying
Sarah had a flat. It was a perfect opportunity to introduce her to an adjustable wrench and 'leverage'. There is something incredible about the look on a child's face when they accomplish something new. I love it.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Marketing
Browsing through my Thai photo collection I see a fair number of shots focused on things edible - and some that left me wondering. The adventure of culture and food begins at the local market. Let's see what's on the menu. 
Nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand, the markets of Chiang Mai play host to a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some I recognized, some I did not. As a purveyor of more common fare, this vendor truly gets into her work.
Should you have a hankering for bee larvae, silk worms or dried grubs, the Wararot Market is place for you. Nicely wrapped in a banana leaf bundle, these exotic treats are high in protein and easy on the wallet. When deep fried, the silk worms were really quite tasty.
Care for crabs? The brine they are swimming would likely kill the average Westerner. Liquid heat. If you read Thai, let me know what the signs say. The commingling scents in the air made it difficult to determine, though I believe you could get your crabs in paste form or with legs and all.
Now those are some serious snacks! No, they aren't what you think. They are giant water beetles. Crunchy on the outside, smooshy on the inside. With a side of silk worms it's extreme snacking Thai style. 
Duck? Chicken? Goose? Unfortunately I didn't sample these long necked wonders, but can attest to the wonderful smells. I did have an opportunity to have duck from another vendor and it was marvelous. It was exciting to see duck in so many places as it is much more rare back here in Michigan.
Red is natures way of saying 'stop'. Need I say more.
In the center of this shot in the front row are the most delicious coconut 'patties' I have ever eaten. Grilled in fat on a hot skillet, they melted in your mouth when hot and became a sweet and chewy treat when they cooled off. 
See him looking at you? He's trying sooo hard to blend in. He's still, quiet, tentacles down... and soon will be lunch. 
I can't say I've seen chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Now I can say I've seen them roasting in a wok of hot charcoal. Chestnuts? Thailand? Who knew?
Rice and pork stuffed in a natural casing and cooked over charcoal to golden perfection. Tasty, filling, portable and inexpensive.
I saved Kim's favorite for last - Rotee. Flour, water and vegetable oil, kneaded into an opaque disk the size of a dinner plate form the foundation for this treat. Cast onto a sizzling, oil drenched surface, the dough is browned on each side then loaded with a filling of your choice. For Kim, bananas and chocolate sauce became an instant favorite. Folded into a tight bundle, the inside of this creation warms to a perfect temperature before removal from the heat, to be diced into bite sized bits and drizzled with evaporated milk. Most all of the portable Rotee carts we saw were Muslim owned and doing quite a business.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Retro Thai
From the back seat of a 3 wheeled Tuk-Tuk, I captured this gem in one of the many rear view mirrors. Joining the driver is a small collection from everyday life in Chiang Mai, Thailand – retro styled for your viewing pleasure.
Whatever she's cooking up you can be sure it's hot! Shooting from the second floor in a sweltering indoor market was the perfect place to catch spicy scents steaming upward.
Children in the Chiang Mai flower market get in on the Songkran celebration, 'blessing' passer's by with water.
The Sunday Night Walking Market was aglow with light and sound and cash changing hands. If you could cook it, you could find it here.
The trusty samlor (tricycle) was not the speediest mode of transportation - as evidenced by the passengers glance at on-coming traffic.
Having seen many nationals taking a samlor (tricycle) we gave it a shot ourselves. Being over 6 foot made my viewing angle a little peculiar as my head reshaped the sun shade above.
Want to see the Fast and Furious? Visit a kitchen in Thailand. If a place was really hopping, it meant fresh ingredients and good food. With 'take away' a popular option, taking a peek in the kitchen could clue you in even if the dining area was sparsely populated.
Boy vs Truck in this Songkran shot shows a wild swing and the tenacity of youth. What does water feel like at 40 mph? Just ask the passengers.
The only thing more prevalent than amazing architecture was bbq'd squid :) I preferred the architecture. 
That bbq'd squid I was talking about... the fellow on the right is cooking one up just for you. Ahhhh, here it crackling on the fire? Ummm Ummmm. Them's good eatin! :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Taste of Thailand
Six airports in three days has left me reeling - but the images from Thailand are seared on my heart, and despite the jet-lag, I am compelled to share a few.
The weight in his eyes belies his smile. Our encounter took place in community littered with 700 year old ruins.
Worship was a peculiar mix of community and solitude. With thousands bustling about holy sites during the Thai New Year, each would take a moment alone to pay hommage.
Perched atop Doi Suteph, gilded shrines drew the faithful. Their beauty paled in comparison to this little gal.
Accompanied by a Western family, we took on the Sunday Night market and the ocean of local Thai's that come each week.
Silk worms make incredible fabric. They also make a good snack. That said, I think I preferred my bag of grasshoppers more. And no, they don't taste like chicken :)
Incense burned, 'holy' water was sprinkled and prayers were chanted hour upon hour.
Who needs a car seat - or a helmet for that matter? The red micro truck with the cab is a 'Song Tau', an excellent form of inexpensive local transportation. The jury is still out on how many could pack into one.
Many of the tribal ladies chewed Betel Nut.
The North country is beautiful, rugged and lush. It is home to seven distinct tribal peoples.
Local boys take a break from the 90+ degree heat in a holding area gathered from a local waterfall.
Aged hands apply melted wax to a length of fabric which will be soaked in a vat of dye. The intricate pattern of this piece will be untouched by the dye.
For $1.70, a squid on a stick can be yours. This didn't taste like chicken either :) Kim didn't kiss me for a day after eating one of these babies. The hot sauce that accompanies this tasty goodness cauterized my taste buds making consumption of just about anything possible.
This local street vendor had the best black currants imaginable... and an incredible smile.
We rode in and on everything imaginable - including a three wheeled bicycle taxi... the name slips my mind right now.
Fish in box anyone? Our senses were clobbered in this portion of the Warorot Market.
Some countries and cultures are brown, brown, tan, brown, grey, and more brown. Thailand on the other hand was a visual feast, ripe with color.
Fast food, Thai style. Any number of those dishes will sear every nerve ending they come into contact with.
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