Physical labor by men and women is a significant aspect of how things get done in India. This man is hauling mud in a basket on his head to fill a hole full of steel rods that will form the structural pillar for a new tourist center. Over and over in India I saw this juxtaposition of ancient building techniques with modern ones. There is building going on everywhere in the cities but seldom do you see any large construction equipment or earth moving equipment. Instead, there are tent cities next to large structures full of itinerant workers and their families. The scaffolding they mount each day to work against the buildings is made of bamboo.

Ferry service on the rivers carries goods and people to market. This boat was loaded with bikes, people, and blankets.

Because the illiteracy rate is so high, there exists a demand for individuals who can read and write to provide this service for those who cannot. I loved this scene not only because of the quiet pride of the typist, but also the age of the typewriter and the use of carbon paper.

The vegetables were so beautiful and colorful and were available everywhere in the cities as well as the small villages.


This photo was taken in the straw market where the ceremonial statues of gods and goddesses are made that are used in the many Hindu festivals. Once this figure is shaped it will be sold to someone who will cover it with clay to shape it's features and then on to a painter who will color the statue and dress it. The finished statue will then be sold for use in a festival and ultimately recycled, often after being ritually dunked in the Ganges.