When I first arrived in India I struggled mightily with a sense of voyeurism about taking pictures of individuals. In America we do have foreign visitors but it is rare to have the experience of them snapping pictures of everything we do. As a result I often simply people watched. My heart is full of lots of images that will linger for a long time, but I do wish I had a few more to share. What are those lines from Helen Keller? "Some things cannot be seen, but only felt." I agree.

India does not have public education, but there were school children everywhere and large numbers of them on field trips at all the national sites I visited. In every instance I would be greeted with smiling faces and gentle pats and requests to have my picture made with them, which was a lovely turnabout. Once I found myself in the center of about 200 young 9 and 10 year old girls, all gently pressing close and pat, pat, patting me as their arms encircled us. It was something I will never forget.

This is one of my favorite pictures because it involved a wonderful adventure deep into the heart of an automotive market. (A story in and of itself, for another telling) It was a dark labyrinth beyond description with every auto part made since the beginning of Henry Ford secreted somewhere inside. The air reeked of oil, grease, men and urine. It was very quiet and so was I. Suddenly I looked up and there in a shaft of light stood this marvelous man. Without thinking I smiled and this was his reply. Then smiles all around, I took pictures and the world rolled on, peacefully as before. I will never forget it.

I believe it is difficult for westerners to understand the standard of living in worlds outside our own. We have so much it is hard to grasp how people live with very little something I found over and over in my brief time there,and missing here at home. No matter how modest or simple the source of income, there was a deep abiding respect for those at work, whatever they may be doing.