(no subject)
I just spent an amazing day in Alex.
The morning started out with a catholic ceremony. A nun was taking her final vows and the ceremony was being attended by the first lady, so it was a big deal for the community. I was able to get in and photograph. The ceremony was so beautiful. I have never seen anything like it. Normally, I do not care for church, but there was so much good energy today. The congregation has fused South African and catholic traditions. People from all over the country were there, representing all the different culture here. The music, the atmosphere, everything, was great.
After, we spent a few hours with Thabo's family and neighbors. I hung out with Thabo's wife and she taught me how to cook pap and showed me her photo albums. I also spent a lot of time with the kids. They are all so sweet and I felt today, more then ever, like a friend, rather than a visitor or tourist.
Today was supposed to be my last day but I decided to go back for just a few hours tomorrow. It will be so difficult to say goodbye.
I am more determined than ever to get the photos shown or published somewhere. Thabo and Willy want to help me to set up a fund to send back any profits or donations that the pictures generate. He told me that noone that has done research there has ever given anything back and expressed faith in me to do it different. It is going to take a lot of work, but I will try.
I hate goodbyes.
The morning started out with a catholic ceremony. A nun was taking her final vows and the ceremony was being attended by the first lady, so it was a big deal for the community. I was able to get in and photograph. The ceremony was so beautiful. I have never seen anything like it. Normally, I do not care for church, but there was so much good energy today. The congregation has fused South African and catholic traditions. People from all over the country were there, representing all the different culture here. The music, the atmosphere, everything, was great.
After, we spent a few hours with Thabo's family and neighbors. I hung out with Thabo's wife and she taught me how to cook pap and showed me her photo albums. I also spent a lot of time with the kids. They are all so sweet and I felt today, more then ever, like a friend, rather than a visitor or tourist.
Today was supposed to be my last day but I decided to go back for just a few hours tomorrow. It will be so difficult to say goodbye.
I am more determined than ever to get the photos shown or published somewhere. Thabo and Willy want to help me to set up a fund to send back any profits or donations that the pictures generate. He told me that noone that has done research there has ever given anything back and expressed faith in me to do it different. It is going to take a lot of work, but I will try.
I hate goodbyes.