ZOOM IN WITH PURPOSE
People may question why I am sharing photos of my life and
travels with everyone? As a therapist, a teacher, a writer, or Social worker-my
life experiences have shaped me into who I am today. It has been the
travel interactions and friendships formed that have allowed me to
sharpen my perspective on people with comparison between cultures. These
countries and cultures contribute to my psychological analysis, theories/beliefs, writing,
and career. These photos serve as a representation of who I am,
the way I travel, and how it always connect to one purpose.
Why do I have many photos with locals?
Do I request a photo and then walk away?
Do I know these people at all or trust them?
As a connector for people-it's essential for me to interact when the opportunity strikes. Making entertainment by being funny comes natural with the goal of making someone smile and making them feel good. There are people who receive little acknowledgement for the good people they are and the good things they are doing-this is all over the world in underprivileged countries and especially in the United States. It's my responsibility to spend time with someone bored/sad/angry/in pain/mistreated, and make moments educational, interesting, and memorable. Sometimes a photo can uplift their spirits and make them feel special and eighty percent of the time I do not take photos as there are times to turn the camera off.
For my missions, one can see that I do not have many photos unless they were requested or initiated by the organization. Over the years, I could have thousands of photos of all my clients, student, organization work, street work, family work, church work etc. The camera does not play an essential component for me in my work settings. It is purposeful work that is spiritually driven and no photo could ever keep up with all the incredible interactions and sessions over the years. Sometimes I wish I had my own personal book for myself to remember them all, but it stays in the memory storage of my heart.
What is labeled as "work" is quite different for me as the travel interaction is not "work." Spending time getting to know locals and hear their stories gives me satisfaction and happiness. The photos I have posted are from local people that I may see consistently, share tea, play a game, spend time with their family, language exchange, an inspirational chat etc. Those I connect with discussing their work, family, passions, goals, and aspirations. It's important to realize that a photo means much more to a local than it does for us. Often they will request the photo and may even have their own phone. For them, a photo is acknowledgement and they feel thankful that you want a picture with them. It's special and memorable that moment. When you spend time with them (not one minute buying a t-shirt)-authentic time and then you share a photo....they feel special.
It is a choice for me to interact with the culture more than tourists.
It’s a choice to learn about a culture through a tour with one foreign guide or visiting with a nice group of locals who invited you.
It's a choice to spend time speaking with security guard about his life and culture rather than having eyes glued to the Lonely Planet book.
It's a choice to spend some time speaking with reception speaking a few words of English rather than shopping for things you won't even use.
The owner of a vacation is your own self. Travel has its fair share of choices and a true psychology base that is at the core. The choice is yours.. And a person is free to choose.
Why not make friends based off the kindness of heart rather than an assigned dangerous label? We have a tendency to get caught in a label or stereotype of what a culture can be. It ends up being eighty percent not true as the majority of people are approachable and excited to speak with you. These people are human and they are craving your attention and acknowledgement- laugh, listen, share, learn or ask their advice. Often they can enhance your trip up a notch with that authentic experience. These people are not boyfriends or random people to "say cheese"-they are beautiful, humble, kind, generous, funny, talented, artistic, intelligent people.
Therefore, I choose to make a moment with my photo. In my 20s, people all know about my life posted on Facebook. It was Priscilla in front of the museum, in front of the fountain, walking down the street-incredible life moments, but excessive and unnecessary. The obsessed nature photos may continue on, but the awareness of photo has reduced quantity of "fun" Priscilla and a closer look on the connections being built country to country life to life heart to heart and spirit to spirit. I want to photograph the man teaching me how to work in the rice field, the lady selling coconuts, the family you stayed with at a home stay, the lady from the market who taught you about knitting. These people matter and one conversation can make a difference.
BELIEVE IN YOUR PHOTO MOMENT
Why do I have many photos with locals?
Do I request a photo and then walk away?
Do I know these people at all or trust them?
As a connector for people-it's essential for me to interact when the opportunity strikes. Making entertainment by being funny comes natural with the goal of making someone smile and making them feel good. There are people who receive little acknowledgement for the good people they are and the good things they are doing-this is all over the world in underprivileged countries and especially in the United States. It's my responsibility to spend time with someone bored/sad/angry/in pain/mistreated, and make moments educational, interesting, and memorable. Sometimes a photo can uplift their spirits and make them feel special and eighty percent of the time I do not take photos as there are times to turn the camera off.
For my missions, one can see that I do not have many photos unless they were requested or initiated by the organization. Over the years, I could have thousands of photos of all my clients, student, organization work, street work, family work, church work etc. The camera does not play an essential component for me in my work settings. It is purposeful work that is spiritually driven and no photo could ever keep up with all the incredible interactions and sessions over the years. Sometimes I wish I had my own personal book for myself to remember them all, but it stays in the memory storage of my heart.
What is labeled as "work" is quite different for me as the travel interaction is not "work." Spending time getting to know locals and hear their stories gives me satisfaction and happiness. The photos I have posted are from local people that I may see consistently, share tea, play a game, spend time with their family, language exchange, an inspirational chat etc. Those I connect with discussing their work, family, passions, goals, and aspirations. It's important to realize that a photo means much more to a local than it does for us. Often they will request the photo and may even have their own phone. For them, a photo is acknowledgement and they feel thankful that you want a picture with them. It's special and memorable that moment. When you spend time with them (not one minute buying a t-shirt)-authentic time and then you share a photo....they feel special.
It is a choice for me to interact with the culture more than tourists.
It’s a choice to learn about a culture through a tour with one foreign guide or visiting with a nice group of locals who invited you.
It's a choice to spend time speaking with security guard about his life and culture rather than having eyes glued to the Lonely Planet book.
It's a choice to spend some time speaking with reception speaking a few words of English rather than shopping for things you won't even use.
The owner of a vacation is your own self. Travel has its fair share of choices and a true psychology base that is at the core. The choice is yours.. And a person is free to choose.
Why not make friends based off the kindness of heart rather than an assigned dangerous label? We have a tendency to get caught in a label or stereotype of what a culture can be. It ends up being eighty percent not true as the majority of people are approachable and excited to speak with you. These people are human and they are craving your attention and acknowledgement- laugh, listen, share, learn or ask their advice. Often they can enhance your trip up a notch with that authentic experience. These people are not boyfriends or random people to "say cheese"-they are beautiful, humble, kind, generous, funny, talented, artistic, intelligent people.
Therefore, I choose to make a moment with my photo. In my 20s, people all know about my life posted on Facebook. It was Priscilla in front of the museum, in front of the fountain, walking down the street-incredible life moments, but excessive and unnecessary. The obsessed nature photos may continue on, but the awareness of photo has reduced quantity of "fun" Priscilla and a closer look on the connections being built country to country life to life heart to heart and spirit to spirit. I want to photograph the man teaching me how to work in the rice field, the lady selling coconuts, the family you stayed with at a home stay, the lady from the market who taught you about knitting. These people matter and one conversation can make a difference.
BELIEVE IN YOUR PHOTO MOMENT
