Last Class of the Year

Teaching my last class of the year. Thank you to all the students; you have enriched my life tremendously.

Star Startsevo

Thank you for these photos Villi! This is the village where I live, probably 50 years ago. I have been given the best gifts over the past two years. See the sash-type of thing that the guys have wrapped around their waists? I have one. This is where you put your money and your gun. Men wear these and women wear something more like an apron. I was given a beautiful apron for my future wife. Thank you Villi and Sevo.

Bel4o

This is my friend's dog, Bel4o. He got hit by a car but the surgery was a success. I'm telling my friend's son that I want to hear some Serbian music.

Taking a Break

I figured out something good and that is to do what you're doing as fully as you can. Remember Bernie Mac talking about the guy who brings his cheese sandwich to work, eats quickly, and then is back on work and then about the guy who takes a proper break? Here's me taking a proper break. I was out until 6 AM, slept for 2.5 hours, then hit the Turkish bath house, got a shave and shot photos. I'm never eating a cheese sandwich.

PROM

Prom, that time of year. They do it big out here. "I'm an old man going to fetch my paper at 7:00 and kids are on the streets, ain't slept yet." -Scottish

Dogs in Sofia

They don't have 'The Price is Right,' in Bulgaria. Sorry Brian Harty.

On the Sea

Inside is fresh fish and eggplant, salad and raki. Outside is fire if you wish to smoke.

Flags

Turkish flags are all over Turkey. I shot this photo from the front seat of a taxi.

Fishing on the Bosphorus

Fashion by Trech

Been listening to so much Jadakiss, that new KRS/Freddie Foxx record and I'm waiting on Pete Rock/Smif-N-Wessun but somehow I've been channeling Treach. When I travel, I bring very little and on this trip to Istanbul I figured that a handkerchief could take the place of a scarf, hat, Ace bandage if necessary, eye patch, whatever. It's good to travel with next to nothing and a few maybes. Next time I'm bringing a chain and a padlock.

Istanbul 7 - Fallen Team

What a rad team. I was walking near the Blue Mosque and saw someone carrying a skateboard. Then I noticed that a bunch of guys had skateboards. Then I recognized one of them, Jack Curtin. We went to the same school for a couple of years. Nice to see a familiar face. Everyone was really gracious and I walked away impressed with how they all carried themselves.

Istanbul 6

The stained glass was in the ceiling of a Turkish Bath House.

Istanbul 5

Older folks doing what they do.

Istanbul 4

Nice tulips all over the place.

Istanbul 3

I don't grow a thick beard but I didn't shave for 10 days and I went in for a straight razor shave. It felt nice. Thanks.

Istanbul 2

A little bright. The woman who developed my photos gave me a lecture. She was disappointed that I didn't get darker images. But here is Istanbul, kids marching, little girls being friends and a bird watching over her home.

ISTANBUL

Here's the first image I give from my time in Istanbul. I have a manual camera and it still takes me a while to focus so only eyes that want to be seen are captured.

Chris Visiting Bulgaria

Big sacrifices but my big brother Chris made it. The photos don't tell much about our time together. We did it all. Most importantly, we had time to be with one another and enjoy that. We ran; we hiked; we rode around.

Blonde Hair

Nice look. Had my camera out at 7 in the morning. Bus stop between Ascenovgrad and Chepelare.

Marina Comes to Visit

My friend Marina recently came to visit. She stayed for a little less than a week but her impact in the village was huge. Marina is Bulgarian. With language not being a problem and an earth-warming smile for everyone, she quickly befriended many. We went on walks and visited folks at their homes and their work places. I pack too much into every day and I write it all in my journal so I can't bring myself to write it again on the computer. Yesterday though, one little girl from 6th grade asked me whether I could email Marina and thank her for bringing her smile to her village. Of course, I can do that.

photos: listening to jokes, the only woman allowed in the men's between classes spot, relaxing with tea and TROUBLE

More Jimmy

Jimmy caught the tail of this Bulgarian winter. Turning lemon into lemonade, eating snow.

Jimmy 25 Years Later

I think we met one another 25 years ago. Jimmy. He came through to see where I live and what I'm up to. Wish he could have stayed longer. We were just getting warmed up. Photos with Velin, Kong from China, and Mimi.