Celebrating Cultural Differences

One of the great benefits of travel both abroad and nearer to home is the opportunity to experience different cultures.  Numerous circumstances provide for these encounters such as a visit to a school or home, a cultural performance or assembly, an encounter on the street or at a market.  Elsewhere in this blog (Travel: Asante) are photographs of a few very special people encountered during my travels, individuals I was fortunate enough to spend some lengthy time with.  This section focuses on more limited encounters but still attempts to capture the simple joy of experiencing new people.  (Note: Whenever possible I ask permission to photograph individuals.  Sometimes when individuals participate in cultural events, I receive permission to photograph from event organizers.  If for any reason an individual wishes that his or her photograph not be included in this blog please c0ntact me (Contact link) and it will be removed.)

Nez Percé ceremony near Nez Perce Creek – Yellowstone National Park

Nez Percé ceremony near Nez Perce Creek – Yellowstone National Park

Nez Percé ceremony near Nez Perce Creek – Yellowstone National Park

Kikuyu cultural performance, The Outspan Hotel – Nyeri, Kenya

Kikuyu cultural performer, The Outspan Hotel – Nyeri, Kenya

Kikuyu cultural performer, The Outspan Hotel – Nyeri, Kenya

Maasai cultural performers – rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Maasai cultural performance – rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Maasai cultural performers – rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Young woman – restaurant near Otavalo, Ecuador

Street market merchant – Otavalo, Ecuador

Street market merchant – Otavalo, Ecuador

Classroom, Mburu Gichua School – Nakuru, Kenya

Students at Mburu Gichua School – Nakuru, Kenya

Students at Mburu Gichua School – Nakuru, Kenya

Director, Tomás de Berlanga school – Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Students at Tomás de Berlanga school – Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Students at Tomás de Berlanga school – Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Hadza (Bushmen) hunting – near Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

Hadza preparing for a hunt – near Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

Hadza boy displaying his kill – near Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

Maasai village near Klein’s Camp – Kuka Hills Serengeti, Tanzania

Young boys, Maasai village near Klein’s Camp – Kuka Hills Serengeti, Tanzania

Children with Bacari, Maasai village near Klein’s Camp – Kuka Hills Serengeti, Tanzania

Njemp fisherman – Lake Baringo, Kenya

Njemp fisherman – Lake Baringo, Kenya

Njemp fisherman – Lake Baringo, Kenya

Workers, tea shamba – Aberdare region, Kenya

Worker, coffee plantation – Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Children, Maasai village near Klein’s Camp – Kuka Hills Serengeti, Tanzania

School children – Aberdare region, Kenya

Children – Aberdare region, Kenya