My Bolivia: photos

La Paz, from the airplane; my first view of the mystical world in which I live. My heart was racing when I took this photo, and still does sometimes when I look at it. I wanted to capture the moment -- the anticipation and delight and fear -- forever.



To me this represents quintessential Bolivia, a mixture of tradition and a steady influx of modernity. We went back and forth all night from a traditional live band who played music for the cueca, a dance, and during the breaks loud Argentine cumbia music blared from the speakers like in an urban club. The woman pictured was my host grandmother in Cochabamba, Dona Magdalena.



I can't take a bad picture between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz; the landscape is so beautiful and the people are so diverse. This was taken in the high-altitude region of the Chapare where a cold wind kept people dressed warmly but the bright sun lured them out to picnic.



I lived in Barrio Kami San Jose, outside of Cochabamba, for three months. This is the only picture I have shown despite the many I have. The reason is that I am committed to showing you the beauty and energy and hope here, not the poverty.



This is me, my job and my life.