A young Uyghur man poses for the camera after afternoon chai in Kashgar.
One of the younger fans, and future player, at a Buzkashi match in Kyrgyzstan, near the Irkeshtam Pass/China border.
Three generations of Uyghur women, and a girl, are preparing the daily meal of Kawa Manta in a traditional city home in East Turkestan. Kawa Manta is a large steamed dumpling made with pumpkin.
Preparing to meet my morning company, Taiwan 2011
Traveling solo for a couple of years, this is one common moment I faced when I did find a cheap place to stay for the night. Sometimes, even my reflection felt foreign to me.
Kyrgyz children watching morning cartoons while the young girl prepares naan and chai for guests. April 2 2012
Because of recent events, I will be posting all things Kyrgyzstan. So much beauty and love in one of the most beautiful Central Asian countries.
I, along with two other cyclists, were rescued from a deadly blizzard by this family. We were warmed, housed, and fed by such a wonderful group of Kyrgyz.
Two Uzbek sisters spend the hot afternoon embroidering. Uzbekistan, Summer 2012
I overheard tourists in Bukhara and Samarkand that were going crazy for buying these cloths. They would explain their bargaining skills with the women at the bazaars and would pay between $15-$35 USD for the size of one on the left. These young ladies told me it takes approximately three months to complete one. Maybe foreigners should think why their souvenirs are so cheap…
Young Uyghur men install counterfeited software and exchange bootleg movies after a day of working in the orchards. September 2012, East Turkestan
Many would be surprised how aware of technology and pop culture the people of East Turkestan (the far Western reaches of China) are. Many covet the latest iPhone and can talk about Hollywood blockbusters of the last decade. Also, quite aware of local fashion trends; where the men dress more hip and Western than the Han Chinese majority.
Because of limited news resources, many use websites like the BBC to follow modern news and politics. The Uyghurs in cities that have followed through with high school education are free thinkers, inquisitive, and very well aware of what’s happening in their own country and elsewhere. Even in the countryside, there is intelligence and a curiosity. They know what is going on politically and religiously…perhaps no computers or iPhones, but there are rumors of underground newspapers circulating and secret meetings among men.
Boys take time out from unloading cabbage for an impromptu game of “basketball”. Zamyn Udd, Mongolia July 2010
Zamyn Udd is a Mongolia border town to China. The vehicles are loaded in Erlianhaote and then shuttled across the border, supplies ranging from produce, milk, to toilet paper. The Gobi is vast desolate desert but China has had some progress preventing desertification within their borders, including the Taklamakan. Crossing from China, where they have planted trees and initiated an irrigation system, into Mongolia you see the quality of life drop drastically.
Most of these supplies are then loaded onto the train and transported en route to Ulaanbator. Train cars are over loaded and you are often required to rest against other passengers cargo of supplies and produce.
Kyrgyz boys take a break from watching a Buzkashi match. Buzkashi is not an event where you will find women or girls, so the eldest boys are left in charge of the younger ones. Not only is the sport exhausting for the players, but also for the onlookers.
Sary-Tash, Kyrgyzstan, August 2012
Birmingham, 1923.
Photograph by Maggie Steber
Opening this evening at Leica Gallery in New York: Presence and Absence, an exhibition that combines the works Rite...
After the catastrophic blast yesterday, this Czech bakery in West, Texas stayed open all night, serving hot kolaches to injured victims.
Hi, my name is Bill and I’m sitting on a stool with this guitar.
SO CUTE!
Uighur farmers having lunch at the bazaar in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
At the Kashgar livestock bazaar, far western China