The Story So Far ...

We said farewell to our work friends at the RSPCA and BBC on 14 September, farewell to our families on 3 October, and set off for Africa to save cheetahs, decorate school buildings, and look around a bit. After a trip home for Christmas, we headed for South East Asia on 6 January -- where we were stunned by Qatar and Cambodia, taught novice monks in Laos, and acted as security guards at an Elephant Festival. It was back home for four weeks to look after John's dad, before we tangoed our way through five South American countries in fifteen days. We then snooped our way through New Zealand, dipped our toes into Fiji, drove-thru California and were home from home with family in Vancouver.

Now, we are home itself. Fulfilled, happy, and ready to earn the respect of our friends and family by knuckling down and earning some money once again ...

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

A Photo Shoot at the Falls

We rounded a corner just as the sun came out, and there they were before us.  Beautiful women beaming at the camera, Latin men looking Latin as they clutched their girlfriends before the lens, children held close for the family photoshoot.  Yes, we´d arrived at the Iguazu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders on this earth, and half the people there were looking in the opposite direction.

I´ve banged on about this to Henry for longer than the Falls have been falling, but please bear with me while I bang on a bit more.  Digital photography is destroying delight in the moment.   One picture won´t do any more.  There need to be dozens, just in case.  "Over here, the light´s better; no, she´s in the way; would you mind taking a snap of us both, thank you so much ... ooh, we´re a bit small in frame, could you possibly do another ..."   One Korean woman asked me to take her photo, and then instructed me to retake it twice.

I don´t know why it bothers me so.  I have no right to complain.  I have the luxury of a talented photographer partner, which leaves me smug and free to absorb the present without a moment of worry that it will soon be the past.  But the past it soon will be, and no on-line photo album will transport you back to that rainbow spray sparkling on your cheek.   Soak it up now, I say, and gaze upon the indigo while you can.  You´ll probably find it´s out of focus when you download it later.

We did it too

John (with apologies to Henry)

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