Everywhere: and a tale of photography and before they pass away

Oh...the thought of plants and animals going extinct....living in endangered areas, their numbers dwindling, the poachers encroaching. .....

But oh!  The thought of peoples and cultures vanishing....their traditions fading, their populations diminishing, their lifestyles unsupported....until one day, they are no more.

Jimmy Nelson is chasing after vanishing tribes, trying to capture their images on film with his large plate field camera. ...

It may soon be too late for us to see them ourselves.....

But at least we can know their beauty in the pages of his book, Before They Pass Away....

If you are in New York, see Jimmy Nelson's important work at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, starting today until April 18.

Moroccan fashion editorial: a tale of Vogue Korea

I've been traveling solo.  I've been listening, I've been learning, I've been lonely.

What about you? Do you ever travel solo?  What do you think?

Images shot in Morocco by Gun-Ho Lee For Vogue Korea. June 2013.  ‘The Middle East Story

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: and a tale of voyaging

My father lived in Cambodia, in Phnom Penh for years.  He lived in an old Khmer house with potted orchids hanging from all the eaves.  His furniture was dark oiled wood, his bedspreads were silk in inky colors.  It was all very dramatic.

I visited him in Cambodia, once and then twice.  I was living in Kathmandu at the time and Phnom Penh seemed chaotic and dangerous in comparison.  People would whisper about having to run checkpoints late night.  There were robberies with complicit guards tied up up in pretend manner. My father once saw a man shot in some brawl over a prostitute.  We would listen to the tales of intrigue and betrayal over drinks at the Foreign Correspondents Club where we'd mingle with the regulars.  

It was an unusual life, but one suited some how for my father -- a man who was exceedingly mild mannered but yet terribly adventurous at the same time.  

I'm back now in Phnom Penh.  And I'm alone.  At first glance, the city seems to have changed, to have gentrified - the bars less gritty, the streets cleaner.  

But perhaps that's just the surface.  Let's see what I'll find.

Images from Gypsyskyphotography and Bwiti

Marrakech Morocco: and a tale of my stint on CNN Go

Dear Friends,

In exciting news I am on CNN Go's travel show this month, which airs TODAY on CNN (and will repeat over the course of the month).  It was so fun being part of the crazy cast of characters who love the Red City of Marrakech and want to share it with you.  

Take a peek at the promo (those are my henna'd hands and that's me in the hot air balloon!:-)): 

Let me know if you catch the episode.  It's airing on CNN International.

Many many thanks to adorable CNN Producer Gisella Deputato for including me!

    xo

    Maryam in Marrakech