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The next stop was Coimbra and a few other towns heading North. Lovely, but the usual travel stuff. First, had to find a budget place to stay, then look for some food, then look up in the guide book or maybe ask around on the street what unique things Coimbra is known for, then wander around aimlessly. Finally, I’d dare adventure fate to take the reins. The usual.

Might’ve called it too quick, but after a good hike around the town, checking out the University campus, and a couple of the parks… it basically just felt like any other cozy college town. Small bars and coffee shops, pretty landscape, and mostly quiet. Figured it might take more time to find any potential adventure than I’d afforded to this one location. I’d only stopped in Coimbra sort of randomly on the way North anyway. Not even sort of randomly. Literally at random. I met another traveler who said he liked to jump on a bus going anywhere, then get off at one of the stops randomly. Sounded cool and so I tried it out with Coimbra. 

Definitely, a lovely place to go to school and live, but wasn’t quite giving me that adventurous edge I was hoping for. Pleasant, but decided to cut bait and keep on moving North toward Porto.

When I made it to Porto, near the border with Spain and the Northernmost port city in Portugal... named after and known for its delicious port wine, I felt the travel magic start to kick in much stronger.

I’m not even entirely sure of the moment the travel vibe shifted from rote to full-on mystique. Might’ve got a hint of it in the ancient Porto train station as I gazed at the giant clock’s antique second hand begin to move in what I began to perceive in slow motion. Or, it could be when I took the train for the day, passing through the vineyards in the rainy emerald green countryside. I looked out the back window of the last train car, through the raindrops collecting on the glass... the vineyard-lined tracks appeared to fall away faster than the train was actually moving. 

It’s bizarre how the perception of time can so drastically change in psychedelic ways when you’re traveling. It speeds up and slows down in ways that can sometimes induce mild vertigo. That’s when you know it’s about to get good.

The moment in Porto that was likely the strongest trigger happened later that day and is also the most vivid. 

The port of Porto is fed by the sea and into the Douro river. The sides of the Douro are lined with tug boats, colorful architecture, and lovely silver bridges. You can wander all day along both sides and will perpetually be presented with the most amazing views across the Douro from just about any point of view.

Near the mouth of the Douro are dozens of places where you can taste fine port wine from various vintners for only a few euro. This is what I’d spend the afternoon doing after the train returned from the vineyards. The sun was now out and the sky defined the words Royal Blue. Contrasted with the colorful tug boats and architecture… it was simply sublime.

Tried to keep my wits about me and pace myself with regard to the wine tasting. The port wine was so incredibly divine that this conservative task of pacing myself was hopelessly futile. Before I knew it, I was so intoxicated that walking and remaining upright had become a bit of a challenge. 

Luckily, while I could still mostly function I realized the beautiful warm light falling all over the uniquely curved and stacked architecture. I knew this would be my last chance to get some final photos before moving on into Spain in the morning so it was time to voluntarily cut myself off from the sweet port nectar. 

Meandered and wobbled my way into the shadowy passageways decorated with flourishes of laundry hung to dry with pigeons swirling about. I could mostly still function well enough to compose a few quick images. I hadn’t counted on the buildings blocking the majority of the best golden light rays streaming across the city. Most of the corridors had already fallen into the darkest shade. 

I panicked that because I’d once again been too lazy and not bothered taking the needed time to capture this special place. Started darting quickly from passageway to passageway, desperate for any bit of leftover light I could find. Moving like an early evening moth drawn to the last diminishing pockets of sunset light. There! I spotted a final sliver of amber rays shooting down a long dark tunnel. I quickly made my way toward the end and when I popped out the other side, I was instantly blinded by last rays of sun burning directly into my retinas. 

Tried to shield my eyes but couldn’t see anything at all until several seconds later when they finally acclimated. Reached into my pocket for a cigarette and lit it to kill time. At this point, I was reserved to the fact I’d have to give up. I’d lazily let the day slip away and wasn’t going to get anything decent after the sunset. And, I didn’t have the time or funds to stay on another day. Besides, had I stayed another day, I’d have likely tried to do the exact same port wine tour I’d just done and would make the same mistake again. I know myself too well. 

Inhaled the cigarette and exhaled slowly, watching the last of the rays dance in the swirling smoke. There was a sound that I couldn’t quite make out. Sounded like small seeds or small pebbles being shaken onto a big tin plate. I looked to my right. My eyes had finally adjusted and noticed that the last shaft of sunset light was illuminating an old Portuguese woman standing on her balcony tossing refuse down below. It was as if she was in a theater with the main spotlight illuminating her. The sound  I heard was whatever she was tossing from her balcony, landing on a large tin roof below. There were about a dozen cats scrambling across the tin roof for the discarded treats. I could also now hear the cats meowing and scrambling for the best bits. A large, lone seagull watched the cats from above as sentry and I noticed the shaft of light diminishing rapidly as it moved past the opening between the buildings. 

Didn’t even have time to check my camera settings or consciously frame the image. Still partially blinded, I raised my camera up quickly, turned it vertically to my right side and blindly snapped one image. Then, just like that, the magnificent light was gone and the old woman went back inside her home. The cats scattered away and the seagull flew off.

Frantically checked to see if I got the lucky shot. I had. This was the precise moment the pure travel magic truly kicked in.—Skip Hunt

(from Absinthe Carousel - A Novela by Skip Hunt - Available as ebook on Apple Books + In Print and on Kindle at Amazon + As a PDF Download from skiphuntphoto.com

~~~

I don’t get to order that many prints for myself unless I’m getting something as a gift or a new photo for my portfolio.

Every time I order a new print for myself, or anyone else for that matter… from the second I submit the order I get a tingle on the back of my neck anticipating opening it up. And, no matter how fast the printer can get it completed and delivered, it’s never fast enough. That feeling when you see it for the first time after you’ve carefully removed it from the shipping container is magnificent. It is for me at least.

I’ve decided to try something a little different than what I’ve done in the past. I’m going to have a little flash sale. It’s my very first one so I’m going to keep it simple. It’s just one image, one size, and luster paper finish. The shipping is included if it’s delivered in the U.S. (for international orders, message me and I’ll see what I can do)

This one will be discounted significantly from my normal pricing and you’ll be ordering it directly from me. I’ll fill the order and have it shipped to whichever address you provide on the form. Since I haven’t done this before, and because it is a “flash sale�, it’s only going to be available for a few days.

Click to See Special Limited "Cat Feed" Flash Sale!

I’d been in Bolivia for a couple of weeks and it was every bit as grand as I’d dreamed. Admittedly, I was very nervous about how I’d handle the high altitude there. Much of what I read about what happens to some people at high altitude was sketchy and inconsistent. Some of it was downright terrifying. I mean, your brain swelling inside your skull and shutting down vital organs and such. Scary.

At the same time I knew that Bolivia was a popular country to visit and that if the altitude reactions were really all that dangerous I likely would’ve heard more about it.

I had seen an English doctor on a previous trip, turn white as a ghost and go down hard at Machu Picchu in Peru, so I knew high altitude was definitely something you have to watch out for. Most of what I read said that if you have certain symptoms that you must get yourself down to lower altitude immediately. What are you supposed to do if your brain is swelling, you’re traveling alone and have just stepped off the plane in La Paz, Bolivia at 12,500 feet above sea level… how are you supposed to get yourself down to lower altitude while your brain is swelling and being crushed inside your skull? Seems like under those conditions you might not exactly have your wits about you.

I read all I could, took all the recommended precautions and hoped for the best.

As soon as the plane landed there were several people on the plane having severe problems. Many were throwing up all over the place and there were Bolivian airline employees rushing onto the plane with small oxygen tanks. I was seated toward the front of the plane so I was able to make my way off the plane after the emergency staff had passed.

I stood up and put one foot in front of the other… fully expecting that I’d likely be going down too. Evidently I’m one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have a problem with altitude. I kept waiting to feel faint or sick, but all I got was a mild headache that lasted a couple of days. I didn’t even have to take any of the altitude pills that you can easily find anywhere in La Paz.

After about 5 days of acclimating myself, I even went up even higher to over 18,000 feet with a small group. Young and fit climbers were having trouble at that altitude, but I was still going strong. A little slower perhaps and breathing hard, but mostly unfazed.

One of the main destinations I wanted to see was the Salar de Uyuni area. It’s a vast area of salt plains that stretch into infinity as far as you can see. This area is also high altitude and called the Altiplano.

I took a couple of busses and then a train to a small town almost all the way to the Argentine border. I’d read that if you do the Salar de Uyuni tour from the opposite direction, you end up getting a whole extra day of exploring. And, because most people start from Uyuni and going the opposite direction, you end up not seeing as many of the other tours.

This turned out to be an excellent choice. There were two vehicles in my group. A driver for each and one cook for the group. Eight backpacker tourists (including myself) and that was it. For four days we hardly saw anyone else. Just llamas, alpacas, all sorts of exotic altiplano animals, massive flocks of flamingos, and poisonous lakes of arsenic.

There were some incredibly active thermal geysers you could walk right up to the edge of. Though, it turns out they’re very dangerous as well. At one point I was standing at the edge of one and the crust broke off. I got my balance quickly, but the driver told me that it’s extremely risky getting that close and that people often burn to death from falling into one. He told me that’s what the little white ropes were for, to keep you from getting too close. Good to know! Might’ve mentioned that to me before I pranced right up to the edge of one!

There was an abandoned train graveyard that was surreal. And all throughout the region the landscapes were like no other I’ve ever seen on this planet.

It’s hard to pinpoint a highlight of this tour, because if that complete four days was all I got out of this trip and I had to head home early, I’d have been satisfied with just that tour. That four days was everything I imagined Bolivia to be and then some.

One of my favorite moments during that tour was going to this strange island in the middle of the infinite salt flats. It looks like a small island covered in boulders and cactus surrounded by an endless plateau of white salt flats for as far as the eye can see. Incidentally, underneath all that salt is supposed to be one of the largest deposits of lithium in the world.

When our transport vehicles arrived about a half hour or so before dawn, our little backpacker caravan sleepily made our way up craggy paths with our flashlights. Pitch black and we were all looking for the one spot to get that one unique photo no one else has ever managed. Truth is, there’s likely been millions of images made from this little island over the years and not likely there are any truly unique angles left. We all still tried though.

I thought I’d found a nice spot, but then noticed there was someone else who moved right in front of me. I moved to another spot and the same thing happened. By that time dozens of transport vehicles had arrived at the island and the lookout spots were starting to get crowded.

Frustrated, I moved as far away from the rest of the group as I could. Everyone else tried to get as high up on the island as they possible, so I decided to move a bit lower down the slope instead.

It was hard to figure out where a good spot would be because it was so dark and hard to tell what the scene might look like as soon as the sun began to rise. As the dawn light started to increase, someone else moved in front of me. Again I scrambled over some cacti and boulders to find a good last minute spot.

The air was crisp and the sky was clear. You could finally see where the sun would rise and I could start to make out the lines of cracks creating a patchwork pattern over the sea salt plains surrounding us.

I grabbed a few shots but it was still a little too dark. Then I heard some rustling around me and just in front of me. Not again! Another backpacker blocking my view? No! It was a pack of dogs. They didn’t seem like they were domesticated pets, but they also didn’t growl or appear to be aggressive at all. The light was coming up fast now and there was no time left to move again.

This one dog positioned himself right in front of me and just sat there. I tried to get him to leave but he just sat motionless. Finally, I just gave up and took a few images of the dog silhouette next to a cactus. I was hoping the sound of my camera shutter would scare him off and out of my view. He didn’t budge and stayed put long enough for me to take a few shots. Then he sort of gave me one of those doggy smiles before he headed off with the rest of the pack. The sun now had that golden color and I was able to get a few more landscapes of the incredible vista before it became too bright.

Later, when everyone shared their photos—I noticed most of them looked pretty much the same. My landscapes looked similar to the other photos I saw as well.

Until I got to the throw-away shots I’d made of that dog who insisted on posing right in front of me right at the break of dawn. I then realized that I’d actually succeeded and got one of the most unique shots of that location I’d seen, unlike anyone else. The way that dog became perfectly still in the brisk Altiplano morning air and waited patiently to welcome the rising sun, mirrors exactly how I felt standing there waiting for the same.

Thank you amigo.

—Skip Hunt

~~~

I don’t get to order that many prints for myself unless I’m getting something as a gift or a new photo for my portfolio.

Every time I order a new print for myself, or anyone else for that matter… from the second I submit the order I get a tingle on the back of my neck anticipating opening it up. And, no matter how fast the printer can get it completed and delivered, it’s never fast enough. That feeling when you see it for the first time after you’ve carefully removed it from the shipping container is magnificent. It is for me at least.

I’ve decided to try something a little different than what I’ve done in the past. I’m going to have a little flash sale. It’s my very first one so I’m going to keep it simple. It’s just one image, one size, and luster paper finish. The shipping is included if it’s delivered in the U.S. (for international orders, message me and I’ll see what I can do)

This one will be discounted significantly from my normal pricing and you’ll be ordering it directly from me. I’ll fill the order and have it shipped to whichever address you provide on the form. Since I haven’t done this before, and because it is a “flash sale�, it’s only going to be available for a few days.

Click to See Special Limited "Amigo" Flash Sale!

The print version has just been released of the novella book "Absinthe Carousel" by Skip Hunt on Amazon!

To keep the printing cost down, the interior is printed in black and white. The Kindle and Apple Book versions are 100% color.
Also, with a purchase of the printed version, you can get the Kindle version for half price.

"An incredible true story. It was to be a three-country, backpacking adventure of making a giant circle from Portugal, Spain... up into the South of France, back through Spain, and back over to Lisbon. The author set out to make the best of a shoestring budget, get a few nice photos and hopefully a decent story to tell.

What ensued was a nearly unbelievable journey immersed in the rich culture of the region, emotive prose that makes you feel like you're traveling along too, and images that take the reader into mysterious dark corners, ethereal rendezvous, Scottish wizards, an unwitting encounter with dark revolutionaries, and so much more.

Punch your ticket and come along for a once in a lifetime, spectacular adventure!"

A quick fun read at 105 pages. :)

Here's a brand new and fresh interview that was done recently with Exhibitions Without Walls.

I hope you enjoy! :)

https://exhibitionswithoutwalls.com/2019/05/27/photography-vs-creative-photography/

Just released my first novella book "Absinthe Carousel" for Kindle on Amazon! (print version coming soon)

"An incredible true story. It was to be a three-country, backpacking adventure of making a giant circle from Portugal, Spain... up into the South of France, back through Spain, and back over to Lisbon. The author set out to make the best of a shoestring budget, get a few nice photos and hopefully a decent story to tell.

What ensued was a nearly unbelievable journey immersed in the rich culture of the region, emotive prose that makes you feel like you're traveling along too, and images that take the reader into mysterious dark corners, ethereal rendezvous, Scottish wizards, an unwitting encounter with dark revolutionaries, and so much more.

Punch your ticket and come along for a once in a lifetime, spectacular adventure!"

A quick fun read at 105 pages. :)

One of the founders of a new digital art platform called makersplace contacted me about their new site and invited me to take it for a spin.

What's interesting about makersplace is that it's blockchain based and it's more focussed on the collection of digital art rather than material work.

The artist has to do a LOT of identification verification before their work is authenticated as their own. I think there were more hoops to jump through than setting up a business account at a bank!

I'm brand new to the platform, so I can't quite comment on how the selling part works out. What I can comment on though, is that the way the developers have set this up, it makes perfect sense. Several have tried to do similar type of platforms and I've tried a few. This one looks like they are definitely on the right track. I like Sedition's approach too, but success on their platform appears to require that you already have a large following who'll buy anything you put out there. It doesn't seem like a great place to build new fans.

Makersplace looks to be more democratic so far, but there's also a curatorial element I haven't figured out yet.

I believe at least one of the developers of this platform were on the original Pinterest team as a programmer or founder.

In any case, it's worth checking out!

Skip Hunt on Makersplace

Messing with sound and motion imaging, etc. Trying to get back to my original love of artistic expression, and NOT concern myself with banal selling/marketing of shower curtains, coffee mugs, duvets, or "battery chargers"

All images, and sound compositions by me. For no other reason than "art". :)

Composed the audio pieces and made all of these videos to go with them in the last month or so...

On the Road Again... In Search of Magic Mexican Mojo :)

MOJO: The time I sent out a newsletter I was about to head off to Bolivia and Peru. That trip ended up being over 2 months long and was incredible. I definitely have to go back. I'd been to Peru before but discovered even more ground to explore there too. But before I do, I've been feeling a need to recapture some of that first magical Mexican mojo I soaked up on my first travel adventure out of the U.S. back in 1990. And, I purchased a budget one-way ticket to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico leaving this coming Monday.

I don't plan on being there very long. It's just the airline ticket was actually less expensive than a bus ride going down that far and it saves me a good 20hrs of travel, give or take. From there, I don't know. Likely a little further South, the hook over toward Mexico City. Not sure though. Will be making it up as I go. The goal once again is to keep it all pretty open to the Universe and hope the Great Spirit shows me the way.


There are a few postings from the Bolivia + Peru trip on my blog HERE and there are also a few images from that trip available HERE

PATREON: Launched on Patreon!😎 patreon.com/skiphunt - The way this works is that folks who want to support my work, can become a patron by pledging monthly. You can change the amount to whatever you can swing, down to even $1 a month. And, you can either change the amount monthly or you can cancel at any time.

I'll be adding more incentives as I go along, but I decided to start off with a low suggested monthly (that you can change), and a second level that has the Vicarious Travel Postcard component for $30. If you just want to get in on the Vicarious Travel Postcard, you can sign-up now, and then reduce or cancel the pledge after the first month. It's up to you. Just pick that option and include your mailing address.

I was hesitant about Patreon at first. Seemed too good to be true, but I've watched them grow and become quite respected worldwide over the last few years and am convinced it's now a great and viable platform for content creators and artists with folks who'd dig supporting them and becoming a patron. Please consider becoming a supporting patron of mine and join me for this next great chapter!

IMPORTANT: If you are signing up for this reward, you must scroll down on the pledge page to enter your mailing address BEFORE entering your credit card number. Otherwise, it won't go through. I need the mailing address so that I know where to send your postcards. :)

SEDITION ART: A couple weeks ago a friend, and now collector/patron of my work :) suggested I check out this new digital fine art service Sedition Art.

Still wrapping my head around the nuts and bolts, but basically the platform allows collectors to buy, sell, trade digitally certified limited edition works of art. It's all handled in sort of a secure server-based digital bank.

I've been following the site for a couple weeks and really love the work on display there. Decided I'd give it a shot and see how my work might do, and launched my first collection of 5 yesterday. There's a digital painting, video, and 3 photos. Eventually, I'll try out some more experimental glitchy loops and such. Already got my first collector! :)

In order to launch, I had to invite a few people for a "private viewing" before it goes "public". I picked a few out of my mailing list in order to launch it publicly today.

It's very cool and I'm thrilled to be a part of it! You can check out my first collection HERE

Interesting times we're living in. It'll be interesting to see how all this evolves. I'm still very green to this new way of collecting art, but figured it was time to get my feet wet. We'll see how it goes.

That's it for now. I'll be doing my usual posting from the road in Mexico when I have connectivity, but I'm going to try and keep the majority of it housed on my new Patreon site. If you've dug what I've done in the past, and want to support my continued efforts, please consider becoming a Patron! :)

I'll be doing some postings from the road on my Instagram Feed as well.

Looking forward to hopefully revisiting the peace sign of stones I completed a couple years ago out in the San Luis Potosi "Huiricuta" desert. My guess is that the goats have likely kicked it all the heck by now. LOL


Hasta Luego,

Skip Hunt
Austin, Texas

Bolivia + Peru

Only been back from motorcycle touring in the Southwest for almost a month now, but I'm heading off to Bolivia next! I'll be flying into La Paz and mostly wandering around the country for about 6 weeks, give or take. I couldn't get a cheap return flight from Bolivia using my frequent flyer miles, but I could get a return from Lima, Peru.

I've been telling myself "maybe next year" on Bolivia for about 6 years now. It just never came together, or I couldn't afford it, etc. Still can't afford it, but I'm going anyway. You never know how much time you've got and I simply couldn't wait yet another year. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to get the flights this time either, but I realized there were places in the South of Peru that are on the way from La Paz, Bolivia to Lima, Peru that I didn't see when I was in Peru several years ago. I'll just save the last 10 days or so to make a slow crawl over the Bolivian border from La Paz to Lima, Peru with stops at Lake Titicaca, an amazing canyon of the condors, Isla del Sol, Nazca, and maybe this Oasis in the desert where you can also sand board.

The majority of the trip will be in Bolivia with my primary destination being the Salar de Uyuni. You have to do tours of this vast altiplano salt flat, as well as the laguna de colorado, flamingos, etc. I've got all kinds of possible routes, but I think I'm going to sort it out after I get there. My first hurdle will be getting acclimated to the high altitude. It's around 13k above sea level there so I'm hoping I can handle it. A little anxious since I don't think I've ever been that high up before.

You may be wondering how I'm able to afford all this travel. Well, I usually spend time doing graphic design gigs, video and photography shoots, selling my fine art, etc. Since I've only been home for less than a month, there hasn't been much time to recover. But, I'm going to dive off with the faith it'll all work out. We'll see how well that works out for me. ;)

I'm also going to try something different this time. In the past I've done various promotions related to my journey's in order to help off-set all the extra expense. This time I'm going to offer images from this trip for around 70% less than my normal list pricing. Only for some of the images I upload from the road, and the discount will ONLY last for the duration of the trip. As soon as I get home (fingers crossed) the pricing will go up and some of the best images will covert to limited editions only.

There's nothing there yet, but I've already set up a special print gallery called Bolivia + Peru to put the images that are available during the trip HERE

When I make a blog post, or upload some images, I'll occasionally pick the more exceptional ones, prepare them and upload them into this gallery with special pricing. If you see something I've uploaded during the trip that you're interested in, send me a note or comment to let me know which one you're digging. The special discounted pricing will apply to ALL of the products available, but again... ONLY the images from this trip and ONLY while the trip is in progress. Might be some great options for upcoming holiday gifts (hint-hint) :)

Here's an audio recording I made a couple days ago that sort of explains it a bit more:



There's obviously nothing there yet. Provided I can find decent internet access... that should soon change. Check back in this blog feed next week and for the next 7 weeks or so. You can also see posts from the road on my Instagram Feed as well.

Stay tuned!

~ Skip

Heading out soon. Likely sometime within the next 3 days. I'm leaving on my Honda nc700x motorcycle from Austin, Texas and have no clue where I'm going. Just wandering for about a month I think.

No plan or route. No specific destinations I'm trying to see. Just going.

I'll likely let the weather forecasts dictate my direction somewhat since I'd rather avoid camping in the rain and wiping 18-wheeler highway sludge off my face shield.

If I see a little town in the middle of nowhere that I've never heard of before, that doesn't have any tourist attraction, but my gut intuition is telling me I ought to stay for a day or two, then that's what I'll do.

To be honest, not having a plan at all feels very awkward and it causing me a little bit of anxiety. But, I'm also a little excited about it too.

- - -

I've also set up the Vicarious Travel Postcard thing I've done on a couple previous trips that folks seem to dig. It's mostly a way to force myself to edit the best moments down to an image and minimal text than can fit on a postcard. And, a way to create something that's essentially one-of-a-kind and limited edition. They're postcards created from my images on the trip, and text to go with them. The location and time they are sent from is printed on the card. Each one is unique in this way. I couldn't even reproduce them if I wanted to, because they get deleted off the service after 3 months. If I went all the way back to the exact same location to resend the postcard to the same address, it'd still be different because the postal date stamp won't be the same.

If this sounds cool to you and you'd like to be a part of it, I've set up this page with more info and a way to purchase it. After the cost of the cards and postage, I really don't make that much off them, but I love documenting this stuff and taking others along vicariously for the ride too. If I'm lucky, I'll have enough left over to pay for some of travel costs.

There's a "Deadline" of 7/8/2015 before I close it off for more Vicarious Travelers, but I'll likely leave it open until the first card goes out. Likely within a few days of departure I think.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO OR TO PARTICIPATE


I'll also add some text, images, etc. from the road on my main site blog HERE

Stay tuned!

Skip Hunt

Over the last few weeks, I've been deleting and moving much of my work off of some print-on-demand site galleries like fineartamerica.com & pixels.com (same as the former, just a different site wrapper), redbubble.com, saatchiart.com, etc.

Lots and lots of images still remain on those sites for the time being, but those images that I'm removing, as well as older images I want to catalog for reference, are being placed here on my main site.

I like to have a repository for myself so I have look up where an edited image was shot, what year, etc. They aren't all here yet. Many more to go yet, but this is a start to eventually having everything in one searchable location.

Most that have been removed from the aforementioned web site galleries, are all located in my new "Galeria" page.

For your pleasure, you can view them all HERE

I've been toying with changing the landing page for the main Skip Hunt Photo site. Have a look HERE and let me know what you think! :)

Over the last several years, most of my work has been available via print-on-demand, and on various products. Many of them still are, but I'm reserving some images as Limited Editions and Premium Open Edition. All signed. All inspected by me personally before they go out.

They're only available in the size I've determined for each image, and only on the media I feel best represents my work. For these first offerings, I've chosen a heavy, 308gsm archival water color paper made from 100% cotton. I may offer some others printed on metal, other fine art papers, and possibly acrylic.

I've started these out with a discount on the Premium Open Edition prints, but I've also generated a 20% discount code good for any order over $200.
The code is good until 06/23/15 07:01pm

ENTER THIS CODE ON CHECKOUT 8Z4XWU6 FOR A 20% DISCOUNT

I'm keeping the collection small, easy to browse, the ability to see the images large without any water-marking, and committed to only the best quality.

VISIT THE GENERAL STORE HERE

I've also got an audio book true story that I recorded and edited while in the desert of San Luis, Mexico. Read the product description for more details, but I promise you, it's an intense story. :)

More Limited Editions, Premium Open Editions, and Digital Products coming soon!

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1800+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Tavira Nets" and "Human" and "Pretzel Logic"

This #14 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 14: Tavira Human Logic" © 2015 Skip Hunt

"Tavira Nets" image was made in the fishing village of Tavira, Portugal in 2003. "Human" is an abstract texture in stone formations on the coast of South Africa at Coffee Bay. And "Pretzel Logic" was made recently this year at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY.

What caught my eye in this composition was the feminine human form in the stone, with what looks like it could be fishnet stockings just above it, juxtaposed with an orthodox Hacidic boy in front of a carnival poster of a pretzel. Everything seems to imply pleasure, but with a hint of the forbidden.

View larger
HERE

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1800+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Shesus" and "Spear of Destiny"

This #13 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 13: Shesus of Destiny" © 2015 Skip Hunt

The female face was of a girl I met in Panajachel, Guatemala about 20 years ago. The Jesus face was from a cemetery in Solola, Guatemala. I thought her face looked like how I imagined Gaia looked in my mind's eye. Combined the male and female godheads into one to mess around with gender perception.

The abstract wall texture on the right was made on the street in Cape Town, South Africa several years ago. I think I called it "Spear of Destiny" because the dripping cut at the bottom right reminded me of the paintings of Christ where he's been impaled by a Roman soldier.

View larger
HERE

Continuation #12 of the "By Chance" Series:

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Nanciyaga" and "Marfa Windmill 2" and "Zebra"



This #12 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 12: Nanciyaga Marfa Zebra"

© 2015 Skip Hunt

The colorful boats were at an eco lodge called Nanciyaga near Catemaco, Mexico. The windmill was just outside of Marfa, Texas. The zebras where imaged from a helicopter in Port Alfred, South Africa.

Continuation #11 of the "By Chance" Series:

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Smoke Stax" and "Robe" and "The Light Switch at the End of the Tunnel"



This #11 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 11: Robed Switch Stax"

© 2015 Skip Hunt

The robe is a close up of a Buddhist monk's robe hanging out to dry in Luang Prabang, Laos. The smoke stacks are at the old power plant in Austin, Texas. The light switch was in a budget Oaxaca Mexico hotel.

The images of the South African resort were complete and I was free to roam the country in a little pickup truck provided by the client. It was part of the arrangement in lieu of a little less financial compensation for the gig, but the extra adventure as as good as gold as far as I was concerned.

It’d been nearly a month at the high-end wildlife resort and I was itching to get out on the adventure portion of the trip. The client had been so good to me, but the white South African staff exposed so much blatant racism on a daily basis, that I was starting to feel sick to my stomach.

The gig was going so well that it was surely going to turn into several lucrative years and there was already talk of my next assignments. I tried to look away at how the black staff was treated, and just told myself “that’s just the way it is here… you’re getting paid and treated well… just keep your mouth shut and everything will be fine. Besides, Apartheid has only been finished a few years so it’ll likely just take some time before the social culture catches up.”

At least, that’s what I told myself… but the reality was that most of the VIP guests, owner, investors, etc. were wealthy “one-percenter” types from the Southern U.S. They were all hard-core conservative republican types who loved the Bush/Cheney regime and lower taxes. I can’t even bring myself to utter some of the things I heard coming out of their mouths while having too many drinks, but it wasn’t pretty. In short, the whole “it’s a different culture” argument didn’t really hold water.

What could I do? It was a dream job that was almost certainly going to lead to more sweet assignments. And yet, the dirty sickness persisted in my guts.

Mostly kept my mouth shut, but eventually I’d slip up after a little too much vino and start telling them what I really thought of their views. It seemed even more disgusting that they were also proudly wearing their Christianity on their sleeves. How could they gleefully rally behind their lackey politician dog’s of war, pocket public monies in the form of industrial war complex profits, send the children of the less fortunate off to fight and die to protect their financial interests, all while claiming to be devout Christians?

Maybe the money was just too good and they were just telling themselves lies to justify it? Much like I was?

It became painfully clear to me that I didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to keep up this charade. More and more I’d let my honest opinions slip out and it was clear I wasn’t “one of the boys”. At first it was just an honest opinion or two blurted out over drinks, and then while I was practicing driving on the other side of the road, I’d pick up the black staff who’re waiting on the roadside outside of the resort and take them to the townships (slums) where they lived. Often it’d take me 3 or 4 trips to get them all home for the evening.

I don’t know if I was being cocky about it, or just trying to do something to ease my own hypocrisy so that I could sleep at night.

When the the young, lilly-white, blond-haired concierge who was in charge of the staff got wind of what I was doing while allegedly practicing driving on the left side of the road, she got very angry with me. She screamed that it wasn’t acceptable and that the truck I’d been using would have to be disinfected and hosed down.

Eventually, I was free from the place and out on my own. I took every chance I could to pick up just about anyone who needed a lift on the side of the road without regard for their skin color.

After spending a few nights in a low-end backpacker hostel on the Northeast coast of South Africa around Coffee Bay, one of the staff girls asked me where I was off to next. I told her my trip was about over and I needed to return the truck to the resort before flying back to the U.S. She asked if I’d be passing through Port Elizabeth on the way. I told her I was.

“Please master, could I please ride along with you to visit my family?”

“As long as you don’t call me ‘master’ then off course! I’d love the company.”

I think her name was Sheila. She seemed a bit uncomfortable at first and surprised that I’d so easily agree to let her ride with me. She asked if it was normal for a black person to be riding with a white person in the United States. I told her is was certainly, but that it wasn’t always that way. And, that it would eventually be that way in South Africa too.

Rolling over the rolling hills that hugged the cliffs that hugged the jagged Coffee Bay, I noticed some boys all playing by the roadside and striking poses like cocky rap stars near some round huts near the roadside. I asked Sheila if she minded that I stop to make an image or two before we continued.

As I framed up the scene, I noticed a rooster insisting he not be left out of the frame.

Perfect. :)

Continuation #10 of the "By Chance" Series:

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.
Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Chicle" and "Joshua" and "Tickle Me" and "Ganesh Spoon"



This #10 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 10: Joshua Tickled Ganesh's Chicle"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The gumboil machine was in Solola, Guatemala. The Joshua tree was in Joshua Tree National Park, California. The cactus was in Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, Arizona. And, the crystal on a spoon was made in Austin, Texas.

Continuation #9 of the "By Chance" Series:

When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo."

Noticed this combination of my images "Veladoras" and "Sailor Takes Warning" and "Burn Out"



This #9 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 9: Sailor's Veladora Burnout"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The candles where from a Panajachel, Guatemala church The red sunrise was in Jacksonville, Florida. And, the burnout is from a Carlsbad, New Mexico motorcycle rally.

THE SILVER THREAD


25 years ago, Skip Hunt died in an mud Indian hut in the Oaxaca, Mexico mountains. This is his story.

The Silver Thread begins with a train heading South through Copper Canyon, traveling free with no destination as you're transported deep within Mexican interior and high up into the mountains of Oaxaca.

After a few strange twists of fate, the author finds himself collapsing in a thatch hut while participating in an ancient Mazatecan indian mushroom ceremony. As the indigenous hosts try to get his heart beating again, experience a most incredible and transcendent journey beyond. (Based on a true story)





FILE INFO:

Kind - MPEG-4 Audio
File Size - 40.6MB
Duration - 55:52

SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSED. PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS SUGGESTED.

© 2014 SKIP HUNT :: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

An Audio Book

Continuation #8 of the "By Chance" Series:

New rule for myself with regard to this new series. When happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

Noticed this combination of my images "Coven" and "Door of Perception" and "Yesteryear"



This #8 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 8: Door to Yesteryear Coven"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The mannequin torsos were in a Tlacotalpan, Mexico market. The painted door was an abandoned beach amphitheater in Daytona, Florida. And, the cracked glass abstract was at a closed down shop in Cape Town, South Africa.

Continuation #7 of the "By Chance" Series:

New rule for myself with regard to this new series. When listening to music, or just happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Instead, I'm making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

Noticed this combination of my images "Guat Pots" and "A Good Read" and "Shoe"



This #7 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 7: Potted Reading Shoe"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The ceramic pots were in a Guatemalan market. The fellow reading was on the Zocalo plaza in Mexico City. And, the shoe thingy was in an antique shop window of Wimberly, Texas

Continuation #6 of the "By Chance" Series:

New rule for myself with regard to this new series. When listening to music, or just happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference. Instead, I'm making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.
Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

Noticed this combination of my images "Ganga Dream" and "Heaven's Gate"



This #6 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 6: Ganga Heaven"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The meditating Hindu pilgrim was in Varanasi, India. The translucent fabric with sky showing through was made in Magnolia, Texas

New rule for myself with regard to this new series. When listening to music, or just happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference. Instead, I'm making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.

Continuation #5 of the "By Chance" Series:

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

Noticed this combination of my images "Primary 1" and Fragile"



This #5 offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 5: Primary Fragile"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The paint splatter was from the side of a dumpster in an alley here in Austin, Texas. The landscape is from Arches National Park, Utah

I've added a new rule for myself with regard to this new series. When listening to music, or just happening past the display by chance and catching a nice composition of images, I'm tempted to take a quick snap to reference.

Instead, I'm making it a rule that the composition has to be strong enough to stick in my memory long enough to recompose the images.
Continuation #4 of the "By Chance" Series:

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.
Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

This morning I noticed this combination of my images "Ghost" and "The Sound of Silence"



This offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 4: Ghost of Silence"

© 2014 Skip Hunt

The stone wall detail abstract was made in a partial cave at the Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. The flutist was inside a ruined cathedral in Antigua, Guatemala.

Continuation #3 of the "By Chance" Series:

AppleTV hooked up to main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from my 1750+ image Flickr account. The screensaver setting is "origami" and either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

This morning I noticed this combination of my images "Krishna" and "Belize View" and "Jedediah"



Third offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 3: Jedediah Krishna Belize"

The tree image I made in Austin, Texas. The Caribbean view was made in Caye Caulker, Belize. And, the landscape was made in Joshua Tree National Park, California.

Continuation of my new "By Chance" Series:

At home, I've got an AppleTV hooked up to our main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from the 1750+ images from my Flickr account. The screensaver setting is the "origami" one that either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them.

This morning I noticed this combination of my images "Defiance" and "Bicicleta Amarilla" and "Gila 520208"



So this second offering in the series is called, "By Chance Series 2: Defiance Gila Bicicleta"

The cone from an image I made in Lisbon, Portugal. The boy on the bicycle was made in Antigua, Guatemala. And, the abandoned gas station was made in Gila Bend, Arizona.

At home, I've got an AppleTV hooked up to our main display, and the screensaver is set to randomly pull images from the 1750+ images from my Flickr account. The screensaver setting is the "origami" one that either displays one image on the screen or it picks and assortment to arrange. Usually between 2 and 5 images at the most.

Every now and then, I'll look over and see images it chose to put together and go, "Oh wow! That's a really nice combo. I should make a note of that and sometime I'll do an ongoing series of them. Maybe I'll call it 'Twofer' or something."

Never got around to doing it, but this morning I noticed this combination of my images "Tortuga Sonrisa" and "Edge of the Cosmos"
So this first in the series is called, "Twofer Series 1: Edge of the Tortuga Sonrisa"



The turtle was from an image I made in Mazunte, Mexico and the sand dune was made in Port Alfred, South Africa.





I thought about cropping it down to fit the same way it had to be cropped to fit the 16x9 aspect ratio of the TV as part of the series, but I think I'll just decide on each combination how it should be cropped. For this one, I prefer to see all of both original images.

On paper, it seemed like a good idea. I’d take the ferry over from the port in Cancun, Mexico to Isla Mujeres, start off at one end of the island and spend the whole day just meandering the entire shoreline to the opposite end while while making casual images along the way.

If I made good time, I’d loop back all along the other side of the island on a return loop to the ferry port. Have a cold cerveza or three, and catch a late ferry back.

Figured if the sun got too intense, or the promise of an early cerveza got too strong to resist, I could just hitch a ride with one of the dozens of other tourist’s perpetually making the same loop in rented golf carts.

What I hadn’t counted on, was that these other tourists would not be so keen in giving a lift to a stranger in a foreign country, no matter if he was a fellow gringo. I mean, “Really?! That guy looks harmless, with his sandals and camera dangling around is neck… but that could be his disguise! He could be some serial killer hiding out from the law for all we know. No thank you mister!”

So, that’s the way it went. The sun beat me down hard, and there was no ride to be had for this sad ol’ hombre. No one would even make friendly eye contact once they caught a glimpse of my lowly thumb potentially blocking their view of the delightful Caribbean Sea vistas.

I could have hired a taxi, but to them I was obviously a tourist with a giant, fat gringo wallet just leaking out hundreds of dollars everywhere I went. Right.

It was also the end of a month-long trip and I was trying to stretch those last lonely pesos to the brink, and ended up having to put a few more miles on my tired sun and sandal beaten feet.



There was a shack to my left with some beat up old tables hosting an assortment of seashells for sale. The woman looked bohemian with a lost hippy vibe about her. Hair all matted and basically tied back with twine. She looked a little forlorn from lack of seashell sales, but she also appeared to be utterly relaxed without a single care in the world.

I saw the sort of make shift mobile signage hanging off a piece of driftwood with the turquoise sea providing a perfect backdrop and readied my camera. I looked back at her to see if she minded. She could tell I wasn’t shopping for seashells and she’d watched a half dozen tourists pass me by without even a glance.

She looked out toward the shot I was about to make, smiled, then nodded with approval. I smiled and nodded back before making this shot. Then just stood there watching the sea treasures magically clinking in the warm tropical breeze. All the pain in my abused feet, burned skin, and frustration just melted away.

For this one image, and those few precious minutes communing with the breeze and sea that felt like they could have been a glimpse of eternal bliss, it was all worthwhile.

Back home in Austin, Texas there was a rare, intense winter storm going on that locals were calling a “Snowpocalypse” and everyone seemed to be freaking out. By sheer luck, I’d just happened to have decided at the last minute to catch a flight to the Yucatan area of Mexico where the temperatures were nothing short of delightful. The Great Spirit was definitely smiling on me with that fortunate maneuver.

I’d been to the Yucatan several times in the past, but had always flown into Cancun, caught a few waves on nearby Isla Mujeres for a night or two before setting off through the interior. I’d zig-zag my way up visiting new towns and villages all the way up North until I arrived back home in Texas.

Because I always had a lot of distance to cover, I was always in a bit of a hurry and rarely gave the region the time it deserved. This time, I decided to just stay in the Yucatan for a whole month and pick a couple of my favorite cities to serve as a base while I went out to explore nearby towns for the day or the night.

One of my favorite cities in Mexico is Merida. It’s got pretty much everything you need or want, and the Mexican culture there is vibrant. It’s one of the cities that hasn’t been overrun with Walmart, McDonalds, Home Depot, AutoZone, and Starbucks. The markets there are still real Mexican markets and haven’t changed much in the 20 years or so that I’ve passed through. The architecture is rustic but chock full of texture and color.

The people there are some of the most friendly in all of Mexico. Just love that place. If it wasn’t for the incredible humidity in the Summers, it’d be just about perfect.

And, Merida served as an excellent base to go off and explore towns, cenotes, and Mayan ruins throughout the surrounding region. There are these collectivo taxi vans leaving all the time for just a few pesos that’ll take you pretty much anywhere you want to go, and plenty to get you back to Merida. The beach isn’t that far away either.

So, I’d just arrived by bus and was excited to go track down the old hacienda that’d been converted into a hotel. It’s a little rough around the edges, but some of the old Yucatan charm still permeates the property. And, they have hammock hooks embedded right into the concrete walls in case you’re like me and would rather sleep suspended instead of in a bed.

The trouble was, I took a bus to a bus station on the complete opposite side of the city and was totally lost when I arrived. The area seemed somewhat familiar to I headed off for what turned out to be an 18 block hike that also took me right through the middle of a giant market. Normally, that would be cool, but not so much if you’re lugging all your luggage on your back in the balmy, tropical temps and trying to navigate through narrow passages between the raw chickens and papayas on display.

Eventually, I stopped and got my bearings back and knew exactly where I was. Looked across the street before heading for the hacienda and noticed this red plastic chair positioned perfectly against a minimalistic wall in vibrant primary colors. I thought, “Oh, that’s pretty incredible. I better dig my camera out and get a shot.” But, I was so exhausted from the hike and decided to let it go.



I walked a half a block and couldn’t get that image out of my head, “You have to go back and get that shot” “Yeah, I know it was nice, but there isn’t much about it that says Mexico to me. Just the red plastic chair.””That doesn’t matter! It’s an awesome combination that you can’t simply walk away from. Stop being so lazy and go back to get that shot!”

Looked back and saw that there were large groups of local pedestrians coming toward the red chair from both sides and a line of buses as well. In seconds getting that shot would be impossible. It mattered not that my back was about to break from the load, and it my feet already felt like they where broken, I turned back and ran with my pack all the way back to the corner and barely had time to fire off just one shot before the crowds consumed the splendid little primary-colored scene.

This one goes way back. I honestly don’t recall for sure, but I’m thinking close to 20 years ago in Mexico City.

It reminds me of likely one of the first times I was traveling in a country I wasn’t familiar with… where I didn’t speak the language or know much about the culture… sweating like crazy from the heat and fear adrenaline.

I’d been told there were many areas in Mexico City that I really shouldn’t be wondering around as a foreigner, but I couldn’t find out for sure where those areas were. Just went with my gut and started wondering around the areas that had those invisible voices from somewhere other then the hear and now… ghosts perhaps.

There were a couple of burly Mexican dudes who tried to figure out what I was doing in their hood and also trying to get me to go inside one of these dilapidated buildings for a “tour”.

The whole scene was looking grim for me, but at some point something switched in my brain. It was as if I realized I really didn’t have control of this situation at all, nor any situation for that matter… that everything was completely out of my hands for the most part. I could either be afraid and hide out in the safer areas for the rest of my life, or I could accept the fact I have no control over any of the story that plays out before me.

I decided to let my intuition be my guide and that it was too damn hot to be sweating any more from the fear. It was about that moment that the angst likely disappeared from my face and the burly gang leaders could tell. This crazy gringo is no longer afraid.

A couple other street thugs approached me as well, but I didn’t flinch. I looked them all in the eyes with the faith of blind trust. The burly dudes stepped up, and signaled to the newcomers, “Leave this one alone. He’s ok.” And then they all stepped back and let me pass. I believe it was shortly a half block or so from there that I saw this amazing Mexican jalopy, and I no longer had fear.

Made this one around 2009 while on a motorcycle journey through the Southwest and ended up stopping at the Pacific before looping back toward Texas. Had seen the Chiricahua Mountains Park on the map and basically decided to camp there because the name sounded cool and I needed a place to rest.
Worked out to be an especially beautiful and peaceful area to camp in and was the last stronghold of the famous Apache indian chief Cochise.

In a meadow below the camping areas, are the original settlers homesteads that are preserved and decorated with much of the original furniture, etc. I don't usually go for the guided tour sort of thing, but I wanted to go inside the homestead to see what it looked like and to stimulate my imagination while I explored the area.

The ranger giving the tour went on and on about how difficult it was to finally clean up the area from all the lingering Apache squatters. He spoke about them as if they were some vile pestilence that needed to be exterminated to make room for the white settlers.

I honestly tried to keep my trap shut, after about a half hour of this I couldn't contain myself any longer and held up my hand to ask a question, "Why do you keep referring to the original occupants of this land as if they were no better than rodents?" The ranger explained that these were violent people who wouldn't leave peacefully and hung around under the leadership of that thug Cochise, terrorizing the settlers."

The ranger looked a bit angry with my question, as did many of the others on the tour, but he did a fine job of containing himself. Until, I replied, "Well, would you go peacefully if some foreigners invaded your homeland that you'd lived, loved, and died on for many generations? Wouldn't be at least a little put off by being forced to uproot your people and move to undesirable land on reservations?"

He became visibly angry with this and said "The Apaches lost. We won. They should have gone peacefully. And now let's move on with the rest of the tour. If you have any more questions sir, you can ask me privately later." Judging from the looks on the faces of the others on the tour, it looked like I should zip it before the mob decided to stone me to death.

The landscapes and mountain ranges of the Chiricahua Mountains area are spectacular and some mighty fine curvy roads to cruise on a motorcycle as well.

I had been in such a peaceful place until the dust-up with the ranger giving the tour, that I needed to clear my head with some magnificent vistas. Rode slow taking in all the majesty and trying to feel the spirit of the Apache who once lived and hunted this land. When I got to the top of one mountain overlook, there was a view of Cochise Head mountain.

Made a few landscape images of the mountainous horizon and then sat down on a bench to rest awhile and just be in the that space for awhile, alone and still. As I studied Cochise Head mountain, I wondered why they called it that. It was pretty and all, but wasn't sure why is was special enough to take the name of Cochise. I laid sideways on the bench to rest my tired bones and eyes for a spell.

After a few quiet moments alone, I opened my eyes to the mountain range viewed from my side. And, there he appeared just as plain as a portrait. The profile of the great Apache chief was carved by the wind right into the mountaintop.

There’s a gem of a little town just outside of Medellin, Colombia called Guatape. I knew nothing of this place at all, but had heard that the area was a favorite leisure area for the famed cocaine drug-kingpin, Pablo Escobar. Not that I’m into famous Colombian drug kingpins or anything, but I figured if this cat had been responsible for over 80% of the cocaine that entered the U.S. at the time, then he’d likely be able to be “leisurely” wherever he darn well pleased.

I figured for Pablo Escobar either Guatape was an amazingly wonderful place to enjoy the spoils of his power, or it was great place to hide. Either way, it sounded like a good place to visit.

Turns out, it’s both. A beautifully surreal landscape with this giant, mountain-sized boulder dropped into the middle of these lagoons that are all interconnected with a small town that looks like it was painted by some tripped-out ex-Disney employee. And, it was also an excellent place to hide.

Never figured out what inspired the locals to paint their town with the most dripping saturated colors available in our known visible spectrum, but this town was a color freak like myself’s polychromic wet dream.

If you’re ever in Medellin, Colombia I highly recommend making the trek. Only about two hours one-way by bus, but it’s slow over the mountains and it stops a lot. If you’ve got your own wheels, it’s likely closer to an hour or so.

They also train Olympic caliber Equestrian Dressage horses there. I think that’s what it’s called. It’s almost like the horse is dancing and you can hear an almost musical cadence from their hooves on the cobblestones. Fairytale like stuff.

Anyway, back to the color freak-out polychromic wet dream town.

You couldn’t make an image here without getting your retina’s abused by color. It was everywhere! The biggest problem was trying to figure out what to aim my camera at first.

I focussed mostly on the details of at the architecture and had found one corner that really spoke to me. Particularly due to the dreamy quality the colors had, and that there was even a perfect little lamb painted in the corner. Dynamite! That’s my shot.



Until, this little boy comes sauntering up, looks at me trying to frame up my shot, and just stops right in the middle of my frame. Seriously? “Come on amigo!, Can’t you just take a rest a little further down the sidewalk? Give a brother a break will ya?”

So, I waited and waited. And he waited and waited right along with me. It became a battle of the wills. He’d pretend to lay his head back and take a nap standing there, but open his eyes every now and then to see if he was still successfully annoying me.

Being a little competitive myself, I decided I was all in and would wait as long as he could.

Until, it finally dawned on me what was written on the pesky little guy’s t-shirt. He was right by the sleepy little lamb with his head leaned back as if asleep in a dreamy colorful backdrop, and his freakin’ t-shirt read, “Dreams of Kids”.

Boom! That was my shot! I just had been too stubborn to see it.

When I made this one, I was on a motorcycle trip in Louisiana. I told a friend that I wanted to explore a little of Northeast, Texas, then wander around Mississippi, and into Louisiana.

I told him that my “vision quest” was firmly focussed on locating the real-deal, dirty, authentic backwoods Cajun food.

What I hadn’t counted on was that the fact this fellow was completely averse to eating anything involving pork, shellfish, and a bunch of other tasty stuff prohibited in the Old Testament. Honestly thought there’d be more options for him regardless of where we went.

We discovered that if you’re trying to follow the culinary advice within the Bible, Louisiana backwoods, Cajun cafes, deli’s, and roadside haunts are not your best bet.

The Cajun food arguments quickly devolved into rather nasty religious disputes and criticisms. Before you knew it, we were verbally at each other’s throats. Funny how all that spicy Cajun goodness can bring out the devil in you.

One morning, camped alongside some Madisonville, Louisiana
bayou across lake Pontchartrain, I couldn’t sleep and got up early to go for a pre-dawn walk to clear my head.

My friend felt that because I wasn’t following Old Testament to the letter of the law, I wouldn’t be favored in the creator’s eyes.

Thought about this as the sun began to come up and stream across the steamy bayou and through the Spanish moss. I figured, if our given collective skills or gifts are in fact “God given”, and I was using those gifts to show other’s the beauty of creation, then of course was doing exactly what I was born to do.

Made this image as I stood there with this thought as I watched the hanging Spanish moss of Saint Bernhard park trees come alive in the first light of a new day, and watched what looked like steamy mystic spirits dancing atop the water’s calm surface.

Made this image a couple of years ago in Colombia. This spot is actually on a fairly long hike outside of Selento in the rich coffee growing region. You ride in the back of a small truck with others like a rustic taxi. They let you off in this other little village area that's got loads of military in cammo with machine guns, but who are all really friendly. One even posed for an instagram photo for me with big smile and a very impressive machine gun.



Then, you're off into the moist but muddy valley's to explore. The trip getting there is surreal enough, but when you get to some of these vistas... all by yourself... and just stand there wondering if you already died and luckily went to heaven. Such a beautiful region. If you ever go there, I can highly recommend a nice long hike. :)

Ok, this one is definitely one of my personal, all-time favorite memories. And to be honest, the image has more to do with dumb luck than anything else.



I was in Porto, Portugal at the time. As some know, I enjoy a little vino sometimes, and at this time I was all about that Port wine. I'd taken the train out of Porto, Portugal early in the morning into the wine country. Got back by mid-afternoon and decided to walk along the port river there, tasting some of the finest port wine available for no more than 5-7 euros a glass I think. And there, they don't serve the port in those BS tiny little port glasses like they do in the U.S. They use a proper wine glass. And brother/sister, that's some fine liquid I'm here to tell you. So divine.

I'm not sure how many glasses I'd had as this point, but it was certainly bordering on the outskirts of a few too many as I recall. The city's architecture is beautiful and I was leaving for Santiago del Compostela, in Spain the next morning... so I simply had to get out and make some images before I lost light.

Trouble was, I could barely still walk, let alone work a camera. But I persevered and gave it the ol' college try even though the buildings were now blocking the last of the light.

At the time, I was still a cigarette smoker (but now 6 years finished!) and because I was bummed I'd let the afternoon pass by without getting any decent images of this lovely city, decided to find a nice spot to have a smoke.

Ambled down some dark alleyway and out to a small patio area. The last bit of sun was streaming between two other buildings and since my eyes has already adjusted to the shade, I was temporarily blinded as I fumbled around in my pockets to find my Zippo lighter.

Got my smoke lit and was trying to adjust my eyes and regain some of the focus lost to the delightful last glass of fine port wine I'd just consumed. I kept hearing this strange sound that was like sand landing on a piece of metal. I looked over to my right and tried to figure out where the sound was coming from.

Below I could see some cats on a tin roof scrambling for something falling from above and a large bird surveying the gang of feral gangster kittens below. I looked up and saw an old woman tossing out food for the gang below, and became fascinated by the little line of multi-colored clothespins just below her.

I took a drag off my smoke and thought, "Dang, I bet that would make a nice image." The sun was quickly slipping away, so I raised the camera up, didn't even look at my settings, and then the woman went back inside. The sun direction changed so that that last light was gone, and the cats moved on. I got one shot only and I was nearly blind when I made it. You can even see some of the food debris she was tossing below caught in mid-air.

At first glance it just looks like a nice architectural image. But if you give it a little time, it reveals so much more.

You should pick this one up if you're so inclined... then when you later realize what's so awesome about it, you can thank me later.

This one "The Birds" was actually displayed in the Smithsonian castle in Washington, D.C. for several months and now part of their archives. :)



They requested I write something about the image, and this is what I sent them:

I was photographing the beautiful architecture around the French Quarter of New Orleans near sunset when I spotted this particular scene. As I composed the shot, a flock of birds ascended in mass and startled me to the point that I hesitated and didn't get the shot. The light was falling fast and there wasn't much time left before it was too late to get any more images of this delightful city, but I decided to wait a bit longer and take my chances. Soon, there was a slight flutter and then another flock took to the sky a second time. I had the shot I was looking for.

This image is important to me because I was at first worried that because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the city I'd visited many years ago would no longer have the mystique that'd once captivated me many years ago. I wanted to remember her the way she was, but at the same time wanted to spend a few tourist dollars helping her recover. It was so uplifting to learn that my beloved New Orleans could not be so easily crushed and was indeed alive and well, just as rich as I remembered her welcoming, colorful mystique. This image reminds me of the absolute resilience of American spirit to faithfully persevere through any storm.

Made this one in 2001. It was just after the attacks on the U.S. and a very strange time to be traveling. The tickets had already been purchased and I’d dreamed of this India trip for years. I was going an there was no way something as insignificant like global terrorism was going to keep me from it.
India was wild. Not what I expected at all, and it took awhile to adapt. In backpacker circles, they had always said that for real adventure, India was Mecca. Travel there, and you can travel anywhere.



I could go on, and will add more later, but I’ll just focus on this image for the moment. It’s been said that dawn on the Ganges river is the most mystical time and place you can experience on this planet. The Ganges river itself is considered a god itself for Hindus and in this city, Varanasi (also known as Banares) it’s considered the most sacred and revered by it’s deity name “Ganga”. It’s even believed that if you can manage to die here, you can end the life/birth cycle and head straight to Nirvana/Heaven.

Because of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. and the following retaliation from the U.S. on Afghanistan, it was a rough time to be traveling internationally for sure.

One thing I wanted to make sure I accomplished in this oldest living city on the planet, was a rowboat ride on the Ganges at sunrise. It was rough dealing with all the canoe rowers, but finally found one that looked like it might not sink, and the rower’s eyes looked very serene. A deal was made and we were off. He wanted to know where I wanted to go, and I told him I didn’t care. I just wanted to be right in the middle of Ganga as the sun rose.
Before I knew it, we were rowing by the ghats at top speed. Ghats are areas off to the edge of the Ganges where Hindu pilgrims meditate, give massages, do yoga, bath, celebrate life, and burn the dead.

It was so surreal that I could barely form any logical thought. I was completely in the moment and fixed on this one Hindu pilgrim meditating. Something inside tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Uh, you think you might want to make at least one photo of this, at least for the ol’ memory banks?” I answered, “Yeah! Hang on, I’m not prepared. Gotta turn this thing on and make sure I’ve got a setting that will work.”

The boat was moving so swiftly that I barely had time to turn on the camera. Before I knew it, we were about to pass out of range and I wasn’t going tot get the shot. I aimed, shot, and put the camera away. Later, I realized the one blind image made actually worked out. And this is it.

When I got back to the U.S., I learned that George Harrison of the Beatles had passed away. The article said that just before his passing, George had made one last trip to Varanasi to tour Hindu temples. Most that view this image either are sure the pilgrim is either female or male. For me, the pilgrim is male and most likely, Mr. Harrison himself.

There's a personal existential crisis this image reminds me of. It was made just this last Summer in Orchard, Nebraska during a particularly intense stretch of day that whipped the land with baseball-size hail and rare gigantic tornados. One that even split itself into a twisted monstrosity of conjoined twins just the day before.

I often get very lucky with the weather I endure on my motorcycle trips. Mostly because I've constantly got one eye on the cloud movement, how the wind is moving the trees, sensing the changes in temperature. I combine my observations on the ground with weather reports in not only the area I'm riding, but all of the towns in the extended region to get a bigger picture to better track and predict a potential storm's severity. When I get into the zone, I can call it with more accuracy than the best meteorologists.

However, this last Summer was different for some reason. There were just too many components changing radically with the whim of the breeze. I found myself frequently riding right into a severe storm or running for my life away from one. This was one of the several days I got it completely wrong and found myself focussed on the colors of the storm clouds to my left, changing into alien turquoise hues. The clouds and wind were maniacally angered as the temperature snapped down cold and hard in the blink of an eye.



I'd also been watching the rural countryside looking for images along the way when I saw this scene of an old farm house and vintage car for sale. Started looking for a place to pull over to make a shot, but then looked back over to my left. The cloud intensity had intensified even more in just the few seconds I'd looked away, and the colors changed in such as way that launched the following dialogue.

"Why are you stopping? Are you blind? Hit that throttle and keep moving compadre!"

"I know, I know... this is crazy and borderline suicidal. You're right, I better keep moving and focus on beating that storm and finding shelter."

Twisted the throttle full and laid on the gas tank to better cut through the intense wind. I figured if there were any cops around, they'd likely understand and let me slide as I bolted a good three or four miles down the highway. Until the dialogue plagued me once again.

"I'm sorry buddy, I'm going to have to turn back around and get that shot. It's what I do."

"That's just crazy hombre! You're going to risk your life for something as insignificant as a snap shot? What's wrong with you? No one will ever even give that image a second thought and nobody cares. Keep moving!"

"But, if I turn back now, I think I can get the shot and still make up the time. If it's so insignificant documenting the most memorable moments of my life, what is it I'm doing anyway? Should I just follow my passion when it's lovely and I shy away from the ones that induce real fear?"

"Are you even listening to me? Nobody freaking cares champ. This image isn't going to mean anything to anyone except for you. Now get these idiotic thoughts out of your head and focus on the highway."

"That does it. I'm turning around."

"What?!"

"I don't know where this obsession comes from, or if there's any benefit at all down the trail, but if this is't why I'm here and if I'm only doing this for the approval of others, then I should drop all of this and just head back home. This has to be something I do for me, and if I give in when it gets too uncomfortable, then I'm not being true to myself."

Pulled on both the front and rear brakes, hit the throttle full heading back to the farmhouse as the coming storm intensified even more.

Didn't even get off the bike. Found an acceptable spot on the highway and fired off a few shots until I was sure there was something acceptable, and then funneled the adrenaline of fear back onto the throttle. The wind was blowing me so hard that I was leaning with all my weight to the left side, but still being pushed almost all the way over to my right. It was all I could do just to keep the bike on the road as the rain and sleet began to punish my foolish arrogance.

"Now you're in it you imbecile. Happy now?"

"Actually, yes. I am happy now. The shot itself doesn't matter as much, but the fact I met fear and didn't cower, stayed true to my purpose, and am now riding an electrifying wave of focussed adrenaline all the way to beat this storm, makes this all worth the while."

It was right after that last thought that the other voice became silent.

Heading to Mexico in a couple of days. Not going on the motorcycle this time, but flying to the furthest airport from Austin, and then wandering my way back up North in which way I can. Most likely by bus. I'm excited to be heading back to the Yucatan because the last time I was there as before digital photography!

It's the rainy season right now so that could dictate my plan somewhat. I know that's a deal breaker for folks who go on vacation to lounge on the beach, but there's just something about being alone in a primitive thatch-roofed hut in the jungle listening to tropical rain fall and the intense fragrance of new growth and the echo of howler monkeys in the distance.

I have absolutely no plan at all, but will probably spend some time in the jungles of Chiapas after the Yucatan area. After that I'll be wandering wherever the wind carries me. And, away from machine-gun fire and swingin' machetes! ;-)

Here's more info and where I'll be travel blogging this trip HERE

In Jan/Feb of 2011, I traveled in Mexico for a month. Each place I went I made a short stop-motion video clip with an iPhone 4. This video virtually compresses the whole month-long journey down to about 5 minutes.

Check out more of Skip's Mexcio 2011 travelog HERE

You can find more photography + art+ travel + sound + text by Skip Hunt @ kaleidoscopeofcolor.com

For your pleasure! Shot & edited 100% on iPhone 4.



Skip Hunt
Austin, Texas

I've started something new. Every now and then I'm going to publish a new issue of a magazine/photobook that I'm calling "Skip Hunt 20/20". These are perfect bound, beautifully printed via HP's Indigo presses on great paper stock... 20 pages with 20 photographs only. (20/20) Play on vision and the actual number of pages/photos. :-)

They may be a segment of a journey or they may be a collection from a past trip. Or, they may just be a collection of favorite images I'd like to display together.

These will be ongoing and I will make $2.50 for each one purchased that will go to help fuel and finance my next adventure!

The entire 20/20 Collection can be previewed HERE

kaleidoscopeofcolor.com + skiphuntphotography.com

Well, it’s official! I’m proud to announce that soon, I will be able to say my work is hanging in the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

This image was selected to hang in the “Editors’ Picks: The Best of Smithsonian Magazine’s 7th Annual Photo Contest.” From July 1st through February 2011!

Dear Mr. Hunt,

I am pleased to inform you that your photograph was chosen for display in the upcoming exhibit, “Editors’ Picks: The Best of Smithsonian Magazine’s 7th Annual Photo Contest.” The exhibit, which is currently in production, showcases 30 of the 50 finalists from Smithsonian Magazine’s 7th Annual Photo Contest. It will be on view from July 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011 in the first floor of the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Last year, more than one million visitors viewed our previous exhibit, and likely, a million more will view your image this year.

Congratulations on a job well done.

They didn’t mention anything about cash, so I’m guessing I didn’t win the prize money for my category. But, to be honest… although cash is nice, being selected for this show was all I was really after. ;-)

So if you’re in Washington D.C. between July 2010 and February 2011, stop by and have a look. Planning of visiting in November to check this one out myself. :-)

Are you looking for that special unique gift? If the idea of just heading out with no particular plan and exploring the majestic beauty of the American Southwest on a motorcycle gets your heart pumpin', then look no further!

Written in an "On the Road" style while traveling from Austin, Texas through spectacular landscapes of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California and Arizona, this book serves as a virtual trip when you just want to take an adventure and just get away from it all.

This book is packed full (over 100 images) of beautiful fine art travel photography as seen through the eyes of Austin, Texas based photographer Skip Hunt!

And for a very limited time, take $5 OFF using this special holiday discount code (95DDMH65) on check out at this link "Skip Hunt Go West!"

(See a few images from this book HERE)

(Read reviews on the Amazon PRINT version and KINDLE version! Please note that this special holiday discount code (95DDMH65) is for the in this message, but it's the exact same book)

Give that special person with wanderlust this amazing book, or better yet... pick up a second copy for yourself!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I'm offering a very special discount code that is good until 11:59PM DEC13th 2010.

For this sale I've put three sizes (sm/med/lg) on-sale of any image in my 801 image inventory.

You can use the following code to get $100 OFF your order. OR, if you want more than one image you can place separate ordes and get $100 OFF EVERY ORDER! This means if you wanted 3 images you'd get $300 OFF if you place 3 separate orders. Now that's holiday spirit you can believe in!!!

This is a very limited time and the last shipping dates to get your art in time for the holidays are drawing near:

Domestic Shipments (United States) In order to guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve, all domestic orders must be placed by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 12th (Ground Shipments) or 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 15th (Overnight Shipments).

International Shipments FineArtAmerica.com will ship to any international destinatation. Since shipping times vary significantly by destination, please place all international orders no later than 5:00 PM (Eastern U.S. Time) on December 12th, and specify overnight delivery as your shipping method.



Use this code on checkout: KGDRAY



Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Please forward this email to anyone and everyone you think might dig my work. :-)

Cheers,

Skip Hunt ~ Austin, Texas

Made it from Austin to Albuquerque via the Lincoln National Forest, etc. on a motorcycle.

Here's an excerpt:

Or, it could be times have changed and life’s just a bit more raw around the edges these days. I think I’ll try to concentrate and see if perhaps I can summon up the genies again. One thing was odd though, as I remembered my grandfather while I was at the track... it felt like he was right there with me... by the simple act of remembering him, it was like he was alive again.



You can continue reading HERE

Sitting in a small Tibetan cafe in Dharamsala, India (home of the Dalai Lama's government in exhile), I chatted up with a young Tibetan monk over chai. He asked, "How do you know what to take a photo of, and what not?.. How do you know when there is something worth taking a photo of?..." I told him that everywhere you look there are images worth saving. You just have to pay attention. To illustrate the point I leaned back and pointed my camera out the window of our cafe booth and said, "See that window across the alley? I think even THAT would make a nice image. Especially for those who aren't here."

I snapped this and showed it to him. He asked, "A window? I see that every day. It doesn't look that interesting to me." I thought a minute wondering if perhaps I'd picked a poor subject to make the point.. then answered... "To you and me this window is just part of our everyday background, but when I get home I'll see this image and be instantly transported back to this cafe and will see your face in my mind's eye.. and remember our lovely conversation... Someone else will see this image and see something completely different. That's what I try to do." He smiled, looked at the window again, nodded, and then finished his chai.


"dharamsala RED" ~ Dharamsala, India © 2010 Skip Hunt

At last a rusty 3rd class Bluebird bus arrived in a cloud of fine dry dust. Not too many passengers except a dusty dred-coiffed couple. The young fella looked as if he might be Mexican, but his companion was Japanese. I generally avoid these types because they're fairly cliquish if you don't sport the same rasta uniform. That... and, they tend to attract la policia.

We arrived in Wadley and the rasta-boy asked me in English, "Is this Wadley?". Couldn't make out the accent, but it sounded Israeli. I confirmed, and said, "See ya 'round... It's a small place.", then bolted for the hacienda of Don Tomas. The camp compound was deserted so Don Tomas helped me remove some piles of metal rod and wood planks that had taken up residence in my preferred larger tin-roofed cinder block room since my last visit. As always, he re-reminded me not to carry peyote into the town and to keep it out of the camp. He advised to just eat it in the desert and you'll have no problems. In the last ten years I'd rarely seen la policia, nor encountered anyone who'd been busted in the desert, but the 3rd party stories were always rampant so I usually heeded the advice.

Off I went into the desert, called Wirikuta by the Huichol, to get my first vomit laden "break-in" trip over with. After the first peyote induced bout with severe abdominal distress, I tend to acclimate and can avoid the whole ugly digestive mess on subsequent journeys.

I started out heavier than I should've. Ten plants, and I paid dearly. I won't trouble you with the details, but the ill portion of the excursion lasted 3hrs. After paying my dues, the rest of the evening was quite pleasant. Magical in fact! Mescalito finally gave me a break and I was able to drift off into Technicolor dreamland.

The next morning, after I'd stocked up on fresh goat cheese, tomatoes, tortillas, and water as the young hippy couple stopped by the empty compound. They'd also taken a room from Don Tomas, but he'd put them up in the camp closer to the railroad track. A less desirable locale since the train passing feels like a mechanized earth quake every hour or so, tough to sleep... but you do get used to it, eventually.

The couple introduced themselves and we made a bit of the usual comparative travel small talk. After I realized these were the new arrivals who earlier Don Tomas was asking me if I'd indoctrinate in the proper harvesting, cleaning, and dining of peyote, I asked if they'd be ready to head off in an hour or so. They seemed nervously thrilled to have an English speaker run them through the ropes the first time, as they didn't speak a word of Espanol. We all parted to pack the essentials, ie. a few oranges to choke the plants down, a good knife, water, smokes, etc.

I was a little apprehensive about volunteering to hang with a couple of dred-headed neo-flower children, but I'd recently misjudged the character of one straight-laced and alleged American attorney in Mexico City, so I figured I'd give these two a chance.

As the afternoon blazed, and after we'd all made it past the complimentary nausea hump, we built a nice fire and drifted through loose conversational threads as we gazed at occasional stars shooting down from the milky way. I told stories, that looped back into other stories, and they shared as well. Turns out the young fella had spent his 3 years in the Israeli army, had to do a bit of fighting except he said it wasn't much of a fight, "They had rocks, we had guns." The memory seemed to weigh heavy on him and I asked if he'd ever had to kill anyone. I could actually feel the pain in his eyes, and it hurt me to know such a gentle character had to endure such a horrible experience. He said he thought he probably had killed, but he couldn't be sure.

I changed the subject as much for his benefit as mine. I've learned from experience that it's not generally such a grand idea to delve into such topics when the mind is so vulnerable.

It was a beautiful night and I was sad when they had to move on the next day. I'd miss them, but would look forward to catching up to them one day in India where they now make their home in between trips to Japan to sell handicrafts and jewelry.

They'd already been gone for a few hours when I went to take refuge from the heat and found a dear letter from them under my pillow. They each thanked me kindly for showing them "the way" and urged me to look them up the next time I'm stumbling through India. :-)

~~~

"John and Yoko 2000" ~ Near Wadley, Mexico © Skip Hunt

Like a swift subway blast of subterranean wind, I was carried around the corner. Into the plaza I wandered and tried to get a grip on what might have happened. After a brief dizzy sensation that I'd blamed on the hot afternoon vapors, it was as if I'd actually drifted out of time and walked right into some forgotten Cuban plaza. I'd never been to Cuba, but this looked like the picture I had of it.

I wandered around the plaza looking for some clue... some evidence that it actually exhisted. But, I remember that it seemed as though no one could see me... like everyone could see right through me and I could move freely undetected. I snapped photos as personal proof that I had in fact been there... in case my mind later attempted to convince me it'd all been merely a dream.


"Plaza Shine" ~ Mexico City © 2010 Skip Hunt