Photograph I took at a talk H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama gave in Srinagar, Kashmir

How to sum this up… I’ve been in the process of writing The Kashmir Analogs for almost a year now. But it feels  like there is more to be said and gleaned from these experiences in India and the Middle-East… And here I am writing the concluding paragraphs to the series… closing up The Kashmir Analogs.

I think, as  more time passes I will undoubtedly reach new conclusions about these experiences, find new insight and most of all –  I believe that I will find a deepening connection with all the different peoples of our vibrant and diverse world. The act of reaching out,  connecting with others – thousands of miles away, whom live very different lives than our own… teaches us so much about ourselves… our families, our communities… here at home.

I’m also left without words as I go back to portraits I took on the trip. Viewing the photographs now that some time has gone by makes them more potent. As I remember the story I experienced… the story I became a part of. It never ceases to amaze me… the good fortune that I had abroad…the connections I made and the amazing people I got to meet by reaching out to the common and exemplory people that I met in India and Kashmir.

Here is an online gallery of some of the people I was fortunate enough to cross paths with and photograph… And, a special thanks must be given to H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama, whom I was lucky enough to meet and photograph last summer.

And again back to the conclusion of this series… There is so much more to be learned from this part of the world… This far away destination holds an amazing amount of contrast…struggle… and hope… the colors and perspective it gives… the stories of the people there… “I find travel to be an inter-stellar collideascope, that reflects the billions of  human conditions… the billions of places and momentary situations… through my own eyes I see glimpses of the light… perceive and feel connected… to it all… We not only gaze upon these places and people, but we interact with them and shape the lives of those we meet…”

I don’t feel like I’m done with the Kashmir Analogs. Please, if you have ideas, comments or thoughts on the series and photographs please give me some feedback. Whether you comment below this blog post, or on my facebook page, or through email… I’d love to hear your thoughts and Ideas about where I could take this series. thoughts and photographs.

Salaam,

Alex