Hidden

An Uzbek girl shields herself from the bitter cold while tending to her family's outdoor stall in a public market in Astana, Kazakhstan. When I returned to talk to her and take her photo, she immediately pulled the sweater down so she could be a good employee. After I explained to her how exotic she looked with her fur and turtleneck, she smiled and pulled it back up for me.

Modern Nomad

A Kazakh rancher waits patiently to lead his small herd safely across the snow covered road. At the time this photo was taken, he and his mount braved -35 degree cold as they stoically awaited the rest of the horses.

Weathered

I met this woman in a market in Kazakhstan. The temperature that day was below -30 F, but she walked around like it was almost warm out, just doing her errands and shopping. She was so sweet to talk to, but her expression never changed.

Santa

I met this intriguing gentleman, whose nickname really is "Santa," while riding my bike on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His eyes reveal a hard life lived, but he was as gracious and caring as the real Santa.

Winter Warmth

I saw this delightful woman walking home along a dirt road outside Astana, Kazakhstan. After we'd talked for some time, she told me I was the first American she had ever met. We stood talking within view of Astana's shiny, oil-funded sky-scrapers, but she had never even left her village. Her personality was even warmer than her outfit.

True Kazakh

I met this gentle soul in an old Soviet park in Astana, Kazakhstan. We talked for the longest time, sharing stories of our lives and families. He was wandering around the park while his wife and grown daughter did their thing, much like a husband in an American shopping mall while his wife shops! Approaching him, then finding the common bonds that all humans deeply share accentuated the intense value in the simplest parts of life. He epitomized the life, look and soul of the Kazakh people.

Oleg the Poet

I met Oleg while he was atop an old building in -20 F temperatures, disassembling the roof for scrap. After I'd been invited into their warm-up shed, another of my new friends informed me that Oleg was a poet. Oleg then started reciting Pushkin and Lermentov poems for us. After the others urged him on, he started reciting some of his own original poetry. It was an incredible experience to see both sides of such a man. The poster on the wall is of the President of Kazakhstan, of whom all present were extremely proud to call their leader.

Irish Coffee

While driving through Connemara in Western Ireland not far from where The Quiet Man with John Wayne was filmed, I noticed a weekend farmers market of sorts. The gentleman in the photograph was almost what I expected the real Sean Thornton was like. He was instantly engaging and was most interested in what the Yanks thought about "his" part of Ireland, which he said Americans rarely visited.

Bayan

This great guy plays his Bayan in the park in Astana, Kazakhstan about every night during the summer. He played all of my favorite old songs, and knew just about every song I challenged him with.

The Move

Chess is one of the great loves of the people of the Former Soviet Union. These men gather each day to play in the park in Astana, Kazakhstan. While they're serious about their game, it's a blast to watch them rib each other and debate the last move with each other. Just as anywhere else, each one thinks he's always right about which move the player "should" have made!

Simple Song

I met these men and their co-workers while they dismantled a small building in -20 F temperatures. After introducing myself and asking if I could take their photograph, they insisted I go inside with them to share snacks and the intensely warming, clear liquid that USED to fill the bottle on the table. After sharing a bottle and the accompanying stories, this new friend who had just been on a roof in sub-zero, windy conditions, pulled out his battered guitar and began singing old Soviet folk songs. It was one of the many times I've been blessed to experience when vodka and song revealed the common humanity in us all and led to enduring friendships.

Park Art

I noticed this artist and boy while strolling through an old Soviet park one summer day. The young boy's mother, who stands just outside the frame, constantly reminded the young man to sit still, which is a challenge for any boy that age when amusement park rides spin and clatter nearby. It reminded me of the countless kids who undoubtedly try to sit still for their parents on any given day around the world.

Marlin Ink

This talented artist worked on his subject's forearm for six hours tattooing a marlin for the avid fisherman.

Proud Merchant

This Kazakh entrepreneur took great pride in his clothing stall in the outdoor market in Astana, Kazakhstan. The market runs year round, and in the winter sees temperatures as low as -50 F. The cold slows neither the business owners or the shoppers.

Encroaching Modernity

This retired University Professor and former soldier speaks five different languages and lives just outside the sprawl of the new Kazakh capital of Astana. As with all former soldiers I've met, he snapped to attention when I raised the camera!

To the Well

The day I took this photo was this young man's birthday. As is a common tradition in the Former Soviet Union, he was hosting all of his friends for his birthday celebration. Here, he was in the midst of a one mile walk to get water for the party. He lives only several miles from Astana, but still draws his water from a public well.

Time to Ponder

One of my favorite places to meet people is at a common well in any village or small town. At this one, in Astana, Kazakhstan, this dear lady made about six trips from her store over to the well. It's a hard life she leads, but that never seemed to deter her from getting the day started right.

The Lada

I met this auto mechanic outside his shop in Astana, Kazakhstan one day when the temperature was about -20 F. We talked about the old Lada he was working on, which he assured me would be back up and running in no time.

Hidden Strength

I noticed this woman and her grandson filling up water containers at a well outside Astana, Kazakhstan. The tap on the well ran constantly, and it literally sat on top of a mound of ice. As I approached to talk to her, I had a hard time climbing up the slick slope. She reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me up to her with the strength of a bodybuilder. She looked frail, but had the strength of a 25 year old man!