It was last week, maybe more, that I left Mumbai. I wound up in the busiest, loudest city I've ever been to Ahmedabad. The place made midtown at 5pm on a friday look like Yom Kippur - the streets were packed, with people shoulder to shoulder like after an Islanders win in overtime with people scurrying to get to there cars. But here people were scurrying to get thier loved ones presents for one of the most important Holidays, Diwali.
After two days of intense urban chaos I escaped in an overnight train to the majestic landscape of Udaipur. On the train I met a very talented young photographer named Hishaam from the Netherlands, who used to work in the DEA of Holland - who knew the Netherlands had such an agency? We arrived at seven in the morning and made our way to a quaint guesthouse that charged just a few dollars for the room, overlooking the lake where you could see a palace in the distance on a hill. The place was filled with people selling trinkets, pipes, suits and the rest - but the culture of the place was one of service rather than hustle and sweetness rather than the con game - which made me feel more at home than anywhere I've been on the trek yet. I met another New yorker - Dalit, a young Jewish Lawyer from NY (please dad, no comments needed, I know what you are thinking), and together we all went to see Udaipur celebrate Diwalli.
The streets were covered in lights, and filled with songs. Horses with cotton placed in their ears to protect them from the loud horns blaring danced in the streets. Walking through the town there were dozens of performers and countless prepubescent boys lighting firecrackers, that sounded much more like bombs than anything you would find for July 4th back home. The noise the explosives made were startling, the place felt like a war zone mixed with a party. One of the most special moments of the evening was being invited to light fireworks with a local family, who fed us sweets and gave us their chairs and let us in on their great night.
After a few days It was time to leave Udaipur, even though it was time. Hishaam and I took a day bus eight hours to Pushkar, a very touristy holy town where they are getting ready to parade 20,000 camels through the village. Because prices multiply tenfold, were leaving for Agra tomorrow evening to see the Taj Mahal.
Looking at my budget is a sad sight. Starting in Japan put me over abut one thousand dollars from what I was expecting, and with my journey ending in the UK, with not enough money it looks like I may have to come home a few weeks earlier than expected. Ill figure out my new schedule in the next few days. Beyond the travels and new friends I've been researching my documentary heros - Errol Morris, Frederick Wiseman, Ira Glass... and yes you all of my friends - finding interviews, taking notes, and have been working on a text book for students looking to transition into being professional documentary makers. Unlike most books that simply tell you how to tell a story, or which camera to buy, I want to make a book that tells kids how to get jobs, how to keep your skills growing while you are financing your projects, and how to thrive while pursuing a passion that wont always pay all of your bills. Coming from a young guy who's figuring out all of these things for himself I'm hoping to add some freshness and some reality to the current selection of books - and before I get it published I'll put it online for free under a creative commons license - so i can preview and test the chapters and lessons before it goes to a final print.
So thats the story for now. Ill see you sooner than later. Thanks for reading.
It was last week, maybe more, that I left Mumbai. I wound up in the busiest, loudest city I've ever been to Ahmedabad. The place made midtown at 5pm on a friday look like Yom Kippur - the streets were packed, with people shoulder to shoulder like after an Islanders win in overtime with people scurrying to get to there cars. But here people were scurrying to get thier loved ones presents for one of the most important Holidays, Diwali.
After two days of intense urban chaos I escaped in an overnight train to the majestic landscape of Udaipur. On the train I met a very talented young photographer named Hishaam from the Netherlands, who used to work in the DEA of Holland - who knew the Netherlands had such an agency? We arrived at seven in the morning and made our way to a quaint guesthouse that charged just a few dollars for the room, overlooking the lake where you could see a palace in the distance on a hill. The place was filled with people selling trinkets, pipes, suits and the rest - but the culture of the place was one of service rather than hustle and sweetness rather than the con game - which made me feel more at home than anywhere I've been on the trek yet. I met another New yorker - Dalit, a young Jewish Lawyer from NY (please dad, no comments needed, I know what you are thinking), and together we all went to see Udaipur celebrate Diwalli.
The streets were covered in lights, and filled with songs. Horses with cotton placed in their ears to protect them from the loud horns blaring danced in the streets. Walking through the town there were dozens of performers and countless prepubescent boys lighting firecrackers, that sounded much more like bombs than anything you would find for July 4th back home. The noise the explosives made were startling, the place felt like a war zone mixed with a party. One of the most special moments of the evening was being invited to light fireworks with a local family, who fed us sweets and gave us their chairs and let us in on their great night.
After a few days It was time to leave Udaipur, even though it was time. Hishaam and I took a day bus eight hours to Pushkar, a very touristy holy town where they are getting ready to parade 20,000 camels through the village. Because prices multiply tenfold, were leaving for Agra tomorrow evening to see the Taj Mahal.
Looking at my budget is a sad sight. Starting in Japan put me over abut one thousand dollars from what I was expecting, and with my journey ending in the UK, with not enough money it looks like I may have to come home a few weeks earlier than expected. Ill figure out my new schedule in the next few days. Beyond the travels and new friends I've been researching my documentary heros - Errol Morris, Frederick Wiseman, Ira Glass... and yes you all of my friends - finding interviews, taking notes, and have been working on a text book for students looking to transition into being professional documentary makers. Unlike most books that simply tell you how to tell a story, or which camera to buy, I want to make a book that tells kids how to get jobs, how to keep your skills growing while you are financing your projects, and how to thrive while pursuing a passion that wont always pay all of your bills. Coming from a young guy who's figuring out all of these things for himself I'm hoping to add some freshness and some reality to the current selection of books - and before I get it published I'll put it online for free under a creative commons license - so i can preview and test the chapters and lessons before it goes to a final print.
October 24th, 2009
Hi! It’s rainy and gray in NYC. I think tonight may be the night to read all about your travels. Be well!
October 25th, 2009
i was reading your blog as well. im always concerned about the ethics of the relationships i get into with those i make media about – but this is a whole other level. do you get releases from all of your boyfriends?