Blog Archives
below the street
So, I started the journey from Lubbock to Sicily by heading to Boston. That’s a little bit of a non-traditional route, but there were some logistical considerations that figured into the decision and it made more sense that you might think.
Anyway.
One year earlier (almost exactly to the day), I’d been lucky enough to walk around the Haymarket and the North End with a local fellow* who knew some things about where photographers would like to go. So, on my free day in the city, I went back to those places on my own.
Looking back through all those photos-with-people that I started taking in Sicily makes me think this was a bit of a practice run…
Haymarket
Boston, Massachusetts
photographed 8.27.2022
*It was Don. Don Toothaker. Maybe you know him?
tiny dreams
It was easy to tell that this little girl was longing for one of those stuffed animals – kids at the fair always want one of those carnival-game prizes. And I am pretty sure her adult stayed there until he’d won one for her.
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 9.25.2022
only god
I know her tattoo says that only God can judge her, but I bet there are plenty of people who will judge her – on her tattoo, on her clothes, on her hairstyle, on her relationship status, on her job, on all those things that are no one else’s business.
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 9.25.2022
the committee, at rest
The men who are entrusted to carry the saint on her procession are all members of a family that’s been doing this important task for centuries. When we asked how that family was originally chosen, our guide said it was so long ago that no one knows. That sort of dedication to a saint, to personal beliefs, to a community is admirable. And is something that I do not believe I’ve witnessed before.
Thank you for your patience as I presented all these photos of Sicily. It took me several months to commit to making the trip; finally making the commitment to go was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. So, here’s my Big Important Advice: don’t put off doing that thing that you think you want to do but aren’t sure about it because this might not be the best time or your schedule might be too tight to make it work or what about that other thing that you’ll miss at home (or at the office) if you go. If you CAN, you should.
Bivona, Sicily
photographed 9.4.2022
la processione
Later on the day of the saint’s feast, Santa Rosalia was carried on a procession through the town. A trio of priests led the way, and a marching band followed. The saint is heavy – and top-heavy, too – so there were frequent stops. The local residents followed on the sidewalks or crowded into the street.
Because our visit was well-known in Bivona and because we’d met the Mayor earlier that day, he was kind about waving us into good positions in front of the procession. And the townspeople were also very nice about our participation in an event that was a sacred day for them but which could have easily been perceived as a novelty to us. It was easy to get caught up in the magic (which is a thing that sounds like an easy cliche, but it really did feel that way).
Bivona, Sicily
photographed 9.4.2022
One Day | One Image 