I've been thinking of how people all over the world might be handling COVID-19 and social distancing. I started remembering some of my photos of people (which I rarely take) and just thought it would be a nice memory to share some faces of people I've met in my travels. With the exception of one or two, I don't know them personally, they were but a blip along the way. However, each one holds a special memory for me and I truly hope they are all doing well.
Random People from Across the United States
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| Listening to live music at the Salt Lick in Austin, Texas |
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| I was taking photos on Beale Street and this guy asked me to take his! |
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| Sweet ol' homeless man on Beale Street listening to live music with me |
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| I told her I loved her style and asked if I could get a photo! Beale Street, Memphis, TN |
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| Elder couple dancing at one of the blues bars on Beale Street |
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| Playing mahjong in San Francisco |
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| Gay Pride, San Francisco, CA |
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| Gay Pride Parade, San Francisco, CA |
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| A motivational speaker Angela and I met in Chicago, IL |
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| Sweet employee at Charles Krug Winery, Napa Valley, CA |
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| Fun couple, Adam and Beverly, we met at Clos Pegas, Napa Valley, CA |
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| Fish throwing at Pikes Place Market, Seattle, WA |
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| Fun girl we met at Kerloo Cellars, Walla Walla, WA |
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| Surfer at Ho'okipa Beach, Paia, HI |
These next few are from a village visit we did in Zambia
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| Village Chief |
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| Friends we made in Franschhoek, South Africa at Lynx Winery |
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| Chef who fed us after visiting the Devil's Pool - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe |
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| Safari guides, Jonathan and Derrick, at Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
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In December of 2013 we traveled to Ambergris Caye, Belize
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| Fresh Lobster! |
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Love his style!
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Photos from various visits to New York City
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| Gary de Santos, The Mayor of Strawberry Fields, Central Park, NY (he passed away in 2013) |
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| Walking around Tribeca at night, this lady was standing out on her stoop. I love this photo. |
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This man had signs all over Manhattan! I wonder if he ever found her.
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Just a handful of the people we met in Italy in 2011 and in 2015
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| Lisa and the craftsman who made (and signed) her purse! Como, Itlay |
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| Glassblower in Murano, Italy |
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| Accordion player in Venice, Italy |
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| Gondolier in Venice, Italy |
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| Artist in Arezzo, Italy |
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| Wonderful artist signing all of the pieces we purchased. Assisi, Italy |
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| Wedding we saw in Cortona, Italy |
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Giacomo Bindi, pouring for us at Agriturismo Il Cocco, Montalcino, Italy
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| Giacomo Bindi |
And finally, photos of some wonderful Cubans from our trip in February 2017
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| Osiel, the owner of the Casa de Particular where we stayed in Trinidad, Cuba |
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| Playing dominoes in Vinales, Cuba |
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| Tobacco farmer teaching us to roll a cigar. Vinales, Cuba |
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| Bartender at the famous La Bodeguita del Medio. Havana, Cuba |
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| Poet outside of La Bodequita |
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| Frying plantains and blowing me a kiss! Havana, Cuba |
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| Out for a stroll. Havana, Cuba |
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| Sharpening knives on his bike |
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| Amazing bartender at 304 O'Reilly |
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| Just a man and his weiner dogs! Havana, Cuba |
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| Street performers outside of our hotel in Havana |
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| Our TWO taxi drivers, as the first taxi broke down on the way from Havana to Trinidad! |
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| Barber in Trinidad, Cuba |
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| Musicians in Trinidad, Cuba |
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| Shoe shiners in Trinidad, Cuba. |
I hope that everyone in all of these photos and everyone all across the world are faring well during this crazy time. I desperately have the desire to travel, especially after going through all of these pictures, but now is not the time for that. Now is the time to be patient, something that we Americans are not good at. We could certainly stand to learn some lessons from the Italians and the Cubans. Let's find some peace during this. Let's respect one another. Let's get through this and come out the other side better, more responsible, caring people. I challenge you, and myself, to do that. Be well.
"Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive...to live now...to have the courage to confront each day." ~Bernie Siegel
"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts." ~Abraham Lincoln
