Lonely Days
The day was young when we drove into the small town but he was already there at the town center, alone and quietly observing a sleepy neighborhood that was slowly getting out into the sunlight. He slightly, almost indistinguishably, nodded without uttering a word when I approached him then politely gestured if I could take a photo. He did not even grunt or move an inch when I thanked him in Mongolian before I turned to join my colleagues. More than an hour later, when we were about to leave, he was still there on the very same spot. Stoic. Blankly staring. Perhaps just waiting for another long and lonely day to end ….
The drag of endless mental work in a strange land takes its toll. Fatigue can kill so petty escapades provide hopeful deviations from the brewing madness. An aging DSLR keeps good company to a walk around the neighbourhood, a short drive to a scenic place, or a silent recollection in a quiet nook granting that the host community and the elements of nature would allow one a safe passage to solitude and contemplation. Loneliness quickly turns to joy when something exciting gets captured by the cam’s shutter then set free into the laptop’s screen followed by electric words that rush from the fingers to the keyboard in an effort to describe the moment. Alas, the brain is alive once again!
Awesome portrait.
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Thanks so much, disperser.
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Have you any idea the age of this man?
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Unfortunately, we didn’t have much of a conversation. I would have asked him that question too.
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Lovely – there’s so much emotion and feeling in these
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Thanks, Shiela.
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Very sad. Beautiful capture though.
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Yes, I wanted to cheer him up but didn’t know how. Thanks, Naomi.
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Powerful portraits, and lovely narrative as well.
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Thank you, Cindy.
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Great capture in both pictures and words.
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Thanks a lot.
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You are very welcome.
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Very nice, Jessie…wonder what went through his mind all day…memories of dreams and regrets relived….
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Probably, I was wondering about that as well. Also, there was nothing much to watch as the town was very small but that spot was probably the busiest part of town. Thanks, Scott.
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You’re welcome, Jessie…at least the man was at the busiest spot in town….
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¡Que bello retrato!, abrazos
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Very cool. Love the photos!
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fantastic!
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