See you on the other side...........

Frank Pepe pizzeria New Haven CT.

This Joe Heffernan, he is 91 years old. He has a great sense of humor, gets around just fine and has been going to Frank Pepe Pizzeria in new Haven CT. since 1937. I met him down there yesterday during a pilgrimage to the near by Ikea store. I have always wanted to try what is supposed to be where Pizza began in 1925 and it did not disappoint. The scene is great, the thin crust is the best I have ever had. here is a link to find out more about Pepe's.

China and Taiwan agree on more flights.

"Taiwan and China agreed Friday to ease decades of tight restrictions on travel and tourism between the mainland and the island state that Beijing views as a breakaway province."
Here is a link to the full story as it appeared today on cbcnews.ca

AIR GREENLAND TO DISCONTINUE NON-STOP SERVICE BETWEEN BALTIMORE (BWI) AND GREENLAND

U.S. travelers can visit the world’s largest island with convenient connections from New York area airports through Iceland or Denmark

– Air Greenland discontinued its non-stop service between Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ) which was scheduled to begin this year on June 26 and continue through August 28.

Air Greenland’s passengers who booked travel from BWI to Greenland during the 2008 season will be offered a full refund or the option of being rerouted via Iceland.

Travelers who are eager to visit Greenland have a host of options, most notably from JFK through Reykjavik (KEF – Keflavik International), Iceland or from Newark, NJ (EWR) and JFK through Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH):

• Icelandair and Air Iceland offer service to Greenland through Keflavik, Iceland (KEF). Flights are available to Nuuk from Keflavik to Greenland on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from May 29^th to September 5^th 2008.

• Several airlines, including Continental, Icelandair and SAS offer flights to Copenhagen from many destinations in the United States, including JFK and Newark. During high season, passengers can get on one of Air Greenland’s 14 weekly flights from Copenhagen to Greenland.

Air Greenland offers connections between major towns in Greenland including Ilulissat, home to the world’s most breathtaking glacier views. For more information about travel within Greenland or to book a flight, please visit www.airgreenland.com

There are also week-long guided tours of Greenland departing from Reykjavik and Copenhagen. For more information, please visit www.greenland-travel.com

Greenland, the largest island in the world, is situated in the Arctic Circle off the northeastern coast of Canada between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The destination is culturally Inuit with warm Greenlandic traditions and heavy influences of Scandinavian customs. Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland is one of the most preserved destinations in the world with unspoiled landscape, which can be seen for 24 hours during the summer months under the Arctic sun. Easily accessible through Iceland or Denmark, this pristine destination is ideal for the intrepid, adventurous traveler. For more information about Greenland, visit www.greenland.com or www.greenlandexpo.com

State Representative Ellen Story

I just photographed Ellen Story this morning. What a pleasure. She is a hard working 8 term Democrat from Hampshire county who gives me faith in the system.

Taiwan

Casa De Musica Porto Portugal

WAY TO GO OBAMA!

Obama clinched the Democratic nomination tonight. The first Afro-American to be nominated. I love it. This is a historic moment of pride for our country. Hilary acknowledged his win but was combative did not actually concede. Please Hillary , It's over! Get on board and lets all win this thing!

Fishing Boston Harbor

Alisan High Mountain Tea Picker #2

Alisan has a rugged softness about it. The mountains are massive, but beautiful terraced tea farms cover them; often you are engulfed in white fluffy clouds. Scattered on the slopes, in between the rows, are the Tea pickers in their bright clothing and classic wide brimmed hats. It is stunning. These women work hard. I nearly went down while photographing them. Its incredibly steep covered in lose rocks and they are wrapped in multiple layers of protective clothing and picking constantly. Here is a link to a very cool blog Tea masters and a link to the Alisan web site.

Taroko Gorge Taiwan

Taroko Gorge in Taiwan is spectacular. A hole ripped through the earth on the scale of the Grand canyon. This is the "Tunnel OF Nine Turns" I don't know who these people are , but they were a blast to photograph. Here is a link to find out more.

Easthampton, MA.

Just another beautiful little moment of real life that proves truth really is stranger than fiction.

Zaragoza Spain and La Sobremesa

Here is an excerpt from and a link to my new story on Gonomad.com, World Expo Zaragoza 2008: An Ancient City Looks to the Future. "Walking down town Zaragoza Spain, something out of place caught my eye. I am a photographer and naturally look for patterns and the things that break them. The Burger king across the street definitely did not fit in. It was empty inside, the glowing neon sign was awkward and garish compared to the subtleties of the aged wooden facades on the other cafes around it. They were full of people at the end of the working day, talking loudly, laughing, eating Tapas and drinking wine. I said to my friend Anna from the Spanish tourism office who was born here:” I notice that there is nobody in there?” “ Where, in The Burger King? “ she said, only children go in, why would you? , Fast food does not fit in with our culture, it leaves no room for La Sobremesa”. My ears perked up,” What’s that?" I asked her”. Anna smiled, “it is the endless conversation the happens after you are done eating. It is part of the meal, you cannot have one without the other” You eat, then you have a coffee, a little pastry you talk and suddenly four hours later you realize that you are all still at the table, so maybe another coffee… “ And on and on……….. That is La Sobremesa”
That one little statement crystallizes why I love this country so much. There is a pace of living and respect for traditions that give room for the good things in life. The important simple little huge things that we sometimes miss over here in the USA as we rush to chow down our whoppers."

Good luck Ted Kennedy

I have taken pictures of Ted Kennedy on a few occasions, this shot is from years ago with him and the late Armand Hammer. Good luck Mr. Kennedy, we need you around.

Cross cultural communication

I was walking across the street in Nuuk Greenland with a friend from Brooklyn NY. He was trying to talk to this very drunk guy who reverted to sign language, using one of the two hand signals that cross every cultural divide. The other is the OK sign, but what fun would that have been? We all cracked up including our new friend. It seems that Brooklyn boys and tough as nails Greenlanders have a similar sense of humor.

Mercado Central Zaragoza Spain

Street Life.Kaohsiung,Taiwan

Portrait of a Strawberry

I've been photographing a lot of food lately, this is a recent favorite

Climbing the Basilica de la Pilar,Zaragoza, Spain.

Louise Wu, Miss Asian America.Taiwan

Traveling around Taiwan with Louise Wu, Miss Asian America was easy. Doors open, traffic stops. She is great, humble about her title and more than willing to pose with every giggling girl and admiring boy that wanted to be photographed with her. Her is a link to the Pageants home page

The perfect Mojito

I remember walking into La Bodeguita del medio bar in the old section of Havana Cuba, with one question on my mind. This is where the famous Mojito cocktail came to life, immortalized by Ernest Hemingway. "Legend has it that he would drink several after a long day of fishing aboard the Pilar". I wanted know how many. " eleven the bartender said, Papa could drink eleven."
I tried to stop myself but no, that would be to easy and smart and I was in Cuba and in love with the world.The words escaped from my mouth" I'll take twelve". I managed to make it home safely which led me to ponder the perfect Mojito that I was assigned to photograph for Spoleto restaurant this week. Here is a link for the recipe

Grand Hyatt Taipei

This the Sushi chef at the Grand Hyatt Hotel In Taipei. Thanks to all the staff for putting together a 5 star meal for our band of tired journalists. The food was simply perfect. This is an impressive hotel. Here is a link to their web site if you are traveling to Taiwan

BIG FISH,little airport,Alaska.

Waiting room. Ted Stevens international airport, Anchorage, Alaska.

Elvis the Transvestite, Lord Russ as the Queen

Lord Russ, another local hero from Northampton Mass and future member of the Young at Heart Chorus, put on an amazing one man (woman) show this weekend ."For his upcoming role, Russ (aka Russell Brooks) has to shave his entire body. Although he's not baring the full Monty, Valley musician Brooks will be more scantily clad than normal in his upcoming one-man show Queen Elvis—The Musical. Set in 1973, the Rocky Horror Picture Show-style musical offers an alternative version of the life of Elvis Presley. Instead of following the path of self-destruction that ultimately ended his life, the show asks what might have happened if the drug-addled rock star had, after much soul-searching, discovered that he had a penchant for cross-dressing." Here is a link to the rest of Kendra Thurlow's interview with Russ in The Valley Advocate.

Grand Formosa Regent hotel Taipei Taiwan

This goes out to Ivyliu and all the great folks at the Grand Formosa Regent Hotel in Taipei. You were all fantastic. The rooms are top notch, the food was amazing, and the service and atmosphere were more than I had expected. Thanks for everything and making us feel at home. Here is link to find out more about this oasis of calm in the midst of one of the busiest cities in the world

Taipei 101

These fine gentlemen are Daniel Foster and Jake Warga, two Journalists that I traveled with to Taiwan. Taipei 101, the worlds tallest building looms in the back ground, but is dwarfed by their sparkling personalities.

Foguangshan temple Kaohsiung Taiwan

Yan can cook, Iron Chef's Kevin Brauch, and the Great Wall of Florence

Special thanks to Clara and Kenny at The Great Wall restaurant in Florence Ma for putting out an amazing feast last night. Having just come back from Taiwan a couple of days ago I can speak with some authority that the food was authentic Chinese, and what a spread it was. A whole roast pig, stir fried lobster in the shell, where just two of 11 dishes that just kept appearing at our table. The delightful Martin Yan of “Yan can cook” fame was there along with Kevin Brauch one of the announcers for the "Iron Chef". I was in foodie heaven. Martin was one of the first television cooking stars along with Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet. I used to watch him as a kid and as Kevin said in his toast to him, “this is the guy that started it all for the rest of us way back when and he looks exactly the same!” The Iron chef America is one of my favorite food shows now and Kevin is a great guy. He gave us the inside info on the show and I was happy to hear that it is a real competition. Here is a link to Kevin’s web site, Tapasproductions.com and if you are interested in learning from the master, you can join Martin in China at his cooking school and cultural tours that he offers at YanCancook.com

Reflections of a life in photography

It has been a long week and a very far journey in between taking these two photos. The first was taken in the elevator at the Hotel Del Lago in Sun Moon lake Taiwan. The second was taken 5 days later while on assignment at University health services in Amherst Mass. The jet lag is killing me, but I'm still looking up.

Taipei Herb street

Osaka Japan,The revenge of Karate Dan Hallman

They did not know where he had come from, but they had loved him forever. He was Karate Dan. Travelers waiting at the Osaka air port where amazed at his fighting skills. He was fierce, he was kind, he had Sake on his breath. His legend will live on.

Jian Guo Jade and Flower Market. Taipei Taiwan

Alisan high mountain tea picker Taiwan

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Taiwan

Lungshan Temple Taiwan

Lungshan Temple had the same effect on me as it did the last time I was here 2 years ago. Although crowded like the rest of Taipei, each person seems at peace, alone with their private conversations with the Gods that they have come to consult. Tears again came to me as I let my camera fall from my eye to just sit and be. Looking up from my own thoughts, An old man caught my attention and gave me a knowing smile, he had seen inside me. I did not feel invaded as I know some people must when I peer at them in their private moments. I was grateful to be welcomed as a participant and not the constant observer that I have become.

Taiwan street life

Greetings from Taiwan

Twenty five hours of travel later and I am finally back in Taiwan, it is spectacular. Our first day hear was so full it is hard to know where to start. So I will begin with the end of the evening that was spent at an amazing performance of Peking Opera in Taipei city by Taipei Eye. I need sleep, so here is a link to their web site that will tell their story so much better than my tired brain can muster

EXPO ZARAGOZA 2008

In Advance of my upcoming article on Zaragoza Spain in Gonomad.com, here is a behind the scenes look at the Bridge pavilion under construction at Expo Zaragoza 2008, “water and sustainable development” running from June 14th through the September 14th. This promises to be an exciting and important event with over 125 countries participating. Here is a link to the official web site to find out more.

The Young At Heart Chorus photography

Please visit Paulshoulphotography.com for image sales and more photography of the Young at Heart Chorus

This is the big time for the young at Heart Chorus. Northampton Mass, from which they come, was beaming with pride last Saturday for the Premier of their new film that will be opening around the world on April 9th, distributed by Fox Search light films. It was strange to watch the parts of the film that were filmed in the Academy of music…at the Academy of music. The Drunk Stuntmen that are in the film and perform with the chorus will be on the Jay Leno show with them on the April 16th and rumor has it that they will also be on the Ellen show. You have to love it. It gives us all faith that the world my just not be as crazy as it seems. Sometimes…the good guys win. Oh Yea, the joke around town, coined by none other than Michael kusek is that they are the new March of the Penguins....only slower.

Eat at Flo's,Northampton,MA.

This is an old favorite photo of mine. Republican students from Umass were holding a rally in Northampton Ma to show support for our governments support of the Contras in the war against Nicaragua. This guy appeared with his sign "eat at flows" which is a local diner that every one knows. All I can say is that the crowd cracked up and the rally ended. I don't know who he was but if you are out there. I thank you for years of laughter

Holyoke,MA.91 north closed again by truck turn over

RT 91 is getting to be a difficult drive. Yesterday we had an explosion that killed the driver after his truck carrying gasoline swerved to avoid a car. Today the highway was closed again for 3 hours after a truck carrying mulch turned over.

Maximon,Guatemala

I remember walking into the dark room where I was to meet Maximon and thinking to my self, "I am far away from home, very far." According to Wikipedia "Maximón is a saint worshipped in various forms by Maya people of several towns in the highlands of Western Guatemala.

The origins of his cult are not very well understood by outsiders to the different Mayan religions, but Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Colombian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Catholicism. Maximón may also be called San Simón. Originally, he was believed to be a Catholic priest who had looked after aboriginals during early 1600s.

Where Maximón is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year, being moved in a procession during Holy Week. During the rest of the year, devotees visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is usually attended by two people from the representing Cofradia who keep the shrine in order and pass offerings from visitors to the effigy. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes to gain his favour in exchange for good health, good crops, and marriage counseling, amongst other favours. The effigy invariably has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, it will have a hole in its mouth to allow the attendants to give it spirits to drink.
San Simón in Zunil, 2007
San Simón in Zunil, 2007

Maximón is generally dressed in European 18th century style, although with many local variations. In Santiago Atitlán he is adorned with many colourful garlands, while in Zunil (where he is known as San Simón) he has a much more intimidating style, with his face obscured by dark sunglasses and a bandana.

The worship of Maximón treats him not so much as a benevolent deity as a bit of a bully whom it's wise to keep on the right side of. He is also known to be a link between Xibalbá The Underworld and Bitol Corazón del Cielo. His expensive tastes in alcohol and cigarettes indicate that he is a very human character, very different from the ascetic ideals of Christian sainthood. Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón." Here is a link to an on-line shrine where you too can worship.

Tibet focus for Taiwan election

I shot this image in Taiwan on my last trip there and am thrilled to be traveling back there in a few weeks. Taiwan will be holding its presidential elections tomorrow and the events in Tibet are of a great concern to them and are changing the predicted out come of the race. I will be posting daily updates during my trip. Here is a link from BBC News to find out more about what is going on now.

In memory of Hal Benoit

Northampton has lost another one of the amazing people that gave us life. I will miss you Hal.
This is a link to his my space page if you want to hear his music or leave him a message. Knowing Hal, he'll be checking in.

Tibetans protest Chinese violence

Tibetan members of the New England Cushi Gangdruk, protested the Chinese crackdown and violence in their country today in downtown Northampton Mass. They handed out a statement that read. "We the members of New England Chushi Gangdruk appeal to you who believe in freedom and democracy to support the cause of Tibet by asking the US government to force China to respect human rights in Tibet and give them independence”

Puyuhuapi lodge and spa Patagonia Chile

"A secret south of silence" is how the Puyuhapi lodge and spa describes their experience. In the midst of the wilds of Patagonia you can find luxury and personal care. Here is a link to find out more about this unique place.

Hotel espacio Y Tiempo La Junta Patagonia Chile

I had the honor of spending a few nights at Espacio Y Tiempo In Patagonia Chile. This mountain Lodge is owned and run by a gracious couple who fed me well and invited over some locals to dance and party the night away. Chile is an extremely beautiful place, with an emphasis on "extreme" The mountains are higher the rivers are faster and the weather is intense. Here is a link to find out more about this cozy little place at the end of the earth.

What I hate about Cancun Mexico

I love Mexico, I hate Cancun. When I look at it too long I fear that I will turn to stone.