The samurai

I confess I was a bit alarmed when I first noticed the tiny samurai dancing on the wall of my room. With a brief flash of horror, I thought of parasitic fungi and remembered the browning avocado I'd eaten for lunch- a mistake! But the thought soon left me, displaced by a breathless sense of awe and wonder about the samurai's masterful dance, and the intricate patterns it left in its wake. It didn't seem possible that something so beautiful could ever hurt me...

Mushrooms

As I came to consciousness, what surprised me wasn't that I had no idea where I was, or how I had gotten there. It wasn't even that I was standing in a forest of giant red mushrooms- which made about as much sense as any recent conversation about politics I'd had the misfortune of stumbling into. No, what surprised me was that the largest of these mushrooms appered to be made entirely out of yarn...

I Can Hear Cars

The snow-powdered bridge marks the threshold to the forest. Underneath, water flows through available crevices in large ice blocks. As I enter the path lined by snowy pines, my footsteps soften and the clamor of the highway dissipates....

Photos from Place Z

It's said a picture is worth a thousand words. So, what about the thousand pictures I took in Place Z? I can't imagine how to convey in words the countless incredible experiences I had there, nor the many extraordinary people I met, so there won't be an essay on Place Z. Not yet, anyway. Maybe with time I'll gain some perspective. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorite photos of this enchanted place.

Surfside

A giant wave greeted me upon my arrival.

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Enchanted Glade

My favorite spot to read in Place Z was this beautiful ancient glade.

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Turtle

One day, I saw a rare red-shelled sea turtle.

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Fairy Lights

Everywhere was so beautiful at night. Nowhere more so than the coffee shop on the hill.

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Flower Bro

Although he didn't make a great first impression, Flower Bro came to be one of my closest friends.

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