SNAP!

[#1]

I snapped this teen in a small village near the Serengeti in Tanzania, Africa. The Massai people continue to live the simple lifestyle and traditions of generations past. Their homes are mud and cow-dung huts...void of any of our "creature comforts", yet they seem to enjoy a happy, serene life, largely centered around family.

One of the main changes this region has experienced is the governmental and village support of  formal education. For years, Massai parents were concerned that Western education would erode their children's sense of community...or worse still, encourage young people to move from villages altogether. Today, parents are slowly embracing the opportunities education affords their young people, including helping the Massai move forward in finding their place in a modern world. Massai girls are also now part of the education environment, a change that has occurred in the past several years. 

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 Pictured to the left is the  future chief of the village, who was educated in the U.S.  He returns to take his place of leadership among his people. When asked how he was awarded such an esteemed title, he replied, "Because I am the son of the chief, so it will soon be my turn. " 

 Red is the "official" color of the Massai. Brilliant colors are used to easily identify fellow tribesman from afar in the neurtral-toned landscape of the region.

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This group of male warriors and elders enjoy some shade from the heat of the African sun, while playing the game of mancala. When they learned I also played, they encouraged me to join them, something they would never do with their own female counterparts. Most take more than one wife and often receive cows as a dowry for a young bride. The women of the village are leaders in their own right, managing the care of the livestock, family, hearth and communal food for the group.

Story and photos by Sandy Klim

[#2]

OH, CANADA ! !

Just returned from a Canadian trip at the beginning of October.  This photo seemed appropriate for GOING PLACES ! ! ! ! 

Just thought the scenery was so beautiful, colorful, and definitely cooler than Florida.

Jim & Dorothy Payette, Central Florida

[#3]

That's stunningl!  I grew up in Michigan and now live in Florida. One thing I really miss are the beautiful colors of Fall. You just don't see the vibrant reds, orange and yellows that cold weather brings out in the foliage up north.  Wonderful shot.  Thanks for sharing!  Sandy