name a price. pick a subject. get a poem...

Meet Abigail Mott.

I met Abigail tonight while walking to the 4 train, at the Union Square Street Station in NYC. My favorite park and station in all of New York City, mainly due to the performances both outside and inside, and the cesspool of types of people that journey through it's underbelly. I've seen quite a few performances here, from dancers, to beatboxing, to folk singing, but tonight it was something rather silent that yelled so loud.

A young lady (Abigail) has a typewriter (love), a table and chair set up, and a sign. "Name a price. Pick a Subject. Get a poem." It doesn't matter the price. Follow directions and you are blessed with a unique piece of art based around whatever you ask her to create. Before long, a line forms and you're mesmorized by her typing keys, anxious to see what it is she has created for you.

"Can you create something about traveling the world," I asked.

"Ok."

(Abigail creating my poem)

About five minutes later, I was handed a piece of paper. I would have asked her to read it to me (a la 'Before Sunrise') but her line was already long enough. I left so fulfilled and I hadn't even read the poem yet.

I wanted something that could be dedicated to the Tribe. It reads:

'Murmuring through ancient hallways,

Cobble steps that echo

memorous feelings of THIS ManMade

CREATION

is IT

New Centuries Eclipse--

Fields, stones, nature in lushness

It sweeps by

in ceaseless wind

Fluttering new worlds in."

Abigail Mott

Jan 10, 2012

NYC

I love it. It immediately, upon reading, transported me back to Cambodia. Of all the places I've traveled, it took me right back to Ta Prohm, in the Angkor Wat Ruins, to this very photo.

The image I recollected was so vivid I couldn't shake it.

On the train a gentleman was sitting next to me. In oblivion, I was woken up by his words, "Sorry to be reading over your shoulder, but that poem is very beautiful."

I said thank you, and that slight introduction led to an indepth conversation about Abigail, my travels, and the purpose I intend to fulfill through Nomad•ness. Great guy. Greater conversation. I hope he checks out the website, and I hope you all check out Abigail.

spring into SEAsia...

Spring into SEAsia...for those who have been there, enjoy the stunning imageray of the amazing South East Asian countries. For those who haven't been, to you I share a peek at what you need to experience.

Nomad•ness Travel Series Official Teaser is here...

Nomad•ness Travel Series Official Teaser is here. Check out snippets of me all around the world. Including updated Berlin footage, from your fan help with Kickstarter. 

Nomad·ness is the reality show of one woman, with one perspective, traveling one country at a time. Through these journeys, I bring you urban life as it's lived around the world. Exploring art, music, food, local pastimes, and causes unique to each area I travel within. 

Check me, and other episodes, out at http://nomadnesstv.com

'Traveling Girl' Theme Song (obsessed) by Mr. Ivory Snow @mrivorysnow on Twitter

Shouts out to Foreign Beggars from the UK (obsessed) @foreignbeggars on Twitter

Please spread the word about the Nomad•ness Travel Series Facebook Fan Page. If on Facebook, follow this link and 'Like' the page. Every person counts for the attention of networks and sponsors! Facebook Fan Page LINK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nomadness-Travel-series/129147987097101

born into brothels...growing into a dream

The last time I watched the documentary "Born Into Brothels" it was just before visiting India. I knew my photography would flourish there, and the story of these kids, finding an escape and expression through the same art form, held so tightly to my heart. Proud owner of the film, again, I found myself moved to tears watching it.

Having had been to a number of second and third world countries, but India specifically, gutted me. India, by far, was the worst poverty I'd ever seen, and smelled, in my life. Naked bodies, open masturbation from men on the streets, lack of personal space, being followed, street animals ranging from elephants, to buffalo, and monkeys. It was unlike any place I'd ever been to before, and been to since. Yet, one boy from the film reminds of a boy I met in Cambodia.

This is Avijit, ten years post the film's debut. He's 20 now and of all the children in the film, he stook out to me the most. The capacity of which he had to describe photos, and the level of his skills was impressive in the film, especially that being the first time he'd ever picked up a camera. Avijit has a father addicted to hash, and a mother who was set on fire by her pimp, during shooting. A true representation of everything wrong with the Red Light Districts of India. In the film he talked about wanting to go to college in the US, and wanting to be a photographer. Every odd on the face of the Earth was up against this kid...until the film director pulled every loop hole imaginable to get him a passport to attend a World Press Photography event in Amsterdam, and he was exposed to the world outside of India. Ten years later, he's now a student at NYU. Seriously, tears form writing this because of another young man, who reminds me of Avijit, yet lives in Cambodia.

I wrote on here once before about Vantaa, almost a year ago. The photo above is the first, and only time Vantaa and I ever met. I was on my trek through the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia, and after exiting Ta Prohm, I gave my driver lunch on me. While there this young man approached my table, and spoke stunning English. He asked if I was from South Africa, because of my dress. He also tried to navigate the circle of kids surrounding me, apparently because they'd never seen anyone with my style and feather earring. I was impressed with Vantaa. He spoke about meeting Angelina Jolie when they shot Tomb Raider in Ta Prohm. We spoke about his education. He was to be a few years outside of high school, and wanting nothing more than to get an education in the United States. He spoke so vividly about wanting to attend University, and how important it was to him, yet he doubted it would happen because of how poor his family was. I gave Vantaa my card, which he is holding in the photo ironically, and told him to please keep in contact with me, and use my blog as a way to study English.

About a month after my trip to Cambodia, he did just that. We keep in contact periodically over the internet. He's also gotten some free shwag sent his way. Vantaa knows I care. He doesn't know how much I care.

The type of success I want, is defined by me being able to pay for Vantaa's college tuition to attend school in America. That is the type of success I aim for in life, and travel.

People travel for different reasons, and approach it in different ways. I connect with local people when I go abroad, and I form relationships that I still cultivate after I leave. It's more so the people, than it is the places I go to. I want to see how they live and how they love. Giving back is such a huge part of what I want to do. Philanthropy is going to be a word synonymous with Evita. I have seen too much, not to give back.

Thoughts of Avijit and Vantaa today...

Nomad•ness Eps. 5: Season 2 Angkor Wat

In this episode, Evie finally gets to touch her second World Wonder, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. She reflects on civilizations before ours, and how it effects her travels today. Get a sneak peek of Siem Reap's Old Market downtown area. Let's not forget Pub Street.

Along with the new episode, it's time for some fundraising! PLEASE take the time out to check out the pledge page at Kickstarter.com to help get the pilot episode of Nomad•ness shot in Berlin! We have 45 days to raise $5,000...well $4,945! Thank you all in advance. Even if you can't pledge, spread the word! Pledge as little as even $1 HERE!