faith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a mexican’s night street scene. mexico. from ‘el laberinto’ series.

 

READ THIS.

 

up & down

caballero passing on the road. mexico. from ‘el laberinto’ series.

 

life has been hard and i dont think it’s going to get any easier. but i’ve been fortunate in my life to have a community that is enduring. trying to make it in photography is arduous. so i make sure to have a community of family and peers that will help me keep the faith, the faith in my vision and the faith that my passion with get me somewhere.

you need the belief that your passion and vision will last the purge. i’ve doubted so many times this past year. (just look at my previous post.)  but when i’ve gotten close to the edge, something/someone has always come to take me back. its about survival and scrapping it out for now. doing whatever is needed of you/me, be it getting coffee or taking out the trash for someone or some photographer. do it with passion and joy and people will see it.  but remember, do it with purpose.  dont ever be complacent about where you are in life.  

i was taught some valuable lessons from my football coaches during high school.  one of them was: ‘never settle for mediocrity.’

 

doubts

fenced dog. los mochis, mexico. part of project entitled ‘el laberinto.’

what makes us know we’re taking the right choices? how do we know this is the life meant for us? i mean, really, what the fuck? how do we stay confident when there seems to be so many failures?

what does it really mean to be a part of something more than yourself? it sounds so courageous and poetic, that line. we try to live our lives being ‘a part of something more’. but what happens when all things go to hell in front of you? what happens when you lose that something or that someone that you never had? where do you go from there? where do i go from here?

Mexico D.F. to San Miguel de Allende

Carlos in his beanie and bicycle helmet. Mexico D.F., Mexico.
© kevin t vu

Hanging around after the pilgrimage. Mexico D.F., Mexico.
©kevin t vu

Manuel standing at an intersection. Mexico D.F., Mexico.
©kevin t vu

We’ve finished the race down to Mexico city!!!! It was an exhilarating ending heading into the city. We came in at 6am to beat the madness of the beast. Police cars were stopping traffic for us as we raced through the streets trying not to get hit by any cars (I believe one bicyclist was hit). We reached ‘La Iglesia Tepeyac.’. It was an amazing feeling as we saw the church come into view w/ the thousands standing and waiting!

From there, they got cleaned up and we had time to get breakfast and do a short walk around the area. I fell behind as they were riding away to the equipment truck. So I ended up walking around in pitch dark w/ some expensive equipment in an area that you dont want to go about. After an hour of searching, I found them and we enjoyed some beers at 9 in the morning to celebrate. From there we went to a mass that was held for the pilgrims. We, then, had lunch and left the city.

It’s weird to not see these guys anymore. I was with them for 3 solid weeks and I loved their company and friendship. I thanked them as I headed off alone.

I want to get my work done so that I can send the images to Juan, Carlos, Luis and their families. It has been a great trip and I’m so glad that they afforded me that opportunity. I hope my images will tell them the many thanks that I didnt say when I was w/ them.

I am now in San Miguel starting another chapter with the Santa Fe Photo Workshops. It has been wonderful to hang out w/ Ren, Anne, Spelman, Tricia and Cristina.

zitacuaro, mexico

riding through the city. ciudad hidalgo, mexico.

am definitely in the thick of it now!! we got to their small pueblo almost a week ago. there, we were able to relax and recuperate for 3 days. and now, we’re engulfed in the bike pilgrimage for the Virgin Guadalupe! there are literally hundreds, if not more, of bicyclists! and the excitement surrounding the journey has been addicting. wherever we past, families and children come running out to clap for them. and the generosity of the mexican people have been astounding. i’ve had the privilege of that through juan, carlos, and jose, who’ve let me come into theirs. we come into towns and the towns people prepare breakfast and lunch for us. i’ve raced around in the back of trucks and ridden on motorcycles. almost lost a leg today (and a $5,000 camera) trying to run and jump onto a truck that was leaving. had no choice as it was my last option and i would’ve have been stranded. all this and i just cant believe it will be all over in 2 days! after that, my next journey starts!