I love to people watch. I don’t think I am nosy, and I am not a creepy stalker. I just enjoy watching people in their element, or in their daily lives. Do you? I think observation teaches us and enlightens us culturally, even in our own countries. And while taking photos of those observations takes me a little out of my comfort zone, the challenge can be fun, and maybe a tad bit sneaky.

We are still traveling and before I share our current wanderings, I would like to share an interesting display we found in Kansas, in regards to smiles and photography.

Have you ever wondered why people didn’t smile for photos in the day? I always thought it was because photos were a formality, most likely for the wealthy.

But history tells us life was hard, people had bad teeth, and they thought smiling made them look silly. The long exposure times, requiring them to sit still, took the fun out of the experience.

And as I took my phone from my pocket to take a photo to the display, I smiled thinking of how simple photography has become. And how life seems to be defined by selfies these days.

One of the funniest places to selfie watch is the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Hundreds of tourists try to position themselves for just the right angle so it appears they are holding up the landmark. Funny, isn’t it? Funnier still is were are probably all guilty of it.

For some photography is work. In South Padre Island, we ran across a news crew on location for the SpaceX launch in April. The mission was scrubbed on this day, and I can only imagine the frustration and the long hours engaging their listeners. The next attempt would be two days later.

To bring you up to date, we ramble through Gloucester, Massachusetts, home to America’s oldest seaport. As expected, we experienced a town offering rich maritime history, fresh seafood, an active working waterfront, and picturesque coastlines. And yet it is so much more than fish.

Hold that thought.

I don’t paint dreams I paint my reality. – Frida Kahlo

Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears and straight to the heart.

Watchful eyes are beacons of hope amidst the vast ocean of uncertainty.

And I can’t leave you without a fish story. A good one. We stumbled across a fish yard where a fisherman had just delivered his catch. We kept our distance, just wanting to watch. Of course a few photos were necessary as we were fascinated with the size of the tuna. The photo shows the discussion about the sale. And before it was butchered, they walked over to us and invited us into their world. I was in heaven. They were proud to share their life with us. And honestly, I was proud they knew we just wanted to know their story. The tuna was just under 700 lbs.

Carpe Diem does not mean; fish of the day.

Seize the day!

Wind Kisses, Donna

And we move along…..