Saquisilí Animal Market

Nora and I were closing the week-long Quilotoa loop, a gorgeous hike in Ecuador around the Rio Toachi Canyon. We timed it so we would end up in Isinlivi a day or two before the Thursday animal market in Saquisili. Located off the Pan-American Highway, Saquisili is a 25-minute drive from Latacunga. Since arriving in Ecuador, I became hooked on weekly markets in towns along our way. Dynamic,

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Seattle academic educational photographer

First of September: Russia’s Day of Knowledge

For every kid in Russia, September 1st is the official first day of school. Every year, every school. First graders, going to school for the first time in their lives, are quiet and apprehensive. Dressed up, barely bigger than their backpacks, holding bouquets of flowers for their teachers, led to schools by proud parents. Flowers in one hand, their parent’s hand in the other. Big white bows

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Sakhalin Island Pink Salmon Fishery

Vladimir Smirnov We reached Plavnik just before the sunset. The remote commercial fishing camp looked like the Russian version of an intentional community. Half a dozen wooden buildings huddled together at the mouth of Langeri River, tucked away in the northeastern corner of Sakhalin Island. Well-built and maintained, the remote camp is rather an exception to the ones that dot the coastline of Sakhalin Island. Perched on the remote section

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A dinner for 200: feeding fish processors in Ozernovsky, Kamchatka.

One of the most successful and largest fishing companies in Ozernovsky, Kamchatka has many mouths to feed.  Not even counting their fishermen, who eat at their posts – either on boats or at fish camps – there are still over 200 fish processors. They come to the galley in waves, looking for hearty, tasty meals. The food is excellent and made from scratch, and includes

A dinner for 200: feeding fish processors in Ozernovsky, Kamchatka. Read