fenced

Photos copyright 2001 Gazelle

The village of Toro, Galicia, Spain

collapse

Sometimes it's not just the waves you need to watch out for...

Cliff collapse, just north of Jalama Beach Park campground, Santa Barbara County

may the force be with you

As an adult I've gained what I think is a healthy disdain for most advertising. But as a kid, things were different. In the late 70's and early 80's, as I poured through Skateboarder, Surfer, and Surfing, I was in awe of the "cool factor" that some companies exuded in their ad campaigns. Kryptonics was always one of my faves, as was Alva and Santa Cruz. As I think back on it, the skate ads were a lot more creative and interesting than the surf stuff, even if some of the surf logos were pretty damn cool (ie: McCoy, MR, Herbie Fletcher). It's all bullshit, but it can be pretty powerful stuff to a young mind...

theme tune

peace park

Photo copyright 1990 Gazelle

Park maintenance crew, Hiroshima Peace Park, Japan

This park encompasses ground zero for the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima in 1945. Ground zero itself is over a former city hall building, preserved and commonly known as the "a-bomb dome" because of the twisted supports remaining of the structure's dome.

Hiroshima is a remarkable city for many reasons, not least among them the consciousness of its citizens. They seem to have a clear understanding of the importance of what happened to their city, and take seriously the mission of preventing anything like it from ever happening again. If you're a peace-lover, make a pilgrimage to Hiroshima. After touring through the museum in the park and seeing graphic displays of the horror these people experienced, you'll be amazed at the capacity of humans to forgive and move forward in a positive direction.

theme tune, inspired by patch and chum, who regularly offer up musical accompaniment to their posts.

salt of the earth pt. 2

Photo copyright 2001 Gazelle

She's the matriarch of the family, and at Carnival time her family is in charge of gathering the ants into big bags. She troops out into the countryside with her daughters, sons, grandchildren, and random volunteers to visit the ant hills she monitors all year. Then, at a specified time on a particular day of Carnival, the large and angry ants are brought into the plaza and thrown into the crowd, biting as they land on the unlucky spectators and participants. It's an absurd tradition, but a very old one - a combination of hilarious prank and serious punishment. No one should take it personally, though - if you drop by her place she'll pour you a cup of coffee or vino and you can sing songs with the family.

Galicia, Spain

piazza molto grande

Photo copyright 2000 Gazelle

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy

ghost town

Photo copyright 1997 Gazelle

Bodie State Park, California