random

random
Originally uploaded by ryan linke

i saw many random things happening in india and this was one of them. people enjoyed the cat in the fridge picture and i thought this was in the same genre.

life

life
Originally uploaded by ryan linke

an old woman prays in the backround, while a little kid enjoys the simple things. a beautiful moment in a very special place. this picture was taken at the main temple in mcleod ganj, home of the dalai lama and the exiled tibetan government. this truly is an international community where people from all over the world come to learn about and observe tibetan culture.

split seconds

split seconds
Originally uploaded by ryan linke

in india things just happen right in front of you. this boy ran up to me and held this bird up. i reached into my bag and pulled out my camera. he stood still waiting for me to take the picture. of course he didnt know i had a camera in my bag but he must have known that this image would last in my mind. it was if he was saying "dont forget me." after i took the photo he gave me one last glance and ran off. he never asked me for anything which is where with the steet kids.
this was in bangalore, a place that is dubbed the "silicon valley" of the east. this city is one of the most high tech cities in the world hosting many call centers for big US corporations. the visual dichotomies kept me asking, "how can a city with so much technology and western influence have so much poverty?" there are so many kids on the street that seem to have no chance, no future. the western gears are grinding against the gears of the 3rd world. how will this city react to the rapid change and growing wealth, i hope these kids will not be left out of the new picture.

cool cat

cool cat, originally uploaded by ryan linke.

this is why i love traveling. i love seeing things that are different to me, but normal to others. its not everyday i see a cat hanging out in the fridge, but at this restaraunt on ko phi phi island its an everyday happening. the people at the restaraunt didnt understand why i was taking a picture. the next day i came back and gave them a copy of the print, they were stoked.

games, the international language

, originally uploaded by ryan linke.

games offer a chance at an international language. they cross countries, borders, and time zones. the same game can be played with twists all over the world, developed a little different through the course of time.
maybe the roots of my interests began at the card room that i worked in for three years. all the characters, the personalities. the common game was poker, and often the table was very diverse. old guys, college kids. white, black, asian, english speaking, spanish speaking, the card room was diversity.
as i continue my travels i am watching for games and their variety. i saw these guys in bangkok playing a varied version of backgammon that was very interesting, and it seemded like the satkes were. instead of rolling on the board they qould throw the dice into a small bowl, the sound of the dice matched the action. i usually stand and watch for a little trying to figure out the little twists and turns that make their version unique.
yesterday i walked past an intense card game where cash was the language. it looked some kind of blackjack but icouldnt quite figure it out. the currency was baht and money was changing hands very quickly. i tried to take some pictures, but the guys said no because of the illegality of gambling in bangkok. its usually a good idea to respect the wishes of the locals, especially when they are in front of a muay thai training facility.
to see more pictures of games throughout the world please follow the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/themissinglinke/sets/72157606089091579/

sleeping dogs lye

sleeping , originally uploaded by ryan linke.

sometimes it gets so hot that all you can do is sleep.

goa

, originally uploaded by ryan linke.

i had a real good time in goa. i met a lot of good people and enjoyed the sounds of the beach. soccer is huge there, which is not the case in most of india. i played a couple games on the beach and kicked the ball around pretty much everyday with the local kids.