This image offers a great contrast in cultural trappings – I am draped in flopping masses of green and khaki, while the monk is draped in a simple orange robe. I am giving him a two minute crash course in expressive photography, and although he might not have understood all of my words, I hoped that he would understand the universal language of photography. I am amused by seeing all of the technology I have come to take for granted when I am shooting in the field – I rely on two digital cameras, a large watch, a handy pen, not to mention all the other stuff that is bulging in the pockets of my photographer’s vest and the computer, and battery chargers awaiting me back in the hotel room. I even wear a tiny Vietnamese flag on my floppy ventilated hat – a gesture of recognition to all of the kind people I encountered in the streets and fields of Vietnam, people just like this gracious monk who so patiently observes me here at my great passion -- teaching. Thanks, Tim, for making this example showing how others saw me in the streets of Vietnam in the first week of 2008.