This journey was more than a mere adventure; it was the awakening of a new perspective on life, a quest for self-discovery. Looking back now, I see a burning curiosity, an insatiable hunger for the unknown. Fearlessly, I ventured into Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, crossed vast oceans on cargo ships, and slept on trains in unexpected corners. My ambition was boundless—everything was an experience to be captured through my lens, guided by Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moments and Jules Verne’s spirit of exploration.
Fresh from art school, I moved to New York City, eager to become an artistic documentary photographer. Working as an assistant at the Sygma photographic agency, I dreamed of following in the footsteps of their world-traveling photographers. Then, a serendipitous phone call offered me the chance to live that dream. With Leroy Woodson Jr., I set out on a 100-day, 20-city journey across the globe, without the aid of airplanes, cell phones, or the internet. In 1992, this was a world untouched by the rapid pace of modern technology. Armed with only analog cameras and our own instinctive curiosity, we embarked on a race against other teams.
Our first leg began by hitching a ride with a cigarette smuggler, followed by a Greyhound bus to New Orleans, then across to Los Angeles. We sailed to Japan on a cargo ship, and along the way, natural wonders and human faces unfolded in front of me. I captured fleeting moments, like the threatened bluefin tuna at Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Even when Leroy was injured in Shanghai, our journey continued, powered by a shared bravery and determination.
After 92 days, we finished in Boston, our journey immortalized in photographs sent to Time Life labs. These images and mementos remain a testament to that adventure—an exploration of the world, and of the self.
Leica Gallery Madrid c/ José Ortega y Gasset, 34. Madrid.
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