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I visited the Andean market town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of Peru on a Sunday, and passed by the church just as the service was ending. The locals emerged, dressed in their elaborate and beautiful outfits, which demonstrated the weaving skills of this region. The puzzled looks and enigmatic poses of the boys seem to express some ceremonious gazing at the heavens, though all it really shows is a reaction to the drops of rain starting to fall. For me, the image recalls one of those unique travel moments that capture a glimpse into the daily lives of the people, as well as demonstrates how ancient traditions and aspects of their culture are interwoven, and continue to play and important role, in their current lives. I continue to appreciate how through travel and meeting the local people, I can learn a bit about the lives of others.

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Boys Emerging from Church, Pisac, Peru
by Doug Klostermann, Chesterfield, MO

Douglas's Dream Trip
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

In my recent travels I've been fortunate to witness unique traditional festivals including colorful Peruvian dances and Quechuan community celebrations. Through these experiences I've discovered a passion for exploring and photographing indigenous cultures and their enduring traditions. This fascination has inspired my dream trip to Southeast Asia, where the concentration of diverse ethnic groups and historic sites in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam offers an exceptional opportunity to experience and photograph traditional life and culture.

My dream trip begins in Laos, where I would explore the quiet capital Vientiane and its Buddhist monuments including That Louang, then journey on the Mekong to view daily life along the river. After celebrating Lao New Year in Louang Phabang, I'd sample a bowl of khua foe at a temple festival, then travel to the remote northern hill tribe villages to experience traditional Lao culture.

Cambodia would be next on my adventure, beginning with the capital Phnom Penh. As my girlfriend is named after a central character in the Ramayana, we couldn't miss the Royal Palace's elaborate murals depicting this Hindu epic. I've also longed to capture sunrise images of Angkor Wat before exploring the expansive site. Watching the devout in a candlelit procession at a temple's lunar festival would round out this leg of the journey.

My final destination would be Vietnam, starting with a visit to Hanoi's Museum of Ethnology and a stroll through the shops of the bustling Old Quarter. Venturing north, I would head to Bac Ha's lively Sunday market, as well as seek out secluded villages like Ban Pho, where the Flower Hmong continue to live as they have for generations.

Through this journey, I hope to deepen my understanding and capture the beauty of these countries and their spirited people who endeavor to maintain their cultural traditions.

Douglas's Travel Tips

• Learning about a country's culture, history, and people before you visit will enhance your understanding and appreciation of what you see and experience as you travel. Familiarity with a country's traditional stories may increase your insight into its art and dance. Knowing about an important festival might inspire you to schedule your trip to witness the event first hand.

• Seeking out local experiences will lead to more authentic interaction with a country and its people. Stop for lunch in a small town, attend a theater performance, or take a language or cooking lesson. Talking with the locals and discovering their different perspectives can broaden your understanding of your own culture and your identity as a global citizen.

• Volunteering with a local organization, whether for a day, a week, or on a volunteer vacation, will provide rewarding opportunities for you to give back to the country that hosted you, while also offering an inside view of daily life. Working with children, environmental groups, or construction projects will provide unique and memorable experiences that are likely to have lasting effects long after you return home.