Walking through the Hood

It's either a Purple Moorhen aka 'the acid turkey' or a snipe...

Trying to catch these guys in all their color-changing splendor gives me empathy for the Bigfoot hunters. Even if you see one it doesn't mean the lighting is right, or you are close enough, or the camera is steady, or that they will stay in the shot. All it means is that you've had another one-that-got-away encounter. Vivian caught up to this lady who was five feet off the ground climbing through some reeds. You can make out several shades of purplish-blue (guaranteed to have changed by the next shot) and the red crown. I'm done talking about them, just like all y'all are probably tired of hearing the coconut report. We actually do more than walk, yoga, and eat. We just don't take enough pictures, apparently.

 I bet this guy lights the disco ball on the Full Moon.

Here are a few shots of some of the coolest abodes on one of our favorite streets. This one belongs to an astrologer. It has Buddhist overtones with a stunning mirrored living room. Full glass panes are still quite rare. Most windows still have bars on the open windows, covered with old-school shutters. This house probably has AC and a generator.

Three colors, two views, one set of shadows

Last year I shot pictures of this place being renovated, with it's stick scaffolding and piles if bricks, blocks, and sand like all the other work sites. This rambler feels like Fred Flintstone meets 2001. Simple lines hiding complex ideas. This next gem across the street needs a whole day to shoot, but there is always somebody staring when I walk by. Turrets, brickwork, porthole windows, a mural on the side wall, and the craziest gate on the block inspire me to rate this as one of the top homes in Mysore.

Things aren't all getting bigger and better. On the way home from outings I often pass by the loneliest clothes merchant in one of the tiniest shops I've seen yet. They are at risk of being overwhelmed by their own parking lot. I'm not sure that the second, larger sign is helping...They have T-shirts and men's underwear displayed out front.

The root of the problem of these small ma-and-pa shops going under isn't only about the economic turndowns, corporate advertising and availability, access to stronger trading of product. It's just not great fashion for these kids of today.

Hey Mysore, the eighties called. They want their style back...

aeryk