The Mirror House by Doug Aitken

Palm Springs, CA

(1/24)

(2/24)

Along the Lost City Trek in Sierra Nevada National Park in Colombia

(3/24)

A meditative moment after summiting the last steps of the 3 day trek to “The Lost City,” an ancient Colombian society that flourished in the middle of the lush green hills of Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Ana around 600-700 years ago.

(4/24)

(5/24)

Colombia’s people of the sun, sand, and wind who live in the arid, desolate Guajira Desert in the north of Colombia. After escaping from Colombia’s Amazon, the Wayuu relocated to the desert where they have lived for centuries—the only indigenous population to defy the Spanish Conquistadores! Despite their triumphs to protect their way of life, the Wayuu lead an undeniably tough (from Western perspectives) lifestyle living off what little the land provides and what little tourists offer to those begging.

These particular kids chased our caravan about half a kilometer waving at us, making faces, and enjoying a glimpse of something they don’t see everyday.

(6/24)

My cousin emerging from the darkness of a Tierradentro tomb in the hills of Inza, Colombia.

(7/24)

Usaquén Street Market, Bogota

(8/24)

This is certainly a vibe, perhaps one that is a bit vintage with the antique phones and trinkets for sale.

(9/24)

Like many craftsmen and craftswomen in South America, this weaver took to the streets of her city to peddle her fabrics, clothes, etc (many of which were spun from alpaca wool) to tourists like me.

(10/24)

Just like her mother, this young girl knew how to hustle. Dressed in the clothes of her indigenous population, this young girl posed for photos…for a couple of Peruvian soles.

(11/24)

One of the best ways to try and sell an Andean flute: playing it for passing tourists, enchanting them with your melodies!

(12/24)

It’s common for many people in Peru, especially Cuzco, to sell photos with gorgeous llamas and alpacas to tourists.

(13/24)

A popular South American food is Cuy, what westerners would call Guinea Pig. What we deem a pet has been a part of their diet for centuries. Here at a roadside stall in the Sacred Valley you can buy a roasted Cuy on a stick.

(14/24)

One of Peru’s famed cooking methods dating back thousands of years is Pachamanca, translated from Quechuan and meaning “earth pot.” The Incans developed this technique further by using superheated volcanic stones from the Andes as a cooking source. A hole is dug in the ground in which these hot stones are placed, after which the meat and veggies are laid to cook before being finally covered with banana leaves, fabrics, and of course dirt!

(15/24)

On the floating Uros Islands, the indigenous population has realized that there is money to be made on the tourists passing through.

(16/24)

(17/24)

The day I happened to pass through Otavalo I chanced upon a wedding celebration. While not everyone was invited to the ceremony, many locals in the streets poured one up to celebrate!

(18/24)

The Stablemaster at Hacienda Zuleta changes out the horseshoes of one of their beautiful horses before sending him out on a ride. Unfortunately for him, the horse decided this was the perfect time thank him with a fecal gift.

(19/24)

Raphael poses wearing the garb of the Chagra, an Ecuadorian highland cowboy.

(20/24)

(21/24)

Tokyo, Japan

(22/24)

(23/24)

Where village life is sustained through fishing and tourism

(24/24)