The Photography of Dr. Jeff Harper

There was a cloud in the sky, but only one.  A rare day of blue sky in Thailand . . . a perfect day for a family outing to the ancesteral grave plot 65 kilometers south of Bangkok.

I went to Chonburi with my wife and her extended family to visit the family grave plot and to pay respect to the ancestors.  There is a valley full of these graves.

Many of the family graves are beautifully detailed.

We stop first at the cemetery shrine to send our blessings and revere the ancestors.

Much incense is lit and sustenance is offered.

Offerings are sent to the other side.

I am reluctant to post the photos of my family and the grave site out of respect to their privacy.  However, among the activities that day was sending "Hell Bank Notes" off "to the other side" for use there, should the need arise.

The spent incense ends up on this large stone.

The cemetery complex is tended by this old man.

After the grave side memorial, we always go to this small, very old, Thai town of Talad Hua Kun Jae to have lunch together.

Talad Hua Kun Jae is a typical rural Thai village: wooden buildings, a central market, and a very slow pace of life.  Nice.

It was a hot and bright afternoon in Talad Hua Kun Jae.   A good day to stop in for a quick bowl of fiery noodle soup.

Looks like something one might see in Alabama in the 1930s . . . the only thing missing is Walker Evans lugging his big box camera with James Agee trailing behind taking notes for my favorite book, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.

The old wooden buildings had the patina and textures of age.

Old wooden Thai country market towns . . .  yummy textures.

For Walker Evans.

Rusted corrugated roofing and weathered old wood . . .

Small town life in rural Thailand.