My new journalism hero is Steve McCurry. I think he gives personality and dignity to people in difficult situations: war, floods, insurmountable poverty and cultural castes. Many have described his photo of the Afghan girl as the most recognizable photo in the world. I was ridiculously excited to see her in McCurry's stunning Seoul exhibit for myself.
I don't like pitying human misery, I like cheering for the survivor. Maybe McCurry avoids condescension
because he's almost a survivor himself. His career started when he crossed the Pakistan border into Afghanistan, dressed in native garb right before the Russian invasion and came out with rolls of film sewed into his clothing.
I like his quotation on National Geographic's Web site. "If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view." God, help me to be patient.
It's Christmas in Asia. Seoul, an ancient city of stark contrasts, celebrates Buddha's birthday (May 21) this week. Buddhists from around Asia congregated for the long-standing tradition. Monks from every corner of the city took turns pouring holy water over the baby Buddha, a ceremony I found almost as interesting as these friendly folks I met at the pre-parade pep-rally. 
Seoul's vibrant mash-up of tradition and modernity has slayed me, but seeing the strength of a futile practice was disheartening. As ornate and stunningly beautiful as the festival was, my front-row view of the procession of souls past Dongdaemun's ancient gate was far more interesting.
