Gili Air

We have mixed emotions about tourism. We’ve found it to be very delicate balance. Tourism can help to grow the economy of a land with barren soil or little exports. It can also trample entire villages and displace hundreds of species.

When we can, we ask very honest and sincere questions. With the looming volcanic eruption, we’ve found a common response. The volcanic activity has scared away many tourists and driven business down. The Indonesian government seems to be making efforts to keep tourism evenly spread and and to never overwhelm any one area. I don’t know enough to have any opinion, but as a frequent traveller I always try to be aware of my impact on a community. 

I don’t set out to document poverty. I don’t want to create ‘poverty porn’ for most of us to gawk at, thinking ‘imagine that.’ I want to build empathy and interest in their ingenuity. 

There’s an immense pride that should be had in the ability to build these homes, to raise livestock, to create shops, and to maintain these communities. It’s very idealistic of me, but I hope the pride is what is shown.

OK. That’s all the pretentious wordy stuff. Now here’s pictures of the sunset. Hehe.