i think that to a lot of people these scenes speak of poverty and that only. to me, after having met these people and spent a little bit of time with them, i think they speak of the poetry of a different way of life. it is hard, and by consumerist standards, an unluxurious life. but taken from another point of view, from a view of the land, the nature and what it can sustainably give, i think these people are quite blessed in their simplicity and authenticity. i can tell you that without an exception, they were happier and more in ownership of their lives than the millions of poor who migrate to the slums of cities like sao paulo, rio de janeiro, salvador. i dont want to sound as if im vacuoulsy romanticising poverty, i am not. i am aware of the limitation, the diseases, the lack of support in a place like this. but i live in a big city, and i know that even here in the weatly west for many millions life isnt easy, or pleasant. they at least are self sufficient in an environment that is stunning and rich with natural resources. i cant say that for myself or many others who i know in more luxurious settings.

what i fear for them is a consumerist modernity where they cease to be poor in belongings but rich in existence and self-sufficient within their environment, and become instead poor in belongings and in spirit, selling their way of life for a few items of plastic and other tokens of luxury, in the process losing their relative comfort and dignity.