13 Feb Interactive Story Picture This Ethan Vink
Picture This
By Ethan Vink
Steve had poured through dozens of travel guides trying to decide where to shoot next. He logged onto his bank account to ensure that the magazine had made a travel deposit and to see just how much, this dollar amount would help in his decision making process. $20,000.00, his eyes lit up and he grabbed the Nepal travel guide. This trip was on!
“Sir, your seat is A4 in our First Class cabin”, the lovely red headed stewardess said with a smile. “Stewardess”, Steve thought, “do they even use that word anymore”? He knew $5,000.00 was a chunk of change for a flight but he also new those 21 hours in economy would kill him. Steve’s 40 years of traveling and photographing the world had taken a toll on his body and he was just 4 months past two total knee replacements. He thought he felt good but sitting with knees bended for that long would be painful and he needed good knees where he was going.
A few hours into the flight Steve glanced across the isle at the young man in B4. He was reading an old 1960’s travel guide on Kathmandu. “There is an updated version of that book online”, Steve offered. The young man barely glanced up and stated matter-of-factly, “nothing beats the pages of a real book but thanks, Gramps.” Had the young man had the courtesy to look at Steve he would have seen the clear look of disdain on his face right now. Steve would never be that discourteous to his elders, or to anyone for that matter. While photography was a solitary profession traveling the world for National Geographic had taught Steve that interaction with the native people often led to the best pictures. The older members of the communities were especially helpful and always knew where to find the hidden gems. Steve turned away from the young man and gazed out his window until he fell asleep.
“Sir, would you like some breakfast”? The pretty red head was asking him. “I would indeed”, said a still groggy Steve. “How much longer until we land”? “Less that six hours” she answered. This time Steve caught a bit of an accent in her speech. “Where is that accent from” Steve inquired. “I am from Pokhara in Nepal” she said with that most amazing smile again. “Really, I will be traveling there when we arrive in Nepal, what are the odds”? “I will be on break for 2 weeks, maybe we will run into each other”. “What is your name”? Steve asked. “Abhidi”, she replied. “Your name means radiant, what a fitting name”. This time her smile came with a warm pink blush. “I have to finish serving breakfast maybe we can talk more later.”
Steve stood up to stretch his legs and wandered up and down the isles for a few minutes. As he was making his way back to his seat he noticed his rude isle mate was cleaning his camera, a very nice expensive camera. Sony, it was what all the young photographers were using these day, I’ll take my Cannon over that any day, Steve thought. “Nice camera” Steve said, deciding to give the young man a second chance. “Thanks” he replied, looking up and giving Steve a slight smile this time. I am trying to become a photographer and thought Nepal would be a great place to shoot. I am hoping to submit some pictures to National Geographic when I return back to New York. Oh the irony, Steve laughed in his head. Reaching out his hand he said, “Nice to meet you, I am Steve McCurry”. A cow could have walked through the giant gaping hole that was the young mans open mouth. “THE Steve McCurry? ‘Afghan Girl’, Steve McCurry”? “That’d be me, and you are”? “So sorry, is what I am. I was rude earlier and I owe you a huge apology, sir. My name is Kyle Michaels, sir”. “Steve will be just fine Kyle, pleasure to meet you young man”.
By the time the flight landed Steve and Kyle had become fast friends despite the 45 years of age that separated them. The love of photography did that to people, it transcended age and race and language. It, like music and poetry, brought people closer together. Abhidi, the radiantly beautiful flight attendant handed Steve a piece of paper. “That is my cell number, if you need a tour guide please call me”. The same pink blush colored her face and Steve made a point to hold her hand just a second longer as he took the piece of paper. “Where are you staying”? Steve asked Kyle. “At the Hyatt Regency”. Of course thought Steve, remembering the high price camera Kyle had been cleaning. Steve was staying at Trekkers Home, for eight American dollars. Steve always immersed himself in the culture of wherever he was traveling; Kyle would have to learn that. They part ways but agree to meet up later that night.
Ending 1:
Steve and Kyle decide they would meet for breakfast and do a quick tour of the city before separating to take their pictures. Thoroughly jet lagged, Steve over sleeps. Knowing that Kyle will be waiting Steve rushes to grab a quick shower. What day is it, Steve’s groggy brain wonders. He glances at his IPad, Sunday April 25th. As he steps into the shower he feels a strange shudder. “What the hell”? Steve says out loud. Another shudder is followed by a huge bump that knocks Steve to his knees. A hard shaking and rolling feeling follows the bump this time. It’s a freaking earthquake Steve realizes. He jumps from the shower and throws on his pajama pants. He needs to get out of the building quick, it was old and already falling apart, this would not be good. The shuddering should have stopped by now, this is way too long and too hard. As Steve exits the building he is astonished to see so much devastation already. I must be standing in the epicenter, Steve thinks. Suddenly the ground opens up beneath him. His knees buckle and he is sucked into the giant hole that is forming around him. His mind races to thoughts of Abhidi. Is she ok, will he ever see her again. Another giant bump and Steve falls into the vast darkness.
Ending 2:
Steve meets with the Bahun family early; only they know where to send Steve and where “he” is going to be. This will be the shot that win’s him the National Geographic’s photographer of the year award. For the past 50 years Tibet has suffered from extreme political upheaval. It is only their unwavering faith in Buddha and the Dalai Lama that has sustained them but the man their faith revolves around has not been seen for months. Many fear he is ill or has died. The Dalai Lama lives in McLeod Ganj, India but the Bahun family knows that he is alive and will be traveling to Kathmandu to his sacred prayer spot on this day. The family has traveled with the Dalai Lama here for many years and they owe Steve a huge debt of gratitude. It was Steve that saved their son the day of the great earthquake on April 25th. The trek is long and cold but the end result will be so worth it. Three hours later they arrive and as promised he is here as well. Steve steadies his camera and in continuous mode takes picture after picture as the Dalai Lama himself walks towards him with a most beautiful and peaceful smile. This shot alone will put the country at rest and win him the prize he has sought for years.
Ending 3:
Steve meets with the Bahun family early in the morning; only they know where to send Steve and where he is going to be. Steve has spent days watching Kyle struggle to get one really great shot to submit to National Geographic. Even though Steve knows this will be the shot that win’s him the National Geographic’s photographer of the year award he feels bad for young Kyle. Remembering what it was like for him as a struggling new photographer Steve makes a split decision. For the past 50 years Tibet has suffered from extreme political upheaval. It is only their unwavering faith in Buddha and the Dalai Lama that has sustained them but the man their faith revolves around has not been seen for months. Many fear he is ill or has died. The Dalai Lama lives in McLeod Ganj, India but the Bahun family knows that he is alive and will be traveling to Kathmandu to his sacred prayer spot on this day. The family has traveled with the Dalai Lama here for many years and they owe Steve a huge debt of gratitude. It was Steve that saved their son the day of the great earthquake on April 25th. The trek is long and cold but the end result will be so worth it. Three hours later they arrive and as promised he is there as well. Steve helps Kyle steady his camera and watches as he takes picture after picture of the Dalai Lama himself. Steve knows that this shot alone will put the country at rest and get Kyle into the next issue of National Geographic.
Ending 4:
It has only been 4 hours, is it to soon to call her Steve asks himself. Although he has never married, Steve has loved many women in his life. He could not figure out why Abhidi made him feel so different, so young and foolish like a schoolboy. Whatever it was he had to see her again and soon.
“Yes, I am looking for a travel guide, have I called the right number”? Steve waited nervously for a reply. “Why yes sir, you have,” she said with a lilt in her voice, “where would you like to go”? Steve had to stop the words in his head from leaving his mouth, to bed with you, he thought. “How about dinner” he asked aloud.
Much to his surprise and joy dinner led right to breakfast and to dinner after dinner for 2 weeks. How could he possibly be this in love after only 13 days. Day 14 was here and he knew Abhidi’s break was over. He called a cab and went with her to the airport. Since she was an employee she was allowed to pass him to the gate with her. They stood and kissed for what seemed like an hour. His heart was racing and his blood surged through his body. “I have to go soon” she said and pulled reluctantly away from him. Suddenly his emotions overtook him. “Marry me”, he screamed for the whole airport to hear. “Marry me today, right now, right here I love you”! With her face a flush with the pink glow he had come to love she simply said “YES”.
Ending 5:
It has only been 4 hours, is it to soon to call her Steve asks himself. Although he has never married, Steve has loved many women in his life. Yet he could not figure out why Abhidi made him feel so different, so young and foolish like a schoolboy. Whatever it was he had to see her again and soon.
“Yes, I am looking for a travel guide, have I called the right number”? Steve waited nervously for a reply. “Why yes sir, you have,” she said with a lilt in her voice, “where would you like to go”? Steve had to stop the words in his head from leaving his mouth, to bed with you, he thought. “How about dinner” he asked aloud.
To his surprise and dismay Kyle was at the same restaurant when he and Abhidi arrived. She ran over and gave Kyle a quick hug and invited him to join them. They all talked for hours and dinner almost ran into breakfast. “I have to go, it’s so late,” Abhidi said. At the same time both men stammered, “I’ll take you home”. Abhidi laughed at the men and said, “That’s ok I am just staying up the road at the Hyatt Regency”. “So am I, what a coincidence” says Kyle. Yea right, coincidence, more like bad luck thinks Steve. He waves them off and heads back to his $8.00 a night hotel, alone.
The next morning Steve heads over to the Hyatt to pick Kyle up. He knocks and knocks but no answer. As he heads down the hallway Kyle steps out of another room in the same clothes he had on last night. “Well, at least someone got lucky last night”, Steve laughs. Kyle looks uncomfortable and says, “Gimme a few minutes to shower and we will head out”. The door that Kyle just exited from opens, and Abhidi, dressed only in a hotel bathrobe, emerges.
