Mez Aynak, Afghanistan Conference in Washington 2012

        I took this photo of Dr. Cheryl Benard with the Mez Aynak experts 

Mes Aynak is located in Afghanistan Logar Province in remote desert region about 45km from Kabul. It is one of the oldest and richest copper mines in the world. Above it, lies the ruins of an immense ancient Buddhist complex. Today, a Chinese mining consortium threatens its destruction. I was invited to attend the conference in Washington where reports from the archeologists, mining specialists, art historians were presented on how best to preserve the artifacts. For more information read, Dr. Cheryl Benard's Daily Beast article encourages all of us to act now for the responsible preservation of one of Afghanistan's historical treasures.  To learn more: thedailybeast.com/  

Peace Caravan:Afghanistan Lecture at the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada

I had the great pleasure and honor to speak about the Peace Caravan Project and talk on my journey through Afghanistan. Lecturing serves the real mission of the project - to educate and provide first hand information about the people living in Silk Road countries.  The images and stories help to dispel myths and misconceptions resulting from a media focused on war and violence. Seeing women harvesting the fields, caring for children, families working together shows that we are all similar.

 I could not be more appreciative for the warm hospitality offered to me by the gracious Francesco Alvaraz, Director of the Institute for Contemporary Culture.  The Royal Ontario Museum is more beautiful and richer in culture and arts today than when I lived in Toronto over 30 years ago and filled every one of my visits with the awe for mankind in all our creativity.