Love and Faith

"Love and Faith," the last story I shot for my former employer The Virginian-Pilot runs today. So if you're in VA pick up a copy. If not, and you're interested in seeing the full story, full size images and how the story ran in print visit my website at:

www.facun.com

This is my "Swan Song" for the community I loved and left behind.

Social Landscapes

Much of my free time is spent wandering about the city. I want to see what there is to find in between the cracks. The streets are where you find the heart of any city, including Abu Dhabi.

Tattoos Are a Sin

Within less than 24 hours of arriving in Abu Dhabi I went on assignment for my new employer. It was the last day of Ramadan and the men of Muslim faith would be gathering to pray in the yard across the street from my friend's flat.

He had planned on shooting the event in the early morning hour around 5:00 a.m. or so. He asked if I wanted to come along and shoot. Having just arrived at 7:30 p.m. and experiencing jet lag I decided it was too good to pass up, so I obliged. Not to mention what better way to get my feet wet in my new home. Right?

The morning light was beautiful as was the prayer service. I made some decent images for just getting started. After it was all over a Muslim man approached me. Our interaction went something like this...

"Brother, you know tattoos are a sin?" he asked gently.

I shrugged my shoulders in a apologetic way - as to say - sorry, what can I do my friend.

"You are Muslim, are you Muslim?" he asked with a confused look on his face.

I replied...No, I just moved here last night.

"Well, tattoos are unhealthy," he said while grabbing my hand.

Next he rubbed oil on me and walked away.

Good times!!!! Welcome to Abu Dhabi.

Holiday

Leaving my wife and two children in the States as I get life in order here in Abu Dhabi has not been easy on the heart. It's been a test of many emotions that I was not readily prepared for under any circumstances.

It makes me think of my father, who served 22 years in the Navy. Throughout his career he would leave my mother, sister and I for six month deployments - I often wondered how he felt. I know now that it was for the same reasons I left the States. My leaving is what I refer to as "The American Dream:Exported." A headline that I plan to visually explore in my next photo essay, but thats another story.

In any case, being made to feel like a fish in a sardine can is far from my situation so in an effort to lift my sprits I spent my first weekend in the UAE at a resort in Fujairah.

I think I missed the boat on this one. It was absolutely deserted. Which under most circumstances would be ideal, especially if the wife was along for a romantic weekend get-a-way. This wasn't the case. So I drank fresh juice, swam with the fishes, and took in the view.

One In Four Have It

In the United Arab Emirates one out of every four citizens has diabetes. With the second highest diabetes rate in the world, treatment is gobbling up an estimated 40 percent of the national health care budget. 

The UAE's diabetes rate roughly 20 percent for residents -- 25 percent for Emirati national -- eclipses the global average of 5 percent.

The change in the UAE's lifestyle in recent years, with the economic boom and the changes from a primitive lifestyle to a highly modernized version has led to the health crisis. 

In a rural area of Fujairah, UAE, en route to a desert holiday I spotted this Pepsi truck. I assume it was on its way to distribute the opium to the masses. Welcome to mass marketing as we know it. 

Departure

September 28th marked the day I left the States en route to Abu Dhabi for a new start in a foreign land. Just as my father left his homeland, at the age of 18 in search of a better life for himself, I too was leaving my country for the same reasons. I never once thought the day would come when I would leave the States in search of a better life for my family. That day has come and went. With the failing economy and the disabling newspaper industry I made the leap to another country where the economy is not only stable but prospering.