All these pictures were taken one evening on a photoshoot with Sunita. We were driving around in a taxi and were stopped waiting on the side of the road. A woman standing there struck me and I asked if I could take her picture. She sort of smiled and posed. She was so beautiful. (The one below in green.)

We got out of the taxi and in a matter of moments were surrounded by children circling and smiling...wanting their picture taken. Sunita and I realized we were holding up the taxi, as the meter was running up so we decided to pay him and send him on. Neither of us had the right amount of money. I looked in my pocket and all I had was a large bill.
(100 rupees = $2.50) The ride was 10 rupees = $0.25 We didn't know what to do.

Then this dear man came over, a father of some of the children, took out his wallet and paid the taxi. I was incredibly humbled. We were on one of the poorest roads in Bombay. Truly the slums. I couldn't believe this man was willing to pay for us, especially because I knew he didn't have much money...and as a Westerner....it was just an amazing experience to have him giving to us.

We must have stayed on the road for at least a half hour. There were just shacks lined up next to each other made of aluminum siding, covered with tarps...on a busy highway. All the children came out while the women sat around talking out front. After a while even the women were willing to jump in a picture. They were quite entertaining. ;)

A few days later I got a some of the photos printed and brought them back to the families. They seemed very pleased--accepting them with huge smiles. I let them know I'd share the photos so people in America would know how beautiful the people of India were. Looking at these pictures you would never know they are some of the poorest in Bombay.