One of the things I like most about travel is the surprises. This is a story of one of those chance encounters that became a surprise.

It’s no secret that I enjoy taking photos. I have around 110,000 of them currently on my phone, mostly from the last 8 or 9 years. I also love to see happy, smiling faces when people take vacation photos. So, whenever I travel or even go places nearby like the zoo, I always offer to take people’s photos together. Most people look surprised, like they are shocked someone would offer. I usually have to reassure them I’ve done this hundreds of times (and I have). Most people are delighted, as they like having a photo of everyone together to capture the memory. In fact, I’ve taken photos of at least 25 families in a row in Sequoia National Park, Biltmore in Asheville, NC, various botanical gardens, art museums, and Lake Como in Northern Italy. I have been told many times I should charge for my services, particularly as they see me take photos for several people in a row. I would not accept payment, as it is one thing I can do to spread just a bit of kindness to a stranger.

The second full day I went to Washington, DC last May I was walking from the Library of Congress to the Hirshhorn Museum, as I had a reserved ticket to see my favorite artist, Yayoi Kusama (more on her and her art in a bit). It was a beautiful day and Google Maps said it was only a 17 minute walk. Apparently Google Maps walk time is calibrated to a very tall man who power walks in his spare time. Let’s just say it is overly optimistic for someone of my height and walking speed. I started out 45 minutes ahead of my ticket time and looked at my phone about half of the way there and discovered I had a quite a long ways to go. What?!? So, frustrated, I kicked myself into high gear and arrived at the Hirshhorn Museum winded, hot, with a major case of hat hair, and fairly disheveled. In other words, I’m sure I was a sight for sore eyes. I did NOT want to miss my ticket time for the special exhibition, as it was one of the main reasons I went to DC in the first place. But, right in front of the museum three people were looking jovial and trying to take selfies of themselves. So, in a winded voice, I asked if they would like me to take their photo together. The woman in the group seemed a bit surprised, but shrugged slightly and said “Sure.” I proceeded to take several shots, explaining my goal with each shot and then asked the woman to look at her phone and see if they were ok. She had a funny look on her face that I couldn’t quite identify, but she said they were good, so I wished them a good day and headed toward the museum door, thinking nothing more of it.

I made my way down to the Kusama exhibit and was ushered right in. After some introduction to the artist, I went inside a room chock full of polka dots with a polka dot pumpkin in the middle. Polka dot pumpkins are one of Kusama’s frequent creations. I was trying to awkwardly take selfies (I am not very good at it…t-Rex arms do not help) when in walks the three folks I had just photographed outside. They were taking photos of each other and I again offered to take their photo together and they took me up on it. Then the woman asked if I would like some photos of myself. I agreed. She snapped some photos and showed me a few.

I was pleased and noted she took great photos so I thanked them and moved on to the next room, where you got 45 seconds alone in one of Kusama’s Infinity rooms. See below.

Very cool! I loved it! Then we got in line for a second infinity room which was even better!

We were then ushered back into the room with the polka dot pumpkin again. Those three folks appeared shortly after I entered the room again and the woman told one of her friends she wanted some photos with me. So, I took some photos with her and her friend and she took a few more of just me. Afterwards I thanked her and we exchanged names and she asked me why I was in DC. I told her I was here to view this exhibit and wanted to start a travel blog. I asked why she was here and her response floored me. She said she had an exhibit opening at the National Museum of African Art this week. Her eyes shone when she talked about it. Her name was Ayana V Jackson. After I picked my jaw up from the floor, I congratulated her and promised her I would go see it.

Later in the week I walked over to the National Museum of African Art and was floored to see her photography/art was THE MAIN EXHIBIT! It filled up most of one level of the museum! I about laughed myself silly when I realized I offered to take HER photos. She was so gracious and appreciative - just a genuinely good human being. So, I viewed her whole exhibit and it is still there through January 2025. Gorgeous exhibit with much to convey! If you get to DC this year, be sure to view it too!

One more piece to the above story… I went to the Hirshhorn Museum one late afternoon while I was in DC, as it was open late that day. I don’t remember what day it was as I went there 3 or 4 times that week. Anyway, I was viewing the exhibit about women artists (see below) and those three folks walked in. What are the odds? We laughed and I offered to take their photos a third time, so good-naturedly, they agreed and did a wonderful, funny pose, balancing on one foot apiece among the three of them imitating a wild piece of artwork. It was a total hoot! I didn’t have photos because I used Ayana’s phone but I messaged her and she found them for me. Is that awesome or what? Not only is she incredibly talented and a good person, but she and her friends have a wonderful sense of humor! She said the photos brought back good memories for everyone in the group. 😊🫶🤳

Good memories…Travel will do that for you. So will being kind. You will never regret either. 🫶

Click on the Smithsonian link below for photos and more information about Ayana’s exhibit. And now I have added her to my favorite artists list and we are friends on Instagram. Life is just funny sometimes. But I never would have met her if I hadn’t offered to take her photo. Do likewise and make someone’s day!

https://www.si.edu/exhibitions/deep-wake-drexciya-ayana-v-jackson%3Aevent-exhib-6673

The National Museum of African Art is amazing, as is Hirshhorn Museum. Here’s just a few photos of other exhibits at the Hirschorn when I was there. Also, immediately below is a link to the Yayoi Kusama exhibit I saw. I adore her work! She is over 90 and I try to see her new installations. Someday I want to go to Japan and see her work there. 🤞🤞🤞