I pursued a journey of self-discovery to experience a reality different from any I had known.

This kind of odyssey is as old as time - yet it was important to test myself for the sake of valuable insights.

For me, this project began in India.

After an absence of 14-years, I returned to the sub-continent, known at various times by many names, including the Land of the Pure, and the Land of Enlightened - yet known distinctly as India after Alexander the Great and his Macedonian army crossed the Indus River in the Third century B.C.

During my first visit to India, I had no interest in photography. This time was different, and I very much wanted a camera to help me observe the people and learn more about the culture of India.

This time I traveled alone across India, like American photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark.

All the accompanying photographs are from Manali, a resort town nestled in the majestic Himalayan mountains of Himachal Pradesh, about 340 miles northeast of New Delhi.

All of us have our journeys of self-discovery. I hope my photographs reveal some of my experiences - and inspire others to follow their own paths.