During undergraduate school, I studied in a little school in the desert outside of Los Angeles. Each year, I took a road trip traveling to the many different canyons, virgin beaches, and miniscule towns all over Baja California, Mexico. I relish any opportunity to get out of the States and explore other countries, nations, peoples, and places.
           
Despite the magic phosphorescent oceans and white sand beaches of Mexico, it is impossible to overlook the presence of squalor and desperation of many of the Mexican people.

I made this video in response to feeling like voyeur to the poverty around me. The image of the rain on the outside of the window, while I stay dry from inside the car, is representative of my sense of distance from the reality of my environment, but also the protections I unfairly enjoy due to my citizenship.

The images of the giant Jesus and the crosses made by power lines infer the Catholic foundations of Mexico, contrasted by the Pharmacia signs that reference the influence of drug culture over the Mexican economy and governmental corruption.