The minute I saw this Indonesian (Batak) man, I knew I wanted to take a photo. Maybe a few. Not only was the guy handsome, but he looked cool. And different somehow.
For a moment, I wondered if he was an Asian film star. Had I seen him on the big screen at an arthouse cinema in New York City ? Or was he a model? Perhaps he’d appeared in a magazine or two…
Whatever the case, I found his look–his wide range of facial expressions, especially–intriguing. And when we met and spoke, I realized I already knew him. Sort of.
I had e-mailed the hotel I was staying at, Samosir Cottages, several days before. And he was the person who’d replied. His name: Hendrik. He’s Batak–from Lake Toba–but he lives/works in Holland.
Dedicated to Batak Culture/Reviving Tourism
Although Hendrik only visits Samosir Island for vacations now (which is how/why our paths crossed), his roots and ongoing connection here are strong. He handles marketing and promotion for two hotels (and hopes to revive tourism on the island, which has died down in recent years) in addition to his full-time job abroad.
Thanks to him, a Korean traveler and I went to two local Batak weddings–a cool experience we’ll always appreciate and remember fondly.
He’s also a musician–a guitar player and singer who’s put out a couple CDs of original Batak music… We had the chance to see him perform a few times and it was excellent.
Man #2 in ’10 Handsome Indonesian Men Post’
“Can I take your photo?” I asked once we’d chatted a few times. “I’d like to put you in an article about 10 Handsome Indonesian Men.” (I’d already taken shots of someone else in Western Sumatra for this, so I figured he’d be man #2.)
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” he said, with a smile and hint of amusement, before he took a drag from his Marlboro cigarette. He looked cooler than Clint after walking into a saloon.
And that’s where it–the photo shoot, if you will–began. And I must confess–this mini photography addiction lasted for a couple days.
Why I Couldn’t Stop…1 Photo = 1 Dorito
I compare it to eating just one Dorito. It’s just not possible. I just had to take more photos. I couldn’t stop myself. And so I didn’t. And he didn’t mind either. (I asked permission to be sure.)
At times, I used a high contrast black and white filter on my Olympus XZ-1. Other photos were shot naturally and in color. Hope you enjoy them and the order in which I posted them!
Your Thoughts? Reactions
Have you ever met anyone so photogenic that you were compelled, as I was, to shoot numerous photos? If so, what were the circumstances? And where were you? Also, how did the person react?
Was the person an actor or model? Or someone who just happened to be photogenic?
After viewing the photos in this post, can you understand my Dorito-like photo addiction? 
PS: This was not a crush (he’s a friend/a married man); it was just a ‘photographer-subject fascination’, if that makes any sense… ☺
Me, post-photo shoot, hanging out with Hendrik
Want to Meet More Locals?
Here are more posts re: the locals I’ve met while traveling. Enjoy!
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