Almost half of the Vietnamese population is 25 or younger, it's important to respect and appreciate the older men and women. The elders, true to their ethnic traditions, fully embody Vietnam and it's rich culture. Only they can recall the French occupancy and the American War. They are Vietnam. These images capture the richness the elder Vietnamese' lives.

This post is part of an ongoing series of photo sets by Sloane Sheldon and taken during her international travels. These images were captured at a ceremony of Caodaism in Vietnam, where it is the third largest religion.

While the vibrant colors of Guatemala were an important stylistic element in the first set of photographs from my trip, the faces and scenes captured in black and white take on a different life altogether.

For those who think of the Bahamas as always a tropical paradise where one might finally be able to slow or even silence their nonstop New York City train of thought while surrounded by the clear sea and white beaches, think again.

In Guatemala, I found every waking moment to be fecund with energy and life – making photography there a wonderful experience full of brilliant, rich colors.