It’s hard to say what draws people out to isolated places- defined by many as wastelands- but there is some force at work that speaks to a deep and ancient calling. Maybe it’s an antidote to stresses and anxieties of living in close proximity to many people. Maybe it’s a by product of the deep isolation some people feel in the modern world where the needs of the spirit and soul are neglected in order to just survive. For others- including myself- there is something profound and sacred in desolate, wideopen, isolated parts of the world. Places where the body can release tension, the mind can find peace, and where one can experience deep spiritual awakening. Through the ages spiritual teachers have spoken of the value in seeking places of solitude as a way to experience clarity and understanding. Some arrive to heal from trauma, and some to move beyond the small self.
This post introduces you to Bombay Beach which is not far from Slab City. I’ve shared a handful of images from the larger photo gallery on my website which is still under construction with many more galleries to come.
Thanks for joining me on this journey.
Be well.
Steffen
Bombay Beach is a census-designated place (CDP) in Imperial County, California, United States. It is located on the Salton Sea, 4 miles (6.4 km) west-southwest of Frink and is the lowest community in the United States, located 223 feet (68 m) below sea level. The population was 231 at the 2020 census, down from 295 in …
Cactus Hugs Article- What to Do and What to See
Bombay Beach is a tiny community on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea, near Niland, California.
Back in the mid-century era, it was pitched as a beach resort town. Then the Salton Sea’s problems stacked up, the “resort” part faded, and what’s left is a mix of locals, artists, winter visitors, and curious road-trippers.
It’s not Disneyland. It’s not curated. It’s not trying to impress you.
It’s dusty, raw, and real, and that’s kind of the point.
Three surreal nights in Bombay Beach SF Gate Article
A tiny, half-abandoned town in a neglected corner of the California desert seems like an unlikely hot spot for street theater, classical opera and large-scale public art. Yet Bombay Beach on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea has become a thriving outpost of renegade art and free expression.
It’s clear at first glance that our town is a unique place. But we believe that with an understanding of our town’s history, visitors to Bombay Beach will recognize how truly remarkable our community is.
Click on any image to shift into a more focused view of each portrait.
