Captivating Places: people

Showing posts with label people. Show all posts

25 March 2012

I believe the children are our future …

We are reluctant to leave Cambodia. Our time here was relaxing to be sure, thanks to our Mekong cruise and a comfortable stay in Siem Reap. We were able to see the Cambodian people at work, at play, in meditation, and in many unguarded moments of everyday life. When I reflect on the pain the population has suffered in recent times, I think, perhaps more than other countries we have visited, Cambodia must look to the future. The struggle is to create a future that will bring education and opportunity to Cambodia's children, for at present, they are the most disadvantaged even as they are the country's future.

"I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way

"Show them all the beauty they possess inside

"Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

"Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be"

Lyrics from Greatest Love Of All | Songwriters: Creed, Linda; Masser, Michael
© EMI GOLD HORIZON MUSIC CORP.; EMI GOLDEN TORCH MUSIC CORP.

20 March 2012

A monk walks in the temple

There is something very right and special about seeing Buddhist monks walking in the Angkor temples. They are tourists, too -- often from Thailand -- come to experience these ancient sacred spaces. I frequently tried to photograph them.

Mr. Thy, our guide, told us that the monks are quite comfortable with being photographed. As this monk walked away, I was wishing I had got a better shot. So I asked Mr. Thy if he could request a photo for me. The monk agreed and I took my picture.

Then Mr. Thy told me to stand with the monk for another photo, telling me to take care not to touch the monk's robes. We stood for my picture, then the monk handed Mr. Thy his camera for his own souvenir shot with me. Many young men enter a monastery for a period of time, perhaps two or three years, to study the Buddha teachings. To me it seemed like a way of deciding what they wanted to do in life. Some stay and become monks, but many return to lay life, get married and pursue a livelihood. In a country where education is expensive and good paying employment is not easy to find, the monastic life attracts many.

Below, young monks work on a well at the monastic teaching centre of Vipassana Dhura we visited before coming to Siem Reap to see Angkor. I loved their engaged faces as they worked together in the late afternoon sun. Their robes are almost the same color as the iron-rich earth.

Again, at Angkor Wat, a monk walks on the stones by the reflecting pool. On the road to wisdom, a traveller may consider the words of the Buddha: "It is better to travel well than to arrive."

21 February 2012

Faces of Madagascar

As our travels have expanded, I have grown more brave with my camera. I love to get close-up candid shots of the people along the way, but it can be tricky. People don't always appreciate being photographed; with practice I've become a little more adept at using my telephoto. I thought I would share some of my portraits.

The woven caps serve to stabilize the baskets and other things the women carry on their heads. They can also turn the cap over and use it as a small basket, again of the head. Excellent if you just need to buy a few tomatoes or plums.

The zebu meat seller offers his wares. He whistled and this young mother came to check the quality and make a purchase.

Her little one carries home the meat. Children learn to participate in household activities at a very young age.

Joey, on the right, explains a landmark to Dorique during a "photo stop". I know we were their clients, but these were two very kind men. By the end of our journey together, we were sorry to say goodbye.

The children are my favorite subjects.

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