Burma.
These images were taken in September 2002, in Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar, as well as in Nyaungshwe, near Inle Lake, Shan State. I was touched by the Burmese, their incredibly gentle and Buddhist nature. Even though I had no money for over a week I was looked after. (I paid a family for an expensive air ticket after a misunderstanding when I enquired of the flight price. There are no ATM’s in the country, and I gave them the last of my cash, but I didn’t starve: my guest house provided complimentary banana pancakes each morning, I discovered avocado trees, and the tea houses provide boiled water in the form of Chinese Tea, and hand made rice crackers. Then, rather than enduring a 4 day long bus trip back to the capital I flew in style on “Flying Elephant” airways. It was an adventure.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A local guide looks across a Hmong village in the mountains above Nyaungshwe. Avocado’s, Tobacco, Tea etc. are some of the staple crops….
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Making Rice Balls. Three women fold a fragile mixture of rice flower into balls, a staple of the daily diet. They work 12 hours each day.
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September, 2002.
Yangon, Yangon Division, Myanmar.
Sheltering from a sudden downpour is a daily event during the monsoon.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Jumping Cat Monastery. A monk entices a cat to jump through a hoop to the amusement of the occasional tourist.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Returning from the floating markets on Inle Lake during the afternoon rains on Inle Lake.
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A woman sews colourful strings into the national “Longyi” skirt worn by all men and women. Her hand seems to replicate the cloud outside.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A woman shelters from the rain inside a tea shop, whilst another runs past.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
After collecting rain water in a tin, a man sets to work lighting a fire to make a pot of Chinese tea.
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September, 2002.
Yangon, Yangon Division, Myanmar.
A woman bows in prayer inside a temple of Shwedagon Paya, the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
Women from a warring ethnic minority near the border of Thailand are forced to relocate to a governement run village near Nyaungshwe where they spend their days on display for the occasional tourist.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A young mother stands in the field near her home with her baby. While practically self-sufficient in resources, she is collects firewood 6 days a week, which she sells at the market for Kyat needed to buy medicine.
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September, 2002.
Nyaungshwe, Shan State, Myanmar.
A boy leans through the window of a young girl making rice flower balls.
