Classic travel photo

[spiralout462]

Welcome home! I for one am enjoying the recap thus far!

 

[The_Traveler]

What a fascinating experience! Were you able to photograph the exorcism at all?

The Akha are averse to having pictures taken and when you get in range they move out.
Any pictures you might see of them looking all clean and dressed up are certainly staged for the camera. The villages are dry and dusty and all water must be hauled from streams; there is little/no emphasis on bathing or washing clothes.
The guide told us no pictures unless he asked and got permission from the individuals. The situation was tense with the mother yelling and lots of other people talking.

I snapped this quickly just as she ran up, the father followed soon with the little girl along with4 or 5 other males. I decided to leave my camera alone. The guide was anxious and that made me a bit worried.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

What a fascinating experience! Were you able to photograph the exorcism at all?

The Akha are averse to having pictures taken and when you get in range they move out.
Any pictures you might see of them looking all clean and dressed up are certainly staged for the camera. The villages are dry and dusty and all water must be hauled from streams; there is little/no emphasis on bathing or washing clothes.
The guide told us no pictures unless he asked and got permission from the individuals. The situation was tense with the mother yelling and lots of other people talking.

I snapped this quickly just as she ran up, the father followed soon with the little girl along with4 or 5 other males. I decided to leave my camera alone. The guide was anxious and that made me a bit worried.
View attachment 96410

I really love the shot. It captures something very evocative in my opinion.

 

[The_Traveler]

My partner - and the guide - were wondering what was going to happen.
Some ceremony, some prayers and ritual tying of white string around the baby's wrist and all was healed.

This is a spirit gate, placed at the highest point in the village.
Outsiders must not touch it.
These spirit gates divide the safe village from the outside world where the spirits are free to roam.
Note the wooden sculptures of animals, birds, corn, etc on top of the gate, symbols of how they must live.

 

[SquarePeg37 8]

Welcome back! Looking forward to more pics and stories.