My last trip (for a while…)
By Tessa Bunney on 21 May 2013So today I will be heading back up to the north of Laos – via Luang Prabang, to Oudomxay and venturing into Phongsaly from the south just for a few days. Due to a complex mosaic of reasons primarily extremely long school holidays Noah and I will be back in the UK for almost two months so this will be my last photographic trip for a while. I feel less excited about this trip than I might have done a while back – I know it is the right thing to do – to go back, to consolidate and to build on relationships already started but part of me wants NEW and EXCITING and to EXPLORE… there is so much of Laos I have not seen yet.
Then I remembered a lovely message last week from Phong who is working on the Houaphanh Bamboo Sector Development Project. “Reading your experiences have been a delight as it gives light to others unaware of the situation for mountainous people of Northern Laos. Please continue with your awareness raising. You give voice to those who have so much to share yet are unable (the villagers you visited).”
These last few weeks for some reason, I have suddenly really felt the need to travel to the south of Laos – and even though it will be mega hot and possibly rainy, we have decided to have a short family trip to Pakse in Champasak province for a few days to making the most of extra school and work holidays at the end of next week. CANNOT WAIT!
Also, the other thing is that inbetween trips up North I have been taking very few photos in and around Vientiane itself. I had convinced myself that it the City does not inspire me. Full stop. However, this week whilst doing research for freelance job I discovered a place on the edge of the City which does actually interest and inspire me, and would also add a further element to the collection of landscape stories I am working on. More soon.